A rotary shaver cuts hair with circular heads that spin behind a thin guard, and the heads float to follow the curves of your jaw, chin and neck. It is a popular choice for men with medium or longer stubble, hair that grows in several directions, or skin that dislikes blades. The best rotary shaver…
A pre-shave oil is a thin layer of oil you massage into damp stubble before your shaving cream or gel. It is one of the smallest steps in a grooming routine, but for people who get razor burn, tugging or a tight, dry feeling after shaving, it can make a noticeable difference. The best pre-shave…
A shaving brush turns a soap or cream into a thick, slick lather and helps lift hairs away from the skin before the blade passes. It is optional, but many people who switch from canned foam find their shave smoother and more comfortable. Choosing one means deciding on bristle type, knot size and handle, and…
Safety razors use a single, double-edged blade clamped in a metal head. They have become popular again with people who want less plastic waste, cheaper replacement blades and a shave that some find kinder to bump-prone skin than multi-blade cartridges. The catch is that the razor and your technique both matter much more than with…
Shaving removes hair, but it also scrapes away a thin layer of skin cells and some of the natural oils that protect your face. That is why skin can sting, redden or feel tight afterwards. An aftershave balm is meant to calm and moisturise that freshly shaved skin, yet many traditional aftershaves do the opposite….
Nose and ear hair tends to become more noticeable with age, and a small trimmer is the quickest, safest way to keep it tidy. The design of the blade and guard makes a big difference, though, between a painless tidy-up and a tool that tugs, pinches or nicks the delicate skin inside the nose. The…
A beard trimmer does two jobs: it keeps length even across the whole beard and it lets you shape clean edges on the cheeks and neck. The right one makes a five-minute tidy-up easy; the wrong one tugs, leaves uneven patches and irritates the skin underneath. The best beard trimmer for most people has sharp,…
Electric hair clippers look much the same on a shelf, but the motor, blade and guard design inside decide whether a clipper glides through thick hair or snags, heats up and leaves an uneven cut. Choosing well is less about the number of accessories in the box and more about matching the machine to your…
Facial rollers are one of the simplest beauty tools you can buy, and one of the most hyped. Stone rollers, steel rollers, ice rollers, microcurrent rollers and 3D rollers all promise a sculpted, glowing face, but they do not all work in the same way or equally well. The best facial massager roller for most…
Sonic facial cleansing devices promise a deeper clean than your hands, with less effort. Some are soft silicone pads that pulse against the skin, while others spin or oscillate bristle heads. The type you choose makes a big difference to comfort, hygiene and how likely you are to irritate your skin. For most people, the…
Ultrasonic pore extractors, usually sold as skin scrubbers or skin spatulas, are flat metal blades that vibrate very fast against wet skin. Videos of them pushing out grime look satisfying, but what they actually remove, and what they cannot, is worth knowing before you buy one. The best ultrasonic pore extractor is a simple, well-built…
Face mask treatment devices promise clinic-style results at home, from glowing LED masks to gadgets that warm a sheet mask or chill your skin. They look impressive, but they do very different things, and only some of those things are backed by reasonable evidence. For most people, the best face mask treatment device is a…
Eye massagers promise to relax tired eyes after long days at a screen, ease tension around the brows and temples and help you unwind before bed. Some use gentle heat, some use vibration or air pressure, and simple cold masks aim to calm puffiness. They can feel pleasant, but it helps to know what they…
A foundation brush can make the same bottle of foundation look sheer and natural or full and polished. The shape and density of the bristles decide how much product lands on your skin, how evenly it spreads and whether you end up with streaks, texture or a smooth, even base. The best foundation brush for…
Eyeshadow is only as good as the brush that puts it on. The same palette can look soft and diffused or patchy and harsh depending on the shape, density and hair of the brush you use, which is why a small, well-chosen set matters more than a big collection. The best eyeshadow brushes for most…
A makeup sponge is one of the cheapest tools in a makeup bag, yet it changes the finish of foundation, concealer and cream blush more than most people expect. The right shape, the right material and the right amount of water decide whether your base looks like skin or sits on top of it. The…
Fuller lips are one of the most searched beauty goals, and there is no shortage of gadgets and glosses promising them without a needle. Some give a visible but brief boost; others mostly tingle. Knowing how each one works makes it easier to choose, and to avoid bruising or irritation. The best lip plumping device…
Wrinkle facials range from relaxing massages with rich creams to clinical treatments that deliberately injure the skin so it rebuilds. Both can be called a facial, but they do very different things. Knowing which ones actually change the skin, and which mainly make it look fresh for a day or two, saves time and disappointment….
As skin matures it tends to get drier, thinner and a little less even, and makeup that once sat smoothly can start to catch on texture and settle into lines by midday. A good primer is the step that can soften that, but only if you choose the right type. Many primers are designed for…
Facial hair trimmers range from full beard kits with a dozen guards to slim pen-shaped tools for the brows and upper lip. They all cut hair, but they are designed for different jobs, and choosing the wrong type is the most common reason people end up with patchy lines, tugging or irritated skin. The best…
A facial cleansing brush can make washing your face feel more thorough, help remove makeup and sunscreen and give skin a smoother feel. But the wrong brush, or the right brush used too often, can leave skin red, tight and irritated. Choosing well is mostly about the head material, the motion and how gentle it…