Almost all men, and sometimes some women, mistakenly consider cosmetic mirrors a pocket assistant for easy makeup correction. In fact, this is a desktop or pendant accessory, usually two-sided with a stand and sometimes with a backlight.
One side of the mirror conveys real reflection, and the other with the lens effect. Cosmetic mirrors for women help with magnification to apply makeup without any defects, and for men this is a great opportunity to shave efficiently and without cuts.
Such mirrors are a good help in carrying out complex cosmetic procedures such as facial cleansing and, in addition, they can be a great decoration for a bedroom, bathroom or any other room. As an additional light source, they can be equipped with special lighting.
A cosmetic mirror with illumination can imitate several types of lighting:
- neutral - an analogue of daylight;
- cold - imitation of a neon color ;
- soft - classic lighting.
Depending on the type of makeup and the planned event, you can select the desired type of highlight.
Desktop and wall-mounted cosmetic mirror: the main differences
In total, there are three main types of cosmetic mirrors at their location:
- universal;
- wall mounted;
- desktop.
A universal mirror is a kind of hybrid between a wall and a desktop. It can be hung on the wall and transported with you. Dimensions, additional functions and other useful functionality depends only on the capabilities and design decisions of the manufacturer.
Wall models
Wall mirrors, unlike desktop ones, are designed rather for bathrooms in their type and functionality. Simple wall mounting allows you to effectively save the space of any room. The wall cosmetic mirror has several types of fasteners - this is a simple hinge and a more complex "accordion" that allows you to push it a short distance.
The convenience of such mirrors is that at any time you can change the angle of inclination and rotation at your discretion, depending on the ongoing procedures.
Desktop models
Desktop cosmetic mirror has a number of advantages. One of the most important is mobility. You can install it in the place where it is currently required. Due to the special stand and the rotation function, you can select the desired viewing angle. The mirror can be taken with you on a trip or transferred from room to room at any time. Desktop cosmetic mirror with magnification and backlight refers to the kind of mirrors that should always be at hand.
The back of the mirror with the lens effect is an integral part of the cosmetic accessory, and depending on the model you choose, there are models with different magnification ratios: two, three, eight or ten times. The first two types are optimally suited for everyday use, the rest are used in beauty salons, for tattooing and other professional purposes.
Features of cosmetic mirrors
The main feature of such mirrors is the variety of design solutions in terms of shape, material and functionality. It can act as a stylish accessory, be an integral part and continuation of the interior, and also favorably complement the image of the hostess.
A cosmetic mirror, in addition to the type of spraying, can advantageously differ from its competitors in a beautiful frame. Depending on the preferences of the client and his financial capabilities, it can be made of the following materials:
- aluminum;
- wood;
- Ivory;
- chrome steel;
- silver;
- gold.
The round shape of cosmetic mirrors is most demanded and popular among consumers, but some individualists prefer square, arched or diamond-shaped models.
What to look for when buying
The first thing you should focus on when buying a cosmetic mirror is the quality of the coating of the mirror layer. It is of four types:
- amalgam spraying;
- silver;
- titanium;
- combination of copper and aluminum.
Cosmetic mirror from budget categories is sprayed with amalgam and protected with paintwork. The strength of such products is not the best, and increased humidity can cause them a lot of harm. But for an inexpensive mirror, which is always at hand, this option is quite acceptable, especially since the budget niche has always been distinguished by a wide variety of shapes, colors and a sparing pricing policy.
For long trips or outdoor activities, a titanium-coated cosmetic mirror is ideal. It has increased strength and resistance to almost all mechanical influences, but has one significant drawback - the reflection in the mirror is slightly distorted. Therefore, it is not suitable for high-quality makeup, but it suits perfectly for simple hygienic procedures in road conditions.
The most versatile in terms of quality and price are cosmetic mirrors with magnification, treated with silver or a combination with copper. This type has the best mirror effect and excellent moisture resistance, which makes it an ideal option for bathrooms.
Issue price
The cost of table and wall mirrors directly depends on the functional features of each design:
- single or double sided surface;
- cosmetic mirror with magnification and backlight (regular or LED);
- power source (battery or mains);
- possibility of rotation (90, 180, 360 °);
- spraying quality (titanium, silver) and brand.
