The counter in front of your bathroom mirror can certainly function as a makeup table, if that’s all you have to work with. However, there’s no real substitute for a dedicated makeup vanity table with lights. It’s a piece of furniture which transforms a difficult makeup session into a decadent pleasure.
You can find these vanities in virtually any size. There are makeup tables with lights as small as 16 inches wide and 12 inches deep, up to 48 inches wide and 18 inches deep. Their height will depend on the size of the mirror above the table.
Most makeup vanity tables with lights are manufactured from solid or manufactured wood. They’re finished in everything from wood-grained veneers to paints and stains, and available in a wide range of styles including contemporary, traditional and mid-century modern. Many have lots of drawer and storage space for makeup and beauty products.
It’s important, of course, that a vanity table fits your existing or desired décor. It’s even more important that you’re able to see what you’re doing – which is why it’s crucial to choose a model with a mirror and lights that let you see your face and complexion to best advantage.
If you have the room, a large mirror is desirable. A makeup vanity table with lights often features a vertically-oriented mirror 30-36” tall and 20-24” wide. Horizontally-oriented mirrors will have similar dimensions (wider than taller, of course). That’s ample size for the job.
Most people don’t think about the type of lights that are mounted on the table, as long as they’re bright. That’s unfortunate because it ignores an important fact: many vanities use fluorescent light which is unflattering. It’s too bright and too “cool,” making your face look pale and causing you to put on way too much makeup. Unless you spend your days in an office with fluorescent lighting, there are better choices.
Makeup artists suggest a makeup vanity table with lights that are LEDs or halogen bulbs. Tables with LEDs are easy to find; the lights are commonly installed around the periphery of the mirror, mounted directly into the glass or frame, or hidden behind a translucent frame. The best choice may be a table with light sockets mounted on the frame. Most come with LED bulbs, but are easily changed if you prefer the slightly softer light of halogen bulbs.
