Knowing what to look for when buying a makeup mirror is important. After all, makeup mirrors aren’t the same as your standard wall-mounted mirror or portable mirror. These products are specifically designed to help you maximise the benefits of your makeup routine.
A lighted makeup mirror, magnifying mirror, or vanity mirror, as they’re sometimes called, comes with a host of additional features you wouldn’t typically see on standard mirrors. Most commonly, they’re designed to give you a boost of natural light, as well as improved magnification, so you can see every detail of your face when applying your makeup.
The question is, what exactly should you be looking for when buying a makeup mirror?
Today, we’re going to look at just some of the different points to consider when you’re investing in the ultimate mirror for your makeup routine.
The Different Types of Makeup Mirrors
The first step in choosing the right makeup mirror is knowing what you’re looking for. Despite common belief, a makeup mirror isn’t just another word for a compact or handheld mirror. While you can sometimes find travel-sized mirrors with quality makeup mirror features, what sets makeup mirrors apart is their unique design.
Makeup mirrors are generally equipped with specific features that make them ideal for applying makeup. They come with a range of lighting options, magnification levels, and even a multitude of mounting options.
Before you begin searching for the ideal makeup mirror, it’s worth asking yourself what kind of product you’re looking for. Some standard options include:
· Folding mirrors:Folding mirrors can sit on your vanity or desktop and fold out of sight when you’re not using them. Some of the most attractive folding mirrors will automatically illuminate when you open the door, revealing the reflective surface within.
· Compact or travel mirrors: These are the handheld mirrors and miniature products you’ll often carry with you on the move. A compact or travel mirror should fit neatly into your backpack or pocket, allowing you to check your makeup wherever you are.
· Vanity mirrors: Vanity makeup mirrors are specifically designed to sit on top of a vanity or chest of drawers. They often have a base that moves, so you can adjust he angle of your mirror to get a better view of various parts of your face.
· Wall mirrors: Wall mirrors can also be used as makeup mirrors if they have magnification and lighting features. These mirrors often come with rechargeable bulbs or battery power, so you don’t have to worry about wiring on your walls.
· Decorative mirrors: Decorative mirrors combine aesthetics and practicality in one design. They’re intended to make your room look incredible, but they also provide the various features you need from a makeup mirror, such as lighting and magnification.
Features to Look for in a Makeup Mirror
Once you know what kind of makeup mirror you’re looking for, you can begin to consider specific features and components more carefully. There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy when it comes to choosing the perfect mirror for your makeup desk or bedroom. However, there are a few specific points you may want to consider.
1. Mounting Options
Mounting style is one of the most crucial factors to consider when selecting the ideal makeup mirror. Whether you're choosing bathroom mirrors or a mirror for your bedroom, a quality makeup mirror should offer a range of mounting options to choose from.
A wall-mounted mirror is one of the most common options, but you may want to consider how easily it can be adjusted after being wall-mounted. A wall-mounted mirror with an extension arm can give you more freedom when experimenting with basic makeup styles.
When choosing your mounting style, it’s also worth considering how comfortable you’ll be sitting in front of the mirror. The best mirror is one that you can sit in front of for hours at a time without obstructing anything else or causing you to crane your neck.
Consider what tools are available to mount your mirror at different angles as well. While suction cups are a fast-paced solution, they need to be strong enough to hold your mirror for years.
2. Lighting options
Bright lights are one of the most critical features of any good makeup mirror. The best makeup mirrors help you apply flawless makeup by using LED bulbs to illuminate your appearance while you work. LED lighting is important because it won’t heat the mirror and cause damage over time. At the same time, you reduce the impact on your energy bills and the planet by switching to LED bulbs.
The light bulbs on your mirror need to deliver a natural light, which is another reason why incandescent bulbs don’t work. Natural white light will help you see how your makeup is going to look outside and can help you pinpoint mistakes when applying full-face makeup.
Some lighted mirrors come with more options than others. For instance, you can find a lighted mirror that gives you multiple choices on the style of natural light you want. This can be ideal if you wish to adjust the brightness at any point or switch between warm and cool tones.
