While it may seem simple, the Riki Skinny has been a game-changer for my morning beauty routine. I can honestly say, the lighting from the mirror is INSANE and my make-up looks so much better since I ditched my ‘Super Human’ brand. I doubt I will travel with this as I’m not that big of a make-up junkie but the smaller Riki Cutie mirror is super handy. I'm able to see my pores very clearly and get a close-up with the magnifying mirror option," one tester noted. "This would especially be useful when working on your eyes to blend in eyeshadow or tweezing your brows." If you want to see what you're doing in greater detail when applying makeup, 5X (five times) magnification is a good place to start. This will enhance your view and allow you to see areas that may need more blending or another layer of product. On the other hand, 10X is typically too much, as it can make you feel alarmed by pores and teeny-tiny imperfections you wouldn't otherwise be able to see. To get as precise an application as possible, look for lighted mirrors that mimic natural light. Anything too bright or too dark won’t give you a proper portrayal of what your makeup looks like out in the wild. There's a bonus if you find a model with adjustable light. That way, you can more accurately imitate the outdoor light, whether sunny or cloudy.

Makeup mirrors come in all shapes and sizes, and you will want to choose the style that best suits your lifestyle. If you travel frequently, a mirror that is more compact will serve you best, but if you plan to keep your mirror in the bathroom or on a vanity at home, you may wish to consider purchasing a larger piece. Riki Loves Riki claims their LED lights have a high color rendering index (CRI), which refers to the light source's ability to reveal color accurately—this is the type of light you'd want in a museum or photography studio, and it's also a great feature to include in a makeup light. While this mirror is certainly an investment, it's a great compact option that's valued for its quality and universality. RECHARGEABLE - This RIKI SKINNY vanity mirror with lights and magnifying mirror with lights is powered by battery, no messy cords to take up space on your bathroom countertop or vanity. NO DISTORTION - RIKI SKINNY vanity mirror is made with high-end crystal clear glass. Never have to worry about seeing yourself being distorted into the mirror. We love that this is a great lighted mirror that's small enough for travel, but the carrying case is sold separately, which is less than ideal. This mirror's clip-on phone mount can be used for selfies, following step-by-step makeup tutorials, or good lighting on Zoom. Also included is a round magnetic mirror with 5 times magnification, which works well for close-up needs like eyeliner and eyeshadow application.Our first choice for a makeup mirror is the Riki Skinny ( view at Ulta) since it's durable, lightweight, and has high-quality lighting, not to mention extra features like Bluetooth capability and a phone mount. What to Look for in a Makeup Mirror? Size

PHONE HOLDER - Consider the RIKI SKINNY vanity mirror a video lighting kit with phone holder. Which means you can mount your phone onto the mirror, and start record video, doing ZOOM calls, watch Youtube videos. There are few simpler joys than switching on one of the best lighted makeup mirrors while getting ready in the morning—well, maybe that and getting your foundation just right or perfecting your winged eyeliner on the first try. This is a matter of personal preference. But if you tend to get super precise with your makeup application, you may want to go with a mirror that does magnify, like the Glamcor Riki Skinny Smart Vanity Mirror. The Riki Super Fine gives you 7x the magnifying power and mounts right on the Riki Skinny so I will probably be adding this for more intense magnification (I don’t want to miss any stray hairs or peach fuzz…yikes). Broadly speaking, most lighted travel mirrors use LED lights, which will give you the longest-lasting power.If you want more control over your lighting, there are options out there that have dimmable or adjustable brightness, like the Vanity Planet Pose LED Travel Mirror.

Our top picks

The primary issue I encountered with the Riki Skinny mirror was its brightness. While many makeup mirrors are designed to provide excellent lighting for precise makeup application, this one seemed excessively bright to the point of discomfort. It felt more like a spotlight on my face rather than flattering illumination. Adjusting the brightness settings didn't seem to alleviate the issue, and I found myself squinting and straining my eyes while using it. You might think any mirror suffices as a suitable vanity mirror, but these days you can find a glamorous lighted makeup mirror that fits your precise needs—whether you want a full-on Hollywood mirror lined in flashy lightbulbs, a more modest makeup mirror that’s rectangular or round in design, or a portable compact makeup mirror. Maybe you’re on the hunt for a mirror that offers varying levels of magnification (from 1x magnification to 10x magnification) to help you tweeze pesky hairs or apply the perfect liquid eyeliner or mascara coat. Most makeup mirrors on the market are rechargeable, double-sided, trifold, and adjustable so you can see every angle. These mirrors are powered by LED lights (which don’t burn out or grow too hot) and most offer a range of dimmable brightness levels as well as options for light settings (so that you can adjust your makeup routine for natural light, fluorescent light, or warmer date-night light). Hell, there are even smart beauty mirrors that include Bluetooth, skin analysis, social-media syncing, and USB ports for charging your phone.