How to Choose an Aptations Mirror
How to Choose
an Aptations Mirror
To pick the perfect magnifying mirror or large vanity mirror for your bathroom takes a bit more consideration than most people realize. Most people don’t think much about their bathroom mirror, and that’s how it should be! If you make the best decision when you are buying your mirror, then all you’ll worry about when you look at the mirror is how great your hair looks! Let us help you with the details that you should consider….
Consider the Type of Mirror
Wall-mounted mirror, magnifying mirror, mirrors with lights….there are a lot of options to choose from! When you are making decisions about your bathroom design, remember to focus on function over form. Both are important but begin with function. Ask yourself:
- When you put on makeup or do skin care, do you need some additional magnification and the additional information that comes with it?
- How about additional light?
- Do you live in a place where it would be difficult or expensive to install a hardwired lighted mirror….maybe an apartment or an older home with limited electrical wiring?
- Are you approaching….or past (gasp!)…. that magical 40th birthday when everyone’s eyes seem to get a bit more dim?
- Have you ever thought it would be great to have a frame of light around your face to better see how you look?
These questions are all about function – how you will use your mirror and how it will work in the space you have chosen as your home. That said….while function is very important, it’s no excuse to not pay attention to form as well. We’ll discuss that in the next steps.
NeoModern Freestanding 5x / 1x Double Sided Magnified Mirror in Brushed Brass
KIMBALL & YOUNG
MSRP: $175
NeoModern 5x Wall-Mount Magnified Mirror in Brushed Brass
KIMBALL & YOUNG
MSRP: $355
Rectangular Freestanding 10x / 1x Magnified Mirror in Brushed Brass
MIRROR IMAGE
MSRP: $175
Double Sided Wall-Mount 10X / 1X Magnified Round Mirror in Brushed Brass
MIRROR IMAGE
MSRP: $355
Choosing a Magnifying Mirror
WALL MOUNTED OR FREESTANDING?
The space where you will use the mirror really determines this. If you have limited wall space, a freestanding mirror gives you the most flexibility. However, if you have very limited counter space, or like a clean, bare look, putting the mirror on the wall makes the most sense.
LIGHTED OR NON-LIGHTED?
Obviously, lighted magnified mirrors help illuminate your face to help with your grooming or makeup application. That said, if your bathroom or grooming space is already well lighted, you may not need to spend the additional money to get a lighted magnified makeup mirror. Not all rooms need them – not all budgets do either.
HOW MUCH MAGNIFICATION DO YOU WANT? NEED?
Most magnifying mirror users get all of the information that they want with either a 3x or 5x magnified lens. While there are mirrors with up to 20x magnification (Yikes!!) read our explanation below before you invest in one of those mirrors.
DOUBLE-SIDED OR SINGLE SIDED?
Do you want a mirror that has a magnified side AND a regular (1x) side? This question is tricky. If the mirror you are in love with is a minimalist style, it will only have a single-side….because it is minimalist. Or…you may want to only have a magnified mirror since this mirror will likely be placed somewhere really close to a non-magnified mirror. In that case, having the regular magnification on the opposite side may seem excessive….or a bonus mirror. Regardless, be sure to consider this when making your choice.
- When you put on makeup or do skin care, do you need some additional magnification and the additional information that comes with it?
- How about additional light?
- Do you live in a place where it would be difficult or expensive to install a hardwired lighted mirror….maybe an apartment or an older home with limited electrical wiring?
- Are you approaching….or past (gasp!)…. that magical 40th birthday when everyone’s eyes seem to get a bit more dim?
- Have you ever thought it would be great to have a frame of light around your face to better see how you look?
These questions are all about function – how you will use your mirror and how it will work in the space you have chosen as your home. That said….while function is very important, it’s no excuse to not pay attention to form as well. We’ll discuss that in the next steps.