A double-sided mirror, where one side has the effect of a magnifying glass, will naturally cost you more than a single-sided type, but the first option has much more advantages, unlike the second - the quality of cosmetic procedures will be an order of magnitude higher.
Save or not?
Budget options include cosmetic, aluminum processed mirror. It will last quite a long time, but only in the absence of moisture, so it is not recommended to mount a model with this type of coating in the bathroom.
The most reliable models with excellent moisture resistance include mirrors with silver coating. Due to this, their service life is significantly higher than budget options.
A cosmetic mirror with backlight costs several times more than usual, especially for LED models. But such products will allow to carry out all cosmetic procedures with the maximum degree of comfort and speed. Such mirrors are most widely used in everyday life (bedrooms and bathrooms), in beauty salons, in hotels and hotels, as well as in saunas, pools and other specialized places.
Average prices in online stores:
- pocket cosmetic mirrors will cost about 400-1500 rubles;
- desktop from 700 to 8000 rubles;
- wall-mounted from 2000 to 14000 rubles.
Cosmetic mirror: reviews and manufacturers
Leading suppliers of mirrors and accessories for them offer a wide range of products of various shapes, sizes and worthy design solutions in the cosmetics market. All sorts of additional functionality and way of working can confuse any inexperienced buyer.
As a rule, all famous brands prefer to deal only with two-sided models. The base of the mirror is either high-quality plastic or polished metal. The frame itself rotates freely between the hinges, which allows you to fix it in optimal positions for certain procedures. The flip side with the lens effect allows you to see all the details of the makeup and the face as a whole.
Consumer Opinions
Sophisticated housewives and beauty salons cannot do without high-quality lighting, therefore, in the cosmetics market, along with an ordinary mirror, the consumer is increasingly asking for a cosmetic mirror with backlight.
Reviews on such mirrors are mainly in a positive way. The presence of illumination around the entire perimeter allows you to view the entire area of the face, as well as the neck and collarbone area, without creating unnecessary shadows like from stationary lighting of the lamp, and the ability to change the backlight mode from cold to soft makes specific cosmetic procedures more comfortable.
The only drawback that consumers have focused on is caution with the lens. With improper use, the back of the mirror, and this increase can be more than 8 times, will easily cause a fire. Therefore, after use it is better to cover it with a blanket or keep it “facing” the wall.
Among the leading manufacturers of cosmetic mirrors, one can distinguish several relatively high-quality firms that have passed the "people's" control:
- Sanitas.
- Rotpunkt.
- Beurer
- Gezatone
- Babyliss
Options mirrors with backlight
As mentioned above, a cosmetic mirror can be either wall-mounted or desktop, and depending on the type, its functionality changes along with the package bundle:
- network adapter for mirrors, powered by a network or combined models;
- rechargeable battery for portable or small mirrors;
- specific brackets for desktop or wall models;
- LED or incandescent lamps;
- case (in some cases).
The place of use of the mirror and its size affect its configuration. Pocket models do not need brackets and are convenient in trains, and stationary mirrors are equipped with special mounts and hinges for mounting.
Power consumption of cosmetic mirrors
Manufacturers install conventional, fluorescent or LED illumination in their mirrors, but very many refuse the first two options for a number of reasons and often prefer the latter.
LED backlighting can be considered a novelty in the cosmetic market. It serves, in contrast to the usual, about 2500 days (continuous operation).
The main advantages of LEDs:
- brightness is several times higher than ordinary lamps;
- energy consumption is 10 times less than incandescent lamps and 3 times less than luminescent models;
- lack of mercury and harmlessness;
- work both from a network, and from storage batteries.
The only drawback of this type of lighting is its relatively high cost, but this is already a matter of taste for each individual consumer.
The brightness of the LED backlight is about two to three times higher than usual. As for working from rechargeable batteries and from the mains, it can be clarified that the former are perfect for traveling and outdoor activities, and the latter, thanks to the thin body, fit perfectly into the interior of any room.