Light Up Your Beauty Routine With a Luminous Makeup Mirror

Whether you’re perfecting your eyeshadow application or tweezing pesky hairs, a good-quality lighted makeup mirror is essential. These models are compact enough to fit into your carry-on bag while still delivering bright, clear light.

We’ve found several that have a high rating from Amazon reviewers, plus the following features:

1. Natural Light

Whether you’re applying winged liner or tweezing the tiniest stray eyebrow hairs, proper lighting is crucial to a flawless beauty look. “It’s a game changer for getting down to those micro details,” celebrity makeup artist Janice Kinjo tells InStyle. That’s why lighted makeup mirrors are worth the investment for those who want to ace their beauty routines.

Lighted makeup mirrors come in all shapes and sizes, from travel-friendly models that fold down to smaller options that fit on a vanity or in your handbag. They can also be powered by battery or USB, and some even have a built-in speaker to play your favorite primping playlist. And if you’re not into the idea of showing off a bulky and clunky mirror, look for options with sleeker designs that feature angled side panels for detailed makeup and skin care application.

When it comes to finding the best lighted makeup mirror, look for one that emits natural-looking light. Kassajikian says that LED lights—which are typically used in lighted makeup mirrors—are the most effective because they create a soft and flattering glow that looks similar to daylight. Other types of bulbs, such as incandescent or fluorescent, can cast a blue hue that’s unflattering for makeup.

In fact, the lighted makeup mirror with the most reviews on Amazon is one that uses LED lights. Almost 7,800 reviewers have given this mirror an impressive 4.6-star rating, and one shopper claims that it provides light that’s in the “Goldilocks zone”—not too cool or warm. Another bonus: The mirror is portable enough to take on the road, and it can be mounted in a hotel bathroom on a whim. It’s also rechargeable and comes with a convenient carrying case.

2. Adjustable Light

A beauty routine is all about precision, so when it comes to applying a flawless face, the lighting you use can make or break your efforts. Whether you’re trying to even out your complexion, tackle those pesky stray eyebrow hairs, or perfect that winged liner, dim lighting can leave your finished look looking patchy and uneven. Luckily, there’s a whole world of lighted makeup mirrors that can solve these issues and help you look your best.

A great lighted makeup mirror will give you a natural-looking glow without washing out your skin, says celebrity makeup artist Janice Kinjo, whose clients include Mindy Kaling, Mary J. Blige, and Uzo Aduba. She also recommends finding one with a dimmable function that lets you adjust the brightness to fit your preferences and the light temperature of your room.

If you’re not ready to splurge on a big Hollywood-style vanity mirror lined in flashy bulbs, best lighted makeup m there are plenty of smaller, portable options out there that can still offer a good amount of lighting. For example, this lighted makeup mirror from Amazon has over 8,000 happy reviews thanks to its affordable price tag, easy-to-adjust lighting settings, and long battery life.

This dual-sided lighted makeup mirror has two sides that each feature 1x and 5x magnification, so you can easily see both the big picture and the tiny details. It also has a detachable base that can be used to hold your brushes, eyeshadow palettes, and other glam essentials. And if you’re an iPhone user, it will even sync with the built-in camera to let you take pictures of your finished look.

3. Rechargeable

Doing your beauty routine in bad lighting can cause unintended results and sloppy applications, but the right makeup mirror can help you get it right every time. Whether you need to make a few subtle tweaks or completely overhaul your look, lighted makeup mirrors offer near-natural lighting and magnification so you can see every last crevice for flawless results. They’re also great for tackling tricky areas like the eyelids or nose.

When selecting a lighted makeup mirror, it’s important to consider the brightness settings and other features available. You can find options that have multiple levels of lighting, adjustable brightness, and a built-in speaker to play your favorite glam tunes while you’re primping. Some even have a motion sensor that turns on the lights automatically when you approach.

If you’re traveling with a lighted makeup mirror, look for a compact design that will easily fit into your carry-on bag or evening handbag without looking bulky. Some lighted travel makeup mirrors, like the Wobsion LED Lighted Travel Makeup Mirror, are designed to fold in half and are only 0.7 inches thick so they’ll slip into the smallest of bags. Others, like the Fitnate 3xMagnifying 32LED Lighted Vanity Makeup Mirror, are easy to store in your suitcase but still offer plenty of surface area for detailed makeup and skin care application.

Lastly, you’ll want to be sure your lighted makeup mirror is rechargeable or comes with extra batteries so it’s ready for your next adventure. There’s nothing worse than having your makeup light up and then die mid-application, so be sure to select a model with long-lasting battery life. RIKI SKINNY’s rechargeable LED lighted makeup mirror, for example, has a long-lasting 1000mAh lithium battery so you won’t run out of juice while on the go.

4. Magnification

Having the best makeup products and doing your application with precision are important, but you can’t forget about good lighting. “Without proper lighting, you may miss blending or applying product to areas that require more attention,” celebrity makeup artist Janice Kinjo says. A lighted mirror will also help you see small details, like stray eyebrow hairs or pore sizes, better than regular ones can—and it’ll give your beauty routine that extra boost it needs to be flawless.

When looking for a lighted makeup mirror, make sure to look for one with a magnification feature, preferably 5X (five times). This will allow you to easily spot imperfections and catch stray eyeliner or mascara flaws. If you need more magnification than this, consider getting a magnifying travel makeup mirror. These models are smaller, portable, and often battery-operated so you can use them on-the-go.

The Jerdon HL88BZL is a top-rated option that is plug-in and comes in several finishes, including bronze. It has a sturdy build, a 13.5″ extending arm and an impressive double-sided 8.5″ mirror face that offers 1x and 5x magnification. It’s also the only lighted makeup mirror on our list that uses LED lights, making it even brighter than some of the other options on this page.

This lighted makeup mirror has over 8,000 happy Amazon reviewers who swear by it. Its compact size makes it a great addition to your at-home desk so you can touch up your lipstick or reapply concealer before zooming into that work call. This mirror can be powered by both a USB cable or four AAA batteries, and it rotates to your desired angle with ease. It’s also light enough to throw in a carry-on bag for your next business trip.

5. Design

A lighted makeup mirror is the perfect solution for anyone looking to elevate their beauty routine. “Having the right light is everything for flawless-looking makeup,” celebrity makeup artist Janice Kinjo tells InStyle. The proper lighting helps to even out, blend, and match foundation color — all of which are essential for the best beauty look. Whether you’re tackling fiddly false eyelashes or plucking the tiniest stray hairs with your tweezers, having the best lighted makeup mirror ensures that every step is completed with precision and perfection.

While many lighted makeup mirrors feature a similar design, some have extra features to make your primping sessions even more fun. For example, some of our top picks come with Bluetooth selfie options that let you follow along with a makeup tutorial on your phone (like the Zadro Sunlight mirror). Others have built-in speakers that let you play your favorite glam tunes as you complete your routine. And, for the ultimate in convenience, some of the best lighted makeup mirrors are Wi-Fi-enabled and work best lighted makeup m with Amazon Alexa so you can control them with just your voice — like our Best Overall winner, the Riki Skinny Smart Vanity Mirror.

A true classic, this Jerdon HL65BZ makeup mirror has been around for years but still holds its own in today’s market. It features a lighted 8″ mirror face, one side unmagnified and the other offering a versatile 5x magnification. Its sleek and modern style will instantly upgrade any space. Plus, it’s available in either plug-in or rechargeable battery form so you can choose the option that best suits your needs. This model also comes in 3 different finishes including chrome, nickel brushed, and antique brass.