This past summer, my girlfriends and I packed our bags and headed to Rosemary Beach, Florida, for a bachelorette trip. Thirty minutes before landing, we collectively decided it was time for a quick refresh on the plane, pulling off our under-eye patches, applying lip liner, and attempting to tack on a little bit of makeup. I opened up my iPhone camera to guide me, but I could barely see what I was doing since the plane lights were off. You can imagine my surprise—and envy—when my best friend, Deanna, illuminated our row with her travel makeup mirror. It seemingly came out nowhere, and was already propped up on her seat tray, showing her exactly where she needed a touch-up. “I’m gonna need to borrow that,” I said.
The pre-flight touch-up was not the only time Deanna’s travel makeup mirror came in handy on our trip. One night before dinner, as 12 girls simultaneously got ready, she and I realized we were running short on bathroom mirrors. Rather than wait for the bathroom to clear and be forced to rush, or be late, we took turns doing our makeup with her travel mirror. Before we landed back at Newark Airport after the trip, I had already ordered Funtouch’s travel makeup mirror for myself on Amazon.
After a few months of having my own, I can honestly say this $17 travel accessory is worth every penny. While I initially envisioned using it on the plane or a crowded girls trip, it’s proven handy on numerous occasions. Most recently, on a trip to Newport, Rhode Island, I pulled out my foldable travel mirror and did my makeup en-route. It was a relief to arrive at The Vanderbilt hotel looking and feeling put together, without having to sit through the whole four-hour car ride with a full face of makeup on first thing in the morning.
It’s very simple to use: Unfold the mirror to reveal its full size, then tap the touch-screen button in the center to turn on the light. It offers three different light settings, including white light (my favorite), warm light, and cool light. The same button turns the light off too. And if that’s a little too much light, say on an early morning flight, you can long press the touch-screen button to dim the brightness level. Another perk: The mirror stands up on its own, so you don’t have to worry about holding it or propping it up against anything.
I love that the device is wireless. It comes with a USB charger so I can make sure it’s powered up before I travel with it and leave the cord at home. The battery life is pretty impressive—I didn’t need to recharge it after my four-day trip to Rhode Island. The portable device is also very slim—about the size of a Kindle or an iPad Mini—so it can be slipped into a tote bag, backpack, or weekender bag with ease. Its exterior is pretty durable too, so I don’t need to worry about it getting crushed in my bag.
Another thing I appreciate about this travel makeup mirror: no magnification—I don’t need to see my pores that close! The mirror is just the right size to show you your full face, head, and neck without being bulky or heavy to travel with. It’s lightweight, compact, and portable—the trifecta of any good travel accessory. If you’re stumped on what to get someone you love this season, surprise them with something they’ll actually use every time they travel. You might want to grab one for yourself too.
More travel makeup mirrors I recommend:
Earlier this year, a friend gifted me this two-sided compact mirror from Chanel. Not only is it super sleek, but it’s small enough to fit in my tiniest purses. I never leave the house for a date night or girls dinner without it. It’s the perfect size for me to quickly pull out to touch up my lip liner in an Uber or at a restaurant. It’s a practical yet glamorous stocking stuffer for the friend who’s always on the go.
Pros
- Sleek look
- Small enough to slip into an evening bag or clutch
- Simple design
Cons
Granarbol
Makeup mirror with lights
This Amazon find earns major points for its versatility. The foldable mirror with LED lights can be rotated, and its stand can be adjusted to different heights. There’s also a spot at the base of the mirror’s stand that can hold your phone, so you can follow a makeup tutorial or watch a movie while you get ready.
Pros
- Adjustable stand
- 10x magnification
- Features a spot to hold your phone
- Comes with a travel pouch
Cons
- Mirror side is not covered, so it needs to be kept in the travel pouch to stay protected
Gospire
Travel Makeup mirror
This travel makeup mirror looks pretty similar to mine, but it has a few extra bells and whistles. For starters, it features a adjustable stand that can be rotated back and forth to give you the best angle. It also has a smart sensing system, meaning the mirror lights up automatically when you open it, and turns off when the device is closed. If you, unlike me, do enjoy seeing your pores up close, this option comes with a small, detachable magnifying mirror.
Pros
- Foldable design
- Light turns on and off automatically
- Comes with a detachable magnifying mirror
Cons
- Too large for small bags and purses
Another foldable travel mirror, this one features a row of LED lights and a touch-screen button that can be used to adjust the brightness level. This compact mirror is smaller than iPhone, making it a smart choice for smaller bags or those just in case moments.
Pros
- Compact mirror fits in small purses
- LED lighting
- Available in several colorways
Cons
- Best for touch-ups, not large enough to use for full makeup looks
Smaller than a credit card and cheaper than an iced coffee, this $4 compact mirror is just the right size to slip into a purse or crossbody bag. Consider it your secret weapon to check if you have anything stuck in your teeth after dinner, or if you need another swipe of lipstick. No one will be the wiser!
Pros
- Very small; can fit in tiny purses
- Easy to pull out quickly on the go
- Affordable
Cons