Mirror, mirror on the...OMG that is a HUGE pore
March 3, 2009 6:52 PM Subscribe
Makeup mirror advice! I'd like to buy a make up mirror -- recs?
I've looked at a few at Bed Bath and like the 7x and over options -- do you rec with or w/o lights? Also, it should look nice in the bathroom.
Just wondering what your thoughts are as I really want to get it right the first time, we're selling this place, so I guess it shouldn't be the wall mount type... your thoughts are appreciated!
I've looked at a few at Bed Bath and like the 7x and over options -- do you rec with or w/o lights? Also, it should look nice in the bathroom.
Just wondering what your thoughts are as I really want to get it right the first time, we're selling this place, so I guess it shouldn't be the wall mount type... your thoughts are appreciated!
I vote lights, a well-lit mirror will help a lot in doing your makeup well. Using daylight bulbs will also help you put on your makeup in a more natural way so that when you go outside or to work, it looks the same as when you put it on. Otherwise you could be putting too much (or not enough) on.
posted by lizbunny at 7:41 PM on March 3, 2009
posted by lizbunny at 7:41 PM on March 3, 2009
I haven't used a lighted makeup mirror in years. The last one I had used florescent bulbs but had different settings for sunlight, evening, etc. I thought I was really happy with it until the day I noticed that every day when I got in the car I had to wipe off half my blush. No matter what "setting" I used that dumb florescent bulb washed out all the red tones in my makeup and led me to put on much more than I needed in actual light. It's possible that the technology has changed since then, but the last time I checked most lighted mirrors that weren't lit with scary florescent bulbs weren't bright enough to do the job anyway.
Since then I just use a small mirror on a stand on my bathroom windowsill on the theory that there's no substitute for natural light if I want to be natural looking. If my bathroom light fixtures weren't so atrociously dim I'd probably forgo the windowsill. I say get good, clear bright bulbs for the bathroom and just buy an attractive unlit mirror.
posted by mostlymartha at 9:34 PM on March 3, 2009
Since then I just use a small mirror on a stand on my bathroom windowsill on the theory that there's no substitute for natural light if I want to be natural looking. If my bathroom light fixtures weren't so atrociously dim I'd probably forgo the windowsill. I say get good, clear bright bulbs for the bathroom and just buy an attractive unlit mirror.
posted by mostlymartha at 9:34 PM on March 3, 2009
Best answer: If you are prone to blackheads or breakouts, do your skin a favor and don't buy a magnifying mirror. Extracting blemishes is a great way to spread bacteria around your skin, increase your breakouts and risk scarring. I'm guilty too, so I know where you're coming from. But a magnifying mirror will only make you want to clear out every pore, and you'll end up making your skin worse, not better. Avoid the temptation!
posted by junkbox at 9:46 PM on March 3, 2009
posted by junkbox at 9:46 PM on March 3, 2009
I have a Conair mirror with different light settings like this, except without the side panels. The other side of the middle mirror is magnified. I think it works fine and I like the many lighting options, my mom has one just like it that must be 20+ years old and its still working.
posted by miscbuff at 10:05 PM on March 3, 2009
posted by miscbuff at 10:05 PM on March 3, 2009
Best answer: I have this mirror and it's fantastic. I do not have the too-much-blush issue. In fact, and this is very vain, I freely admit, I will use the "office" setting to do my face if I'm going to be trying on clothes at the mall, because trying on clothes is demoralizing enough with out my make up looking insane in that awful fluorescent lighting.
posted by Medieval Maven at 5:59 AM on March 4, 2009
posted by Medieval Maven at 5:59 AM on March 4, 2009
Response by poster: junkbox: thanks - I'm like that and I know I'll have to avoid it, but I'm buying it for what I am calling "billygoat hairs" and that is more than enough said:)
posted by cestmoi15 at 8:30 AM on March 4, 2009
posted by cestmoi15 at 8:30 AM on March 4, 2009
Response by poster: I went with Medieval Maven's mirror (although I went with the 7x rather than 5x) and I'm completely happy with it.
posted by cestmoi15 at 12:50 PM on April 3, 2009
posted by cestmoi15 at 12:50 PM on April 3, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
I like how it looks, and the mirror / magnification side both work fine. But don't get it if you actually need the light to see what you're doing (if your room is dim) because the wattage is so low, the light functions as a purely decorative accent. It's nothing more than a soft glow around the mirror.
The low wattage is for safety reasons- I tried putting a slightly brighter bulb inside (Christmas tree light) and the lining inside the mirror began to scorch and melt. So now I ignore the light feature altogether.
posted by GuffProof at 7:14 PM on March 3, 2009