Face Shaving For Women: How to Shave Your Face

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.

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Woman shaving her face with Venus trimmer

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

Venus Facial care products in the bathroom

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.

Female face shaving: pros & cons

Venus Refillable Razor for Manual Shaving

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.

Pros of face shaving for women

Arms Shaving
  • 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

Cons of female face shaving

The Difference Between Razor Rashes and Bumps
  • 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

What should a woman use to shave face

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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:

Razor for women’s facial hair

Choosing the Right Venus Razor

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.

Gentle face exfoliator

Skin Peeling Before Shaving

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

Shaving gel

Moisturize Your Skin After Shaving

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.

Face moisturiser or lotion

Apply Moisturizer

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.

How to properly shave your face as a woman

Woman wiping her face with a towel

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.

Wash your face before you shave

Hydrate Your Face Skin with Warm, Damp Wash Cloth to Shave More Easily

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.

Exfoliate to remove dead skin

Woman using Venus Facial care product in her hand

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.

Hydrate your skin

Filling up the Bath with Warm Water

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.

Apply shaving gel

Woman smiling while applying shaving cream

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.

Shave in steady strokes

Woman looking focused

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.

Moisturise after you shave

Woman with a hat smiling

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

Face Shaving For Women FAQs

How often should women shave their face?

How often you shave your face is usually down to genetics and personal preferences. In general, we recommend women shave their face every 2-3 days if they like a clean shave and every 3-5 days if they’re just looking to style or trim.

Is it OK to shave a woman’s face?

Yes, it is perfectly normal for women to shave their faces and many women choose to do so to improve their confidence, skin appearance and help makeup stay on longer.

Do female celebrities shave their faces?

Yes! Hollywood actresses Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe reportedly shaved their faces. But historically, powerful female leaders like Cleopatra were also said to be fond of female face shaving.

What is dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is a procedure that removes peach fuzz or vellus hairs via facial exfoliation. A scalpel or a tool called a dermatome is used to scrape off the top layer of your skin removing both dead skin cells and hairs.