Why we love it: When I traveled to Miami to celebrate my birthday, this bikini trimmer from Bushbalm was one of the first things I threw in my travel bag. Why? Because I was able to charge it before my trip, then never had to worry about it dying on me in the middle of a pre-pool trim, thanks to the battery that lasts a full five hours. (TBH, I actually didn’t even charge it before—I’ve actually only needed to charge this once in the last six months, lol.)

And while I could wax poetic about the battery forever, I mostly love how powerful this little trimmer is while still feeling gentle against my skin. I rarely use it with the guard on, but I love having it as an option when I want a slightly longer length between waxing appointments. And it’s fairly quiet, which is great when you’re sharing a hotel room or have nosy aunts in the room next door at Christmas—ya know. Precisely, all the reasons we gave this a Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award in 2025.

One Cosmo editor says: “I’m so prone to ingrowns, it’s not even funny, so I’m always looking for a tool that can get me smooth and keep me smooth. The BushBalm is that tool. The trimmer gets pretty much as close to the skin as you can get without causing nicks and is so easy to use that I could do it with my eyes closed. It does the job and does it well, and I love that it’s waterproof in case you want to use it in the bath or shower. I’m also obsessed with the ingrown hair oil from BushBalm—it makes the perfect pairing.”—HANNAH CHUBB, FORMER LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Why we love it: IDK if a day passes when I don't see this trimmer on my FYP. I’ve seen a gazillion videos reviewing this, calling it the best hair-removal device for way, way, way cheaper than laser or wax passes. It’s double-ended: One side is a classic blade trimmer that takes off the hair, while the other is a precision trimmer that you run along your skin in circular motions to get the closest possible trim.

One Cosmo editor says: “Having the two options for trimming really helps get my skin smooth and reduces any stubble whatsoever. It’s also a huge plus that this device is super easy to use.”—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR

Why we love it: If you usually end up with nicks in your bikini area because razors or trimmers aren’t contoured to your body, you’ll love the V-shape of this bikini trimmer, which easily trims all the lil folds and crevices of your bikini line. Not to mention, the three comb attachments give you choices for how much hair you want to remove in each area. And don’t worry about cuts, because the rounded blade glides across your skin without getting caught.

One Cosmo editor says: “I use this electric razor to trim my dad’s neck hair (sorry for blowing up your spot, Dad). But!! With that said, it proves just how simple this is to use. My dad would certainly screech in pain if I even remotely knicked him, and I never have with this (others, not so confident).”—BG

Why we love it: My battle with ingrown hairs is essentially what led me to try a bikini trimmer in the first place. And the first one on my list was this tool from Meridian, which went viral on TikTok because it’s got a strong, sharp blade that cuts through super-thick and curly hair without causing irritation (i.e., ingrown hairs and razor burn). I usually pop on one of the two included trim guards, which keeps the length a lil longer but helps further prevent inflamed bumps.

I’ll just exfoliate in the shower, rinse, then lather up a moisturizing, fragrance-free shaving cream and run the trimmer along my bikini line. I also make sure to avoid going over each area too many times to reduce irritation. Afterward, I’ll pat my skin dry and smooth on a gentle body lotion to keep my skin soft and smooth.

One Cosmo editor says: "Of all of the bikini trimmers I've tested—which is a lot, btw—this is definitely the most gentle. I've never, ever worried that I would nick myself, but it's been especially helpful for cutting down on ingrown hairs."—BG

Why we love it: One of the most necessary situations for a quality bikini trimmer is while traveling to quickly clean up any unwanted hairs without pain or irritation. Enter: This travel, touch-up trimmer from Bushbalm that won a Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty award. The stainless steel blades help pick up teeny-tiny hairs (including even peach fuzz on your face) in only a few minutes. But the best part is that it really doesn’t nick or irritate skin—a must for quick use.

One Cosmo editor says: “I love how easy it is to quickly touch up my bikini line with this, and it’s entirely painless. Best part: It’s waterproof, so I can use it in the shower to save time.”—BG

Why we love it: Fur reimagined their best-selling trimmer to do the work of both a trimmer and a razor, meaning you really only need one device to get it all done. Say you want a super smooth, hair-free bikini line but just wanna trim everything else? Run the trimmer along your skin, then pop on the razor head to get a close shave. This tool is also really helpful on the precision front, thanks to an LED light on the head of the device that makes it way easier to get in all those little hard-to-reach crevices that you can't see super well.

One Cosmo editor says: “I’ve used this tool for years, but I really fell in love when they relaunched this year. Yes, it’s expensive, but it feels fancy. The tool is weighted, but not too heavy, and made of a sturdy plastic that feels really good in my hand. And it also looks nice in my bathroom. I just keep it in my shower and charge up the pedestal once a week.”—BG

Why we love it: Just because my bikini line is covered in razor bumps after a less-than-stellar shave doesn’t mean I’m fine with the overgrowth. In those moments, I reach for this gentle Gillette Venus trimmer, which comes with a removable guard that helps me lightly trim my hair without irritation. “Using a comb attachment with a trimmer can prevent the blades from touching the skin at all, which helps avoid irritation and nicks and cuts,” says Katelyn Liston, associate scientist for Gillette Venus.

One Cosmo editor says: "When I found myself suddenly en route to pool party in Miami with a bikini line I hadn't touched in months, I ran over to Target and snatched this up in a pinch. Shockingly, it was so freaking easy to use. The guard helps reduce the potential for cuts and bumps, so I could quickly clean up all the stray hairs without worrying it would irritate me."—BG

Bikini trimmers don’t generally cause ingrown hairs because the hair isn’t removed from your skin, which means it's unlikely to get trapped as it grows. This is why bikini trimmers are a great option for anyone who’s prone to ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and razor burn.

