No-Shave November sneaks its way around the corner every year. Suddenly most male species put down their razors and let their facial hair grow…and grow. While some people have turned this annual tradition into a good thing, such as Movember and Sons, a global movement that raises money in the U.S. to support prostate cancer and testicular cancer, others just do it to get away with looking like cavemen for a month.

But just because our men feel the urge to get all bristly, that doesn’t mean that women need to do the same. Winter may be coming up soon, but keeping up with shaving – especially your underarms – is simply good hygiene.
SHAVING

Shaving is, of course, the most common hair removal treatment. If you have sensitive skin, consider using Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel ($3.96 at Walmart). It “helps prevent razor bumps; soothes dry, sensitive skin [and has] no added fragrance.” If your skin can withstand fragrances, Skintimate Signature Scents Moisturizing Shave Gel ($2.44 at Walmart) is bursting with sweet aromas and will almost make shaving fun.

Obviously you need a razor to go along with your shaving gel. It may sound odd, but razor meant for males sometimes work even better than women’s razors. Try out Gillette Fusion Razor ($9.47 at Walmart) and see it for yourself! It includes the main handle and two razor cartridges. It has five blades and rounded edges.

Another route is a razor with a built-in gel. Gillette Venus Proskin Moisture Rich 2-in-1 Razor ($8.97 at Walmart) is a razor surrounded by a moisturizing gel bar that works as shaving gel when wet. It is “dermatologist tested to be suitable on dry skin.”

If you prefer razors that you can pack and toss later, Gillette Venus Embrace Disposables, three count ($10.97 at Walmart) have five blades and a “pivoting head [that] adjusts to your curves.”
WAXING

An alternative to shaving is waxing your hair away. This process removes your hair from the root and leaves your skin smooth for a while longer than shaving; it takes two to eight weeks for hair growth to appear. The downfall to waxing is the pain. If you don’t have a high tolerance for it, you may consider holding on to that razor.

Most salons provide waxing – from eyebrows to bikini to full legs. There are at-home waxes, such as Sally Hansen Hair Removal Wax Strips ($6.42 at Walmart) that provide you with a private option to removing hair semi-permanently.

However, if you are going to do it on your own, a more expensive option is typically better. Bliss Poetic Waxing At-Home Hair Removal Kit ($48 at Ulta) is “the first-ever safe and effective, low-temperature and aromatherapy-based hair removal system.” It comes with Bliss Poetic Wax, Bliss Poetic Waxing Super Skin Cleanser, Bliss Poetic Waxing Pre- and Post-Waxing Oil, three large spatulas, three small spatulas, a free sample of an Ingrown Eliminating Pad and instructions.
SUGARING

Sugaring, or epilation, is another method of hair removal. The paste is made of natural ingredients, such as sugar, lemon/lime and water, and it can be less painful than waxing. It sticks to your hair without latching onto your skin, and it is applied at room temperature or a lukewarm temperature to prevent burning and reduce irritation.

Sugaring is performed at numerous salons, but you can try it online with the following Wikipedia recipe:

•2 units of sugar

•1/4 unit lemon/lime juice

•1/4 unit water

Heat and mix the above ingredients until they are completely liquid until the mixture reaches a light gold color. After it has cooled, dust your skin with corn starch. Spread the sugar paste with a spatula or tongue depressor in the direction of hair growth. Press a strip of porous cloth or paper over the paste and pull it off in the opposite direction of hair growth.
LASER REMOVAL

If you dream about days that you don’t need to worry about shaving, waxing or sugaring, laser removal may be a great option for you! It is pricey, but when you do the math, many say that it evens out.

Laser hair removal is practiced at many clinics, but at-home treatments are also available.

Flash&Go Permanent Hair Removal Device ($249 at Amazon.com) is a pain-free laser that is electricity charged and gives fast, mess-free results for permanent face and body hair removal.

However, you might want to invest in a pair of laser goggles, such as QQ Tech Safety Glasses ($6.99 at Amazon.com). These will protect your eyes from laser lights.

So whichever hair removal treatment you decide is right for you, remember that No Shave November mainly pertains to males proving their masculinity.