Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Orders
Everything over $49 ships FREE* - site-wide.
As you look at each product, the lead time is indicated right below the price, as in the two typical examples below.
Returns
Our general return policy is within 30 days we will send you a return label, no questions asked. We we would ask you to tell us, however, if the product is defective in some way. There are two exceptions.
Ineligible for return
1. Mirrors that are custom made such as by Miroir Brot, Electric Mirror, and some others. All custom made mirrors indicate they are custom made, on the ordering page.
2. Hardwired mirrors that have been electrically connected. Once connected, the mirror is considered used and ineligible for return.
There's one other thing:
We have one 15x mirror. It's the only product that has a restocking fee. The restocking fee is $25.00
See our complete Refund Policy.
Happy to Help
We are ready to answer your questions from 7 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time, business days.
Use our Contact Form
email: service@PerfectMakeupMirrors.com
Phone: 866-866-5552 press 1 for Customer Service
Qeustions About Products
Hardwired
A hardwired mirror is one that's connected directly to the electrical system. It should be installed by a licensed electrician following all local electrical codes and if in a wet area, wired through a GFI for safety.
Cordless
A cordless makeup mirror is not connected to anything, but it is rechargeable. Recharging is done via a USB port, somewhere on the mirror body, or similarly with an AC adapter.
| Hardwired | Cordless |
|---|---|
| Permanently Connected | Rechargeable by USB or AC Adapter |
| Electrician needed for installation | Just hang where needed |
| Stays with the property | Take it with you if you move |
| Control at the mirror or optionally by wall switch or timer. | On/Off functions at the mirror only |
| Never any visible or exposed wires. | Wire present during recharge every ±2 weeks |
| Mechanical On/Off witching | Switching usually by touch sensor |
When selecting a makeup mirror, the finish plays an important role in both appearance and long-term satisfaction. Two of our most popular options—Polished Chrome and Polished Nickel—offer distinct looks while delivering the same exceptional performance and craftsmanship you expect from Perfect Makeup Mirrors.
Polished Chrome
Polished Chrome is bright, sleek, and highly reflective. Its crisp, mirror-like surface has a cool tone that pairs beautifully with modern bathrooms and contemporary fixtures.- Clean, cool, and highly reflective appearance
- Ideal for modern and minimalist spaces
- Extremely durable and easy to maintain
- Matches well with stainless steel and chrome fixtures
Polished Nickel
Polished Nickel offers a warmer, softer glow with a refined, upscale feel. While still bright, it reflects light more gently than chrome, giving it a richer and more luxurious appearance.- Warm undertones with a softer, elegant shine
- Slightly less reflective, making it more forgiving to fingerprints
- Popular in high-end residential and hospitality settings
- Pairs beautifully with marble, natural stone, and classic interiors
Polished Nickel is often chosen by customers looking for a sophisticated finish that feels inviting and luxurious without being flashy.
Which Finish Is Right for You?
| If you prefer… | Choose… |
|---|---|
| A cool, ultra-modern look | Polished Chrome |
| A warm, refined, luxury feel | Polished Nickel |
| Maximum reflectivity | Polished Chrome |
| Subtle elegance with depth | Polished Nickel |
Our Promise
No matter which finish you choose, every Perfect Makeup Mirror is crafted to deliver:- Precision optics
- Beautiful, even illumination
- Long-lasting performance
- Timeless design
- Color temperature is not brightness — it refers only to the color of the light.
- Measured in degrees Kelvin (k) — higher Kelvin values mean the light is closer to pure white (around 10,000k).
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Reference points:
- Incandescent bulb: ~2,700k
- Sunny blue-sky noon: ~5,500k
- Bright cloudy day: ~6,500k
- Most people are accustomed to warm indoor lighting around 2,700k.
- Color temperature affects makeup application, since it changes how colors appear in different environments.
- For the most accurate results, choose a makeup mirror with a color temperature similar to the lighting you encounter most often.
- Some LED mirrors list their color temperature; others allow switching between temperatures.
- Incandescent-type light is usually around 3,000k
- Generic LED lighting is often around 4,000k
- Outdoor daytime: 5,500–6,500k
- Office environment: 4,000–4,600k
- Evening / going out: 2,700–3,500k
If no color temperature is specified:
Recommended color temperatures by situation:
The color temperature of any light bulb, including LEDs is measured in degrees Kelvin ("k"). The higher the color temperature, the closer the light is to pure white light at 10,000° k. A blue sky sunny day at noon has a color temperature of about 5,500° k. On a very bright cloud-covered day, the sky registers a color temperature of about 6,500° k, while a "regular" incandescent light bulb has a color temperature of about 2,700° k. And most people are most accustomed to that color of lighting in their home.
