Before writing for the Strategist, Jenna Milliner-Waddell covered home décor for Forbes Finds. Now she finds the best-rated products you didn’t know you needed, from placemats to puzzles.
Photo: Hanna-Barbera Productions
I was excited about the many purchases I would make when I moved into my own place last year. A TV larger than 32 inches, new plants that could thrive with access to sunlight, and a full-length mirror were at the top of my list. My old bedroom was too small for that last item, and I dreamed of being able to get a head-to-toe look at myself before leaving the house (and maybe take a selfie or two).
During a trip to a New Jersey HomeGoods, I found a seemingly perfect full-length mirror. It was the right height and an ideal width. It had a thin black frame — subtle and stylish — and, most important, was under $100. Within a few days, I had it mounted on my wall, and while I loved the way it looked, I didn’t love the way I looked in it. I assumed it was just me. The headlines about quarantine weight gain have been inescapable; perhaps that could be the reason for the change in my appearance?
But then, as restrictions lifted and I began to have friends over, others were similarly horrified by their reflection. That’s when I realized it was the mirror, not me. In search of an explanation — and some guidance on how to find a mirror with a more reliable reflection — I reached out to two mirror-makers and an interior designer to learn some tricks of the trade and what we as consumers should know before buying. Ahead, how to find a truly honest mirror.
The Thickness
Everyone I spoke with said the thickness of the mirror is the most important factor in finding a good one. As Sergio Mannino, the principal designer and founder of Sergio Mannino Studio, explains, “a mirror is just a layer of silver applied to the back of a glass,” so the thickness of that glass is a crucial part of a quality mirror. “We want everything cheap, but cheap means that they are making them thinner and thinner and thinner. And when the glass is thin, it warps,” he says. And when the glass is not perfectly flat, you get the fun-house-mirror effect. Mannino recommends looking for a mirror with glass at least three-eighths of an inch thick. Cailee Rae, the artist behind Fuugly and its curvy-framed mirrors, agrees that the thickness is super-important. She uses quarter-inch-thick glass to make hers. “I wanted to make sure that from any angle, the mirror wouldn’t warp or look bent, which usually happens if it’s a really cheap mirror,” she says. Rae says you can also spot a problem by just turning the mirror to the side: If you can see the back of the glass when you flip it around, that’s a good indicator that you may look warped. Good-quality mirrors are typically mounted on wood or plywood, which brings us to our next tip.
The Backing
In addition to the thickness of the mirror, what it’s mounted on matters. The frame and backing need to be strong enough to support it. “If a mirror is thin, the reflection will become distorted because most mirrors will bend over time due to their own weight,” explains Paul Jarda, the co-founder of West Mirrors. He adds that some of his brand’s mirrors have wooden backing, “which significantly increases the rigidity of the mirror” and prevents it from bending over time. This could be where I went wrong. My mirror has a brown paper backing, and if you poke through it, there’s nothing between it and the glass. Our experts say this would be less of an issue with a smaller mirror, but large floor mirrors need a stronger frame, thicker glass, and rigid backing.
The Ruler Test
The mirror needs to be not only thick and secure but also straight. If you’re shopping in person (or once your mirror arrives), you can do the ruler test to make sure. Just place “a long metal ruler perpendicular to the mirror to check if the wood panel is straight or not,” Mannino says. If you don’t have a ruler with you, he says you can study the reflection a bit: “Let’s say you’re in the middle of a store, and you see a door behind you reflected in the mirror. Does the frame look straight, or does it look a little warped? It might be hard for an untrained eye to detect it, but there are things that you can pick up on immediately.”
The 360 Check
Rae does what she calls the 360 check, “which is when you put your face in the center of the mirror and move around in a circle. You can usually tell if the imagery is slightly off,” she says. “Cheaper mirrors are really good at that front-on view, but it’s usually from the side that things look odd.”
Hanging and Lighting Tricks
Unfortunately, a mirror that checks all of these boxes probably won’t be the cheapest. If it’s a full-length mirror you’re after, our experts say you should consider it an investment. “It’s obviously glass, so it’s not always the cheapest to buy. But a really nice mirror is worth it,” says Rae. Jarda adds, “Picking a mirror based on price can be a bad long-term decision, as the mirror will most likely warp and distort over time and will give your home a cheap feel.” If it’s not in your budget, you can deploy some tricks to improve your cheap mirror. Mannino says if you are mounting it, you should make sure the surface you’re mounting it to is straight. He also says lighting is crucial: “Let’s say you put the mirror in your house, and you have a light installed in the ceiling. When the light is right above your head, your face will create shadows. The best way is always to point the light toward you from the front, not from the ceiling.” He explains, “If you go to a dressing room in a fancy retail store, often the lights are installed on the left side and the right side of the mirror, and that’s because the light comes toward you and it doesn’t create a shadow.” If you prefer natural light, placing the mirror by a big window is a good idea.
With all of these tips in mind, below are a few honest mirrors worth a try.