Though a bikini trimmer is less likely to give you ingrown hairs, adhering to the following practices will help reduce your risk:

History and hair type: If your skin is sensitive, you have a history of ingrowns, or you have curly or coarse hair, your chance of developing ingrown hairs increases. Though there's nothing you can do about this, if you follow the tips below, your chances can significantly decrease.Preparation: You should ideally wait until your pubic hair has grown back out to around 4mm, as any shorter can lead to irritation. You also need to exfoliate beforehand, and if your trimmer/razor works with it, add shaving cream or oil. Direction of shave: Despite razors or trimmers claiming you can shave whichever way and not have any irritation, it truly is best to shave in the direction of your hair growth using short, small strokes.Aftercare: Trimming is a form of exfoliation, so natural oils and moisture may be stripped away during the process. Layering on a post-shave moisturizer (that's fragrance-free and is applied only on your external genitalia area!) will provide moisture and soothe your skin.Blade: Surprisingly enough, you should be changing your blades after five to 10 shaves. A dull blade can lead to more nicks and can increase bacteria buildup, which is a recipe for infection.

And, the most important rule: If you have a significant amount of ingrown hairs (or even just one!), let them heal and prevent picking. If you try to remove them yourself, you can risk infection.

No, a bikini trimmer is not necessarily better than shaving; it just comes down to personal preference and the look you're going for. “You should consider a trimmer if you experience irritation after shaving your bikini area, or if you prefer to maintain, but not fully remove, all of your pubic hair,” says Liston. Shaving, on the other hand, cuts the hair off at the surface, meaning you’re left with smoother skin afterward—but also with a higher risk of bumps, ingrown hairs, and irritation.

Yes, you can use shaving cream with a bikini trimmer if you want more moisturized skin. But you can also trim your hair dry without any cream or lotion, which is why bikini trimmers are so versatile and easy to use. Check the instructions on your specific trimmer though, as some with extra-sharp blades might require shaving cream to help prevent friction that can lead to irritation.

Bikini trimmers do leave some stubble because your hair isn’t actually removed from your follicle like with plucking or waxing, or cut close to the skin like with shaving. Some trimmers have a strong, sharp blade that can get really close to your skin, leaving you with little to no noticeable hair, while others (generally best for sensitive skin) just trim your hair to a shorter length. If you prefer a totally hair-free finish, you can shave or wax and then just use a bikini trimmer to clean up any hairs as they’re starting to grow back.

Prep your skin

A couple of days before you want to trim your bikini line, exfoliate your skin with a chemical exfoliant or body scrub to get a smoother shave, advises board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara. Then, once you’re ready, lather up your skin with a hydrating, fragrance-free shaving cream or oil to avoid irritation and bumps when shaving or using a trimmer in the shower (you don't need cream when you're trimming on dry skin though, fyi).

Work in one direction

The easiest way to prevent bumps and ingrown hair when trimming your bikini line? Make sure you’re shaving with the grain (i.e., the direction your hair grows), says Dr. Gohara, because shaving and trimming against the grain (or switching up your direction) is basically a recipe for irritation. “Take it slow and don’t rush,” she says.

Follow the directions on your trimmer

Every bikini trimmer is different. “Using your trimmer incorrectly can cause discomfort, or even worse, cut your sensitive bikini-line skin,” says Liston. Some trimmers require that you use shaving cream, others need to be used dry; so, make sure you’re following the directions on the packaging of your trimmer (aka read it before tossing it out).

Invest in after-care

As soon as you’re done trimming, follow up with a generous layer of fragrance-free cream safe to use on your sensitive, external skin to keep your skin soft and bump-free, says Dr. Gohara. P.S., It's never a bad idea to dab on an ingrown hair toner while maintaining your bikini line—just dab one on every few days post cleansing.

Clean and replace your tools regularly

Shaving or trimming with a dull, dirty blade is not ideal and can often lead to irritation or infections. Clean your blades with antibacterial soap and water after every single use, and make sure you're replacing your blades every few weeks for a more painless experience (you can even put a reminder on your calendar!). Also, never share your tools—even if your roommate asks nicely.

Determine razor vs. trimmer.

Are you determined to get rid of razor burn or ingrown hairs? A trimmer is probably the better option. A bikini trimmer is also great if you don’t want to completely get rid of hair in an area. Need a completely smooth shave? You’ll probably want to shave or wax first, then use a trimmer to touch up between.

Consider what size will work best.

If you want to create precise designs or just touch-up your bikini line between shaving, you’ll like having a smaller bikini trimmer that can easily maneuver across your skin. However, if you like trimming your lower stomach, inner thighs, or other larger areas, opt for something that has a bigger blade (and if it comes with a bikini attachment for precision-work, even better).

Identify what features you need most.

Some trimmers are a little bit more ~advanced.~ Choose a trimmer that’s waterproof if you want to save time and trim in the shower. If you want a super-close shave, look for a razor/trimmer duo, or an electric razor that has a trimmer attachment.

If you trim, like, all the time, grab one that comes with replacement heads to make sure you’ll always have a sharp blade. I also live for a trimmer that has a light to help me see what the heck I’m doing down there (because there is nothing worse than going in there blind with a sharp object, right?).

Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, CT. Dr. Gohara is an associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine and president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society. Her areas of expertise include medical and surgical dermatology and treating skin of color.

Katelyn Liston is a product research scientist for Gillette Venus, where she is involved in the research and development of razors, bikini trimmers, and all hair-removal products.