The Best Makeup Mirrors to Upgrade Your Application Game

Best Overall: Riki Loves Riki Skinny Mirror

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Our favorite makeup mirror is the RIKI LOVES RIKI Skinny LED Travel Mirror because it's easily packable and features a phone mount for expertly lighted selfies. This mirror measures 13 x 9.5 inches (about the size of an iPad) and comes with a stand you can prop up on a table or vanity. The "Skinny" is also sleek—just three-eighths of an inch thick and weighs only 1.5 pounds.

We love that this is a great lighted mirror that's small enough for travel, but the carrying case is sold separately, which is less than ideal. This mirror's clip-on phone mount can be used for selfies, following step-by-step makeup tutorials, or good lighting on Zoom. Also included is a round magnetic mirror with 5 times magnification, which works well for close-up needs like eyeliner and eyeshadow application.

Riki Loves Riki claims their LED lights have a high color rendering index (CRI), which refers to the light source's ability to reveal color accurately—this is the type of light you'd want in a museum or photography studio, and it's also a great feature to include in a makeup light. While this mirror is certainly an investment, it's a great compact option that's valued for its quality and universality.

Best Splurge: HiMirror Slide

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These days there are smart doorbells, smartwatches, and even smart refrigerators, so a smart makeup mirror is a logical option. As the name suggests, the mirror slides open to reveal a tablet screen with a camera. It can be flipped to landscape mode, which some users love for doing makeup tutorials. The tablet is eight inches long, while the mirror is 11 inches. The HiMirror Slide weighs about two pounds. The magnification is done digitally through the camera, which some eyeglass wearers might find tricky. 

There are two LED light strips. You can adjust the brightness and the color temperature using the touchscreen, recreating five different scenarios, including sunset, bright overhead office lighting, and a dim restaurant setting. The built-in, skin-analyzing software can pick out dark circles and red spots. The tablet includes apps such as Spotify, Google Duo, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can even see how neon eyeliner or glittery shadow looks before applying it by using the mirror's augmented reality (AR) feature, which allows you to try out different makeup styles.

Best Magnifying: simplehuman Mini Countertop 5-Inch Sensor Mirror

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For those who require a serious close-up to get through their morning routine, this rechargeable countertop mirror has ten times magnification, making it ideal for tweezing those tricky spots or applying detailed eye makeup. It has sensor activation, so it lights up as soon as you walk over to it and shuts down when you walk away.

The mirror measures 5 inches in diameter and about a foot high. It also has LED bulbs that simulate natural sunlight and have a lifetime guarantee. If you're planning to travel, you can fold the mirror and pack it in the included carrying case. It recharges with a USB cable, so you won't have to deal with messy cords. One charging session should last about five weeks.

Best Adjustable: Funtouch Large Lighted Makeup Mirror

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One of the most generously sized light-up makeup mirrors, this attractive, affordable option measures 14.5 x 9 inches (a smaller size is also available). It can rotate between portrait and landscape orientation, and it also tips forward and backward to help you get the best angle on your face. There's a tray at the bottom that works for storing accessories or products, but note that the base doesn't detach, so that the mirror won't work well for travel.

The mirror has a border of 35 LED lights that can be brightened and dimmed by holding and tapping a finger on the power button. It includes a small detachable mirror with 10 times magnification used for detailed tasks like applying eyeliner or mascara. You can charge it using the USB cable or use AA batteries.

Best Compact: Fancii LED Lighted Travel Makeup Mirror

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The basic purse compact gets a techy makeover with this sleek upgrade, which comes in six colors, including turquoise, metallic blue, and rose gold. One side is a regular mirror and the other has 10 times magnification. The ring of battery-powered LED lights makes on-the-go spot checks simple.

This mirror measures just 4 inches across and weighs 4.5 ounces, so you'll barely know you're carrying it. The surface is guaranteed to be distortion-free, and the mirror is covered by an 18-month warranty.