In professional beauty salons, makeup artists apply makeup in stages, while not only looking at the model itself, but also at its reflection in the mirror. This allows external stylists to evaluate the result. To get the perfect make-up, not only high-quality cosmetics are important, but also the competent organization of space and the correct selection of a mirror.
Benefits of Makeup Mirrors
Makeup mirrors are universal in that they can be installed on a dressing table, or mounted on a wall. Models are equipped with special magnetic locks. The main distinguishing feature of makeup mirrors is that they are equipped with LED-backlight.
The advantage of illuminated mirrors is that you can immediately see and correct makeup errors such as:
- imperfect shading of the foundation lines, shadows or powder;
- uneven tone of the face;
- even the smallest peeling of the skin;
- defects when applying lipstick.
Types of Makeup Mirrors
Mirror surfaces for makeup mainly differ in shape and size. Most often in professional beauty salons for applying make-up they prefer medium-sized oval or rectangular mirrors. As noted, makeup products differ from ordinary ones in that they can be used to notice imperfections in the makeup applied. There are several types of mirrors, each of which has unique properties with which you can retouch flaws.
Exterior Mirror, which is placed inside the glass in the form of neat cuts. Due to the high power of the lamps, it is possible to recognize uneven facial tone, the presence of gaps when summing up the eyebrows. Furniture is also equipped with external lighting - spots, spotlights and sconces of small sizes.
Interior Mirror characterized by the fact that LED lamps are used, which are installed under the frosted glass. Thanks to this setting, the light is soft. Such lighting helps to make the most natural, daytime makeup. Products with interior lighting are expensive, so only exclusive studios can afford it.
Mirror with decorative lighting, the lighting of which does not carry a special function when applying makeup. The main purpose of this type is a non-standard, decorative decoration. The lamps are located both inside and outside the glass.
In addition, mirrored surfaces can be panoramic or magnifying. Most often, panoramic ones are used for makeup, when most of the space is occupied directly by a mirror. Magnifying glasses are sometimes built into panoramic ones. Due to the fact that the picture is approaching, this helps to make a more precise contouring of the face, as well as carefully consider the flaws.
Mirror Models
When choosing a mirror model, first of all, you should pay attention to the substance deposited on the back surface of the product:
- titanium;
- silver;
- aluminum with an admixture of copper;
- amalgamous.
It is from him that the quality of reflection will depend. Different types of coatings have different color reproduction.
The cheapest and not suitable is an amalgam coating made of an unstable alloy. To maintain it, you have to additionally fix it with a building varnish. The amalgam coating does not tolerate moisture; accordingly, the product cannot be installed in the bathroom.
Aluminum with an admixture of copper is also a budget option, but the quality is slightly higher than in the previous case. Aluminum reproduces colors well, but the image itself is not clear, but somewhat distorted. Therefore, to get high-quality makeup, makeup artists do not recommend buying wall or table mirrors made of aluminum. From this coating, you can buy an ordinary pocket mirror.
Silver-coated makeup mirrors are significantly more expensive than the previous two options. However, such mirrors are highly resistant to high humidity. Therefore, the product can be installed in the bathroom. Silver plated mirrors are recommended even by makeup artists. Since the price / quality ratio is justified.
The most expensive is a titanium coating. Products made of it are durable and transmit the image as accurately as possible. However, do not hide the fact that titanium coated mirrors have a slightly bluish reflection.
Mirrors can be:
- wall mounted - mounted on the wall with a bracket;
- desktop - have a stable stand;
- with bulbs;
- sensory.
When choosing a makeup mirror, pay attention to its marking according to the distortion class. For applying make-up, the marking must be M0 and M1.
Choosing a desktop mirror model, you can experiment with it functionality:
- Rotating 180 and 360 degrees;
- With two-way reflection. On the one hand, a mirror surface with the real size of the object, on the other - with an increase;
- Mirrors with an accordion mount, which allows you to zoom in and out the mirror product without the help of both hands.
You should pay attention to magnifying mirrors with backlight, as they will not give a real reflection. To make the makeup natural and not coarse, you must give preference to one of two things: either highlighting, or the effect of magnification.
Tabletop
Table mirrors are attached to the table or fixed using a mobile stand. Many makeup artists recommend this type of product, as they are compact and versatile. Illuminated table mirrors have 2 reflective sides, one of which has the characteristics of an optical lens. Enlarges to ten times the size. Due to its small and compact dimensions, this mirror is suitable for travel.
Wall mounted
At the wall mirror, the bulbs are stationary around the perimeter, and is fixed on the wall without the possibility of movement. With proper fixing of the product, you do not have to adjust the angle or height of the installation every time you apply makeup. Some wall mirrors are additionally equipped with an accordion mount. This allows you to zoom in or out from the wall to change the angle. Soft lighting illuminates the face well, while not causing an allergic effect on the eyes. The backlight works either from the battery or from the mains.
Sensory
Touch mirrors are an innovative product, with the help of which the most accurate and accurate makeup is obtained. Illuminated touch products are equipped with 22 LED bulbs that can change the degree of illumination of the room. Such properties help to create the perfect make-up, without errors. The bulbs are inserted in a circle, which allows you to see each area of the face.
