I hate shaving so I swapped it for hair removal creams all under £7 – a cult fave stank but a £2 buy will be my go-to
Including which creams to go for if you can't stand that strong stench
SMOOTH CRIMINAL I hate shaving so I swapped it for hair removal creams all under £7 – a cult fave stank but a £2 buy will be my go-to
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WE ALL know how annoying shaving can be.
While it's certainly one of the quickest and most popular ways to achieve smooth legs, that doesn't necessarily mean it's the best.
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While shaving is the easiest and cheapest option, more often than not I end up with cuts on my legs
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
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From cheaper alternatives to cult favourites, I tested out five hair removal creams to see which ones are worth the hype
Credit: Superdrug
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Hair removal creams typically have that chemically scent - but not all of them will make your bathroom stink
Credit: Veet
From having to deal with cuts, bleeding all over the place, stubborn ingrown hairs and razor bumps, there is a whole list of issues that come with using a razor.
Of course, you can also resort to waxing - but only if your pain tolerance is high and you won't start questioning your life choices halfway in.
Meanwhile, laser machines are perfect if you want a practically permanent fix - but this method of getting rid of unwanted hair comes with a hefty price tag.
Luckily, there is a solution that's pain-free, not too costly and also easy to use - hair removal cream.
Also called depilatory creams, hair removal creams 'contain certain alkaline chemicals that safely react with the hair on your body,' as explained by hair removal brand Veet.
'They break down the keratin (the protein structure of your hair), causing it to weaken and dissolve.
''This leaves the hair in a jelly-like state, which can be easily wiped away with the cream.'
Another added bonus is that you also don't run the risk of being left with painful cuts all over your legs - which is a major plus for a gym girlie like me who spends most of her days in teeny shorts.
With the warmer season now here, find out which high street hair removal creams are worth your money - and the ones that did not live up to the hype.
Veet Expert Hair Removal Cream, £5.99
Veet is the first hair removal cream I ever tried as a young teenager after finding it in my mum's collection - and although I do not recall the results, there's one thing that's ingrained in my memory forever.
Trolls call me a 'gorilla' & say I'll die alone all because I don't shave my armpits - I love it though and so does my boyfriend
The smell, which immediately took over the bathroom and made me gag.
Sadly, it seems that the brand hasn't changed the formula since I first discovered this summer essential more than a decade ago, as the pungent aroma hit my nostrils the moment I took the lid off.
As instructed by the packaging, I applied the thick cream onto my legs before letting it work its magic for the maximum of six minutes.
Once the time was up, I grabbed the plastic spatula and gently went over my legs, as I watched teeny bits of hair come off with it.
While I and more than 100 happy Boots customers can agree that our skin felt smoother than ever, it was quite challenging to tackle more tricky areas, such as the back of my legs.
The results were good - but the reek was too chemically for Veet Expert Hair Removal Cream to become a staple in my summer beauty bag.
Hair we go rating: 3.5/5
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While I was happy with the results, the intense aroma is a big no-no
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
Fabulous' £10 Fake Tan Test
FINDING the perfect fake tan isn't easy. That's why Fabulous tested a number of fake tans which cost less than £10..
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue
Superdrug Solait Self Tan Mousse Medium - £4.79 (was £5.99) - Buy Now Tester: Abby Wilson, Senior Fabulous Digital Writer
Review: "This product give a very natural looking tan and if you wanted something a bit bolder, I'd suggest leaving it on longer or choosing a darker shade. I'm impressed with the results, but now my entire room stinks of the stuff. If you're on a budget and want a tan for last-minute plans, I would say this is one to try. "
bBold Dream Mousse Tan in Dark - £9.50 - Buy Now Tester: Josie O'Brien, Senior Fabulous Digital Writer
Review: "The first thing that hit me about this tan was the 'juicy watermelon' scent - it's delicious. I was left with a natural bronze hue rather than orange glow. My only qualm is that the tan seemed to stick to my dry patches and accentuated 'strawberry skin' on my legs. I'm still adding this tan to my arsenal though - the smell, colour and texture are dreamy."
