Do you spend hours in front of the mirror every day trying to look your best and stealing glances at windows, glass doors, or anything that has a reflective surface?
From applying full-face makeup for a special event to retouching your lipstick after a meal or simply checking if your hair and eyelashes are still in perfect condition after a windy drive, you need a makeup mirror.
That is why investing in a qualitymakeup mirror is essential.
In this article, I'll discuss the types of makeup mirrors, the benefits of a lighted and magnifying makeup mirror, and key considerations to look out for when choosing a makeup mirror.
What is a Lighted MMakeupMirror?
Proper Lighting is key to achieving a flawless makeup look.
You can easily find the right foundation shade, eyeshadow, and lip colour that perfectly matches your skin tone.
This is where lighted makeup mirrors come in handy.
A lighted mirror, as the name suggests, is your regular makeup mirror but with light bulbs. It comes in different shapes, sizes, and colours.
From the traditional Hollywood mirror found in celebrity dressing rooms or makeup studios to much smaller, lightweight mirrors that are ideal for travelling, as they fit nicely into your baggage.
What's more? The lights in some of these mirrors have adjustable temperatures, allowing you to choose from cool, warm, and natural settings to mimic different hours of the day and suit your various makeup needs, whether you're getting ready for the day's work or a night out with your significant other.
In a nutshell, better Lighting leads to fewer mistakes, better application, and overall better makeup. And if you're in search of quality makeup to complement your perfected lighting setup, you might want to try professional-grade makeup from Beautiful Brows and Lashes.
Benefits of Having a Lighted Makeup Mirror
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LED bulbs: Lighted makeup mirrors come with built-in LED bulbs that use 75% less energy compared to traditional incandescent lightbulbs, so you don't have to worry about extra energy bills. Additionally, LED bulbs are highly durable and require minimal maintenance. They can last for over 50,000 hours, which is equivalent to almost 6 years of continuous light. Some lighted mirror-like travel mirrors come with a rechargeable feature, so you don't have to worry about finding a power source to plug into. This makes it the best long-term beauty investment for makeup artists
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Better Lighting: The LED lights from these mirrors produce higher lumens, which give off very bright lights and typically come in cooler temperatures that mimic the cool, natural white light of the sun. This makes it the best type of Lighting for applying makeup. White light also maintains the actual colours of makeup and even your clothes, enabling you to mix and match shades to give you that gorgeous natural finish. Additionally, the lights are positioned on all sides of the mirror to ensure an even distribution of light, eliminating shadows on your face.
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Get creative with new looks:another benefit that comes with a lighted makeup mirror is the magnifying effect that helps you spot and correct mistakes easily, and even get creative with new looks. You can try out those crazy eyeshadow looks, or better still, if you are into special effect makeup, then this should be your best buffer for making makeup removal easier.
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Health issues:The lights from these makeup mirrors are not harmful to the eyes, similar to traditional light bulbs or blue light from electronic devices. Additionally, lighted mirrors with magnification are beneficial for those with poor eyesight. The mirror helps you zoom in on your face so you don't have to strain your eyes or put on your glasses to do your makeup well because t
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Anti-fog:Sometimes water can stick to the surface of our bathroom mirrors, creating fog, especially after a hot shower, making your reflection look blurry. The good news is most LED lighted mirrors have a built-in anti-fog system, meaning you can do yourmakeup immediatelyy after you shower without wiping down your mirror or waiting for it to de-fog
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Aesthetics:Lighted mirrors come in various shapes, sizes, and designs, making them easy to install. Smaller ones take up less space, and of course, they must be stationary. The tabletop mirrors can be easily moved from your bedstand to anywhere else in the room. Not to forget, the lovely designs add a luxurious and modern appearance to your room's decor.
Types of Makeup Mirrors
Makeup mirrors are of different types. We'll be examining the types from the perspectives of functionality, mobility, and size.
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Vanities or Hollywood Mirrors: These are large, rectangular or square-shaped mirrors with light bulbs on the edges that allow the user to have a clear view of their face and surroundings. This type of mirror is mainly found in celebrity dressing rooms or makeup studios. They are installed on the wall and come with a full makeup desk with drawers that allow you to organise your makeup products neatly. They are pretty expensive and occupy a significant amount of space.
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Magnifying mirrors:This type of makeup mirror features a distorted glass that magnifies the image in front of the mirror. A magnifying makeup mirror helps you see portions of your face more clearly, and this aids in a more precise and detailed makeup application. Especially when putting on contact lenses, eyeliner, or false lashes, grooming your eyebrows, and concealing blemishes. Depending on your makeup needs, you can find a mirror with 2×, 5×, or even 10× magnification.n
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Lighted MirrorsApplying makeup atat any ti, me whetheduring the r day oat r nig, me is made easy with lighted mirrors. These makeup mirrors come with light bulbs that are fixed on the sides of the glass or inbuilt LED lighting that produces bright white light, illuminating your face and eliminating any shadows to give you a clearer view of yourself.
