Winter is almost here, and if, like me, you struggle with the lack of natural sunlight, it’s often hard to feel invigorated (and awake) at the start of each day. What’s more, I find getting ready for work and applying my make-up in the mirror particularly tricky with minimal light — adding to my winter blues.
I recently found a rather surprising solution to my seasonal affective disorder, which gave me the much-needed boost. It's called the Simplehuman Round Sensor Makeup Mirror ($200 on Amazon) and it's a mirror with a “tru-lux light” ring designed to closely simulate the full color spectrum of natural sunlight.
There are two light settings: full sunlight and "true-to-life" candlelight designed to help you during the darker months of the year. Since I've added this mirror to my dressing table, I've noticed two things I really like about using it — and one that I don't.
What I really like about the Simplehuman Sensor Mirror
Daylight and candlelight settings
Firstly, this mirror is versatile, and has a LED ring light that can be set to full daylight or candlelight brightness. I particularly liked using the full daylight to apply my make-up (without making a mess of things). And despite appearing super bright, the light wasn't harsh.
You can adjust the brightness levels with the touch controls on the right side of the mirror — taking it from a minimal 100 lux to a powerful 800 lux.
Thanks to its special “Tru-Lux tech”, the light is evenly dispersed, and coupled with its 5x magnification, you can literally see every pore on your face (and every wrinkle). I also liked the fact that the mirror is designed with a high-quality, ultra-clear glass that feels sturdy. You can also tilt the mirror upwards or back to suit your task.
Motion sensor is convenient
While the mirror is pretty easy to operate with the one touch button at the top, it also boasts a motion sensor that will automatically light up as your face approaches it.
This has come in handy when I had face cream on my hands and didn’t want to smear the mirror's pristine glass. But, as you'll see below — this feature is something of a double-edged sword.
...and what I don't like
You can’t turn the motion sensor off
The only real downside I've experienced with the Simplehuman Sensor Mirror is that you don’t have the option to turn the motion sensor off fully. This means every time someone walks past, it'll suddenly light up. That in turn means you'll need to manually touch the 'off' button to shut it down again.
It’s a shame there isn't a handy remote control to turn it off from afar, but that’s just me being lazy!
Overall, this isn’t a dealbreaker, and since the Simplehuman Sensor Mirror cordless, it can be taken into any room with ease. In fact, I’ve only charged it once, and it still emits a strong light after several days of usage. More importantly, the bright LED has helped the mornings feel a bit more energizing (at least until springtime!).
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