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Epilation might sound old school, but it’s actually one of the most reliable, time-tested ways to remove hair. The best facial epilators are easy to use, come with multiple attachments, and let you remove hair safely at home—no fastidious plucking, painful threading, or expensive clinic visits required. Similar to waxing, epilation pulls hair from the root, but instead of sticky hot wax, it uses electricity. The bonus is that if you stick to a regular routine, you can save time and money on in-person treatments and put it toward, say, your favorite K-beauty skin-care products.
Before trying an epilator on your face or upper lip, it helps to know what features to look for, how to use it correctly, and, most important, what to expect when it comes to pain. As with most hair-removal methods (including laser hair removal), epilation does involve some discomfort. Below, we talked to a few leading experts to break down whether it’s safe for facial use, how epilators work, and which top picks are worth investing in.
Vogue’s Favorite Facial Epilators
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- What is an epilator?
- Is epilating good for your face?
- What to look for in an epilator
- How to use an epilator
- Do epilators hurt?
- Meet the experts
Best Overall: Braun Epilator Silk-épil 9 9-020
- Why we like it: Think of this battery-operated epilator as an investment for both body and face. Known for its flexible, wide head and ease of use, it covers more skin with each pass, making hair removal faster. The kit includes seven attachments, such as a body massage pad, a skin vitalizing pad, and various tools for the face and sensitive areas. It also features multiple speed settings and can be used wet or dry. According to board-certified dermatologist Teresa Song, MD, the larger head attachments allow for greater coverage and faster hair removal. However, she notes that it’s bulkier compared to epilators with smaller heads, though pain levels are similar across devices. The kit also comes with a shaver as an added bonus.
- Number of Tweezers: 40
- Target Area: Full body
- Type: Cordless, rechargeable
- Speed Settings: 2
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Waterproof, deep massage cap; price is more of a splurge compared to other devices | Short battery life |
Best for Larger Areas: Philips Beauty Epilator
- Why we like it: As the Philips name promises, you can trust the brand—a reassuring factor when using a 15-volt hair removal tool. It’s relatively intuitive to use, though it depends on which head you attach, as the kit contains nine accessories, including a trimmer, pedicure tool, and body exfoliator. According to Song, what sets it apart are the wider head attachments, which cover larger surface areas for more efficient and longer-lasting treatment. It also features a light guide for better visibility, so you don’t have to go in blind. “Some have described the machine as noisy, but overall it’s a good value,” she says. It’s great for travel too, since it offers up to 40 minutes of cordless use with quick charge. Plus it can be used wet or dry, depending on your preference.
- Target Area: Full body
- Type: Battery powered
- Speed Settings: N/A
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Exfoliating head for pedicure, works wet or dry, built-in light | Not as effective for facial hair |
Best With Light: Panasonic Epilator
- Why we like it: One standout feature of this epilator is its built-in LED light, which improves visibility and helps ensure no spots are missed. This versatile device can be used wet or dry, according to aesthetic nurse practitioner Jackie Spagnuolo. It also comes with multiple attachments, allowing you to epilate, shave, and trim: a head for legs and arms, a gentle cap for a less intense experience, a sensitive area cap for underarms and the bikini line, and a shaver head. Song notes that the double rotating blades and flexible attachment angles make hair removal more efficient. She also mentions that it has three adjustable speeds to manage pain, is lightweight, and recharges quickly. “A good, affordable option as well,” she adds.
- Number of Tweezers: 60
- Target Area: Full body
- Type: Cordless
- Speed Settings: 3
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Wet and dry use, 90-degree pivoting razor head, built-in LED light | Bulky |
Best for Small Areas: Braun Face Epilator Facespa Pro 911
- Why we like it: Aesthetician Kristin Gunn is a fan of using this epilator at home, praising its lightweight and compact size, which makes it perfect for on-the-go facial hair removal. “Its small size also makes it easy to shape eyebrows and reach those hard-to-get unwanted hairs on the face,” she adds. Just think of all the money you’ll save by skipping your standing eyebrow and upper lip appointments. Plus, it’s battery-powered, so you don’t have to worry about constantly charging it (something we’re guilty of never doing). It can hurt if you’re not used to similar body hair removal, but the sensation is comparable to other devices on the market—and the smooth results more than make up for it.
- Number of Tweezers: 10
- Target Area: Face
- Type: Battery, cordless
- Speed Settings: 2
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Multiple heads for cleansing, toning, and epilating | Not enough for coarse hair |
Best Budget: Remington Smooth and Silky Facial Epilator
- Why we like it: While not all epilators are created equal, they don’t have to cost you hundreds of dollars, especially if you’re only using it on your face. This affordable option from Remington can be used on both wet and dry skin. Gunn is a fan, saying, “There are two speed options for different areas of the body, and the massaging and precision attachments are an added bonus.” What’s great is that you don’t have to wait for your hair to grow back to use it—it picks up hairs as short as 0.5mm. Because it’s battery-powered, each session is easy to manage, and it comes with a cleaning kit so you can extend the life of your device by keeping it clean after every use.
