Lighting can be a girl’s best friend or her worst enemy. Purchasing expensive makeup kits and learning the best techniques to apply your makeup can become useless when you have the wrong lighting. Your makeup space cannot be too dark that you are not able to see, neither can it be too bright, causing unnecessary shadows while hurting your eyes.
Natural light can provide you with the best lighting if used correctly. Your dressing table should be placed strategically in front of natural light to avoid shadows or uneven blending.
If natural light is not an option, as many of those dark, gloomy days lack, artificial lighting is the second-best option. Here is a comparison of the various lighting options and their success in the world of beauty:
Incandescent light
Although commonly used, they emit a considerable amount of heat which can cause you to sweat more and mess up your makeup. Incandescent lamps emit warm light, which is ideal for makeup but is also harmful to the environment. This lighting is also costly in the long run.
Fluorescent light
Possibly the most unflattering artificial lighting for makeup use, fluorescent lighting highlights flaws and hides your best features.
LED Lighting
For energy-efficient lighting with even light distribution, LED lighting is the clear winner in the makeup world. With added dimming capabilities, LED lighting can be tailored enough to give you the best possible view when applying makeup.
How to use LED Lighting to your advantage
Now that we’ve established that LED lighting is the best possible option for makeup application lighting; here are a few points you need to consider when choosing the correct lamp/luminaire:
Choose the correct white light
Choosing an incorrect colour temperature can impact your skin tone under light. To achieve the best lighting for makeup application, consider a colour temperature of 4000K. This level of white isn’t too cool nor too warm. Also, a high enough CRI value (80>) will show you the most accurate representation of a colour to your eye.
Position your light correctly
Once you’ve chosen the perfect colour temperature, positioning the light in the correct space can make all the difference. Ideally, lighting should be placed directly in front of you for best results. Placing the luminaire on top or below your face can result in shadows or uneven makeup blending. LED Ring lights are among the best option for almost flawless light positioning. It’s even light distribution around the ring, frames your face perfectly with no shadowing when at face level.
The amount of light
Having the ability to Dim your light can reduce glare and prevent you from squinting when applying makeup. Also, consider looking at Lumens on the lighting packaging before making a purchase. It’s important to have enough without being too bright or too dark.
Pro Tip: If you are buying makeup that is displayed under fluorescent light, try on the product as soon as possible in natural light. Checking your makeup in multiple lighting conditions can help you make the best decision for your skin tone.
