Woman shaving her face in the bathroom
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Gillette Venus

Writer and expert07 Dec 2022

Should women shave their face? If you’re curious about face shaving for women but don’t know where to start, read on! We’ll explain why women may want to shave their facial hair along with the pros and cons of doing so.

Women may choose to remove both kinds of female facial hair. But learning how to use face razors the right way can help to avoid skin irritation, razor burn and ingrown hair which may occur when you’re shaving peach fuzz, eyebrows, upper lip hair or any other facial hair.

Should women shave their face

Shaving facial hair is entirely your choice. What matters most is how you shave. For instance, you shouldn’t shave if you have an acne breakout, cuts or rashes on your face, which can cause further irritation and infection.

Keep in mind the skin on your face is sensitive, which means the chance of causing irritation when shaving is higher. Using the right tools and technique is key to ensuring your facial skin stays protected.

Girl shaving her face

Female face shaving: pros & cons

All women have facial hair, in fact, there’s two types of hair that grow on women’s faces: vellus hair, also known as peach fuzz, which is usually fine and translucent; and terminal hair, slightly thicker and darker hair sometimes found on the upper lip and sideburn area.

Female face shaving is a great option to remove unwanted facial hair quickly, economically and with ease. But before you start removing hair, let’s go through the pros and cons of shaving your face as a woman.

Gillette Venus Pro Smooth Sensitive Razor

Pros of face shaving for women

  • Self confidence - some women might feel conscious about having facial hair

  • Smooth skin - shaving removes dead skin cells

  • Helps skin look brighter - shaving also removes debris and excess oils

  • Helps makeup look smoother and last longer - a clean canvas for foundation

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Cons of female face shaving

  • Can lead to irritation - if using the wrong tools or bypassing key steps

  • May lead to ingrown hairs - if using wrong technique on terminal hairs

  • Might cause dryness - shaving removes skin oils

Woman on the beach

What should a woman use to shave face

Using the right tools and equipment is key to female face shaving. In fact, using a shaving tool designed for facial hair can optimise your results, especially when shaving smaller areas like eyebrows and the upper lip.

Facial hair removers for women are crafted for precision and control around small spaces, resulting in less chances of error, skin irritation, razor burn and bumps. Some razors for women’s facial hair can even keep your skin smooth for up to four weeks.

Here’s a handy list of all the tools and products you need for shaving facial hair for women:

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Razor for women’s facial hair

Pick a razor designed for sensitive skin, or ideally, a razor or trimmer for facial hair. Our Venus Face Trimmer removes even the finest of hairs allowing you to shave peach fuzz and other vellus-type hairs comfortably and with ease.

Gillette Venus refillable razor

Gentle face exfoliator

Use a gentle face exfoliator before shaving to prep your skin and help prevent ingrown hairs.

Hand with pink nails applying brown scrub to skin, presenting beauty treatment for exfoliation and skin care.

Shaving gel

Pick a shaving gel that’s designed for sensitive skin. Our Venus Satin Care Sensitive Shave Gel contains aloe vera which helps soothe your skin after female face shaving.

Daily moisturizer

Face moisturiser or lotion

Once you’re done shaving peach fuzz or other facial areas, it’s important to moisturise your skin. Shaving removes skin oils so re-hydrating post-shave helps prevent dry itchy skin.

Leende ung kvinna som bär en handduk på huvudet och applicerar rakkräm på näsan och kinderna

How to properly shave your face as a woman

Here are our woman shaving face tips to help you shave comfortably and safely reducing the chances of getting skin irritation, razor burn or bumps.

Different Gillette Venus disposable razors in different colors
Step 1

Wash your face before you shave

Wash your face to remove any dirt or makeup before you shave to prevent skin irritation and infection if you get scratched by your razor blade.

Young woman in the bathroom cleans her cheek with a cotton pad
Step 2

Exfoliate to remove dead skin

Exfoliation prevents ingrown hairs by removing dead skin cells that can block cut hairs from breaking through the surface of your skin. Use a gentle scrub or exfoliating glove to remove any loose hairs and dead skin from around the area of your face you plan to shave.

Woman in bathroom applying moisturizer
Step 3

Hydrate your skin

Soak your face with warm water or hold a warm, damp washcloth to your skin for about three minutes before you shave. Hydrating your skin helps soften the hair follicles and allows female face shaving to be carried out more easily.

Woman wearing a soft towel around her neck
Step 4

Apply shaving gel

Shaving gel preserves moisture and helps the razor for female face shaving glide easier across your skin. Applying shaving gel also shows where you have shaved already so you can avoid re-shaving over an area and irritating your skin. Learn how to find the right shaving gel for you.

Gillette Venus Shave Gel Shea Butter
Step 5

Shave in steady strokes

Our top women face shaving tip is to lightly press down on your razor blade at a 45-degree angle. Shave slowly in short, steady strokes in the direction of the hair growth to prevent skin irritation.

Gillette Venus Extra Smooth Razor Refill
Step 6

Moisturise after you shave

After you shave, apply a moisturising lotion or oil, preferably alcohol-free, and wait before using any makeup or facial creams.

Young woman with moisturized, radiant face in the bathroom

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