Makeup mirrors: types and rules of choice

There are many varieties of modern mirrors. They can vary in shape, size, type of coating, method of attachment. Let's try to figure out how not to make a mistake in choosing this necessary and obligatory subject for all.

Depending on the size, all mirrors can be divided into models that are hung on the walls, desktop and portable (pocket) varieties.

Such a panel, designed for applying daily makeup, may have a different method of attachment. The stationary surface is fixed on the wall once without the possibility of changing the position. The reflective sheet on the bracket is equipped with a swivel or pull-out mechanism. The advantage of this design is that rotation angle can be adjusted.

Most often, the model on the brackets is hung in the bathroom. A mirror on a suction cup or with a magnet is good because it can be hung in the kitchen (for example, on the refrigerator or in the hood above the stove). This is often used by ladies who want to enjoy their appearance every minute.

These mirrors often do not have large sizes, so they are mobile: they can be moved from the dressing table to the bedside table or closer to the light on the windowsill. A cosmetic table mirror may have a leg or a built-in stand for storing small items (for example, earrings, chains, rings).These tabletop mirrors can have multiple surfaces. Their panel can be double or even triple, in appearance resembling a grandmother's dressing table. Thanks to this design, You can examine your face in detail from all sides.

Such desktop mirrors can be double-sided: one side shows the usual reflection, the other increases it. In this case, the increase can be from two to ten times the size.

Thanks to their miniature size, they fit easily in your pocket or purse. For a conventional pocket mirror, the case can be made of ordinary plastic. More refined specimens can be decorated with rhinestones or three-dimensional images (there can be many options for jewelry). A hand mirror with a wooden carved handle looks beautiful: it is nice to have such a product on your dressing table in addition to the main one.

Almost every self-respecting woman has a folding mirror in her hiking bag, resembling a powder box in size and shape. It will help fix the make-up during the day.

Most varieties of mirrors can have external or built-in lighting. The first type of lighting depends on the mains and is usually installed in stationary mirrors. Such illumination is located along the entire perimeter of the canvas and gives a powerful luminous flux. These panels often already come with a cabinet. They can be seen, for example, in professional dressing rooms.

For electric lighting of mirrors incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent lamps can be used. The advantages of the former include their low price and the availability of choice, although they often fail. Halogen is more expensive, but more reliable and more economical, can be used in rooms with high humidity (for example, in the bathroom). Fluorescent lamps are characterized by white cold light, which is not suitable for everyone (eyes can get tired of it).

With an independent form of illumination, power is supplied from built-in batteries or other external energy sources. One of these species is led (led lights). Such varieties can operate on batteries and mains, therefore, they are found in stationary and portable panels. Some companies equip the mirrors with touch-controlled lighting, which is switched on at the touch of a hand.

There are also models where, using touch control, you can adjust the brightness of the glow. Such mirrors are often used as a night lamp or a table lamp.

Stationary mirrors are predominantly large compared to portable versions. For example, in the bedroom or hallway it is advisable to have a canvas of more than 1 meter. A large panel is most often rectangular in shape. It can be used when pointing beauty and in order to admire its reflection almost to its full height.

On the dressing table or bedside table in the corridor a panel can fit a little more than half a meter high. It can have a rectangular or oval shape. For a round mirror, a diameter of 40 cm will be appropriate.

Small size mirrors are handy in portable format. Most often, they have dimensions resembling A3 paper size. The standard size that many companies prefer for the desktop version is 34x17cm. It is usually purchased for home use.The desktop model with makeup light has a slightly smaller size: for rectangular mirrors this is the standard 34x17 cm, the most convenient size for a circle is 10-15 cm in diameter. Small portable options are convenient for home.

We rarely think about what material mirrors are made of, since the answer seems obvious: glass. This is not without truth. However, not everyone knows that there are various materials for the manufacture of a reflective coating, as well as for a framing frame.

