The cherished dream of every woman is to have a make-up mirror at home or, as it is also called, a makeup artist’s mirror for makeup, a cosmetic mirror, etc.
However, it is not at all necessary to buy it for a lot of money. With inexpensive tools and materials, as well as practical advice, any man can make such a practical and useful gift to his beloved in just a couple of days.
Keep in mind that a high-quality makeup mirror cannot be assembled technically competently in one day. Even experienced masters rarely manage to pull off such a trick.
Too much of everything here is tied to aspects of painting and wood processing. But a properly assembled product will delight your soulmate for many years.
After all, situations often arise when literally six months later, everyone who looks in such hastily assembled mirrors begins to look small and fat. We'll tell you why this happens a little later.
This mirror also perfectly replaces a ring light.
You can take great selfies next to him.
Let's look at all the tricks and life hacks of a makeup mirror and note the mistakes that will lie in wait for you when making it at home.
Hollywood mirror
You've probably seen these gorgeous illuminated mirrors in movies and in photos from celebrity dressing rooms. A mirror with lights creates a glamorous atmosphere and can decorate a dressing table in a bedroom or bathroom.
You can look for a Hollywood mirror in specialized stores or make a backlit bathroom mirror with your own hands. Now you will learn how to do this.
Which light bulbs to choose for the dressing room mirror
For the makeup artist's mirror, buy only LED bulbs.
Definitely with a matte flask. It gives a soft diffused light, unlike transparent ones.
The glow temperature should be 4000K.
This is a white neutral light. If you see 4100K or 4200K in a store, buy them. These nuances do not greatly affect the final picture and how the light will fall on the face.
Your eye won't tell the difference.
Do I need to install the bottom row of lamps? Almost always the backlight is done in the letter P.
The bottom row only increases the cost of labor, plus it interferes with the makeup artist’s work and takes up extra space on the makeup table. Light from three sides is enough to create even, good lighting on the face.
However, with the huge size of the mirrors, it is no longer possible to do without the bottom row.
What wattage should all light bulbs be? It all depends on their quantity.
For full-length mirrors or make-up stations, 6W lamps are used.
For a small home mirror for a makeup artist, 3-4W is enough. No more than 5W. Otherwise, there will be uncomfortable sensations and constant eye fatigue.
Also, to prevent your eyes from hurting, choose light bulbs without pulsations.
On quality products this is written right on the packaging.
Selecting a mirror
- Choose the location of the mirror in the bedroom or bathroom;
- Carefully measure the height and width of the future mirror;
The lamps can be mounted directly on the mirror (this will require a special glass drill and some skill) or on a wooden or plastic frame.
If you are a beginner craftsman, we recommend choosing a mirror in a wide wooden or plastic frame as the basis for your craft.
Remember that the dimensions you have must match the frame size.
Drilling holes for cartridges
Now you need to mark the places for installing the light bulbs. Usually there are 8 or more of them.
Measure the length of the board, without taking into account the bottom strip, since in most cases it plays the role of a fixing element and there will be no light bulbs in it.
Then you divide the entire distance into equal parts. Two light bulbs must be in the upper corners.
Having measured the width, find the middle and put a mark.
From these marks, as starting points, draw all other holes. Next, using a feather drill with a diameter of 38-40mm, you need to drill out the marked areas.
Select this drill diameter if you have an E27 chuck. For E14 chucks, a D-26mm drill is suitable.
Professional carpenters use a forstner drill for this task rather than a feather drill.
Secret No. 8
When using a drill, do not go all the way through the wood at once.
Otherwise, the back side of the board will collapse and the wood structure will break.
To prevent this from happening, when the tip of the pen just begins to show on the other side, turn the frame over and start drilling from there. In this case, the hole will be more accurate.
Carefully sand the resulting holes and all boards with sandpaper. You can also use sandpaper to round the ends.
The look will be more aesthetic.
Next, remove all dirt, dust and wipe the resulting frame until perfectly clean, preparing it for painting.