When considering lighted makeup mirrors, ensure that they are easy to replace bulbs in your vanity mirrors whenever necessary, so you don’t have to discard the device after a bulb stops working.
3. Magnification
Aside from proper lighting, magnification is one of the most common features to look for in a good makeup mirror. When it comes to selecting a makeup mirror, knowing the type of magnification you need is crucial. If you’re going to be sitting right in front of your magnifying mirror and making the most of your lighting, you shouldn’t need too much magnification.
However, if you’re going to be using your magnifying mirrors to experiment with more complex types of makeup, additional magnification can be necessary. Different types of makeup mirrors offer varying levels of magnification using convex glass.
If you plan to use your makeup mirror for tasks like tweezing, applying eyeliner, or inserting contact lenses, being able to see yourself will be extremely useful. Make sure the level of magnification you choose doesn’t lead to any distortion.
You might also want to consider whether you wish to have all your mirrors magnified, or whether you’d prefer to have both magnified and non-magnified sides, for the best of both worlds.
4. Versatility and extra features
Depending on the kind of makeup mirror you choose, you may be able to access a wide variety of different features to make your product even more compelling. For instance, travel mirrors with makeup mirror features can also come with extra components, such as a storage area for a compact powder puff or a small brush for your makeup.
A well-lit makeup mirror could come with a touch-screen setting, which allows you to adjust the brightness of your lighted mirror with just one tap. Often these mirrors will also come with special coatings to help minimise the risk of smudging and fingerprints.
If you plan to use your magnifying makeup mirror in the bathroom, the best makeup mirror will be one that can withstand moisture and steam. You don’t want to deal with fog or broken LED lights because you’ve exposed your mirror to the steam of your shower.
It’s also worth considering how you can adjust your makeup mirror when applying makeup to make the process more convenient. Many makeup mirrors come with swivel arms and mounts, allowing you to adjust the position of your reflection at will.
5. Style or design
Just because your vanity mirror serves an essential practical purpose doesn’t mean it can’t look incredible, too. In addition to providing you with the tools you need for a flawless makeup look, your mirror should also bring something special to your home or a specific room. Unless you’re looking for compact mirrors or travel mirrors where style may not be a priority, it’s worth considering the aesthetic you want to create.
Are you looking for a smaller mirror with a bold, modern light strip and multiple different light settings? Do you want something more retro, with large bulbs to showcase your glamorous style? When it comes to things like framing, are you looking for metal frames or plastic frames to accompany the existing atmosphere in your bedroom or dressing room?
The right makeup mirror for you will appeal to your sense of style and fit perfectly into the chosen space you’ve picked for it. Remember, there are various kinds of makeup mirror styles to choose from today, so you don’t have to compromise on appearance.
6. Budget
Finally, while there’s more to choosing the best makeup mirror than finding something that fits your budget, most of us do have a cash limit to be aware of. Before you start shopping for the best tabletop mirror or wall-mounted mirrors, it’s worth thinking about how much you have to spend.
Lighted mirrors can often be a little more expensive than your standard magnifying mirrors, because it costs to add the specialist LED lights into the frame. However, you can keep costs reasonably low by choosing a smaller tabletop mirror or something with fewer features.
When considering your budget in comparison with the rest of your requirements for the ideal makeup mirror, remember that sometimes it’s best to wait and save rather than to buy the product you can afford now, instead of the one you want.
You never know, taking your time and researching the best lighted makeup mirror for your needs might bring you face-to-face with a fantastic sale discount or deal.
Choosing the Right Makeup Mirror
Knowing what to look for when buying a makeup mirror is a crucial part of making the right investment in a product that could last a lifetime.
If you’re the kind of person who loves their makeup, the right magnifying makeup mirror could transform your beauty routine in an instant. With a lit mirror and a slight extra magnification, you can overcome the everyday problems of fluorescent lights and achieve the perfect look with your makeup application.
Start searching for the correct mirror for your needs today on the Hollywood Mirror website. We offer a wide range of small and large mirrors to suit every budget. Not sure where to get started? Contact our team for additional guidance on vanity mirrors.