Hey gorgeous! If you‘re anything like me, you know that good lighting is the key to a flawless makeup look. That‘s why I‘m so obsessed with my Impressions Vanity mirrors. I‘ve tried tons of different makeup mirrors over the years, but nothing compares to the luxurious glow and smart features of Impressions.
In this in-depth review, I‘m sharing everything you need to know about these stunning mirrors before you splurge. As a self-proclaimed makeup maven and aspiring YouTube beauty guru, I‘ve spent hours playing with all the different settings to find that perfect light. So you can trust me when I say these mirrors are total game-changers!
Whether you‘re a bona fide beauty addict or just want to upgrade your getting-ready routine, keep reading to see if an Impressions mirror could be your next vanity MVP.
First Impressions: Unboxing My Mirrors
I ordered two Impressions mirrors to test out: the Hollywood Glow Plus ($400) for my vanity table and the Slaycase ($400) for on-the-go glam. The minute the mirrors arrived, I could already tell these were going to be good. The packaging alone oozes luxury!
Each mirror was nestled in a sleek black box with magnetic closures and a plush drawstring dust bag. It felt like I was unboxing a designer purse or pair of shoes. The attention to detail was seriously impressive.
Once I lifted the mirrors out, I audibly gasped. You guys, these things are stunning. I got the Hollywood Glow Plus in a shiny chrome finish and it is a work of art. The classic round bulbs surrounding the mirror make me feel like a retro film star!
The Slaycase is also way prettier in person than I imagined. I chose the glossy white finish and it looks so chic. The tri-fold design is super slim and compact, perfect for taking on trips. But more on that later…
Lighting For Days
Now let‘s talk about the most important factor: the lighting! After all, what good is a vanity mirror if it doesn‘t make you look like a glowing goddess?
Well, let me tell you, Impressions understood the assignment. Both mirrors feature high-quality LED bulbs that illuminate your face in the most beautiful, soft, diffused light. It‘s not a harsh, clinical light but rather a warm, ethereal radiance.
The LEDs are designed to closely mimic natural daylight, which any makeup artist will tell you is ideal for applying makeup. The even lighting helps you avoid shadows and allows you to blend seamlessly.
Here‘s a quick lighting rundown for my two mirrors:
Hollywood Glow Plus
- Dimmable LEDs with 5 brightness levels
- Light temperature adjust from bright white to soft yellow
- 650 lumens
Slaycase
- Dimmable LEDs with 5 brightness levels
- Touch sensor dimming
- 1000 lumens
- 95 CRI (color rendering index)
The CRI on the Slaycase is noteworthy. CRI measures how accurately a light source shows colors compared to natural daylight. The higher the CRI, the truer and more vibrant colors appear. With a CRI of 95, the Slaycase lighting is basically as good as it gets!
I also love being able to play with the dimming and light temperature. I usually keep mine on the brightest setting for detailed work, but I‘ll lower it if I‘m just doing a quick, natural look. The Hollywood Glow‘s adjustable temperature is clutch tooâ€"bright white is great for daytime while the softer yellow is perfect for date night.
Trust me, once you‘ve experienced the glow of an Impressions mirror, you‘ll never want to go back to your regular bathroom lighting!
Magnification Makes Perfect
If you thought the lighting was good, just wait until you try the magnification mirrors. This is truly what separates Impressions from other vanity mirrors IMO.
The Hollywood Glow Plus comes with two magnification mirrors that attach to the center of the main mirror. You get a 5x and a 10x magnification, which may sound intense, but is actually so useful for precise tasks.
I‘m talking eyeliner, false lashes, brow shaping, the works. Being able to see every little hair or smudge makes a world of difference. Plus, the magnified mirrors are adjustable so you can pivot them to whatever angle you need.
The Slaycase has a sneaky 2x magnification mirror hidden in the center panel. It‘s not quite as strong as the Hollywood Glow but still great in a pinch for touch-ups.
As someone who is very particular about their brows, I can confidently say I‘ll never tweeze without a magnification mirror again. It‘s a serious level-up.
Convenience Factor
Okay, so we‘ve covered the pretty lights and up-close-and-personal magnification. But there are a ton of other little details that make Impressions mirrors so darn convenient.
For starters, the cords on these babies are looongâ€"I‘m talking 6 feet of freedom! You can easily move the Slaycase or Hollywood Glow around your space without feeling tethered. As someone whose previous LED mirror had approximately 2 inches of cord, this was revolutionary.
The Slaycase is obviously designed for travel and on-the-go situations, and it does not disappoint. The tri-fold design allows it to collapse down into a super slim case with a handle.
It also has a rechargeable battery that lasts about 5 hours on a single charge. I took this baby on a weekend getaway and never had to worry about an outlet! Such a relief compared to packing a tangle of cords and praying my Airbnb had a well-lit mirror.
Both mirrors are seriously sturdy and well-constructed. The heavy bases keep them from toppling over and the hinges feel secure. I don‘t foresee any issues with wear-and-tear.
