Choosing a make-up mirror: magnification, light and size

Your foundation looks perfect in the bathroom, but outside you suddenly see a line along your jaw. Or your eyebrows turn out not to be quite even in daylight. Usually that is not down to you, but to the light. A make-up mirror with lighting gives your face even light from the front, so you see what you are doing. But which one do you choose? In this guide you will read what to look for: light, magnification, size and the spot where the mirror will go.

Which make-up mirror suits you?

What are you looking for?	Choose	For example
Classic Hollywood look	Separate LED bulbs all around, 58 × 46 cm	Hollywood mirror white, black
Sleek and modern	Continuous LED strip around the glass	LED make-up mirror 58 × 46 cm
Large reflection with music	80 × 60 cm with Bluetooth speaker	Celine XL, LED strip XL
Little space	Compact, 30 × 30 or 40 × 30 cm	Chantally 30 × 30, Chantally 40 × 30
Cordless	Round mirror with built-in battery	Claíre
Standing, for your whole outfit	160 × 40 cm full-length mirror with light	Calyndor

Step 1: choose the light

Light is the main reason to buy a make-up mirror with lighting. Pay attention to three things.

• Bulbs or LED strip: a Hollywood mirror has separate round bulbs, like in a dressing room. The 58 × 46 cm models have 15, the Celine XL 18. A mirror with an LED strip has one continuous edge of light and looks calmer.
• 3 light colours: all mirrors in this guide have warm, neutral (or natural) and cool light. You use cool light to check your make-up, warm light for an evening look.
• Dimmable, with memory: all models are dimmable. The Hollywood mirror white and the LED strip mirrors remember your favourite setting, so your light is immediately right.

Read more about the right light for your make-up in Make-up lighting: how to get your make-up right every time.

Step 2: how much magnification do you need?

For your whole face you work in the large mirror. For eyeliner, eyebrows and skincare, a small magnifying mirror is handy.

• 10x detail mirror: comes with the 58 × 46 cm Hollywood mirrors (white, black and Bluetooth), the Celine XL and both LED strip mirrors. On the black Hollywood mirror, the Celine XL and the LED strip mirrors it is magnetic: you click it onto the glass.
• 5x magnifying mirror: comes with the Chantally 40 × 30 cm. Nice if you want to see details now and then, without strong magnification.

Not sure? A 10x detail mirror shows small details well, while you keep the overall picture in the large mirror. That way you have both.

Step 3: which size fits your spot?

First measure the spot where the mirror will go and see how much space is left for your things.

• 30 × 30 or 40 × 30 cm: for a desk, a narrow dressing table or the bathroom. Both Chantally mirrors run on USB power and switch off automatically after 60 minutes. The 40 × 30 cm can be rotated and tilted, horizontally or vertically.
• 58 × 46 cm: our bestseller and the right size for a standard dressing table.
• 80 × 60 cm: for a large dressing table or on the wall. You see your face and your hair in one go.
• 160 × 40 cm: the Calyndor is a standing full-length mirror with LED light on four sides. Handy for checking your outfit, next to your make-up spot.

Step 4: standing, on the wall or cordless?

• Standing or on the wall: you can stand or hang the Hollywood mirrors white and Bluetooth and the LED strip mirrors. The LED strip mirrors come with a wall mounting kit in the box. Which spot suits you, you can read in Hanging or standing a Hollywood mirror.
• Cordless: the round 22 × 39 cm Claíre has a 2000 mAh battery that you charge via USB. It is double-sided and rotatable, and switches off automatically after 30 minutes. Ideal when there is no socket nearby.
• Standing on the floor: you can stand the Calyndor freely or hang it on the wall.

Handy extras

• Bluetooth speaker: with the Hollywood mirror Bluetooth, the Celine XL and the LED strip XL you listen to music or a podcast during your routine.
• Charging port: many models have USB-C, and often USB-A too, to charge your phone or beauty tools.
• Frame colour: white is light and fresh, the black Hollywood mirror looks sleek in a modern or dark interior.

Tips for your make-up spot

• Place your mirror straight in front of you, at eye level. That way the light falls evenly on your face.
• Check your make-up in the cool light and then switch to warm light if you are going out in the evening.
• Looking for a complete beauty spot with a table and storage space? Read Choosing a dressing table.
• All sizes of the Hollywood mirror side by side? View Buy a Hollywood mirror.

Read also

• Which Hollywood mirror suits you? The complete buying guide
• Make-up lighting: how to get your make-up right every time
• Choosing a dressing table: your own beauty spot

View all make-up mirrors. Ordered on a working day before 15:00, shipped today, shipping is free and you get free 30-day returns.