Electrical preparation
To create an illuminated mirror, you will need light bulbs. Of course, you can buy incandescent light bulbs and attach their sockets to the frame, but there is a much simpler method.
You can buy LED bulbs; they are sold with a socket and often have an adhesive backing. You can buy the lamps individually and connect them in series, or you can buy a set of lamps connected together. They are sold in Christmas decoration departments.
In essence, this set of lamps is a Christmas tree garland with large light bulbs. Each of them is unscrewed from the cartridge.
Connecting lamp sockets
Let's move on to one of the important and incomprehensible stages for many - connecting the electricity. In fact, there is nothing super complicated here.
Buy not simple cartridges, but ones with a locking ring.
Secret No. 15
If your task is to make a mirror where the cartridge will purposefully act as a decorative element in the loft style, then the black E27 cartridge is your choice.
But when you want to see only light bulbs and no unnecessary elements, then small white E14 models are suitable.
Each cartridge will have to be disassembled. Unscrew the fastening washer and the “bottom”. Pass the end of the wire through it.
Use a two-core wire, type ShVVP 2*0.75mm2. For such a small load this section is quite sufficient.
Remove the insulation from the outer sheath of the cable by 3 cm and from the cores themselves by 0.5-1 cm.
Inside the cartridge there are two contacts with screws. You need to insert the stripped wires into them and tighten the bolts.
Then put everything back together in reverse order. The first cartridge is ready. To avoid making mistakes, read the detailed instructions.
Insert it into its place in the frame and measure the distance to the next light bulb. Cut the insulation lengthwise.
And again you peel off 2-3cm of the outer shell.
Secret No. 16
Attention! There is no need to cut the cores inside the cable.
They must remain intact. You will only have to remove the insulation from them. This can even be done with a lighter.
Next, squeeze the stripped wire in half, twist the wires and insert them into the next cartridge.
Do a similar procedure with all the remaining light bulbs. Do not forget to measure the required length of wire each time.
As a result, you should have a homemade garland with lamps connected in parallel.
The connection here is parallel, not serial!
If you make a sequential connection, you will get a completely unexpected effect.
In modern cartridges, the connection is made without any screws. They have 4 plug-in contacts on the “ass”.
In this case, the wires will still have to be cut. The two wires of the power cord are plugged into one contact, and the two wires going out into the other.
Secret No. 17
To prevent the wires from dangling on the back wall, they can be hidden in a plastic cable channel for greater safety.
Cut it to the size of the frame, make holes for the cartridges and attach it to the back as in the photo below.
To completely cover the cartridges, the lid must be quite high.
If you have a router, a chamfer is simply removed from the board, where all the wires are laid.
To prevent the wire from falling out, it can be nailed down with special cable clamps.
At the very end of the cord there is a plug. There should be a switch between it and the first light bulb.
Only one core is passed through it - the phase one. You don't even need to cut the second wire.
At the same time, a standard room switch looks cumbersome.
Therefore, it is better to install a small “nutcracker” in the frame instead.
Often it is simply placed on double-sided tape on the side of the mirror.
Just be sure to bring the wire to it through the frame, and don’t run it on top. Otherwise, the mirror will not press close to the wall.
Secret No. 18
But the best option is to use a miniature infrared switch.
These are often used to illuminate the work area in the kitchen.
It consists of a small box (it is secured inside the frame with double-sided tape) and a barrel-shaped button.
This barrel is brought out through a drilled hole on the side of the mirror.
There are 4 terminals on the box. Connect the wires from the first light bulb to two, and the wire from the plug to the other two.
To turn on the mirror, it will be enough to bring your hand to this sensor without even pressing it.
Well, the simplest option is a cord with a built-in switch on the wire.
These are usually sold for table lamps.
You can even choose one with a dimmer to adjust the brightness.
Frame preparation
If the existing frame matches your color, you can immediately begin marking it. You can also pre-paint the frame to your liking.
Count how many lamps are in your garland. Calculate at what distance from each other they will be. Mark the mounting locations for the lamps on the frame.