The color temperature of the lighting in your mirror may affect the way you apply your makeup and thus the way people see you in different situations. It's best, therefore, to choose a lighted makeup mirror with a color temperature to approximate your most frequent environment.
Many of our LED mirrors have their color temperature specified. And some makeup mirrors have adjustable or switchable color temperatures. For those where color temperature is not specified a reasonable guide is this: For incandescent bulbs, a color temperature of around 3,000° k is normal. When no color temperature specification is stated the lighting usually has a color temperatures around 4,000° k. The photos below can serve as a guide.
If you're planning for an outdoor day, the higher the color temperature the better - 5,500° k to 6,500° k.
For office environment lighting conditions, color temperatures around 4,000° to 4,600° k provide the closest match.
For evenings on the town, 2,700°k to 3,500° k is best.
- Magnification choice is mostly personal preference, but several technical factors matter.
- No industry standards exist for magnification ratings; manufacturers assign whatever number they choose.
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Magnification claims may be inaccurate:
- High-quality (often more expensive) mirrors tend to state true magnification.
- Low-priced mirrors may exaggerate magnification to attract buyers.
- A $25 mirror labeled 10× may magnify less than a $400 mirror labeled 5×.
- You can measure true magnification yourself using a tape measure and an assistant (see FAQ: “What’s the magnification of the mirror I have now?”).
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Most popular magnifications:
- 5× is the most commonly chosen.
- 7× is the second most popular.
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Higher magnification = shorter viewing distance:
- You must stand closer to a 7× mirror than to a 5× mirror.
- This is a physical property of optics.
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Extreme magnification limits usability:
- Example: A 15× mirror requires a viewing distance of about 2 inches.
- Closer distance means less of your face remains visible.
- More details are available in the FAQ (“What’s the magnification of the mirror I have now?”).
The "best" magnification?
In a word - "Personal Preference" But there's much more infolved that that.
First, it should be noted that there are no standards for mirror magnification specifications. The stated magnification power assigned to a mirror is left completely up to the manufacturer of the mirror. It could be accurate. It could be exaggerated. It could be understated - unlikely. Generally speaking, high quality expensive mirrors have more accurate magnification specifications. In other words it's completely possible for a $25 mirror that claims 10x magnification to magnify less than a $400 mirror with a stated 5x magnification. The difference is that the maker of the $400 mirror is assigning the true magnification value, while the $25 mirror maker exaggerates the magnification in order to sell mirrors to unsuspecting customers.
The is a method that a user can determine the actual magnification power of a mirror requiring only a measuring tape an probably an assistant. On this FAQ page, see "What's the magnification of the mirror I have now."
With all that said, makeup mirrors with 5x magnificaation are by far the most popular, followed closely by 7x. As the magnification power increases, the viewing distance decreases. Thus to see a clear reflection in a 7x mirror, you need to be closer to it than a 5x mirror. There's no getting around this - it's a physical function of optics. In fact, we do have a 15x mirror and the viewing distnace for that mirror is 2 inches! So if you are inclined to order magnifications higher than 7x, be prepared to be pretty close to the mirror, and of course the closer you get, the less of your face is visible. Much of this is explained the the FAQ below, "What's the magnification of the mirror I have now.".
Finding the magnification power of your own Makeup Mirror
Using the measuring tape, follow the steps below:
- 1. Stand far enough from the mirror so that the image you see is upside-down.
- 2. Put the reflection of your eye at the center of the mirror.
- 3. Slowly move closer to the mirror, keeping your eye at the center. It may take a little practice.
- 4. When the image of your eye flips right-side-up and becomes clear, stop.
Only your eye area should be clear, not your entire face. - 5. Measure the distance from your eye to the center of the mirror.
- 6. Find the magnification on the chart below.
| Distance to Eye | Magnification |
|---|---|
| 14" | 3x |
| 12" | 5x |
| 10" | 7x |
| 7.5" | 8x |
| 4.2" | 10x |
| 1.8" | 15x |
It will, however, give you a good approximation of the magnification power of your mirror.
- CRI (Color Rendering Index) measures how accurately a light source reveals colors compared to natural light.
- Higher CRI = better color accuracy and a more pleasing visual experience.
- High CRI is important for color-critical tasks, such as medical care (e.g., neonatal units) and art restoration.
- CRI scale ranges from 0 to 100.
- Incandescent bulbs often achieve CRI 100 (the highest possible).
- Standard fluorescent “cool white” bulbs typically have CRI 50–60.
- Specialty multi-phosphor fluorescents can reach CRI up to 98.
- Typical LEDs have CRI 80–85.
