prev-post
Popular models of dressing table with a mirror in the bedroom, their advantages
Previous article
Popular models of dressing table with a mirror in the bedroom, their advantages
next-post
Making and decorating a DIY mirror frame, simple ideas
Next article
Making and decorating a DIY mirror frame, simple ideas

Varieties of mirrors with bulbs, reasons for popularity among women

Varieties of mirrors with bulbs, reasons for popularity among women

A makeup mirror with lighting was recently considered a privilege of representatives of creative professions: actresses, singers, theater dancers. However, manufacturers quickly picked up this idea and began to create similar models for home use. Nowadays, a mirror with bulbs is no longer something unusual and rare. It is installed not only opposite the dressing table, but also in dressing rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms.

Features of mirrors with backlight

In 1927, the French company Miroir Brot was the first to develop the concept of a backlit mirror, a luxury item that quickly appealed to customers of prestigious hotels. Initially, the idea was designed for people who have impaired vision. The idea allowed them to shave and apply makeup without any inconvenience.

In modern products, the design may differ depending on the variety:

  1. Models with internal illumination is a mirror canvas with a luminous square around the perimeter, which is framed in a baguette.
  2. In products with outdoor lighting, spotlights are used that are built into a wooden frame.

The mirror is made according to a special technology, with the expectation that they will be used in conditions of high humidity and sudden temperature jumps. The back surface of the glass is covered with a thin silver layer. In ordinary mirrors, an aluminum amalgam is used. Silver plating allows the product:

  • withstand increased temperature effects;
  • have a high reflectivity;
  • Resist chemical destruction due to high humidity.

The illuminated mirror also performs an aesthetic function, visually expanding the space due to reflection. In addition, such an item is able to create a special atmosphere of comfort and charm in the room.

Lighting framing the mirror allows you to convey the face of the beholder as clearly and without distortions as possible. It is not surprising that such products can often be seen in beauty salons. It is also the most important tool of every makeup artist. At home, such models will be indispensable for shaving and applying makeup.

Outdoor lighting
Internal

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of such mirrors is high-quality lighting. Due to the wide range of color temperatures and the number of lumens, LED bulbs can provide different levels of brightness. To make the lighting as close as possible to sunlight, colder color tones are usually used.

In addition, illuminated mirrors have a number of undeniable advantages:

  1. LED lamps do not heat up and do not burn out. Devices rarely fail. They do not heat up as much as, for example, incandescent lamps. The average life is more than 10 years.
  2. Lighting, close to daylight, allows you to see the reflection in the smallest details, perfectly conveys the color of clothes and shades of makeup. The skin tone will not look yellowed, as from a conventional incandescent lamp. Using such a make-up mirror when applying cosmetics, you can not be afraid of the shadow falling on the face.
  3. Most mirrors with bulbs have a built-in anti-fog system. If the product is in the bathroom, there is no need to wipe it or wait until the condensation has left. The availability of anti-fog protection is manufacturer-specific.
  4. Mirrors with LED backlight can be used to visually expand the space or as an additional light source. They are also easily integrated into the interior, providing a luxurious, upscale design.
  5. Easy to do by yourself. Self-made mirror makeup does not take much time. In addition, do-it-yourself lighting products will cost much less, since the cost of materials is much less than the finished product.

There are also disadvantages. Finished construction is very expensive. Often the price of the product is unreasonably high, because in the current market there are not many companies producing such mirrors. There are cheaper options, but they have poor performance. This is due to the fact that manufacturers often use the cheapest bulbs for products, which sometimes flicker during operation, and also quickly fail.

The disadvantages also include high energy consumption, especially if the mirror is equipped with bulbs around the perimeter.

LED lamps do not heat up and do not burn out
Lighting close to daylight
Built-in anti-fog system
Visual expansion of space, additional light source
Easy to do

Varieties of designs

Reflecting surfaces vary in purpose, size, shape and type of lamps. All these criteria must be considered before deciding to purchase. Typically, the product is selected depending on the purpose of use and placement.