How to paint a mirror frame correctly
In fact, it is with painting that a lot of questions and nuances arise. Sometimes even more than with electrics.
Firstly, always be sure to read what the manufacturer writes on their packaging and jars of varnishes, paints, stains, etc.
And strictly adhere to these recommendations. If it says that after applying the first layer you need to wait two or more hours, just do it, don’t rush.
Secret No. 9
Secondly, not all varnishes are applied with a brush.
Some use only a rag or sponge. They literally have to be forcibly rubbed over the surface.
Again, it is better to paint with a roller rather than a brush.
Secret No. 10
The wooden frame must be protected with a layer of varnish or paint on both sides.
Never leave a back wall unfinished.
The cheapest and fastest option is to paint the frame with spray paint.
One small can is enough for two layers. However, such a result will most likely not please either you or your significant other.
The second way to process the frame is to first apply stain and then varnish everything.
To avoid drips, to apply varnish and stain, as mentioned above, use a foam sponge rather than a brush.
Secret No. 11
After applying the first layer of varnish, be sure to remove any raised lint with sandpaper.
Secret No. 12
In this case, you cannot use coarse-grained sandpaper; the optimal grain size is 220.
Larger grains will leave scratches that you will not be able to get rid of later.
After this, apply the varnish around the second circle. Everything will be smooth and will last for many years.
The third method is to first apply acrylic color to the wood. For example Palizh.
Then, after an hour, treat the frame with Teknos wood oil.
Secret No. 13
The oil is applied in two layers with an intermediate drying time of 8 hours!
After that, to reveal the texture, the surface is rubbed with a cotton cloth. The end result is a gorgeous thing. See the results for yourself.
Secret No. 14
However, keep in mind that black is not always suitable for professional work as a makeup artist.
When doing this kind of work, it is very important to thoroughly see the real texture of the skin (pores, defects). This requires a lot of soft light.
The black frame will interrupt it. Although this option is very popular for home interiors.
Drilling holes
You need to drill holes in the places where the light bulbs will be.
First, you can make holes with a regular drill. Next you will need a round bit for drilling large holes. Their size should be equal to the diameter of the light bulb sockets.
After drilling is completed, each hole must be treated with sandpaper and wiped with a damp cloth to remove dust.
Wall mounting methods
Illuminated models, where wood or metal is used to make the frame, have significant weight. Traditional methods such as using special holders, mounting with mounting tape or liquid nails are ineffective and dangerous in this case.
To attach the frame, it is better to use a proven method: fix the dowel-nails in the wall and install special hinges on the frame that will be used for hanging. For massive specimens, it is better to use special plates that have several holes for self-tapping screws.
The owner prefers to leave the dressing room mirror mobile. Most often it is installed on the dressing table. If relocation is necessary, the absence of fastenings makes it easier to move it with all its contents to a new location.
An additional strip, which is attached to the upper part of the frame on the reverse side and is used as a spacer, will help to give stability to the floor mirror. If the family has children or pets, it is better to use wall mounts. In this case, the mirror is installed with a slight inclination: the upper part of the frame rests on the wall, and the fastenings are screwed at a height of 10–20 cm and fixed in the concrete using dowel nails.
Fastening scheme using dowel-nails
Plates and screws for fastening massive mirrors
Tilt Mount
Mirror with LED light
There is another, perhaps even simpler way to create decorative or functional lighting for a mirror. To work you will need:
- · Mirror without frame;
- · LED Strip Light;
- · Plug and wire of suitable power.
To create a mirror with LED lighting, you need to choose a mirror without a frame or with a very narrow frame.
The mirror should be mounted in such a way that there is free space between it and the wall. If you want to highlight an existing mirror, you can buy special mounts for mirrors in the form of hooks or barrels in construction supermarkets.
Then proceed as follows:
Measure the perimeter of your mirror. If you want a bright highlight, measure along the edges of the mirror. If you want to get dim decorative lighting, measure the perimeter at a distance of 7-10 cm from the edge. The resulting figure will indicate the required length of the LED strip.