The following materials are used for the protective layer:

• Amalgam. This is an alloy of mercury with some other metal. Amalgam gives a pale image, mercury contained in its composition is harmful to humans. Therefore, a protective layer of varnish is applied on top of such a coating. It does not save the mirror from the effects of water, so such varieties are not suitable for the bath. Most often, an amalgam coating is used in inexpensive models, mainly of a pocket format.
• Alloy of aluminum with copper. This coating option refers to the budget type, it is not very durable. Such an alloy is often used in small portable mirrors. They are not suitable for applying complex detailed makeup, however, in order to straighten your hair or tint your lips, they are quite suitable.

• Silver with copper. This composition is moisture resistant, so it is quite suitable for large wall paintings that can be hung in rooms with high humidity. The cost of such a mirror will be slightly higher than that of the previous options, but it will also last much longer.
• Titanium. This component provides waterproofing and extreme durability. A feature of this material is the fact that titanium is practically not used in its pure form, because it slightly distorts reflection (many note a grayish or bluish tint).
• Others. In the manufacture of mirrors, more expensive types of raw materials are also used. In elite corporate models, brass, nickel, bronze and even marble can be used in the development. It should be understood that all these materials are not used in their pure form: these are various alloys (from iron to gold).

There are many manufacturers that produce mirrors. We will draw up our rating, which will help to make a choice of this cosmetic device:

• Products of a German company Beurer practical and elegant. All models have a reliable swivel mechanism and two glasses: one ordinary, the other with a magnification of 10 times. The mirrors of this company serve for many years: high quality is achieved due to the chrome coating, which is difficult to damage. In the assortment there are options for desktop and wall designs, they are equipped with LED lights around the perimeter.
• French brand Gezatone exists for about 30 years. If you do not need bells and whistles in the form of an additional shelf for brushes or highlights, you want to have accessories for applying high-quality makeup at affordable prices, it is worth taking a look at the products of this company. The company's assortment includes small-sized mobile mirrors, wall and desktop models. As standard, all varieties have a simple and magnifying lens.

• Mark Homedics based in the USA, its products are characterized by the solidity of designs. All models are quite weighty, have a high-quality mechanism that allows you to adjust and fix the angle, table mirrors are equipped with anti-slip stand, which gives them additional reliability.

• Babyliss - Another Frenchman among manufacturers of make-up mirrors. This company occupies a leading position in the described market niche.The specialists working here are trying to keep up with the times and are constantly adding new features based on scientific technologies to their products. Due to this, the devices of the company are constantly being improved; total control at each stage of production ensures a consistently high demand for all its products.

Mirrors manufactured by Babyliss are mostly round in shape and large in diameter. In them, not only glass is double-sided, but also the backlight, which is turned on using a mechanical button. The same button allows you to change the backlight level (for example, choose neutral light, cool white or the most popular warm yellow). In the assortment there are models with backlighting, working on the mains or batteries.

Depending on the purpose for which you need a cosmetic mirror, you should choose the model and brand. For some, the best mirror is one that is the size of the entire width of the wall. These are wall structures, they are usually hung in the bathroom, bedroom or hallway. For others, the most convenient model is one that you can pick up, rearrange, move further or closer. She must have an attractive design.so that it is pleasant to put the mirror on the table. For someone to aim the make-up, it is enough to have a small mirror built into the powder box.

There are budget accessories with a minimum set of functions (stand and rotation). If the mirror has a built-in backlight, this also affects its cost in the direction of increase. There are mirrors that can independently diagnose the skin and choose the right makeup. In time it will take several hours, so they are more suitable for making complex stage or theater makeup, in everyday life these mirrors are not particularly convenient.

On the Internet you can read a review of almost any mirror model of the most famous brands. From them you can find out how convenient the mechanism is, how long the batteries last, how comfortable the level of lighting is and how much it is needed. This will help you make the choice that is right for you personally.

A review of Xiaomi brand cosmetic mirrors is available in the next video.