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Make-up light
The right lighting for make-up, mirrors and dressing tablesThe right lighting for applying make-up ensures that it looks natural and that colours appear true to life. Whether it’s foundation, blush or eyeshadow – you can only really see what your make-up looks like under even lighting. Conversely, light that is too dim or unsuitable can cause colours to appear distorted or transitions to look uneven.
It is particularly important to ensure that the face is illuminated without any shadows. Sharp shadows under the eyes, nose or chin make it difficult to apply make-up precisely and can mean that the make-up looks completely different later on in daylight. Many people are familiar with this problem: at home, the result looks perfect, but once you’re out and about, your foundation or powder suddenly looks patchy or too dark. The reason is usually down to unsuitable lighting.
Whilst ordinary room lighting is primarily intended to provide general brightness, make-up lighting is specifically designed to illuminate the face as naturally and evenly as possible. That is why traditional ceiling lights differ significantly from specialised make-up lamps, mirror lights or illuminated make-up mirrors.
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How to recognise good make-up lighting
Good make-up lighting is characterised above all by even illumination. The face should be brightly but pleasantly lit – without any glaring light sources or harsh shadows. Key features include uniform lighting across the entire face, glare-free lighting, natural colour rendering, sufficient brightness and lighting control that is as flexible as possible.
Colour rendering is particularly important, and is expressed as the CRI value. This is the colour rendering index (CRI). For a natural-looking make-up finish, it is advisable to use make-up lighting with the highest possible colour rendering. LED lights with a CRI/Ra value of 90 or above are ideal, as they make foundation, blush and lipstick look particularly natural.
Dimmable lighting is also a good idea. In the morning or during the day, brighter light is often preferred for applying make-up, whilst in the evening, a slightly softer light is more pleasant when getting ready for bed. Dimmable lighting allows for flexible adjustment to different times of day and situations.
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The right light colour for applying make-up
The light colour has a significant influence on how make-up colours are perceived. Cool white to daylight-like lighting is particularly suitable for applying make-up. These light colours are the closest to natural daylight and help you to assess colours as accurately as possible. Light that is too warm, on the other hand, can make foundation or powder appear warmer and darker than they actually are. There is an increased risk that make-up will look patchy outdoors or in daylight.
Nevertheless, warm white light can be useful – for example, as supplementary lighting in the bedroom or to create a pleasant atmosphere in the bathroom after applying make-up. The ideal solution is therefore a combination of functional make-up lighting and cosy ambient lighting. Dimmable or adjustable LED solutions are particularly practical.
Many modern make-up lamps or LED touch mirrors allow you to switch between different light colours and adjust the brightness to suit your preferences. When making a purchase, look out for the CCT function – this stands for Correlated Colour Temperature and refers to the ability to adjust the colour temperature of the light as required. This allows you to switch between warm white, cool white and daylight light, depending on the situation. If, on the other hand, you opt for lights with replaceable bulbs, make sure they have a cool white light colour suitable for make-up application, or choose bulbs that can change their light colour.
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Positioning your make-up light correctly
It is not only the light colour, but also the position of the lights that determines how easily make-up can be applied. Ideally, the light should hit the face as directly as possible. This reduces shadows and ensures that the facial features are evenly lit. On the other hand, light coming exclusively from above – as is the case with many ceiling lights – is not ideal. This often causes shadows to form under the eyes, nose and chin. Lighting from just one side can also make applying make-up more difficult, as one half of the face appears brighter than the other.
Wall lights to the right and left of the mirror, or even illuminated mirrors all round, have proved particularly effective. LED mirror lights fitted above the mirror, combined with additional lighting, or ring lights with front-facing light, are also practical. The more even the lighting, the more natural the make-up will look.
Make-up light for the mirror
The type of mirror that is best suited depends primarily on where it will be used and your personal requirements: illuminated mirrors are ideal for providing even, everyday lighting; mirror lights offer flexible bathroom solutions; make-up mirrors are perfect for intricate details such as eyeliner and the like; and LED touch mirrors provide modern, adjustable lighting control.
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A well-lit mirror is one of the most important elements of a functional make-up area. Illuminated mirrors are particularly popular, as they provide even lighting for the face and minimise shadows.
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LED mirror lights are suitable for both bathrooms and make-up areas in the bedroom. They can be fitted above or to the side of the mirror and provide bright, even lighting.
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Make-up mirrors with lights are handy for precise tasks such as applying eyeliner, shaping eyebrows or putting in contact lenses. Many models offer magnification functions and targeted lighting for specific details.