St Moriz Professional Medium Tanning Mousse - £4.99 - Buy Now Tester: Kate Kulniece, Fabulous Writer
Review: "Not only does St. Moriz mousse leave you with a gorgeous bronzed glow, but it also smells fabulous - think Piña Colada on a sunny beach. At first, I was a little bit sceptical cause I'm a gradual fake tan girlie, but this quick developing St. Moriz number may change it all."
Boots Smooth Care Legs Hair Removal Cream, £3
While some reusable razors can set you back £10 or more, this Boots Smooth Care Legs Hair Removal Cream retails for just £3.
Infused with Aloe Vera and rich Shea butter, this Boots bargain is not just vegan-friendly but also cruelty-free - which is always a huge bonus.
Online, the wallet-friendly product has amassed a mixed bag of reviews - while some shoppers love it, others have dubbed it ''disappointing''.
Unlike the Veet version, this cream didn't have that signature hair removal stench that no amount of ventilation can get rid of - and I was also pleasantly surprised that despite the low price tag it left my legs hair-free.
However, although the product has bold claims you won't need to shave for a whole week, I found my legs had the dreaded stubble just a few days later - but perhaps it's just my hair that grows at an exceptional speed.
Hair we go rating: 4/5
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The cream claims you won't need to shave for a week - which, sadly, wasn't the case for me
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
Superdrug Limited Edition Hair Removal Cream, £4
If you like me can't stand the stink of hair removal creams, then this Superdrug bargain is the one for you - think of a refreshing watermelon cocktail on a hot day on the beach.
Setting you back less than a fiver, Superdrug Limited Edition Hair Removal Cream is also one of the cheapest options on the high street.
After reading the mixed reviews online, I decided to leave it on for a total of ten minutes - as online shoppers warned the recommended seven minutes wasn't enough.
Perhaps my hair is naturally just too stubborn but I found the cream only removed smaller patches, so I went in with a follow-up layer afterwards and it did work.
Hair we go rating: 3/5
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Perhaps my hair is too stubborn - but I needed a follow-up layer for the cream to work properly
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
Nair Moisturising Hair Removal Cream, £1.99
Like many cash-strapped Brits, I too am trying to save money wherever possible - and it will prove almost impossible to find a skincare product cheaper than Nair Moisturising Hair Removal Cream.
Marketed for all hair types on legs, body and the delicate bikini area, this Superdrug buy will set shoppers back a mere £1.99 - ideal for those on a strict budget.
Although I was slightly hesitant to use it at first and feared that pungent aroma, the purse-friendly product lived up to the rave reviews online.
Not only does it have a fresh floral scent but the cream is also moisturising and left my legs feeling soft and looking radiant - as if I was a Victoria's Secret model ready to model lingerie on the runway.
Unfortunately, if you're searching for a cream that will leave your body hair-free for a longer summer holiday this season, you might want to chuck it in your luggage - as my hair started growing back on Day 3.
But given the low price - the lowest I've seen - you can't really complain.
Hair we go rating: 5/5
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This cream is the cheapest one I've seen so far and perfect if you're on a budget
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
WooWoo Tame It! Vegan In-Shower Hair Removal Cream, £6.99
Hate the faff of applying a cream and then spending ages going over with the mini spatula?
Then this WooWoo Tame It! Vegan In-Shower Hair Removal Cream is for you, as it simply requires a sponge, a cloth or a loofah to watch the hair slide off.
Made with soothing Aloe Vera and softening Jojoba Oil for the most delicate of skin, I was left wondering why I had waited so long to ditch the razor.
Best of all? You only need to leave it for six minutes before hopping into the shower - it works brilliantly and won't torture your nostrils with a stench.
However, if you have thick and coarse hair, I'd recommend to not leave too long between applications.
Hair we go rating: 5/5
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