To size

The dimensions of the mirrors vary in a wide range: from 30 x 40 cm to 60 x 120 cm. If it is necessary to hang it on a large wall in the dining room, living room or bedroom, it is recommended to choose a relatively massive product - at least 1 meter high. To emphasize a small area in the hallway, a small mirror 25 cm wide is suitable. In this case, it will also serve as a decorative element. For the bathroom, models of various sizes are used, the main condition is that the height above the sink should be 35-40 cm.

The standard frame size for the mirror of professional makeup artists is 80 x 100 cm.

Big
Standard
Little

In shape

Rectangular and square are the most common shapes for mirrors. They are more classic options, and therefore suitable for almost any interior. An oval or round cosmetic mirror in the bathroom will look quite stylish and concise, without overloading the space with an angular design. For fans of creativity, there are non-standard products of a bizarre shape: in the form of a triangle, a star and even a heart. Most often, such models are installed in a conspicuous place as full-fledged decor items.

The mirror configuration is chosen taking into account the geometric shapes and lines of the design of the room.

Rectangular
Square
Oval
Round
Triangle

By type of lamps and how to place them

With all the variety of choices, it is very difficult to understand what kind of bulbs are needed for a makeup mirror. For lighting are most often used:

  1. Fluorescent lamps - are distinguished by their availability, durability and high level of light output.
  2. LED - can be used as separate lamps or tapes. Practical, economical and reliable.
  3. Incandescent lamps - a traditional option, which is less and less used for makeup mirrors. The main disadvantage is the short service life.

There are several types of models, depending on the location of the bulbs: on the most reflective surface, on the frame, separately on the wall around the mirror. To produce a product with built-in backlight, they use sophisticated technology, so this option will cost a little more.

When choosing a product, it is important that the position of the lamps on the frame is correct. The quality of reflection, shadow and color depends on this parameter. It is optimal that the bulbs are located on three sides. As a light source, energy-saving options are best suited. LED lamps can last more than 50,000 hours, that is, more than 10 years.

Fluorescent lamps
LED
Incandescent lamps

By installation method

Depending on the installation method, there are several types of mirrors:

  1. Floor-mounted using a stable structure placed on the floor. Looks good in spacious rooms with high ceilings. As a rule, these are large full-length mirrors that are used in dressing rooms and dressing rooms.
  2. Wall mounted - are fixed with fixing tools or on the bracket. Such a make-up mirror with bulbs visually increases the space by reflecting objects in the room.
  3. Desktop - equipped with a special stand that allows you to adjust the angle. Usually they have two sides: one with magnification, the other without.
  4. Mirrors integrated in furniture save space. Often they are equipped with coupe models, but if desired, they can be attached to the door of any cabinet. Thanks to lighting, bulky furniture will seem much smaller.

A dressing table with a mirror and lighting will be useful for every woman. After all, only with high-quality lighting can you get the desired skin tone, expertly draw arrows and pluck eyebrows.

Outdoor
Wall
Tabletop
Built in furniture

Design

Choosing a mirror, it is worth considering not only its functional characteristics, but also the features of the interior:

  1. Floor mirrors are used in rooms in the loft and minimalism style, playing a functional role as an additional light source.
  2. For Provence, a mirror canvas in a frame of natural materials of pastel, muted tones with imitation of scuffs, light patterns is suitable.
  3. High-tech style implies a laconic form without frills. It can be a square or round mirror without patterns, decorative ornaments and ornaments.
  4. Country style is realized with a wooden frame, while the corners are made rounded. Making such a mirror with your own hands is almost everyone's strength.

For a classic interior, models of standard shapes are suitable - oval or rectangular. It is not necessary to use a frame; you can choose a product along the contour of which a pattern is applied. What else you should pay attention to is the shade of lighting. It should be combined with the color of the walls, floor and ceiling of the room.