Consider the Mirror’s Light Color
Since LED lighting has become the new standard for lighting, we’ve all been able to take advantage of the options of different light colors that are offered. Again…..we recommend that you focus on function first when you decide which light color to choose for your bathroom mirror. LED lights are available in a rainbow of colors, but for grooming it’s best to stay away from red or purple and stick to these options…..
WARM WHITE LIGHT COLOR
3,500 KELVIN
This is sometimes also called “natural” white light. If you are going to spend your day inside and want to see how you will look in that light, this is the light color that you want to use for your grooming.
COOL WHITE LIGHT COLOR
5,500 KELVIN
This is the same light color that you get on a bright sunny day. If you are going to spend your day outside, this is the light color you want to use.
Do you have to pick one or the other? Sometimes. And sometimes mirrors come with a type of “hybrid” lighting where you would have multiple options of light colors. For example:
TUNABLE LIGHT COLOR
Allows you to adjust the light color, typically at the on/off switch. This option is typically found in the large, lighted vanity mirrors. If you hold the switch, the light color will smoothly along the range running from very warm (2,700k) to very cool (5,800k) Like a radio dial, the adjustment is smooth and can be easily controlled by the person doing the “tuning.” That way you get the exact light color that you want.
SWITCHABLE LIGHT COLOR
A feature on the mirror where you can get either warm white light OR cool white light. The on/off switch is a toggle switch and push it one direction for warm white light and the opposite direction for cool white light. This option is typically found in the magnified makeup mirrors.
Pick the RIGHT Magnification,
not simply the MOST.
A quick review of the magnified mirrors offered in the market will give you a dizzying array of options ranging from 2x magnification to 20x+ magnification (as if you needed “+” with a 20x magnified lens!) Let us share some information that will help you make the best choice for your grooming practices.
It is a fact that the higher the magnification of the mirror, the closer you have to be to be in focus. Obviously, there will be some differences between users, depending on their eyesight however, the following are good guidelines.
HOW CLOSE DO YOU REALLY WANT TO BE TO THE MIRROR?
- If the mirror has a 3x magnification, you will be in focus about 12” from it.
- If the mirror has a 5x magnification, you will be in focus 5” – 8” from it.
- If the mirror has a 7x magnification, you will be in focus just 3” away from it.
- If the mirror has a true 10x magnification, you need to be so close to the lens that it will, in fact, be difficult to do much grooming. This lens is best for people who have severe vision problems.
“But there are so many mirrors offered that have a much higher magnification” you say. And we respond….”yes, but a lot of it is LIES!” There are no guidelines on the level of magnification, outside of a 7th grade science class, so mirror purveyors can tell you what they think you want to hear. Since your mirror is a tool that will help you look and feel better, we think you should pick the mirror that best meets your needs.
Consider the Finish You Want
on Your Mirror
Remember above when we talked about form and function and promised to say a few words about form? Here they are. Mirrors don’t just make you look fantastic….they also provide a perfect finishing touch to your beautiful bathroom. We think of the mirrors in a bathroom as the “room jewelry.” The same way that a beautiful necklace can complete the look of a fabulous outfit, you can put the perfect finishing touch on a beautiful bathroom when you pick your mirror. You’ve probably spent hours picking out the various fixtures and elements in your new bathroom. When you pick the accessories…..
ASK YOURSELF
- Do you want the uniform look of matching accessories? Well, that’s easy then. Match the finish on the mirror to the finish on the faucets and hardware.
- Do you want to highlight various parts of the bathroom with a pop of color or contrast? There are some great ways to do that with a finish on the mirror that will contrast with the other elements in the bathroom.
Whether your mix or match the finishes, you’ll be able to use the mirror finish as a way to add some “room jewelry” and complete the look you’ve been dreaming of.
There are a number of factors and features to consider when you pick the perfect magnifying mirror or large vanity mirror. If you take the time and consider the way you will use the mirror – the function – and then consider how you want the mirror to accentuate your décor – the form – you will choose a mirror that is best for your needs. Then all you have to think about is how great you look when you go out into the world.
