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simplehuman Sensor Mirror

August 18, 2014
To apply makeup, I’ve been using either a full length wall mirror from Ikea (similar here) or for close ups an older style Restoration Hardware countertop mirror (similar style here) that measures about 7 inches in diameter, both of which aren’t ideal due to lighting situations where our larger mirror is stored in our house and also because of the small size of the counter top mirror. I’ve been searching for quite some time for a good countertop mirror that is slightly larger than what I have that is sturdy and well designed with a silver steel or satin nickel finish. Having a simple classic look for household items is a must for me so finding the right mirror with the right design, size and overall look has been a challenge for me. When I received press information about the simplehuman Sensor Mirror options, the e-mail couldn’t have come at a better time, especially since I am a huge fan of simplehuman products for their simple, sleek and modern product designs. My favorites are their sensor soap dispenser and dish racks.
simplehuman has several sensor mirror options. The one I received for review is the regular Sensor Mirror ($200, 9.1 inches wide and 15.1 – 18.1 inches tall, approximately 3 lbs) – it’s the larger size option with an adjustable stand which allows you to extend the height. The mirror is adjustable as well so you can bevel it at different angles. These come with an automatic sensor at the top so the lights turn on when your face nears the mirror and stays on as long as your face is relatively close (within the sensor’s range).

 

The diagrams from simplehuman show the adjustable stand and how the mirror can be beveled:

The entire set contains the 5x round mirror, a USB power cable and outlet adapter and cleaning cloth with a limited 5 year warranty. The product description and benefits of the mirror include:

  • The tru-lux light system provides 600 lux and a color rendering index (CRI) of 90—more than twice as bright as the next best and more similar to natural sunlight.
  • The mirror features high-performance LEDs that are rated to perform like new after 40,000 hours—that’s an hour a day, every day, for more than 100 years so you never have to change a bulb.
  • The light recharges using a standard USB port or wall outlet. (One charge lasts up to five weeks.) No alkaline batteries are required.
  • There are no cords to clutter up your countertop and the mirror is easy to use anywhere.
The mirror is extremely well designed and also well made. The lighting is impressive and mimics natural sunlight without being blinding. My first impression upon testing this out was, “wow.” The magnifying power is simply incredible. I showed this to several friends and family and they were all incredibly impressed (male and female). Nobody I know gets excited about mirrors so I was really surprised by the reaction people had to this product. Reviews indicate that most everyone who has purchased this really loves this even though it’s really expensive. I love how sturdy the mirror is and the sleek and simple design is aesthetically pleasing.

 

The standard size mirror is designed for you to be able to see your entire face. After testing this, I felt that I could indeed see the entire face, but only when I was up close to the mirror within 4-6 inches of the surface. Seeing my entire face up close in that much detail was a little too uncomfortable, but this mirror has made a world of difference when it comes to eyes and lips. It’s great for tweezing brows and applying eye makeup. Applying eye liner and eye shadow is so much easier now that I can really see what I’m doing. Also applying mascara and curling lashes is easier now that I can see where to place the wands/tools better. It’s good for getting a precise lip as well. For face makeup this works, but I tend to step back and see how my blush and bronzer are applied from a distance to make sure it’s subtle and blended well.The sensor is good at sensing movement. However I found it turned off too quickly if I moved my head away to pick up something. I didn’t find it too troublesome to be an annoyance, but having an extended timer for a shut-off delay is an option I would have liked.

 

Left side unlit vs Right side with light on:

 

 

 

Without the light sensor on:

 

 

With sensor light on:

 

Cleaning cloth and charging tools, plug in area is at the base of the stand, I love the design so it’s really subtle and blends in well with the base. It’s great that this doesn’t require cords for use so there’s no messy look to it and your counter or desktop will remain clutter-free. One charge is supposed to last up to 5 weeks, but I haven’t had this long enough to see if it really does last that long.

 

 

There is also a clever on/off button located on the base so in case you need to move it but don’t want the sensor to keep flashing on and off as it gets close to objects, you can force turn it off:

 

 

 

Side views:

Some close ups of the lighting and magnifying power:

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve been using this for a week and now I don’t ever want to be without one. My brother already asked if he could have it if I ended up hating it. For me I love it. There’s no more squinting or straining eyes to see exactly where I’m putting my eye makeup on. I can apply mascara so much better now and see where to apply it precisely to my lashes. The $200 price tag is extremely steep for a mirror but it’s a quality product that is well designed and extremely well made. There’s nothing I’ve seen or tried that comes close to the design and quality. The lighting is bright and white so it doesn’t distort color like some lights can. If you’ve tried simplehuman products you know that everything is extremely well made.  I am a huge fan of all the products I’ve tried from the line.
On pricing, for reference, the older Restoration Hardware mirror I have was around the $100 price range when I bought it several years ago – it was the only sturdy metal mirror I could find with a simple no-fuss sleek design. It has a regular mirror on one side and a magnified side on the other with a brushed nickel stand. For the simplehuman Sensor Mirror, I would probably be more willing to buy it at full retail price without hesitation if it were around the $150 range. At the $200 price, it’s a bit steep, I probably would have shopped around to see if I could find a way to save on the price or wait until there were double/triple points event. Still, the mirror is built with a sturdy base and is well constructed with unique details I would have never thought of.
The simplehuman Sensor Mirror retails for $200. Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, simplehuman and other retailers.
The simplehuman Sensor Mirror was provided  for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
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Beauty Tools

