Any makeup artist will tell you that lighting is e-ver-y-thing. Lamplight or normal indoor lighting tends to cast unwanted shadows, which inevitably leads to streaky discoveries under the full beam of outdoor lighting.

We've all been there: applying our make-up through the bleary-eyed haze of the morning – especially as we head into autumn and the mornings get even darker. You think you've done a pretty good job, only to emerge into the unforgiving cold light of day (or, even worse, the fluorescent glow of the office strip lighting) and realise that your foundation is patchier than a 4G connection on the tube. And don't even get us started on how our blusher ended up there... Enter: the best light-up mirrors and illuminated mirrors that’ll elevate your dressing table mirror or bathroom furniture game – and help you to see the full effect of what you're putting on. The best light-up mirrors are big enough (and magnified enough) for you to see every little detail, ensuring you never put a brushstroke wrong. Even better, they can double as a ring light when you want to look flawless on FaceTime or Zoom. If this sounds all-too-familiar, let us point you in the direction of your new essential gadget: the light-up makeup mirror. Forget versions of old, where dim lights had a lifespan of approximately 2 minutes; now, a new generation of bright and sleek mirrors offer everything from built-in sensors to state-of-the-art lighting technology.