Favorite Makeup Mirrors

July 24, 2019

Today I have a roundup of my favorite light-up mirrors for makeup application that I think are worth the splurge. If you don’t have consistently good natural light in your home or have a fully enclosed bathroom with no windows having a mirror with good lights makes a world of difference with makeup application. I’ve opted for smaller or more portable ones because they’re easier for me to move around. The ones with magnifying options are amazing for detail things like tweezing brows, applying liquid liner or mascara, etc. In today’s review:

Simplehuman 8 Inch Sensor Mirror Pro in Rose Gold
Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Pro Wide
Riki Skinny Vanity Mirror by Glamcor
Anthropologie Gleaming Primrose Mirror

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Simplehuman 8 Inch Sensor Mirror Pro

The Simplehuman 8 Inch Round Sensor Pro ($250) is one I bought from the Nordstrom sale a couple years ago. I have the 8 Inch Round Sensor Mirror Pro in Rosegold featured in this post. For this year Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale option is the silver color $150 on sale (regular price is $250).

Mirror itself is 8 inches with 5x magnification
Comes with a magnetic 10x detail mirror which you can remove and attach in the back when not in use (so you don’t lose or misplace it)
Multiple light settings which are enabled through the simplehuman app (link your mirror or devices)
Settings can be adjusted to turn off at different intervals (from 5 seconds to 10 minutes)
Height is either 14 or 17 inches depending which way you flip the mirror

There are different light settings but I’ve only used the auto brightness auto setting. For me the best part is the magnifying mirror which makes a world of difference to see your face up close! I love that these simplehuman mirrors are so well made. They aren’t flimsy like the plastic ones and since they are on the heavy side they’re super stable.

The 10x magnifying attachment is nice to have but not a must for me. If you’re also like me and don’t think you’ll need it there are options that come without this feature.

If you’re in the market for one of these, I recommend looking at the Simplehuman website first to do some research to check out the different models. There are several variations of the 8 inch round option and it’s nice to get all the specs and side by sides from their website and check what the latest model/version is. Some have an adjustable base, others have different magnification specs. Their products are available at multiple retailers so you can definitely shop around if you prefer other stores for points, shipping options or to see in person etc.

My 8 Inch Round Pro in Rose Gold below

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Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Pro Wide

As much as I love the round mirror and the magnifying power, the downside is that it’s hard to see your entire face. Sometimes it’s nice to be able to see your whole face rather than just a close up detail. The Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Pro Wide* does the trick with larger rectangular panels. It is quite the splurge at $400 (available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Simplehuman and all Simplehuman retailers). Right now it is on sale at Nordstrom during the Anniversary Sale for $250. This one had been on my wish list for years and I held off for on this purchase because we did a lot of moving and traveling a couple years ago. Soon after we settled down into a new place I was ready to make the splurge but the simplehuman team reached out and gifted one. It was perfect timing. I am beyond thrilled to finally own one! I find the adjustable side panels really convenient so I can see the sides of my face easily. It’s large and on the heavy side but still easy to move around.

Wide sensor mirror with three panels
Middle panel measure approximately 10 inches tall by 13 inches wide (light strips are almost an inch wide each)
Side panels measure about 5.25 inches wide by 13 inches tall
Side panels are adjustable
Entire mirror bevels
Height is a little under 16 inches tall
Has different light settings and can mimic natural sunlight
Includes a magnetic attachment round mirror with 10x magnification

There are a few downsides to this mirror which aren’t a huge deal, but some I thought I’d mention based on my experience. One is the round magnetic mirror can only attach at the bottom portion of the center panel, it would be nice to move it around different areas. It is also fingerprint prone around the edges, but then again most mirrors are, so it’s not a deal breaker! It is on the heavy side but for me this is a must so it doesn’t get knocked over. I have a very naughty cat that likes to climb over everything and knock things over.

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Riki Skinny Mirror by Glamcor

above with lights off

Another mirror I use everyday is the Riki Skinny Mirror by Glamcor ($195, available at Beautylish). It has a wide panel, lights around the edges and is skinny/compact enough to travel with. The stand and edging is plastic making it super lightweight but it’s still sturdy enough to have some weight. I’ve tried some mirrors from a few other brands to see if I could find a more budget friendly alternative. You can definitely find options for less, but to me they felt too lightweight and very flimsy.

Measures 9.5 wide by 13 inches tall, mirror portion is about 10 inches tall
Has five brightness settings
Comes with a 3x magnetic mirror attachment
Has a magnetic phone clip if you want to film yourself or take selfies
Comes with an adjustable stand

above with lights on

The Riki mirror came packaged in a large sturdy cardboard box and everything was well protected with inserts so it arrived in perfect condition. I kept the box for a year or so but have since tossed it. Every time I travel I always wish I had this mirror with me. I haven’t figured out a way to pack it yet, but next time I do I will be sure to keep you posted.

I like this one because it’s easy to see my whole face. The stand makes it easy to adjust. I love that it’s lightweight but has a high quality mirror and light system. It’s held up remarkably well and the mirror hasn’t scratched even though it’s gone through a lot of moving. It is definitely a splurge and you can find cheaper alternatives on Amazon. I had a few that I tried from Impressions Vanity that were a fraction of the price. They’re good for the price, but the quality and stability is just not the same. For me this was worth the splurge 100%.

There are other variations as well including a Riki Cutie and Skinny Pink Set, a Riki Tall Version (super spendy), and a Cutie Compact version.

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Anthropologie Gleaming Primrose Mirror

Last but not least is one that I’ve received so many questions about. I try to tag and label everything when I can but sometimes miss things here and there. This really isn’t a makeup mirror so it’s not part of my top three, but I get so many questions about this Anthropologie Gleaming Primrose Mirror I thought I’d do a quick FAQ. I bought the smallest version from Anthropologie online. It comes in a few other colors and size options. Mine is the 3′ option and measures 39.25 inches high and 39 inches wide. It is pretty heavy at 75 pounds. When I bought it I could not lift it myself, but thanks to some consistent weight training I can lift it all by myself now! I think it was 100% worth the splurge!

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For those who have been asking for an updated mirror roundup and review I hope you found this helpful! If you’re in the market for Simplehuman mirrors the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is a really good time to save on them. They do have a few deals during the holidays and past readers have found good coupons for Bed, Bath and Beyond.