Some women spend quite a bit of time and money getting their makeup just right. While selecting cosmetic products that suit your complexion is the most important piece of the puzzle, the lighting you use while you are applying your makeup can make or break the results.
You want to make sure to have the best light for makeup as well, or else the results you see in your bathroom vanity mirror may be totally different than others see when you are out. It can be quite a challenge to find the right cosmetics, but it can be just as complicated to find the best bathroom lighting to apply makeup.
We’ve asked several expert makeup artists for their advice and after quite a bit of research have narrowed down our recommendations to the following best choices.
Our personal pick is these 
What to Consider Before Buying
Color Temperature
The best color temperature for applying makeup is about in the 2,700-3,000 Kelvin range, making it easier for you to decide which light is perfect for you. Seeing as the warmer color of the light is more similar to daylight than the one that is fluorescent
Accuracy
LED lights not only save energy but last for a long period as well, taking away the worry that you always have when you need to change the light bulbs. If you choose the right one it might last for years, so choose carefully.
Light Color
The best color is the one that is closest to the daylight, giving it natural light and showing you realistically how your makeup looks, without a strong white light that shows you the complete opposite
Dim Control
If your bathroom light fixture or vanity is enabled with a dimmer control then you can it’s worth taking into consideration if the bulb is compatible. Dimmed lighting can be useful to make it a more accurate simulation of what your makeup will look like once you are out of the house, especially if you are going to be in subdued lighting (evening dinner, bar, etc).
Best Light Bulbs for Makeup
GE Lighting Reveal LED
The good thing about this light is that it’s dimmable, diminishes hardness and it lasts for 15,000 hours. They are great for photography and video as well, lighting up the room without the light being too strong.
It isn’t a standard light bulb’s length, so it can’t fit everywhere, it is longer than A19, being 4.93 inches (12.5 cm).
Without ventilation you can experience a shorter than expected light bulb’s life, the heat can cause the electronic components to fail earlier than expected. Second bad thing is that they can be a bit noisy sometimes.
GE light bulb is a product that is worth its price, it is guaranteed for five years and predicted to last for 13 years. It is the light bulb that provides you with the perfect color for applying makeup.
Pros:
- Great color contrast
- 15,000-hour duration
- Guaranteed to last 5 years
- Dimmable
Cons:
- Slightly longer than others
- May not fit in tight corners or small lamp shades or enclosed fixtures
Click here to read reviews and check the price of these GE lights on Amazon
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Color Temp Ranges on Philips Lights: | |
| Kelvin | Naming Convention |
| 2000-2200K | Amber Light |
| 2700K | Soft White Light |
| 3000K | Bright White Light |
| 3500K | Neutral White Light |
| 4000K | Cool White Light |
| 5000K | Daylight |
| 6500K | Daylight Deluxe |
Philips LED Dimmable A19 Soft White Light Bulb with Warm Glow
These LED light bulbs by Philips have a warm glow effect and save on your energy bill since they are Energy Star Certified. The nice thing about these is that they have a dimmer range up to 2700. Just like traditional incandescent light bulbs, the more you dim, the warmer the light gets, ranging from an “amber” 2200-Kelvin to a 2700K soft white- which is a perfect range for applying cosmetics.
A six-pack of these lights has a lifespan of up to 25,000-hours and has a five-year warranty.
Since they are traditional A19 light bulbs you can fit them on vanity mirrors, bare lamps, and any other lamp making it easy to set them up wherever you want.
Philips light bulbs provide soft white light with warm dimming making it a good light for applying your makeup.
The only bad thing is that they have limited dimming, so it’s not perfect if you need it to be dimmed for a longer period of time.
They also reduce harmful hazardous waste because they are mercury-free. It gives off a soft white light, providing natural lighting. They dim silently from 2700 to 2200 Kelvins, making the light become warmer color the more you dim. Without making any buzzing sound, they’re great not just for fixing your makeup but also for relaxing at home.
Maxxima LED A19 – 800 Lumens 60 Watt Equivalent Warm White
These Maxxima LED light bulbs have a look of a traditional A19 bulb, so they can fit in any standard lamp, and have a rating of Warm White (2700 Kelvins)
They have a similar color temperature to the GE and Philips, having a horizon daylight color, a cool white color. Making them lighter than GE and Philips. But the light is quite strong, so it might not be a perfect light for putting makeup on.
They are made to fit in almost any standard lamp shade. As they are made with LED, they will warm up slightly but do not get burning hot like traditional light bulbs which is an added benefit if you are sitting close to the lighting for example if you are using them to illuminate a bathroom vanity mirror. The Maxxima bulbs have a one-year warranty and last up to 15,000 hours.
Maxxima light bulbs make a low buzzing sound and shouldn’t be used for enclosed fixtures because they get too warm. They are non-dimmable, so they might be too bright if you’re applying your makeup at home.
If you prefer the bright white light when you’re putting your makeup on, then this is the light for you. You shouldn’t have a light that is too bright because you won’t see realistically how your makeup looks, but some people prefer this light because of the brightness.
Click here to read reviews on Amazon of the Maxxima bulbs.
Aooshine G25 LED Bulb
The Aooshine G25 LED Bulb promises perfect lighting at 500 lumens and 2700k color temperature. These are particularly designed as makeup vanity lights, whether in the bathroom or bedroom. Getting ready in the morning for work will be much more hassle-free. These vivid lights come with high CRI.