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Modern LED touch mirrors combine several functions. Brightness and light colour can often be adjusted directly on the mirror. This provides a particularly flexible solution for different times of day and lighting conditions.
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Dressing table lighting in the bedroom
In the bedroom, atmosphere plays just as important a role as functionality. For a natural look, it is best to ensure that the light on your face is as even as possible. In addition, cosy supplementary lighting can help create a pleasant atmosphere, such as indirect lighting or warm white bedroom lamps.
A dressing table lamp in the bedroom should therefore not only be practical, but also blend in harmoniously with the room. Make-up lamps with cool white light are particularly popular, as are small warm white table lamps with flexible heads, or wall lights to the right and left of the mirror. Dimmable LED lights are a must-have for creating a cosy atmosphere in the bedroom. Even small dressing tables can be fitted with functional lighting. Space-saving solutions such as clip-on lights, compact LED table lamps or slim wall lights are particularly well suited to smaller rooms.
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Make-up lighting in the bathroom
A single ceiling light is not enough in the bathroom. When applying make-up in particular, light coming from above can quickly cast shadows on the face. Mirror lights or side lights above the washbasin are more suitable. They ensure more even lighting and make it easier to apply make-up precisely. The ideal solution is a combination of functional mirror lighting, general room lighting and cosy accent lighting. The result is a bathroom that is both practical and atmospheric.
In the bathroom, it is important to ensure that safety zones are observed and that appropriate IP codes are used. Particularly near washbasins or showers, only bathroom lights designed for this purpose should be used. You can find out more about IP codes in the bathroom in this bathroom light guide.
Flexible make-up lights for special occasions
Not every make-up area is situated at a traditional make-up table. That is why a flexible lighting solution that can be adapted to different situations is often worthwhile.
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Portable mirrors with lights or USB lights are particularly well suited to flexible make-up stations or rented flats where there is no option for fixed installation.
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Clip-on lights save space and are particularly well suited to small dressing tables or shelves.
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Compact solutions are needed in small bedrooms or flats. Slim wall-mounted mirror lights, clip-on lights or rechargeable lights save space and are versatile.
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Rechargeable lights and USB lights are ideal for rented flats or rooms without a direct mains power supply. They can be positioned flexibly and are often easy to charge.
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A ring light provides particularly even, frontal lighting. This results in fewer shadows on the face. Ring lights are not only suitable for photos or videos, but also make practical make-up lighting.
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Table lamps can be positioned as required and are particularly suitable for bedrooms or small make-up areas. Models with a movable arm or swivelling head offer even greater flexibility.
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You can also create a small beauty corner in the living room. It is important to ensure that the lighting is as even and glare-free as possible.
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Natural daylight is considered to be particularly realistic. A seat by the window is therefore ideal for applying make-up. However, daylight changes depending on the time of day and the weather. Supplementary LED lighting provides added consistency.
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Especially in the mornings or evenings, there is often a lack of natural light. Daylight lamps or cool white LED lights help you to assess make-up colours realistically all the same.
Avoiding common mistakes when using make-up lighting
Many problems with applying make-up are caused by unsuitable lighting. The most common mistakes include:
- light that is too dim
- light that is too warm
- Lighting from above only
- single-sided light sources
- dazzling spots directly in your field of vision
- the distance between the mirror and the light source is too great
- Focus on design rather than light quality
It is particularly important to have even lighting without harsh shadows. When it comes to make-up lighting, functionality should always take precedence over purely decorative considerations.
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Checklist for choosing the right make-up lighting
The key criteria for good make-up lighting at a glance:
- Choose the right light colour
- Ensure there is sufficient light
- prefer dimmable lighting
- Take good colour rendering into account
- Position the lights at the front or to the side
- Avoiding glare
- Take the location into account
- Choose the appropriate installation method
- Make sure you have a power supply, a battery or a USB connection
Conclusion: This light is perfect for a natural make-up look
Good make-up lighting ensures that make-up colours look natural and that the face is evenly lit. The key factors here are, above all, the right light colour, sufficient brightness, good colour rendering and the correct positioning of the lights.
Combinations of functional make-up lighting and cosy supplementary lighting have proved particularly effective. Whether it’s a lighted mirror, a dressing table lamp, an LED mirror light or a flexible rechargeable light – the ideal solution depends above all on the room, the lighting conditions and your personal habits. With the right lighting, make-up areas can be created that are both functional and atmospheric, and which show off natural make-up in the best possible light.
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