- Number of Tweezers: 6
- Target Area: Face
- Type: Battery, cordless
- Speed Settings: 2
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Compact, portable, precise | Hard to grab fine hairs |
Best Cordless: Braun Epilator Silk-épil 5 5-810
- Why we like it: Great for beginners, this epilator can be used both wet and dry and guarantees results for up to four weeks. It’s also cordless with excellent battery life, making it perfect to bring along on your beach vacation—because there’s nothing worse than stepping into the sun and realizing you missed half the hairs on your neck. While it’s a bit pricier than some other tools on the market, Braun is a leader in at-home hair removal, and its 28 tweezers can remove even very short hairs that waxing often misses. It can be a bit painful if you’re new to the sensation, but with regular use, it tends to hurt less…or maybe we’re just deluding ourselves. You can also try using ice to help numb the area and make the process more comfortable.
- Number of Tweezers: 28
- Target Area: Full body
- Type: Cordless, battery
- Speed Settings: 2
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Waterproof, affordable, multiple caps to choose between | Can be painful |
Everything You Need to Know
What is an epilator?
According to Spagnuolo, epilators are devices designed to remove hair by mechanically grasping multiple hairs simultaneously and pulling them out. Many can be used wet or dry, and there are different methods these devices use to achieve this. Gunn explains that some epilators are designed to emulate tweezers, with small plates that grab hair as the epilator moves up and down the skin. Others feature rotating discs that grip the hair follicle at its root and pull it out, similar to waxing. Additionally, some epilators use a fine wire to go under the skin and send an electric current to destroy the root. Note: This option is as painful as it sounds.
Is epilating good for your face?
Song says it depends on the sensitivity of your skin. “Epilator hair removal can lead to irritation and ingrown hairs, and can be painful for some. Those with sensitive skin may also develop an irritant rash from the treatment,” she notes. One option to consider is using a hydrating serum afterward to soothe irritated skin. “For those without sensitive skin on the face who prefer a hair-removal process that lasts longer than shaving, epilators can be a good choice,” she adds.
“It’s essential to use an epilator specifically designed for facial use, which typically features gentler settings and smaller attachments to accommodate the delicate nature of facial skin,” says Spagnuolo. As with most things, performing a patch test before full application and following up with soothing, hydrating skin care can help mitigate any adverse effects.
What to Look for in an Epilator
- Tweezers: The number and quality of tweezers in an epilator are crucial, says Spagnuolo. “More tweezers generally mean faster and more efficient hair removal. Look for epilators with multiple high-quality tweezers to ensure they can grasp even the finest and shortest hairs.”
- Attachments: Attachments can enhance the functionality and versatility of an epilator. Common attachments include facial caps for delicate areas, precision caps for targeted epilation, and massage rollers to reduce discomfort. “A good epilator should come with a range of attachments that cater to different areas of the body and personal preferences,” says Spagnuolo. For facial epilators in particular, ensure there is an attachment that is specifically designed to be safe for the face.
- Speeds: It’s beneficial to look for an epilator with multiple speed settings, as different parts of the body respond better to different speeds. “Sensitive areas such as the face, bikini line, and underarms will benefit from a slower setting, while larger areas like the legs, arms, and hands can be epilated more effectively with a higher speed setting,” explains Gunn.
- Wet/Dry: “Wet/dry epilators offer the convenience of using the device in the shower or bath, which can help soften the skin and hair, making the process more effective and less painful,” says Spagnuolo. Wet use can also reduce irritation. “For added flexibility and comfort, consider an epilator that is waterproof and can be used both wet and dry,” she adds.
How to Use an Epilator
“It’s essential to choose the right type of epilator and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid skin irritation or damage, especially on more sensitive areas like the face and bikini line,” says Spagnuolo. She recommends properly preparing your skin before using an epilator, such as exfoliating to remove dead skin cells, to help reduce the risk of ingrown hairs. Post-epilation, moisturizing the skin can also soothe any irritation. “The frequency of use depends on personal hair growth rates, but typically, you might need to use an epilator every two to four weeks.”
Do epilators hurt?
Epilators can be painful, akin to rubber bands snapping against your skin. “Let’s just say they are not fun,” says Gunn. Generally, using an epilator is somewhat uncomfortable, especially for first-time users or on sensitive areas, but the pain usually lessens over time as your hair thins and your body adjusts. Unfortunately, since you’re removing hair from the root, some discomfort is unavoidable. Pain levels can vary depending on individual tolerance and the area of the body being treated. “The level of pain also depends on the density and thickness of the hair, with thicker, denser hair being more painful to remove,” says Song.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Teresa Song is a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York.
- Kristin Gunn is a licensed medical aesthetician and the owner of Beaux MedSpa in Austin.
- Jackie Spagnuolo is an aesthetic nurse practitioner and the owner of Beauty Nurse NYC in Staten Island.