Waxing vs. epilating: Which one is better?

Did you know that on average, women spend 59 days of their lives shaving? If you break that down into a ritual, it’s about four minutes per day, six days per week.*
That’s a lot of time you could be spending at the beach, rather than in your bathroom.
If you’re after a longer-term hair removal solution (that you can do easily yourself at home), epilating and waxing are the two options that probably come to mind.
So which one is better? We had bh’s Issy test out both – one on each leg – and you might be surprised by her experience...
LEFT LEG – Epilating
First up, is the epilator.
Issy used the Philips Satinelle Advanced Wet & Dry Epilator on her left leg. She had never used an epilator before, but after reading the instructions she found it really easy to use. “All I had to do was switch it on, select the level for the area (number two for legs) and run the head slowly and steadily upwards, from my ankle to my knee, as it caught the hairs.”
Issy was initially quite scared about the pain, having heard that epilators can be uncomfortable, but once she started, she found that it was tolerable. “Once I was used to the feeling, it was bearable, especially for long-term hair removal. I think it’s more the fear of pain, but once you’re passed that and try epilating for yourself, you realise it’s not that bad at all.”
As for the results? Issy was pretty surprised at how well it removed all the hairs. “I can’t get over how efficient such a small device is. I had some shorter hairs around my knees and it removed them so easily for such a small device, which is great because it means I don’t have to let my leg hairs grow too long before I can remove them again.”
Straight after epilating Issy said her legs were very smooth. “I had a tiny section of red marks from where the hair follicles were removed, but these disappeared within the hour and there were no hairs in sight.” It took Issy approximately 15 minutes to epilate one leg.
RIGHT LEG – Waxing
For Issy’s right leg, she used a microwavable wax with cotton strips.
“The thing that makes me nervous about DIY waxing is getting the temperature of the wax right, so I spent quite a bit of time making sure it wasn’t too hot, yet warm enough to spread.”
Issy applied the wax in the direction of the hair growth and then smoothed a cotton strip on top in the same direction, before pulling it back towards her. “It’s the anticipation of pulling the strip back that I disliked the most,” she says. “I’m quite tolerant when it comes to the pain, but I still get nervous before pulling the strip off.”
In terms of the results, Issy found the wax would remove most of her hairs on the first try, but she would occasionally have to go over an area twice to get all the hairs, which made the whole process a lot more time-consuming than epilating. “It removed most hairs, with some of the shorter ones left behind, mainly around my knee and areas where it was hard for me to pull the wax strip.” It took Issy approximately half an hour to complete waxing one leg.
THE VERDICT:
Issy found that both methods were nowhere near as painful as she first anticipated. “If I had to choose, I would say the epilator was better in terms of painlessness. Mainly because it’s a consistent feeling, rather than the stop and start of waxing.”
And while the immediate results were pretty on par, she found the Philips Satinelle Advanced Wet & Dry Epilator was faster to use. “When you combine the time it takes to heat the wax, remove all my leg hair and then clean up any sticky residue, it’s definitely more convenient to use the epilator.”
She also mentioned that a big reason she used to shave was because she could do it in the shower, so the fact the Philips Satinelle Advanced Wet & Dry Epilator can be used either wet or dry was another bonus.
*Based on a UK study by escentual.com
Were you surprised by Issy’s road-test? Have you ever tried epilating?
82 Member Comments
I’ve got an Emjoi epilator. I can use it on my arms and legs, but it hurts too much for my bikini area and underarms. Ouch! I don’t even feel it on my legs anymore.
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The first time I've known epilating to exist was when one of my acquaintances bragged about it, and I can't say I was impressed by the results it gave her. She had many blemishes on her arms and ingrown hairs. It wasn't a pleasant sight for me, but it might've to do with the fact as south Asians we tend to have thick course hair. On the other hand, my cousin epilates and her skin looks so smooth and soft, and she says she can go months without it! In conclusion, it might vary from person to person - some people will prefer waxing over epilating.
Just created an account to share this.
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Have only ever waxed so can't comment on epilating.
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Waxing over epilating here!
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Interesting. . Ouch!
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Might have to give the epliator a go, i've always waxed or shaved. Haven't found waxing too painful
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I would take waxing over epilating all the time, epilating is way painful
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I finally bought myself an Emjoi epilator but it just did not work for me!! It wouldn't pull out the hairs around my knees no matter how much I tried, and the pain was so terrible!
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The Epilator wouldn't be as messy, yet both are painful - the Epilady put me off.
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I found both methods to be too painful unfortunately.
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After decades of epilating, I only feel a small prickle when I epilate - it definitely gets easier over time!
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I wonder which epilator you use? I have facial hair :( and i read that using an epilator does not cause ingrown hair and can be used as soon as the hair show up. I need to use it on my sides and chin. I have been tweezing them since idk when and now i have blemishes due to irritated skin. Pls help.
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Electrolysis for permanent hair removal or IPL/Laser for hair reduction.
A lovely BH community member suggested consuming spearmint tea for hair reduction otherwise, ask your doctor for a prescription for Vaniqa.
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I use it for my legs and it is great.
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i tired an epilator in my early teens and absolutely hated it. I would however probably give it one more go to see if the tiny devices have improved
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I was given an epilator but haven't used it yet. Heard it's painful as hell.. Planning to sell it but after reading this, I might give it a try.
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I used to use an epilator on my legs when I was in my early teens because my mum always told me shaving would cause my hair to grow back darker and thicker. I tried waxing my legs once and I hated it, so messy and actually more painful than using a epilator. Now I just shave, the only difference is the hair does grow back quicker (but I have noticed no difference in thickness or anything since I stopped epilating).
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Great read!!!! Definitely going to try the epilator now!
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Really interested in this- shaving irritates my skin something shocking so I've been using depilatory cream but really don't like the idea of all those chemicals.
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Interesting comparison, but both methods scare me! I'm stuck with shaving until there's a totally pain-free option!
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I tried both and I couldn't handle the pain, one day I gave up on the epilator and brought a packet of razors, I may need to do it more often but I like the fact that it is painless
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I found the epliator was more painful the first time but then it becomes a lot better and saves a lot of time as well! Love it:)
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I find epilatoring my legs so painful! Where as I don't find waxing too bad. Waxing is over in a second per strip where as the epilator is 30 mins of constant ongoing pinchy pain. I guess we are all different, just wanted to leave my perspective. When I wax I use the pre strips, its easier and cleaner but much more expensive so I am always on the look out for sales.
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after trying my hand at waxing, i gave up all hair removing for at least a month. it was horribly painfull, messy and the red spots stayed for days. iv used mums epilator befor and loved how clean and easy it was.. i was super scared of the pain but its more bareable the waxing by far.
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I LOVE my epilator!! So great, although I have not ever waxed my legs!!!
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