When the nights start drawing in, it can be difficult to remember what proper sunlight looks like. Waking and sleeping in pitch black makes it especially challenging to get ready for the day. Now more than ever, good lighting is key.
While the big light is perfectly serviceable for checking out your outfit of the day, makeup application requires localised lighting. Enter: the light-up vanity mirror.
Typically a tabletop-standing gadget, this is more than just a makeup mirror. Fitted with magnified panels and studded with lights around the border to push back shadows, they make colour correcting, tweezing and shaving a breeze.
They’re usually spotted backstage at fashion shows or in actors’ dressing rooms, but they’re an increasingly popular choice for bedrooms helping you to get ready faster in the morning or before an evening event.
There are tons of models around at differing price points to make them accessible to all, though those on the higher end tend to have added features such as touch control, different light tones and adjustable dimness.
We’ve rounded up the best options below to light up your life and help you look your best.
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simplehuman Dual Light Sensor Mirror - Rose Gold Stainless Steel
A leading brand in home electronics, simplehuman’s products are some of the best around.
Its light up vanity mirror uses a tru-lux light system to recreate natural sunlight, allowing you to check foundation is blended seamlessly. The light is adjustable with a candlelight setting to check your look in low illumination too. One of its best tricks is that it shines as you approach the mirror, and once you leave, it will turn itself off, making the gadget extremely energy-efficient.
Everything is controlled through touch - no fumbling for a remote or switches here - offering 5x magnification and long-lasting LED bulbs which can be charged through a USB port.
Also available in a stainless steel version.
Buy now £199.95, Boots
Rio Illuminated HD Makeup Mirror
Casting a warm white glow from every direction, this high definition mirror is fitted with long-lasting, energy-efficient LED bulbs, giving you real bang for your buck. The lightweight plastic design, which swivels through 45 degrees, works via touch sensor and can be dimmed just by tapping a finger too. The tabletop mirror comes with a detachable 5x magnetic mirror to allow you to get in really close.
Runs on 4 x AAA batteries or via USB cable.
Buy now £35.00, Argos
Glamcor Limited Edition Up in the Clouds Riki Skinny Mirror
Take your selfie game up a notch with a new version of the mirror that ‘broke’ Instagram. Offered in a dreamy sky-blue shade, this ingenious mirror boasts 3x magnification, adjustable LED lighting and a mounted phone clip so you can take the perfectly lit selfie, every time. Lightweight and rechargeable, it’s a must for all beauty aficionados.
Buy now £175.00, Cult Beauty
Fascinate Large Lighted Makeup Vanity Mirror
With the ability to run for 10 hours straight on a full charge, this large mirror (14.6 x 9 inch) gives you more viewing space to help you groom or apply makeup with ease. There’s a detachable suction-cup 10x magnifying mirror, and the 45 built-in lights offer soft, bright light without being blinding. It also has the ability to adjust light temperature, giving you more flexibility over tone. Tilt it up or down by 90 degrees, or rotate through 360 degrees to see any angle.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
No7 Silver Illuminated Makeup Mirror - Exclusive to Boots
From Boots’ No7 brand comes this double sided light up mirror, which comes with 5x magnification on one side and normal reflection on the other. It swivels around so it can adjust to you rather than the other way around, and there’s a dimmer switch to help you cast softer glows when required. The unit is mains-powered operated, so ideal if you want to set it up permanently on your dressing table. Right now it’s better than half off - was: £54.99.
Buy now £10.00, Boots
Rio 24 LED Touch Dimmable Make-up Mirror
This battery-operated light-up mirror is the perfect addition to dressing tables. Bordered with 24 LED lights across four panels offering up to 3x magnification, the illumination pushes back shadows so you can see every inch of your face perfectly, making makeup application and shaving easy even on short winter days when natural daylight is scarce. The mirror folds down compactly making for easy storage or taking with you on the move.