- High-quality, more expensive LEDs can achieve CRI 90+.
CRI (Color Rendering Index)
In short, the higher the better!
Color rendering index (CRI) is a measure of the ability of a light source to display the colors of various objects faithfully when compared the a natural light source. Light sources with a high CRI value are desirable in color-critical applications such as neonatal care and art restoration. Generally the higher the CRI, the more pleasing to the eye.
The highest possible CRI value is 100 and is frequently achieved by incandescent or "regular" light bulbs. Fluorescent "cool white" bulbs have a CRI of around 50 to 60, but some high-end special use multi-phosphor fluorescents can go up to 98. LEDs typically have an a CRI around 80-85, and better, more expensive LEDs can have CRIs of 90 and higher.
Our LED Bathroom Mirrors and LED Medicine Cabinets have CRIs of at least 90 and most have CRIs even higher.
- Magnification inherently creates distortion — magnifying mirrors must distort the image to function.
- Most magnifying mirrors distort, with one rare exception (see below).
- Goal of good design: minimize distortion to acceptable or unnoticeable levels.
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Reason 1: Curved glass
- Magnification is produced by bending glass into a concave surface.
- Higher magnification = more curvature = more distortion.
- The center of the mirror always has the least distortion.
- Larger mirrors have a larger “low-distortion center area,” making them preferable.
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Reason 2: Glass quality
- Poorly manufactured glass with uneven curvature creates uneven magnification.
- Irregularities in the glass cause noticeable distortion.
- High-quality mirrors use better glass and produce more consistent magnification.
Magnification = Distortion
What?
Yes, by their very nature, magnifying mirrors must be distorted. Almost all magnification-mirrors distort the image. There is an exception - see below*. Otherwise, the trick is to minimize the amount of distortion to an acceptable or even unnoticeable levels.
There are at least two reasons for distortion. The principal reason is that mirrors magnify by using bent glass to form a concave surface which is what creates the magnified reflected image. The greater the degree of magnification, the greater the bend in the glass and the greater the distortion. The center portion of the mirror, at any magnification level, always has the least distortion. In a larger mirror, the absolute size of the center section is relatively larger, and therefore the area of least distortion is larger. This is a significant reason that a larger mirror is preferable.
Another contributing factor is the quality of the mirror glass itself. A poorly made mirror that has irregularities in the curvature of the glass will cause irregularities in magnification causing distortion in the reflected image. For that reason it's best to stick with high quality products.
*An exception to the distortion dilemma: A magnifying mirror made with an actual glass lens fronting a flat mirror can be free from distortion. The mirror must be a high quality mirror and the lens must be of (expensive) optical glass carefully ground to exacting tolerances. Think of it as a creating camera lens that's 7" in diameter. This type of mirror is rare and difficult if not impossible to find. The cost can reach thousands of dollars.
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Is that a serious question?
- Surprisingly, yes — the term now refers to two different categories of mirrors.
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Original meaning (since ~1826):
- “Vanity Mirror” traditionally meant a free-standing mirror.
- These mirrors sit on a vanity table, bathroom vanity, or dresser.
- This meaning traces back to when Miroir Brot of France invented the makeup mirror in 1826.
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Modern usage (around 2010 onward):
- A new mirror style emerged that resembles a flat wall-wide bathroom mirror.
- Unlike traditional mirrors, these featured embedded LED lighting strips.
- As this category grew, these illuminated mirrors also became known as “Vanity Mirrors” — presumably because they were placed over the bathroom vanity.
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Today’s LED bathroom vanity mirrors may include:
- Front-facing LED lighting
- Rear lighting that casts ambiance onto the wall
- Both front and rear lighting combined
- Built-in TVs
- Defoggers
- Touch sensors
- Dimmers
- Adjustable LED color temperatures
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Resulting situation:
- A bathroom may now have a countertop, free-standing (“vanity”) mirror sitting beneath a modern LED wall-wide vanity mirror.
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Clarity of terminology going forward:
- The traditional, portable style will always be called “free-standing,” “table-top,” or “counter-top” to avoid confusion.
- Fog-free mirrors use an electrically heated panel behind the glass to prevent fogging.
- Systems are hardwired with no plugs or visible wires; installation is typically permanent.
- Fog-free technology is available in:
- Shower mirrors
- Mirrored medicine cabinets
- Wall-covering LED bathroom vanity mirrors
- Miroir Brot makeup mirrors with small internal heating elements
- The Clarity by ClearMirror is the only fog-free mirror powered by a Li-Ion battery.
- All other fogless mirrors operate on low-voltage electricity supplied by a built-in or wired transformer.
- Shower mirrors (except the Clarity) are permanently tiled into the shower wall and are UL and/or ETL listed.