These bulbs are G25 E26 LED lights, which can seamlessly replace any 50W G25 CFL or incandescent lights. And since they are LED, they consume far less electricity: only a tenth of what an incandescent bulb will require, while producing the same amount of light.
The bulbs are applicable for other uses, too. Both for home or commercial use, these are bright and efficient for decorative lights, hall lights, table lamps, mirror light bulbs, wall lamps, and of course, makeup mirror lights. Use them in the bathroom, living room, or bedroom.
Save more with these bulbs – they are very long-lasting. On average, their lifespan is 50,000 hours. They are also eco-friendly. Save money, time, and effort from constantly changing bulbs. These do not contain any mercury, infrared, or ultraviolet light – a perfect friend to the planet. They are also RoHS and CE compliant.
Pros:
- CE and RoHS compliant
- Eco-friendly and safe to use
- Lets you save more energy
Cons:
- Will cost more initially but will give you far more savings later on
- Some find them less aesthetically pleasing than traditional vanity bulbs
Sunco Lighting 10 Pack G25 LED
The Sunco Lighting G25 LED Bulb is dimmable, which many people are looking for. A lot of LEDs still aren’t dimmable, but not this one. It has seamless dimming features – from 10% to 100% – that can match the current mood or lighting needs. This bulb sends off sunlight-like light (CRI80+) which is perfect for vanities, kitchens, chandeliers, and pendant ceiling fixtures for any room. This rating gives off true color rendering.
More importantly, this product is very eco-friendly. By switching to Sunco LED bulbs, you save energy – up to 85% – and become a friend of the environment. They contain zero UV, IR, or mercury. They also save you more money from constantly replacing bulbs, because they have a longer lifespan than incandescent, halogen, or fluorescent lights. They come in 4 different color temps, our top choice for make-up would be the 2700K Soft White.
These bulbs are all quality tested, Energy Star listed, and UL certified, guaranteeing high quality every time. The G25 LED bulbs are tested for safety and performance. The purchase also comes with a 5-year warranty, care of Sunco.
Pros:
- Energy Star listed and UL certified
- Eco-friendly and energy-saving
- 5-year warranty included
Cons:
- Customer support is lacking
- When used with a dimmer (from a different brand), the LED bulbs create a humming and buzzing noise
Mlambert 60W Equivalent G25 Dimmable LED Globe Light Bulbs
These Mlambert G25 Dimmable LED Globe Light Bulbs use the latest G25 light technology, which allows for a longer lifespan and higher heat dissipation. They would not flicker even when you take a photo using a camera or phone in front of them. They are designed to be perfectly safe for the eyes.
They have two temperature options, including these 2700K Warm White which would be the best pick for bathroom vanity lighting.
Save more money by switching to LED lights – up to 85% of energy costs! Change your 60W incandescent bulbs with 7W LED bulbs, which can achieve full brightness in just 2 seconds. These are a friend to your electric bill, and to the environment, too. They have no mercury, lead, IR, or UV content. These a great replacement for traditional CFL or halogen light bulbs.
Use these bulbs as lighting fixtures for bathroom vanities, coffee bar lamps, wall sconces, kitchen lamps, or pendant lighting for anywhere in the house. An added aesthetic comes with their dimmable capacity. They work with most dimmers and can be adjusted smoothly as you prefer. You can even use them outdoors!
Pros:
- Safe for the eyes
- Eco-friendly and saves energy
- Can be used anywhere in the home
Cons:
- Be sure to order a lot, because some of them tend to break during transport and delivery
- Some find them smaller than they anticipated
TORCHSTAR 12 Pack G25 LED Bulb
The TORCHSTAR G25 LED Bulb uses an omnidirectional beam, which can brighten up any dark area. It’s ideal for different lighting needs. This bulb has the ability to reveal a person or object’s real color because of its high CRI rating (CRI80+). It is ideal for vanities and bathroom mirror fixtures because of its damp location.
It can be a friend to the budget, too. Save up to 88% on energy costs by switching from 40W incandescent or halogen lights to these 5W LED bulbs. For the entire lifespan of this 12-pack purchase, you can save up to $1155.
These bulbs go through strict quality control, as they are Energy Star listed and UL certified, assuring you of complete safety and high quality. Purchasing these also makes you eligible to participate in certain rebate programs. The pack comes with a 3-year warranty, courtesy of Torchstar.
Pros:
- Energy Star and UL certified
- High CRI Rating
- Eco-friendly and energy saving
Cons:
- Some users find that other 2700K LED bulbs offer warmer light
- If you are not a fan of blue light, then these aren’t for you
Conclusion
Whether you are a professional makeup artist or just looking to apply basic foundation, eyeliner, and lipstick at home in your bathroom vanity lighting, it is essential for you to have the best light bulbs for the outcome of your makeup look. It’s important for the light to be as close to daylight as possible.
Now that you have checked out some of the alternatives, you can choose which one suits you the best. Cosmetics are an important part of most women’s lives so choose the best choice because having the wrong lighting can affect the color that you choose to apply, taking into consideration that some lights are cool, and some are warm. So be certain that you made the right choice.
We found that the Reveal GE Lighting was the best light for our bathroom or vanity mirror lighting since it gives a daylight feeling and can be dimmed, evening out the light for best makeup application. It gives you a nice light for applying your makeup.
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