Buy now £20.00, Argos
Meidom Hollywood Makeup Mirror with Lights
Feel like you’re backstage with this retro-looking mirror that is fitted with 12 high-quality bulbs to blast away shadows. The vanity mirror has a non-slip base and offers three colour modes and adjustable levels of brightness so you can view yourself in any light. The latter ranges from warm to natural and cool white. Best of all, the mirror can rotate 360 degrees to leave no angle unseen.
There’s no need to readjust every time you turn it on as the memory function will keep the mirror’s light settings exactly as you left them for your last use.
Buy now £66.89, Amazon
BTFY Slimline Hollywood Mirror
For those who enjoy a retro aesthetic, this bulb-framed mirror nails the look. There are 16 LED lights to offer illumination from every angle, while three adjustable settings take you from white to warm light.
The freestanding mirror sits on a pivot-style stand keeping it sturdy and safe and can be tilted to the right angle so you don’t have to awkwardly bend over it.
Buy now £69.99, VonHaus
HOMEDICS Touch and Glow MIR-SR820-EU Illuminated Cosmetics Mirror
Whether you’re trying to perfect your foundation and contour or you want to create a sharp eyebrow arch with a pair of tweezers, this compact, portable mirror will make a superb addition to your makeup kit.
HoMedics is one of the leading names in beauty tech, so who better to turn to for a makeup mirror that excels? It’s Touch and Glow MIR-SR820-EU Illuminated Cosmetics Mirror features 5x magnification which should make nailing that smokey eye a breeze.
There’s also a touch-control dimmable light – just tap the stand to achieve your desired level of brightness. Standing 25cm tall, it’s small enough to take on trips away, so you’ll always look your best wherever you go. Keep the lights fully charged using a USB cable.
Buy now £37.99, Currys
CARMEN C81167WHT LED Mirror & Cosmetics Case - White
If you need good lighting for makeup on the go, or want to guarantee you’ll look good for a trip away, this highly portable light up mirror is essential packing. The compact cosmetics case houses an LED mirror in the lid and can rotate into two positions with light lasting up to three hours from a full charge. The light is also dimmable - just tap to turn it up or down.
Buy now £22.99, Currys
Magnitone Lightup LED Desktop Makeup Mirror
Cast away unwanted shadows with Magnitone’s makeup mirror, which is fitted with an adjustable ring light to illuminate your complexion perfectly. See your features up close with up to 10x the magnification - your pores or unwanted facial hair will have nowhere to hide! It charges with a USB cable and can operate independently for up to five hours, making it a good option for staycations and short breaks. Comes with a one-year warranty.
Buy now £29.00, Magnitone
EASEHOLD Vanity Mirror Magnifying Makeup Mirror
With up to 10x magnification and 21 long-lasting LED lights, this dimmable folding mirror is a dressing table essential. As well as makeup application, it’s great for precision shaving and microblading. The matte finish design weighs just 1kg and measures 22 x 27 x 9.7cm. The stand also doubles up as a little tray, perfect for setting brushes and small accessories like jewellery.
Buy now £29.99, Amazon
Mirrorvana X-Large Light Up Makeup Mirror
Make every angle your best with Mirrorvana’s super-sized light up mirror, which rotates 360 degrees and comes with a touch dimmer. Magnifying options run through from 1x to 10x, allowing you a closer look at your features, also helped by the 22 embedded LEDs. You can charge it with a USB or with batteries, offering dual power sources that will undoubtedly come in handy if you take it away from home.
Buy now £51.98, Amazon
Brambly Cottage Larose Fog Free Makeup/Shaving Mirror
Designed like a traditional tri-fold dressing table mirror, this design has been brought bang up to date with the addition of 16 LED lights around the border of the central mirror. They’re powered via USB cable or with three AA batteries (not included). Made with sturdy MDF, the back is lined with velvet so as not to scratch against your paint or wallpaper.
Buy now £54.99, Wayfair
Verdict
For light up mirror that surpasses expectations, simplehuman’s mirror, with ‘tru-lux’ lighting, energy efficiency and clear magnification is top choice. If you’re looking to spend less than tripe figures, Rio’s illuminated mirror is a fine alternative.
