Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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.
The color temperature of the lighting in your mirror may affect 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. Fluorescents and LEDs with no color temperature specification usually have color temperatures around 4,600° 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 = 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.
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)
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.
Is that a serious question? Yes. Here's the difference:
Since 1826 or thereabouts when Miroir Brot of France invented the makeup mirror, the term "Vanity Mirror" described a free-standing mirror that stood on a vanity table, a bathroom vanity, or a dresser.
In 2010, or maybe a little earlier, a new type of mirror emerged. Superficially similar to a traditional large flat wall-covering bathroom mirror, this mirror was different. Instead of "just" a plain mirror, the new type had embedded LED lighting strips. Since that time the type and proliferation of these LED bathroom mirrors has increased dramatically. And somewhere along the line these mirrors acquired the name "Vanity Mirror"
Today’s bathroom vanity mirrors have LED lighting that’s front-facing, rear-facing to illuminate the wall and provide ambient lighting, both front and rear lighting, embedded TVs, built-in defoggers, touch sensors, dimmers, and LED color adjustments.
In your bathroom, you can now place a vanity mirror on your bathroom vanity beneath a modern vanity mirror covering the wall.
To maintain clarity we will always refer to a counter-top mirror as "free-Standing", “table-top”, or “counter-top”.
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 some exceptions to this general statement.
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 elecrically connected. Once connected, the mirror is considered used and ineligible for return.
There's one onther thing:
We have one 15x mirror. It's the only product we carry 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