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Stationary mirrors can be mounted on the wall or have a movable stand, such as a tabletop mirror. The idea behind this type of mirror is that it allows you to apply your makeup hands-free, providing a fuller view of your face and outfit.
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Accessories/Travel mirrors: Travel mirrors are a type of mirror that is small and portable. Examples are a trifold mirror and handheld mirrors. They are best for quick touch-ups during the day and also great travel companions when visiting Rotterdam attractions with a combo ticket.
Difference Between a Standard Mirror and a Magnifying Mirror
There are two significant differences between a standard mirror and a magnifying mirror. One is their shape, and the other is how they reflect images.
A standard mirror, also called a plane mirror, is the most common type of mirror you can find. It's the type you have in your bathroom or a clothing store. A standard or plane mirror is a piece of flat glass that reflects an identical image of the object in front of it.
On the other hand, a magnifying mirror, also called a concave mirror, is a type of spherical glass that curves inward, much like a spoon. Its curved feature is used to focus light and create a magnifying effect, so the object in front of it appears larger than it is. A magnifying or concave mirror is best for makeup application as it allows you to zoom in on your face to achieve a more detailed and flawless makeup
What Magnification is Best for MMakeupmirror
Everyone has different makeup needs, so they require different levels of magnification. The magnifying mirror that's best for you will depend on certain factors like:
- If you're more into casual makeup that doesn't require much effort, then a mirror with less magnification, such as 2× or 3×, will be perfect. However, if you're the type who spends around 20 minutes every day going over every detail, I'd suggest going for a mirror with 5× magnification.
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The position of the mirror: keep in mind that the higher the magnification level, the larger your features will appear. It would be wise to consider the position of the mirror. If you're going to mount it on the wall, then you will need a higher magnification due to the distance, and less magnification for a tabletop or handheld mirror.
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Eyesight level: Mirrors with magnification of 7× or higher are intended for people with poor eyesightt. However, eyesight aside, I luck with the idea of getting a close view of your face; then a 3x or 5x magnification will work just fine.
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Lighting: The physics of magnification produce dimmer reflections, so if you want more precise and sharper images, you should opt for a magnifying mirror with bright lights.
What to Look for When Buying a Makeup Mirror
There are so many designs of makeup mirrors to choose from, which can be a bit overwhelming.
Here are some essential features to look out for in a good makeup mirror before you decide to buy
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Position or mounting style: The first thing you should consider when buying a makeup mirror for your home is where you want it to be installed. It could be in either the bathroom or bedroom, and you can opt for a wall-mounted makeup mirror, which is more permanent. You can have it installed on your table dresser, whichever is more convenient for you. You should be able to get a complete view of your face and upper body without straining your neck.
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Lighting: Proper lighting is key to achieving the perfect look. We can't always have sunlight in our rooms, so there's a need to get a lighted makeup mirror, preferably one with built-in LED lights, that produces bright white light and saves energy. You should also consider getting a lighted mirror with a rechargeable battery, so you don't need to keep replacing bulbs, which can be pretty expensive.
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Magnification: A good makeup mirror should have at least 2x or 3x magnification. Depending on your makeup needs and vision, you can opt for higher magnification levels. However, you should note that magnifying mirrors cause distortion, and you may not be able to see your entire face. Therefore, it's best to opt for mirrors that have a plain side and a magnifying side to give you a balanced view of your overall look.
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Mirror design: mirrors come in various shapes, sizes, colours, and designs, and the one you choose will depend on your needs. If you want an oversized vanity mirror, I suggest opting for one with a metal frame and strong, shatter-resistant glass. For a tabletop mirror, the base should be firm and adjustable, allowing you to have better views of yourself from different angles. If you want to get a travel mirror, then I recommend one with a plastic frame and a foldable feature. Don't forget to choose colours that complement your home's decoration.
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Price: Lastly, consider your budget. If you don't have a budget or an oversized vanity mirror, you can opt for a smaller, high-quality one.
Summary
Makeup mirrors with lights, if properly selected, can be the best beauty investment you ever make. With so many options ranging from vanities to travel mirrors, you can always look your best, anywhere, anytime. What's more? Modern technology has introduced additional features, such as Bluetooth sound and USB charging. So there's never a dull moment. You can connect and play your favourite jams and even charge your phone with your mirror! Say hello to the perfect selfie.