The fog-free function is accomplished via an electrically heated panel backing the mirror glass. There are no plugs or visible wires; everything is done with direct connection to the electric system of the home or builsing and with one exception, the installation is permanent.
Fog-free operation can be found in a number of our product types, including Shower Mirrors, for many if not most of our mirrored Medicine Cabinets, and for quite a number of the wall-covering Bathroom LED Vanity Mirrors. Additionally, some of the Miroir Brot Makeup Mirrors have a small heating element contained within the housing to keep them fog-free.
We do carry one fog-free mirror that runs on a Li-Ion battery rather than house current and that is the Clarity by ClearMirror.
To keep them safe, all of these fogless mirrors operate on low voltagee electricity usually provided by a built-in or wired tranformer. The shower mirrors are permanently installed ("tiled in") in the wall of the shower (with the exception of the Clarity) and are UL and/or ETL listed.
- Most LEDs last about 20,000 hours; high-quality LEDs can last up to 120,000 hours.
- Perfect Makeup Mirrors’ high-end products typically offer 30,000–50,000+ hour LED life.
- In real-world use:
- 30 minutes/day → a 30,000-hour LED lasts over 160 years.
- 1.5 hours/day → about 55 years of use.
- Cheap LEDs may fail early, making quality brands and components important.
- LED replacement notes:
- Makeup mirrors usually use LED tape strips, not bulbs.
- Single LED failure causes slight dimming; multiple failures require tape replacement.
- Replacing tape requires matching specs and soldering—best done by someone electrically skilled.
- Some older or larger mirrors use replaceable LED bulbs, available from common lighting retailers.
The life of an LED depends on the design life as well as the quality. Almost any LED will last 20,000 hours. Higher quality LEDs will last longer, some as long as 120,000 hours.
At Perfect Makeup Mirrors, our high-end products generally have LED life expectancies of 30,000, hours, 50,000 hours, and more.
Think of what those numbers translate to:
An LED Mirror in a bathroom might be used let's say 1/2 hour a day. With a 30,000 hour life span, that means after a little more than 164 years, the LEDs will need to be replaced. Ok, let's triple the use - 1-1/2 hours a day. You'll still get about 55 years use. And that's 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including the extra days on leap years! In other words, you needn't think about.
There is a "dark" side to LED lighting, however. Cheaply made LEDs are prone to sudden failure early in their life span. For that reason, it's important to purchase only quality products made by reliable companies that use only quality LEDs.
Replacement
Technically, any LED can be replaced, but as a practical matter this is not always feasible. Here's why: Especially in makeup mirrors where interior space is limited, LED "tapes" are used instead of individual LEDs in replaceable light-bulb-like formats.
LED Tape roll. The tape is about 5/8" wide.
Each 1/4" yellow square is an LED.
In some older makeup mirrors and in larger model mirrors, such as LED wall-sized bathroom mirrors, LED "bulbs" are used. These look like regular light bulbs in sockets and can be replaced. Find replacements on amazon.com, 1000bulbs.com, or other sources.
Flashing LED Lighted Mirrors
This phenomenon is called "strobing". An explanation can be found on this FAQ page under "Why are my makeup mirror lights flashing?"
Electrician's Hardwired Makeup Mirror Mounting Instructions
• We strongly recommended that installation only be done when the mirror itself is present, and the actual user is available, in order to set the most convenient mounting height.
• Install a 4" octagon box on a GFCI line or on a line where a GFCI outlet is installed, or both. The box should be flush with the mounting surface at a height determined by the user. The box should be capable of supporting 15 lbs. The mirror doesn't weigh 15 lbs., but remember it may be on an arm as long as 20". Note that the center of the mirror is usually 1/2" to 6" higher than the mounting-plate center. All of our hardwired makeup mirrors have the switch contained within the mirror mounting plate, mirror base, or mirror housing. No other switch is required. Also note that each of our single and double arm wall mirrors tilt vertically and swing horizontally.
• Hardwired mirrors, once wired, are no longer eligible for refund.
It's called "Strobing". This is a problem with earlier model LED mirrors - although it can still happen.
If there are touch sensors, a possible cause a static electricity affecting the sensor. Try turning off the power for 30 seconds. If that works, the sensor was probably "stuck" due to static electricity.
More likely, it is the LED driver that's at fault. The LED driver is a small power module held wihin the housing of the mirror that converts the household AC current to the DC voltage needed by the LEDs. Technically, it's possible to replace the LED driver but finding a matching driver is, to say the least, difficult. Neverthelss it can be done, and if you are handy or know someone handy and electrically "savvy", it may be worth attempting to replace the driver, before spending for a new mirror.