Helpful advice: if you need to measure the circumference of a round mirror, step back 5 cm from its upper border and 5 cm from the bottom, measure this segment. The resulting figure must be multiplied by 3.14. To find out the length of the LED strip for a rectangular mirror, measure each edge and add the resulting numbers.
Buy a 12V LED strip with white light. For decorative lighting, you can choose a strip with colored lamps and a remote control for switching lighting modes.
If your strip does not have a plug, purchase one and the connecting wire separately. Measure in advance the distance from the location where the illuminated mirror is installed to the nearest outlet. Buy a wire with a small margin.
Glue the LED strip to the underside of the mirror. In the corners of a mirror or for a rounded mirror, you can squeeze the tape between the individual bulbs like an accordion and then glue it with polymer glue.
First, the tape is glued in the corners, then the protective film is gradually removed and the remaining parts of the tape are glued. Be careful, if you peel off the tape, it will not stick a second time.
Connect the tape to the wire going to the plug of the device using a soldering iron or using metal crimps. You can also twist the edges of the wires and attach plastic protective caps to them or carefully wrap them with electrical tape. A connection using soldering is much more reliable, but the crimps can be removed at any time and the tape can be used for other purposes.
Hang the finished mirror with LED strip lighting that you made yourself on the wall.
Check that the wire is long enough to reach the nearest outlet.
If you want to place a mirror in the bathroom, you can connect the lighting wiring to the wiring of the main light source in the room, then the lighting will turn on simultaneously in the overhead lamp.
Be careful, if you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to entrust the process of connecting the backlight to the main network to a professional electrician.
An illuminated mirror will decorate any bathroom and bedroom. In front of such a mirror it will be convenient to apply makeup and tidy up your hair. A homemade illuminated mirror will cost you much less than a ready-made mirror from a store, which will work on the same principle.
How to do it yourself? Step-by-step instruction
It is best to order a blank for a future design from a workshop. Before starting work, you should prepare the necessary tools and components, and also cover the table with a soft cloth to protect the mirror surface from possible scratches.
Making a mirror with light bulbs
The algorithm for creating a makeup mirror with lights around the frame (along the perimeter) is as follows:
- Assemble the frame - the base into which all the elements will be installed. The average frame width should be 60 mm, which will be quite enough for mounting cartridges.
- Cut off the end parts of the elements at an angle of 45 degrees, and then connect them together using corners, screws and glue.
- Apply decorative overlays to the frame, and then make holes through which the wires will pass.
- Lead the ends of the cable into the drilled holes to connect the cartridges.
- Attach them to the frame using screws and a screwdriver.
- Connect the wires in series and lead them to the switch connected to the plug.
- Install the lamps, and then test the structure for functionality.
If the lighting is fully functioning, glass is installed inside the frame and then secured.
Useful! The makeup mirror can be mounted on a wall or mounted on a dressing table.
Making a mirror with LED strip
You can make such a mirror as follows:
- Transfer the dimensions of the base to the inside of the glass using a pencil and ruler.
- Treat the mirror surface with a degreaser to prepare it for gluing.
- Install aluminum plates on the vertical sides of the structure using glue and a 25 × 25 corner with mirror stripes.
- Place the profile guides next to each other and secure them firmly until the adhesive has completely dried.
- Glue 40 × 40 aluminum corners to the bottom and top sides of the mirror.
- Install the power supply inside the frame.
- Attach the LED strip inside the guides only vertically.
- Assemble the tape into an electrical circuit using connectors.
- Observing polarity, solder the wires.
- On the lower element of the base, install a button responsible for plugging into the socket, connect it to the LED strip and the power supply.
- Place plastic panels on top of the frame guides located on the side.
- Connect the finished structure to the network and check the operation of the LED strip.
Expert opinion
Ivan Zaitsev
Lighting specialist, consultant in the building materials department of a large chain of stores
It is permissible to cut the LED strip only according to the markings applied by the manufacturer.