Loft
Provence
High tech
Country

How to do it yourself

A mirror with makeup lighting will be a great gift for a girl, in addition, in addition to it, you can build a make-up table with your own hands. To bring this idea to life, it is recommended to determine in advance the type of lamps, their number, think over the wiring diagram, draw up a drawing. Then you need to purchase the necessary materials for work, prepare the tools.

Material List:

  • standard size plywood sheet;
  • wooden blocks for the frame;
  • self-tapping screws;
  • primer;
  • pencil;
  • bulbs with cartridges;
  • construction glue;
  • water-based paint.

To make a mirror yourself, you will need these tools:

  • grinding machine for cleaning a wooden surface;
  • drill;
  • screwdriver;
  • level;
  • roulette;
  • screwdriver;
  • tassel.

Step-by-step instruction:

  1. Sand the wooden beam.
  2. Cut frame parts at an angle of 45 degrees. Use a miter box to ensure reliable measurements. When calculating, lay about 20 cm of the difference between the internal and external frames.
  3. Combine the side parts. It is important that the design remains level. Then glue the ends.
  4. After assembling the frame, collect a box for it, which is installed on the back side. To do this, cut blanks from 40 x 20 mm rails, glue them, strengthen with screws, attach to the frame.
  5. Apply two coats of primer to the surface and sides of the plywood sheets, as well as to the frame. Leave them to dry for 2 hours.
  6. Then paint over. It is important that the layer is evenly distributed in all parts. An unusual color can be used to add personality to the product.
  7. Put a piece of plywood on a flat surface, for example, on the floor or on a wide table. Mark the outline of the future product with a pencil.
  8. Mark on the plywood 6 holes for lamp holders. Make sure that the distance between them is the same.
  9. Drill holes with a drill.
  10. Place the plywood sheet in the place where the mirror is supposed to be placed. Circle each side of the sheet with a pencil.
  11. Insert the wires through the holes, then screw each cartridge to the plywood sheet.
  12. Apply glue to the back of the mirror and place it on plywood.
  13. Drill three holes in each wooden board. Screw them to the wall with screws.
  14. Drill four holes in the wood towards the wall. Secure with 2-inch screws.
  15. Connect the cartridges to power via an extension cord.
  16. Screw bulbs into cartridges. Turn on the extension cord to light the mirror.

This product can be used not only as a mirror for makeup, but also for lighting a dark hallway. And if you make it large, then the girl will probably want to install it in the dressing room.

Prepare materials
Assemble frame
Assemble the frame box
Primer the surface
Mark and drill holes for lamp holders
Paint
Collect backlight
Insert the backlight into the box, connect to power

Expert Advice

Some tips on how to make a make-up mirror more interesting and better with your own hands:

  1. If you use several fuses, the life of the bulbs will increase significantly.
  2. Lamps of different colors can add quirkiness and variety to the interior. For these purposes, it is best to use LED products.
  3. The finished product can be decorated with a pattern or pattern using acrylic paints or decoupage technique.

If you don’t want to bother with electric wires for a long time, you can purchase special flexible strip lights.

Mirrors can be equipped with a touch panel that responds to every touch. It is enough to pass a hand near it, as the light comes on. In the bathroom, when your hands are wet, this can be very helpful. But this option is hardly feasible at home, without the help of an expert there is not enough.

Security Recommendations:

  1. Small children should not be allowed into this product.
  2. Wires should not touch each other. If one of the lights does not work, check all wiring.
  3. Before you make a makeup mirror, you must make sure the reliability of the fasteners. It is important that the frame under the weight can withstand a large load.

The insulation of the wiring must be individual: each cable is laid in a protective corrugated pipe. It is not recommended to use rubber for these purposes, as it wears out quickly. If you plan to hang a mirror in the bathroom, it will be more reliable to protect the wiring with double insulation. When making a mirror with bulbs with your own hands, you need to remember that the distance between the bare wires should not be less than 50 cm.

Small children should not be allowed into the product.
Wires must not touch each other
Make sure the fasteners are secure

Video

A photo

Link to the main publication

Sofas

The beds

Cabinets