Bright task lighting needed

March 9, 2015 4:27 AM

I need a bright light for when I put on makeup and deal with my eyebrows and stuff. I live in a rental, and I can't put holes in the walls or install light fixtures. Can you recommend something?

I'm looking for a bright, adjustable light source that isn't hideous. I don't want a light-up tabletop mirror.

I've tried Googling this, but I just get light-up tabletop mirrors or giant yellow work lights from the Home Depot.

I'd prefer not to order from Amazon.

Plz halp. Thanks MeFi.

posted by topoisomerase to Shopping (7 answers total)

Very difficult criteria you have there.

I would try to illuminate the mirror you have. Maybe changing it for something like this would work.

Or attach an LED light to your existing mirror with suction cups. Unfortunately I cannot find one that looks nice.

Or you might want to reconsider a table-top mirror if it is well designed? Check this one out.

Last idea: an over the door mirror installed in a bright area of the house, ideally with lots of daylight. Example here.
posted by Fallbala at 5:59 AM on March 9, 2015

Maybe look at some stuff here? http://www.banggood.com/buy/LED-lighting.html.

There's a fair amount of cheap LED lighting that plugs into USB sockets - you could likely build something cheap and bright for not a lot of $$$s.
posted by doctor tough love at 6:16 AM on March 9, 2015

The only thing I can think of is to buy several strings of LED christmas/fairy lights, a mirror that's as big as you need it.. glue the lights around the mirror and then hang it with a ton of 3M Command Picture Hanging Strips. If you're going to do that, though.. don't invest a ton of money in the mirror.
posted by royalsong at 6:26 AM on March 9, 2015

I have this lamp (in white, not hot pink) from ikea as a reading lamp and it is almost too bright for that purpose. The silver bit turns (although it remains perpendicular to the arm) so the light can point up or down. It's very cheap and, in white at least, very unobtrusive. It's light enough that you could tape it so that the base is under the counter (I've considered doing this on my bedside).
posted by AmandaA at 6:53 AM on March 9, 2015 [1 favorite]

Don't underestimate the power of natural light and a magnifying mirror. I find all sorts of horrifying things in a magnifying mirror when I go in the backyard on a sunny day to tame my eyebrows.
posted by cecic at 8:16 AM on March 9, 2015

I solved the same problem in my bathroom with one of these bendy-neck LED lamps from IKEA, which come in floor, USB, clip, and "work" (desk) style. The light level isn't adjustable but is crazy bright. I've used the work and clip styles, which both have very long cords. Work style has a pretty small footprint and is sturdy - doesn't tip over even when the lamp neck is adjusted quite a bit.

The clip on my clip-style one broke after a year, YMMV, but it's a $15 investment. Clip-style can also be mounted to the wall with one nail.
posted by jessicapierce at 10:13 AM on March 9, 2015 [1 favorite]

Maybe check out Ott Lights? They have several styles of lamps with daylight-like light. You can try/buy them at JoAnn Fabrics. My mom has poor vision but swears by these for quilting and sewing.
posted by bendy at 7:02 PM on March 9, 2015