Oh, and you‘ll love this: the LED bulbs have a lifespan of 50,000 hours. According to my math, even if you had your mirror on for 3 hours every day, the bulbs would last 45+ years. In other words, you likely won‘t have to worry about replacing them!
Bells & Whistles
We love a mirror with multi-tasking potential! While not totally essential, there are some bonus features on the Impressions mirrors that feel like the cherry on top.
The star of the show is definitely the Bluetooth speakers on the Slaycase. I was shook by how good the sound quality is! The speakers connect seamlessly to your phone so you can blast Beyonce or listen to a podcast while you‘re getting ready.
It‘s so nice to have that all built-in instead of having to bring a separate speaker to your vanity. I‘ll admit I‘ve had several solo jam sessions with my mirror.
The only other "extra" I want to shout out are the multiple USB ports on both mirrors. They‘re such a small thing but so clutch for charging your phone or other beauty tools right at your station.
Installation & Warranty
You‘ll be happy to hear that installing your Impressions mirror is a total breeze. The Slaycase is ready right out of the box, no assembly required.
For the Hollywood Glow Plus, you just have to screw on the base, which takes all of 2 minutes. From there you can plug it in and start playing!
If you need help, Impressions has video tutorials on their website walking you through it step-by-step. The instructions are super clear and easy to follow.
And if you do run into any issues with your mirror, Impressions offers a 5-year manufacturer warranty. Personally, I haven‘t had to take advantage of it, but it‘s nice to have that peace of mind.
What Are Others Saying?
Obviously, I‘m a huge fan of my Impressions mirrors. But I was curious what other customers were saying, so I did a deep dive into reviews across the web.
With hundreds of 5-star reviews, it‘s safe to say I‘m not the only one obsessed! Here are some of the highlights:
"This mirror has truly transformed my beauty routine and vanity space. It‘s so bright, I can see every detail of my makeup but it‘s not at all harsh. I‘ve been stopped so many times by family and guests complimenting the mirror!" – Marie L.
"I‘m floored by the quality and performance of this mirror. I have terrible overhead lighting in my apartment and this mirror makes all the difference. The magnification mirrors are also a game changer." – Lila R.
"I bought the Slaycase for travel and it has exceeded all my expectations! It folds up so small and the battery life is incredible. It‘s so nice not having to rely on hotel lighting. Plus the Bluetooth speaker is such a fun bonus." – Jess M.
The main complaints seem to be around the price, which is valid. These mirrors are definitely a splurge. Some reviewers also had issues with the touch dimming being a little finicky.
But overall, the vast majority of customers seem to be really happy with their purchases. The average rating is an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars across all mirrors.
Quality & Craftsmanship
I‘ve touched on it throughout this review, but I want to reiterate just how luxe and well-made these mirrors are. You can immediately feel the weight and substance when you pick them up.
Impressions clearly did not cut any corners. From the shatterproof glass to the sturdy aluminum frames and heavy bases, every component is top-notch. Even the electrical cords are neatly braided and feel durable.
The glossy finishes are pristine without any visible flaws or defects. And the mirrors themselves are ultra-clear and smooth. No distortion or warping to be found.
To me, the quality is 100% on par with the likes of SimpleHuman or Riki Loves Riki mirrors, which are also at a similar price point. You‘re definitely getting your money‘s worth in terms of craftsmanship.
The Bottom Line
Whew! I know I just threw a lot of information at you. But I wanted to give you the most thorough and detailed review possible. Because choosing a vanity mirror is a highly personal decision and a significant investment!
To sum it up, I think Impressions Vanity mirrors are absolutely worth the hype and the price tag if you‘re someone who is passionate about beauty and wants the best possible makeup station.
The lighting and magnification are unparalleled and will legitimately upgrade your makeup game. Not to mention the gorgeous aesthetic and smart features like Bluetooth and dimming.
That said, if you‘re more of a low-maintenance, 5-minute face kind of gal, you can probably get by with a less expensive tabletop mirror. Impressions mirrors are best suited for my fellow beauty enthusiasts and anyone who genuinely enjoys the process of getting ready.
I also think these make incredible gifts for makeup lovers or brides-to-be. If you have a friend or family member who is always watching YouTube tutorials or perfecting their winged liner, an Impressions mirror would blow them away!
For me, I‘m sold on Impressions for life. I love knowing I have a dedicated, beautifully-lit space to sit down and play with makeup. It just makes me happy! And those small joys are so important.
If you want to treat yourself to some Old Hollywood-level glamour, I can‘t recommend Impressions enough. These mirrors have made me feel like a movie star in my bathroom and I have no doubt they‘ll make you feel the same.
I hope this helps with your vanity mirror choice! Feel free to DM me on Insta if you have any other questionsâ€"let‘s keep the beauty talk going.
Stay gorgeous!
[Your Name]xx
Sources:
- Impressionsvanity.com
- Reviews from Influenster, Sephora, Nordstrom, and Ulta
- Personal experience and testing