A distinctive feature of touch mirrors is the ability to rotate the product 180 degrees.This helps you choose the right angle to apply foundation, eye shadow and lipstick. Proper lighting helps emphasize your dignity and hide flaws.
With light bulbs
Makeup mirrors with built-in lamps have a significant advantage over other models. Especially if the lamps will be located around the perimeter. Lighting can be either diffusing cold or warm.
In cold light, wrinkles, age spots, acne and other skin imperfections will be more noticeable. If you want to carefully mask such flaws, you should choose a cold light.
The warm shade of light bulbs is somewhat more pleasant to the human eye. If there is no need to mask flaws, choose light bulbs with warm light. Such lighting is suitable for creating a natural look.
The choice of the number of light bulbs on the mirror is individual in each case. There is only one rule - two bulbs must be at the face level.
If you decide to buy a mirror with makeup lamps, make sure that they do not heat up. So, when applying makeup, you will feel discomfort, which may not be the best effect when applying eyeliner. The eyes will begin to watery, not only the straight line of arrows will deteriorate, but also the tone of the face.
The lamps must be positioned so that there is a small, equal distance between them. The best option is LED lamps. Such lighting is equipped with professional salon studios. Fluorescent lamps strongly distort color. After entering daylight, makeup may turn out to be completely different than at home.
Which one to choose: makeup tips
When choosing a makeup-illuminated mirror, it is best to give a rectangular or oval wall-mounted model. Makeup artists recommend choosing a backlight as close as possible to daylight. Natural lighting will not distort the actual reflection.
A small model is suitable in the bedroom. You can choose either a boudoir or purchase an elegant dressing table and put on it a table oval and round mirror with backlight. The light should be warm, evenly spaced around the perimeter.
It is important to know how large the backlight itself should be. The diameter will also determine how well and evenly the makeup will be applied. When installing a wall-mounted product (120 cm), it must be placed so that you can see your reflection to the knees. Mirror 60 cm - waist-high, at 40 cm - chest. A universal solution is considered to be a 50 to 50 square-shaped illuminated mirror. It is a similar mirror that professional makeup artists most often use. However, if you want to install a makeup mirror on the table, it is best to choose a product of rectangular shape 34 by 17 or square 11 by 11 centimeters.
Natural light is considered the most suitable for applying makeup. If you do not want to purchase a mirror with additional illumination, mark it next to the source of natural light. However, without additional highlighting it will be difficult to get high-quality evening makeup. Artificial light should have a high color rendering index (CRI). The optimal color rendering rate for applying make-up is not more than 80.
Benefits of LED makeup mirrors:
- Wide reflective surface. This helps to see the full face, and not its individual features. Helps to adjust the perfect shape of the eyebrows on both sides. Looking at a ready-made make-up it is easy to see where to remove and where to add a couple of strokes;
- LED bulbs do not blind or cut eyes. The mirror emits a pleasant, soft, but at the same time saturated light;
- Durability.
The most budgetary are incandescent lamps. This is ordinary lighting, which does not differ in long-term operation; lamps quickly burn out.Modern mirror manufacturers do not use this type of light bulb. An alternative is halogen lamps, which are also low cost, but ten times more durable than incandescent lamps. Most often used when placing the product in the bathroom, since the distinguishing feature of such lamps is their resistance to humidity.
As previously noted, the worst lighting for applying makeup are fluorescent lamps. They not only distort the real shade of daylight, their eyes get tired, they start to hurt and blush.
Manufacturers Overview
The most popular manufacturers on the world market are Beurer, Babyliss and IKEA. If none of the models of these companies suits you, you can also turn your attention to Gezatone, TouchBeauty, Zierath and ST-Luce.
Beurer - German manufacturer. It is distinguished by external grace, accuracy of reflection, long service life and functionality. Beurer makeup illuminated table mirrors clearly reflect facial features and skin imperfections. Buyers note their durability and strength. And also the illumination of mirror surfaces from this manufacturer is as close as possible to natural light.
Babyliss has the most diverse selection of products. Mirrors are available in various shapes, sizes and locations. Can be wall, desktop, enlarge the image and with the possibility of rotation. Makeup mirrors from Babiliss are aesthetically pleasing and elegantly looking in the hallway, bathroom or bedroom.
IKEA considered the most budget option. A distinctive feature of IKEA mirrors is the laconic design, they have excellent reflective characteristics without distortion. Illuminated mirrors give uniform illumination and moderate brightness.
French manufacturer Gezatone A large selection of makeup mirrors. Models are mainly made of metal (legs) in combination with a plastic case and handicrafts (wood). Differ in that the level of increase can reach tenfold. This allows you to perfectly shape the shape of the eyebrows, make a neat lip contour and gently apply eyelashes.
Touchbeautymainly produces compact mirrors with shiny silver frames and bright cold lights. German manufacturer Zierath A large assortment of luxurious bathroom mirrors. The brand ST-Luce It offers many options - round, oval and rectangular, both in a modern style and in retro design.
