Hand mirrors are available in an assortment of different sizes, shapes, and handles. However, picking the right hand mirror out of the lot is not always an easy task. To save you from trouble, we’ve listed some important considerations below to help you choose.
What Makes a Good Hand Mirror?
Size of the glass
When it comes to mirrors, size always matters. A hand mirror shouldn’t be so small that you’re unable to view yourself, nor be too large for it to become a hassle to carry. Generally, a 5-inch hand mirror is considered to be medium-sized and any mirror larger than that is considered acceptable in the fashion industry.
Frame of the mirror
The quality of a mirror can be judged by the frame that holds it. A weak or cheap plastic frame is most likely to crack or break under pressure, which would ultimately shatter your glass and may hurt you. You should always opt for a strong and well-built frame that is bulged out in order to prevent the glass of the hand mirror from shattering under rough use.
Handle
The handle of your hand mirror plays quite an important role when it comes to comfortability and convenience. Hand mirrors are meant to be carried around, thus the handle shouldn’t be long enough to limit the mirror’s portability. Moreover, a shorter handle can be a nuisance for people with large hands as they would end up smudging the mirror with their hands. For hand mirrors, you should ideally pick out handles with ergonomic designs and gripping finishes along with a suitable length.
Mirror type
In the hand mirror industry, there are either single or double-sided mirrors. While single-sided mirrors do manage to get the job done, double-sided mirrors can be integrated with a magnifying glass for beauticians who like to peek into the depths of their faces. However, double-sided mirrors are more prone to breaking or shattering as they are exposed from both sides, making them less durable than a single-sided mirror.
Integrated lighting
While simple hand mirrors are used worldwide, advances in technology have brought us an upgrade. Hand mirrors integrated with lighting are extremely useful when it comes to lowlight conditions and clearly seeing the subject. Lighting is everything and the wrong lighting can make you completely miscalculate your makeup strokes. However, hand mirrors with integrated lighting may seem high maintenance or too flashy for some people and can be skipped upon personal preference.
Types of Hand Mirrors
Magnifying mirrors
Makeup can be stressful as a single bad eyeliner stroke can ruin your whole look. To help you out, magnifying mirrors have made their way through the hand mirror industry. Magnifying mirrors feature a function known as “chrome” which allows the mirror to magnify the subject while maintaining clarity. The most popular magnifying scales are between 3x and 7x as they provide you enough magnification to accurately apply makeup while maintaining a crisp and clear reflection of your face.
Shatterproof mirrors
If you live around children or travel a lot, you need a hand mirror that is durable and can withstand rough usage. While hand mirrors with bulged-out frames do a sufficient job of preventing the glass from breaking, you can also opt for shatterproof mirrors. These mirrors are made from acrylic and will not shatter if dropped or applied pressure. They are extremely durable, however, they are prone to scratches and are not heat resistant like normal hand mirrors.
Foldable mirrors
Hand-held mirrors aren’t always a pleasure to work with. While portability is a huge motivating factor, it’s difficult to apply makeup with one hand and hold the mirror steady with another. To solve this, portable mirrors take the entry with their compact designs and foldable stands. The stand helps you set up the mirror on any surface so that you can apply your makeup in peace and comfort.
Flexible mirrors
If you’ve ever found yourself trying to adjust your hand mirror at the right spot for half an hour, it’s probable that you need a hand mirror with a flexible handle. Flexible handles allow you to easily adjust the glass of the mirror to any angle you require so that you can work in peace. The added functionality also makes sure that changing mirror angles is a breeze and you don’t need to adjust yourself to fit in the mirror anymore.
Cleaning Your Hand Mirror
Hand mirrors shouldn’t be regularly cleaned, and rather should only be wiped if they are dirty or filled with fingerprints. You can use any glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth to safely clean off any dirt and debris from your hand mirror. If you’re unable to find a glass cleaner, you can use lukewarm water to clean the glass and wipe the dirt off with a soft cloth. However, make sure to completely dry your hand mirror after cleaning and keep it in a cool and dry place in order to prevent rusting on the glass.
