Makeup mirrors: types and selection rules

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

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

Such a panel, intended for applying daily make-up, can be attached in different ways. The stationary surface is fixed to the wall once without the possibility of changing its position. The reflective sheet on the bracket is equipped with a swivel or retractable mechanism. The advantage of this design is that the angle of rotation can be adjusted.

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

These mirrors often do not have large dimensions, therefore 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 can have a leg or a built-in stand for storing small items (for example, earrings, chains, rings).These table mirrors can have multiple surfaces. Their panel can be double or even triple, in appearance reminiscent of a grandmother's dressing table. Thanks to this design, you can examine your face in detail from all sides.

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

Due to their miniature size, they fit easily into a pocket or purse. For an ordinary pocket mirror, the cover can be made of ordinary plastic. More sophisticated pieces can be decorated with rhinestones or three-dimensional images (there can be many options for decoration). A hand-held mirror with a carved wooden handle looks beautiful: it is a pleasure 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 travel cosmetic bag, in size and shape resembling a powder box. It will help improve your makeup throughout the day.

Most types of mirrors can have external or recessed lighting. The first type of lighting depends on the power supply 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 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 availability of choice, although they often fail. Halogen are more expensive, but more reliable and more economical, can be used in rooms with high humidity (for example, in a bathroom). Fluorescent lamps are characterized by cold white light, which is not suitable for everyone (it can cause tired eyes).

With an independent type of backlighting, power is supplied from built-in batteries or other external energy sources. One of these types - led (led lamps). Such varieties can operate on batteries and mains, therefore they are found in stationary and portable panels. Some firms equip mirrors with touch-controlled lighting that is activated by touching the hand.

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

Stationary mirrors are predominantly large compared to portable versions. For example, in a 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 aiming beauty and in order to admire your reflection almost at full height.

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

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

We rarely think about what material mirrors are made of, since the answer seems obvious: glass. This is not devoid of truth. However, not everyone knows that there are different materials for making a reflective coating, as well as for a framing frame.

The following materials are used for the protective layer:

• Amalgam. It is an alloy of mercury with some other metal. Amalgam gives a pale image, the 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 protect the mirror from the effects of water, therefore, such varieties are not suitable for a bath. Most often, amalgam coating is used in inexpensive models, mainly in pocket format.
• Alloy of aluminum with copper. This coating option belongs to the budget type, it is not particularly durable. This alloy is more often used in small portable mirrors. They are not suitable for applying complex detailed makeup, however, in order to fix hair or touch up 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 the coating with water resistance and extra strength. A feature of this material is the fact that titanium is practically not used in its pure form, because it somewhat distorts the reflection (many note a grayish or bluish tint).
• Other. More expensive types of raw materials are also used in the production of mirrors. Elite branded models can be developed using brass, nickel, bronze and even marble. 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. Let's make our own rating, which will help you make the 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. The range includes options for desktop and wall designs, they are equipped with LED lighting around the entire perimeter.
• French brand Gezatone has existed for about 30 years. If you do not need the bells and whistles in the form of an additional shelf for brushes or highlighting, you want to have accessories for applying high quality makeup at affordable prices, you should take a closer look at the products of this company. The assortment of the company includes small mobile mirrors, wall and table models. As standard, all varieties have a simple and magnifying lens.

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

• Babyliss Is another French make-up mirror manufacturer. This company occupies a leading position in the described market niche.The specialists working here try to keep up with the times and are constantly adding new features to their products based on scientific technologies. Thanks to this, the company's devices are constantly being improved, total control at each stage of production ensures a consistently high demand for all of its products.

Mirrors manufactured by Babyliss are predominantly round 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 can be used to change the backlight level (for example, select neutral light, cool white or the most popular warm yellow). The range includes models with backlighting, powered by mains or rechargeable 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 full width of the wall. These are wall structures, it is customary to hang them in the bathroom, bedroom or hallway. For others, the most convenient model is the one that can be picked up, rearranged, moved further or closer. It must have an attractive design.so that the mirror is pleasant to put on the table. Someone needs to have a small mirror built into the powder box to guide the Mike-up.

There are budget accessories with a minimal set of functions (stand and rotation). If the mirror has a built-in illumination, this also affects its cost upward. There are mirrors that can independently diagnose the skin and choose the right makeup. It will take several hours in time, so they are more suitable for drawing up complex stage or theatrical 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 generally needed. This will help you make choices that are right for you personally.

For an overview of cosmetic mirrors from the Xiaomi brand, see the next video.