Bi-Rite Capsule Mirror
$895
$895
Photo: Courtesy of Vendor
Mannino likes this mirror from Bi-Rite Studio; he appreciates the cool colors and trusts the brand. Here, a one-eighth-inch-thick mirror is mounted onto a wood-and-laminate frame.
$895
at Bi-Rite Studio
West Mirrors Rustica Rectangle Wood Full-Length Floor Mirror, 50 Inch
$458
$458
This mirror from Jarda’s West Mirrors line has a strong backing — and a glowing endorsement from a reviewer confirming that it’s honest. “I was worried the reflection would be off, as some low-quality mirrors often are,” they write. “But this mirror has an accurate reflection, so I am super-happy with my purchase.”
$458
at West MirrorsAnthropologie Adelaide Mirror
$548
$548
Photo: Courtesy of Vendor
The floor-length version of this arched mirror is on the more expensive side, but it is backed by engineered hardwood, which is promising.
$548
at AnthropologieActually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts.
Email
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Have you looked in a full-body mirror while out and felt you look completely different in it than your mirror at home? Don’t worry; it’s not in your head. Mirrors are each built a little differently, and those differences give us subtly wrong reflections.
If you’re looking for tips on the best full-length mirrors or just curious about why mirrors can look different, then you’re in the right place. Read on to know the factors that affect your reflection.
Are All Mirrors the Same?
No, mirrors vary quite a bit, and these differences can be subtle. Lighting, the type of mirrors, and glass quality will all impact the quality of a mirror and change what you look like. To get an idea of how this works, you should know about a few different types of mirrors.
Concave and Convex Mirrors
You’re probably familiar with fun house mirrors. They dramatically distort your image, making you long and thin or short and wide. This is due to the shape of the glass contorting your reflection. It’s not just fun house mirrors that have this, but regular mirrors, too.
Normal full-body mirrors should be perfectly flat, but sometimes they have a slight curve in them. A convex mirror curves outwards, making you look wider than you are. Concave mirrors curve slightly inward, like car mirrors, making you look thinner.
It’s hard to spot if you have a concave or convex mirror at first, as the curve can be subtle. Look closely at the glass to spot curved mirrors and avoid trusting these; instead, you’ll want to find flat mirrors, also known as plane mirrors.
Tilted Mirrors
When a mirror is tilted at an angle, it will give you a different image than if it were flat against the wall. Gym mirrors and dressing room mirrors will often use this tactic to make you look better. They tilt the mirror down at different angles towards you, distorting and elongating your body.
Your best bet for an accurate image is to find a mirror flat against the wall.
Plastic vs. Glass Mirrors
While you may think all full-body mirrors are glass, some cheap mirrors are made out of plastic acrylic. These will degrade easier and faster, creating warps in the mirror that change your reflection.
You can spot a full-body acrylic mirror if you look closely at the material. It will look lighter and less clear than glass does.
Lighting
Another thing that affects your reflection is lighting conditions. The same full-body mirror may give you two different reflections of yourself, as harsh shadows under certain conditions will affect how you see your image.
Age of Mirror
Older mirrors are likely to produce a distorted image. This is due to the weight of the glass bending over time and creating curvature. If you have old mirrors that used to be great, it’s possible they have changed over time.
This is why you should approach buying older mirrors with caution. They will likely provide a less quality image than newer and nicer ones.
How Do I Find a Good Full-Body Mirror?
Mirror quality is based on the glass thickness, glass quality, and lack of curvature. You'll need to look out for these three things to find high-quality full-body mirrors that give you the most accurate image.
On the other hand, thin mirrors will distort more easily, as glass is a heavy material that may become bent over time.
Best Place to Put a Full-Body Mirror
The best place to put your mirror to give you the best results is somewhere with natural light or soft lighting, as harsh and bright light can create shadows that increase the intensity of certain angles on your body.
You may want to consider getting an LED mirror if lighting is important to you, as it provides even and soft lighting to maximise the quality of your reflection. These types of mirrors are best for applying makeup and getting close-up lighting and come in full body length as well.
Another important factor is hanging your mirror flat against the wall. Mounting certain mirrors may be tricky, but it’s essential that it is flat to give you the best reflection possible.
Reflections Are Reversed
When asking if full-body mirrors are accurate, one could say no because they are a reversed image of yourself. Hence, your reflection looks different than your photos—and it’s a weird thought that you’re more familiar with a reversed perception of your face compared to what your friends and family see in real life.
Are Mirrors or Photos More Accurate?
Mirrors are known to be more accurate than photos for perceiving yourself. This is because photos take you, a 3D object, and put it into a flat and still 2D form.
While mirrors also reflect a 2D image, they move with you, giving a more accurate image of yourself. You should remember, though, that the image you’re seeing in the mirror still lacks depth as a 2D image.
Wrapping Up
If you’re on the hunt for a full-body mirror that gives you an accurate reflection, we recommend finding a high-quality, flat and thick glass mirror. Steer clear of low-quality mirrors that will eventually cause problems if they don’t already give a poor reflection.
Overall, a good full-body mirror is a worthwhile investment to make in your home. You can find a selection of great full-length mirrors for your home at Mirrors Direct.