The Beauty Look Book Essentials | Eye Brushes

February 7, 2014

I’m launching a series of my favorites and essentials. I’ve been asked by many of you to share what are my holy grails for hand/nail care, tools, foundations and skincare. My favorites change as I discover new products, brands and tips so for this series, so I’m taking extra care to pick out my tried and true. First set includes what my essential eye makeup brushes are.

I built my brush collection bit by bit over many years. My first brushes (MAC, Stila and Trish McEvoy) were purchased during my college years and with careful storage and care, most have lasted quite well since then. Over the years, I’ve added more one by one. I prefer to purchase brushes individually because I usually find the quality to be much better than brush sets from the same brands. I’ve compiled a list of my top picks for eye brushes. When it comes to eye makeup, I’m usually a minimalist and I like to blend a lot.

There are literally hundreds of options out there. If you are new to eye makeup or feel like you’re a novice with application, I’d recommend attending one of your local events at your Nordstrom or Bloomingdales. I’ve learned so much from artists, in particular NARS, Chanel and Le Metier de Beaute. Many of the artists have worked with multiple brands are are free-lance artists. They can help show you different techniques and often can help compare a few different brushes from mainstream brands. If you’re just starting out or have a smaller budget for tools, I’ll share my top 3 picks to get started below.

Brush storage idea:

My Eye Brush Essentials:

What I look for in brushes:
Long handled brushes are easier for me to pick up so I prefer brands that have longer handles (rather than all short). I also look for a brush that will not shed or fall apart after washing. I usually won’t pay more than $50ish for an eyeshadow brush, although I have made the exception for Tom Ford. I prefer brands I can access in person since for me it’s very important to try the brush in person before buying. The brand with the best brush selection and price is MAC, although they don’t have every kind of shape or material (if they did, all my brushes would probably be from them).

My picks:
  • Edward Bess Luxury Eye Brush ($40) is hands down the best fluffy all over eye shadow brush. There are dozens of other brushes with a similar shape, but most are not dense enough (the less dense the sheerer the application of color is). The Edward Bess brush is well designed and has enough bristles packed in to really pick up and layer color.
  • Chanel Brush Large Eye Shadow Brush #25 ($38) is my favorite large/flat eyeshadow brush for a sheerer all over application. It’s a good brush to give your lids a wash of color and applies it evenly.
  • Trish McEvoy Medium Laydown #40 ($43) is a good brush for cream shadows or blending bases all over the lid. I like that it’s a bit thicker than most cream shadow brushes which makes the blending process easier for me.
  • MAC #217 ($24) is one of the best multi-purpose brushes. You can use this to apply shadow all over the lids, blend colors together or use this for your crease area. It’s super soft but still well packed to pick up color.
  • MAC #239 ($25) is another staple. I wish MAC made more brushes this size with different materials because this is the perfect shape for your basic eye shadow application. It’s soft and dense and blends well. It picks up more color than the #217, but I usually use both together.
  • MAC #226 (discontinued) has been released and re-released a couple times. It’s now discontinued, but it makes the perfect detail brush and for those with creases, is the ultimate crease brush.
  • Chanel Large Tapered Blending Brush #19 ($38) is the closest I’ve found to MAC #226. It’s a bit shorter and more domed-shaped though. This one is good for a smokey eye or blending darker shades.
  • Tom Ford Eye Contour #12 ($55) is one of my favorite multi purpose brushes. It never fails me. You can read more about it in my review here.
  • MAC #219 ($25) is another great detail brush for smokey colors or to highlight inner corners. It’s pointy at the end for good detail but soft enough for those with sensitive eyes.
  • Laura Mercier Smudge Brush ($24) is my favorite smudge brush. There are a number of smudge brushes from other brands but this one picks up color the best out of any I’ve tried.
  • Bobbi Brown Angle ($30) this one was from a set but is the same quality as the individual ones. For liner or brows I usually prefer brushes like the smudge brushes, but this one is great for a thin liner with shadows or creams.
  • Tom Ford Definer #15 ($50) is another smudge-like brush. The end is really thin but dense which makes for a good cream or gel liner application. I have a weak spot for white haired brushes because they are generally softer than others.
  • Bobbi Brown Gel Liner ($27) is my favorite gel liner brush, it’s a classic.

If I could only pick five brushes for the most basic level, my top picks would be the Edward Bess Luxury Eye Brush, MAC #217, MAC #239, Tom Ford Eye Contour #12 and the Laura Mercier Smudge Brush.

I hope this helps you find some new favorites!
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