Philips OneBlade Intimate review: shave or trim sensitive areas without the irritation

Manscaping. De-fuzzing. Self-grooming. Whatever you call the removal and maintenance of body hair down there, it’s fair to say this tricky process can often lead to cuts, scrapes and irritation in sensitive areas, along with uncomfortable side-effects including chaffing and ingrown hairs.

Sound familiar? Well, if you’re ready to put down your disposable razor and wax strips for good but can’t afford to invest in one of the best IPL machines, may we recommend trying one of the best body groomers instead, such as the Philips OneBlade Intimate on test here?

Philips launched this unisex intimate shaver for pubic and underarm hair in 2024 after US retail partners like Target and Walmart continually reported that women often ventured into the men’s shave aisle in search of electric shaving solutions.

The gender-inclusive result claims to find a ‘balance between safety, size, and efficacy’ while ensuring it remains waterproof, fits well in different-sized hands, and delivers a skin-friendly intimate shave. So, for a fair assessment, I put the device to the test and asked my fella to give it a spin as well (using a replacement SkinProtect Blade, of course). Read on to find out how we got on.

PHILIPS ONEBLADE INTIMATE REVIEW: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The Philips OneBlade Intimate is now available to buy directly from Philips UK and Amazon UK with two SkinProtect blades for £44.99.

Alternatively, you can also buy it from selected third party retailers such as Boots and Superdrug for a recommended retail price of £29.99, but you only get one SkinProtect blade. I tested this model and purchased a separate pack of two replacement SkinProtect blades for £27.99.

Image 1 of 2

PHILIPS ONEBLADE INTIMATE REVIEW: DESIGN AND FEATURES

Arriving in recyclable cardboard packaging, the OneBlade Intimate comes with one or two SkinProtect blades (depending on the version you buy), plus a detachable 3mm trimming comb, a protective case for your blade, a USB-A charging cable (replacement cables are available to buy separately), and some very brief instructions.

If you already own one of Philips famous OneBlade shavers, such as the OneBlade 360, you’ll notice the ergonomic handle of the OneBlade Intimate is noticeably slimmer, with diagonal grooves for extra grip and a rounded base that sits comfortably in the palm of your hand.

Overall, it’s very lightweight and not dissimilar in size, shape and weight to a ladies’ disposable razor, while the ‘Arctic White’ colourway is suitably genderless and stylish. To get it going, simply press the on/off button in the centre of the handle.

Powered by a rechargeable Ni-MH battery, a full eight-hour charge delivers 30 minutes of continuous performance. This integrated battery allows the device to be 100% waterproof with an IPX7 certification (up to 1m deep for 30 minutes), so you can shave in the bath and shower with confidence or use it dry without shaving foam if you prefer.

Designed to fit every curve and corner, the SkinProtect blade features a unique skin protector to give users an extra layer of protection from skin irritation for sensitive areas like armpits and bikini lines without getting too close for comfort.

The dual-sided blade with contour-following technology allows you to shave and trim in both directions (up or down and always against the direction of growth) to help you reach tricky spots and create clean lines if you’re up for a bit of styling, while the cutter mows through hair at a speed of 100 x per second for quick results.

In a welcome addition, you’ll notice rounded edges on the bridge, sides, and tips of the blades to prevent cuts and scrapes down below. And if you want to leave a bit more hair, just click on the 3mm trimming comb.

Made from durable stainless steel, each SkinProtect blade lasts up to four months based on using it for two full shaves per week, so you should only need a maximum of three replacement blades a year.

PHILIPS ONEBLADE INTIMATE REVIEW: PERFORMANCE

If testing the Philips OneBlade Intimate has taught me anything, it’s that I’m never allowing a disposable razor near my nether regions or armpits again, no matter how many blades or fancy moisturising strips it has.

If I’m honest, I’ve not used an electric razor since the 90s, and because I wasn’t impressed with the results back then, that’s where it stayed. Now, however, I feel like I’ve been missing a trick, because the One Blade Intimate is super easy to use, and the results are seriously impressive.

In terms of handling, I found it really comfortable to hold and grip whether it was wet or dry, and it felt it was no different to angling a disposable razor around my private parts. Moreover, I love the flexibility of the 100% waterproof design; I’ve used it in the shower with a body wash, in the bath with luxurious shaving foam, and on dry skin when I needed a quick tidy up.

The first time I used the OneBlade Intimate, I actually shaved the left side of my body dry and the right side of my body in the bath so I could compare ease of use and results. The results were identical and, if anything, I found pulling my skin taught for a closer, more precise shave was easier when it wasn’t slippery with water and shaving foam. That genuinely surprised me, as did the results because I think I thought they would be better when I used the OneBlade Intimate with water and some kind of moisturising lubricant.

In truth, I really couldn’t spot the difference. Both my armpits and the sides of my bikini line felt immediately baby smooth and remained that way for a good couple of days afterwards before the tiniest bit of stubble started to appear.

Best of all, during my month of testing, I didn’t cut or nick myself once, or experience any irritation, redness, stubble rash or ingrown hairs. If you’re used to wet shaving or even waxing, you’ll know how huge that is. In fact, you could use this device dry a few minutes before you get into a swimming pool or disrobe on the beach, and no one would know you’d just shaved.

Thanks to the many rounded edges on the dual-sided blade, you can use the OneBlade Intimate with complete confidence in any direction knowing you get into corners and curves without cutting yourself.

I don’t like to use the phrase ‘game-changer’ lightly, but I feel women who give this device a go will love its ease of use, versatility, and the results it delivers. If I’m being hyper-critical, I wish it came with a little travel pouch because it’s perfect for travel and gym bags, and I’d also like the option of a trimming comb with a slightly longer length because 3mm is pretty short.

My fella agrees with me about the lack of trimming comb options - he found the 3mm length of the trimming comb a little ‘exposing’, too - but there’s no doubt it works very well and cuts through thick and curlies quickly.

He was possibly less blown away by the OneBlade Intimate’s capabilities than me, but I attribute that to the fact that he’s been using a OneBlade 360 for a couple of years on his face and neck and knows how well the tech works (I’ve had words with him about gatekeeping in the future).

That said, his chunkier fingers did find the slimmer handle a little harder to get to grips with at first, and he told me he missed the rubbery grips you see down the sides of the OneBlade 360 (I recommended he try the Philips Series 3000 Bodygroomer instead). But that was the extent of his critique, and his overall view was that the job well.

Some might say the eight-hour charge time is long for 30 minutes of continuous charge, but you just need to get in the habit of sticking it on charge once you’ve used it so it’s ready to go again. Personally, I’d take that – along with its waterproofness and power to cut through hair - over a not-so-powerful buzz from a disposable battery that can’t be used in the shower.

Finally, let’s talk about the price of the replacement blades. A pack of two costs £27.99 and together, they will last you a minimum of eight months if you have a full shave twice a week. Knowing how much I spend on replacing luxury disposable razors a year, I don’t think that’s bad at all, especially when I know I get zero irritation with the OneBlade Intimate.

PHILIPS ONEBLADE INTIMATE REVIEW: VERDICT

The Philips OneBlade Intimate is a skin-friendly unisex electric shaver for pubic and under arm hair, designed to fit to your every curve and contour. 100% waterproof and rechargeable, it can be used wet or dry for equally brilliant results, and will leave your skin free from cuts, scrapes and irritation.

It’s slim, nifty design is perfect for women who want to enjoy the benefits of male shaving tech in a petite package, but bigger hands might struggle to get to grips with it.