Having decided to decorate a room with a mirror with built-in lighting, you need to carefully familiarize yourself with all the intricacies of these designs. A well-chosen model will give any room a sophisticated look.
DIY photo of illuminated mirrors
What you need to make a makeup mirror
In order not to be distracted later, it is better to prepare all the materials and tools in advance. So what we need:
- slats for the frame - you should determine their length yourself, depending on the size of the mirror you want to make. Their thickness should be approximately 10-15 mm;
- slats for the “sides” - we recommend taking such material no thinner than 4 mm, since they will create the height of the entire “box” where the cartridges and wires will be hidden;
- the mirror itself;
- plywood for the back of the structure;
- cartridges - the quantity depends on how many lamps you plan to install;
- the lamps themselves. In our case, LED lamps were used, which save energy well. The color temperature should be about 4000K - this is an ideal indicator for such mirrors, since with such light you can create beautiful makeup and not make mistakes when choosing shades;
- power cord with plug for connecting the mirror to an outlet;
- roller;
- paint of the desired shade;
- self-tapping screws;
- staples for a construction stapler;
- furniture nails.
For a makeup mirror, you should use lamps with a color temperature of about 4000K
We talked about all the materials that will be needed when making a makeup mirror. Let's also mention the materials. We will need:
- miter saw (you can use a jigsaw instead);
- screwdriver;
- router (you can use a plane);
- sawing machine (a jigsaw will also work);
- drilling machine (you can use a jigsaw or drill with a feather drill, Forstner drill);
- construction stapler;
- sanding machine (you can use sandpaper).
In our case, the mirror will have no switch, that is, the lamps will turn off after you remove the plug from the socket. If it is more convenient for you to make a design with a switch on the body, it is worth purchasing one as well.
Location of light sources
The light above the bathroom mirror creates a “subway effect.” When installing weak and uneven backlighting, darkening appears on the face and natural colors change. The light falling above the mirror leads to focusing attention on existing imperfections and adds non-existent flaws.
Light coming from below contributes to the formation of deep shadows on the face. In general, it is extremely undesirable to install devices on only one side of the mirror, since there will always be a shadow on one half of the person’s body. It is better to use symmetrical placement on both sides.
Using side mirror lighting in the bathroom is the best solution, because the distribution of the light flux is symmetrical. To ensure that the face is well illuminated, it is recommended to install lamps at a height of two meters. So the light will fall simultaneously from above and from the sides.
Depending on the shape and size of the mirror, the most suitable type of lighting is selected:
- for a small child - two wall lamps located symmetrically;
- for a wide mirror - suspended lighting devices and attached to the sides, installation height from 1.5 to 2 meters;
- for a medium round or oval - LEDs placed around the perimeter;
- for a mirror-cabinet - directional spotlights.
Backlight implementation options
First of all, you need to choose the type of lamp; the quality of the light and the design features of the mirror depend on this. There are several options, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:
- Incandescent lamps. They are the cheapest, but are rarely used, as they get very hot during operation, which creates a risk of burns when placed around the perimeter. They also consume a lot of electricity and have a short service life. And during assembly you will have to pay special attention to the electrical part, since it is important to make it reliable and safe.
- Halogen options are many times superior to incandescent lamps in brightness and quality of light. But they also get very hot during operation, which can create inconvenience. For normal operation, the installation of special add-ons is required, which complicates assembly.
- Fluorescent lamps provide good light and do not consume much electricity. To illuminate the mirror, you can use both linear and tubular products. But the appearance of this solution is not the most attractive, so it is also used infrequently. The installation is similar to incandescent lamps.
- Neon lights are coming into fashion and are being used on mirrors. They are expensive, so they are rare. But if you need an unusual solution, neon is perfect.
- LED equipment is most often used in the manufacture of backlit mirrors. It is economical, safe to use and heats up slightly during operation. There are two options - light bulbs and LED strip. The second solution is especially convenient, as it takes up little space and provides even, bright light.
LED lamps are the best solution today. It is worth using lamps of the same type, you cannot use different ones.
