Have you ever wondered if you look the same in the mirror as in real life? We look at the mirror in the morning to get ready, we look again at night to prepare for bed, and many times throughout the day, we check the mirror to make sure that our hair and makeup are fine. Looking at the mirror, you are sure that your eyes are the color hazel, then someone points out that it is green, which makes you wonder if one of you is color blind.
Do we look the same in the mirror as in real life? We do not look the same in the mirror as in real life. The image that you see in the mirror is not what everyone else sees. This is because the reflection that you see every time you look in the mirror is the reversed image of how you appear to the world.
Do we look better in the mirror or real life? Why do we look different in the mirror than in real life? These are some of the questions that we will discuss in this article. We spend a lot of time looking in the mirror we get used to the image that we see. However, the image is not accurate to what we look at in real life. Find out the reasons why by reading the rest of this article.
Do We Look Like What We See on the Mirror?
We do not look like what we see in the mirror. There are many factors why we look different from our reflection in the mirror and this includes a reverse image, lighting, asymmetrical face, immediate control, and limited details. Let us delve more into these factors below.
Reverse Image
When we are looking at ourselves in the mirror, what we see is not reality. The reflection in the mirror is the reversed version of how we look in real life. Because we look in the mirror every day, we are used to this reverse version of our reflection. It is okay to be a bit shocked if people notice a difference in your face after you have just looked in the mirror. After all, not everything that the mirror reflects is the truth.
Lighting
Another reason why we look so different in the mirror than in real life is because of the lighting. Our brains work in a way wherein we do not notice the lighting differences when we look into the mirror. Our brains automatically even it out and present us with the display of our face which is close to what we are used to seeing. Lighting matters and it makes a huge difference in our reflection. For a mirror that provides the best lighting experience when putting on your makeup, you can check out this product.
on PexelsImmediate Control
When we look at the mirror, we have instant and full control of our reflection. If we do not like what we do not like we look at a certain angle, adjust our face, and correct our posture and facial expressions so that we look better. When we smile in the mirror, we adjust how our expressions so that we look good. On the other hand, when we smile at people, we do not have control over our appearance. Some might notice that your eyes crinkle at the sides when you laugh which is not there when you laugh in front of a mirror.
Asymmetrical Face
No one has a symmetrical face. If you try flipping parts of your face and compare them, you will see a huge difference and you might not even recognize yourself. We are used to looking at ourselves in the mirror only at a few angles and often think that one side of our face is the same as the other. However, this is not how we look in real life.
Limited Details
We only see certain details in the mirror. When we look at the mirror, we usually focus on a particular part like the nose, eyes, or lips. We do not realize how we look altogether. When people look at you in real life they perceive everything at one and judge the whole persona which includes your facial expressions and posture that you seldom pay attention to.
Do We Look Better in the Mirror or Real Life?
You can look better or worse in the mirror than in real life but you will not look like what you see in your reflection. You will only look the same in the mirror as you do in real life if you have perfect facial symmetry. Otherwise, you will look a little different from the reflection that you see. You see your face daily in the mirror and you are used to the image that looks back at you. When you take a photo of yourself, you will notice that you look different. And because you look different, it might make you think that you look better or worse.
Do We Look Different from How We See Ourselves in the Mirror?
We look different from how we see ourselves in the mirror. Our faces are not perfectly symmetric and our brains are wired to detect any small differences so you can easily recognize an individual from the crowd. When we see a photo of ourselves and we only have the mirror image of our reflection in our memory to compare with, we notice the difference between the two images. It is almost like seeing a different person. We have also shared this article titled, do people see me how I see myself in the mirror? You can check out the article to learn more about the topic.
✅ Video – Why do You Look Better in the Mirror than in Photos?
DLM Model Lifestyle shared the video below on YouTube. He talked about the reasons why you look better in the mirror than in photos. There are many reasons for that. Check out the video below for the discussion.
Is Your Reflection also How Others See You?
What you see in the mirror is just a reflection, and that may not be how people see you in real life. In real life, you might look a bit different. A mirror image is how you perceive yourself to look and not how others see you. When you look in the mirror, certain features of your face can appear smaller while others are larger. Mirrors will also make you look thin from your perception, how others see you can be different.
Do I Look More Attractive in the Mirror?
The reason why you look more attractive when you look at yourself in the mirror, you see yourself from a particular physical perspective. Your eyesight is in line with your eyes and your view of your cheekbones and other facial structures from that perspective. The light that bounces off the mirror can make people’s faces look lighter, skinnier, and rounder than it is. However, the image that you see in the mirror is how you think of yourself. You can also check out this article that we have written that talks about why some mirrors make you look better than others. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Why do You Look Better in the Mirror than in Photos?
There are many factors why you look better in the mirror than in photos. These factors include expecting to see a mirror-like image of yourself in the photos, the camera, and the lens.
Expecting a Mirror-Like Image of Yourself
Your reflection in the mirror shows what you look like in reverse and is not the real you. Because you are used to seeing yourself in reverse in the mirror, seeing a photo of yourself can be startling. You are so familiar with the image in the mirror and upon seeing a photo of yourself, you see a slightly different image and are unhappy with the differences.
Camera Lens
Aside from facial expression, angles, and lighting, lens distortion can also affect how you look in photos. For instance, if your face is too close to the camera, it can be a bit distorted when the photo is taken. The camera can only capture a 2D image and depending on your features, your picture could be distorted when since the camera flattens out your features.
Camera Flash
Another factor that affects how you look in photos is the camera flash. Flashes that are too bright like the ones on smartphones can make your photo look harsher. A photo that is taken in a dark room with a bright flash can make it look shinier and older. Make sure that you have proper lighting when taking photos.
Your Smile
Your facial expressions will affect how you look in photos. Putting a natural and relaxed smile on your make will make sure that your appearance will look good. If you feel self-conscious or awkward when posing in front of the camera, it will show in the photos. This is also the reason why you think you look a bit different in photos than when you look at yourself in mirrors.
What Do You See When You Look in the Mirror?
What you see in the mirror when you look at yourself is a reversed image. It is not the same person as other people because the reflection is reversed by your brain. When you raise your right hand, your reflection in the mirror raises its left hand. Our faces are not symmetrical and the image of yourself that you see in the mirror is reversed. You can also check out this article that we have written titled, what’s the best mirror setup to see the back of the head? Learn about the best setup that you can do at home.
Does a True Mirror Lets You See Your Real Self?
An ordinary mirror does not let you see your true self. However, if you wish to see your true self, you can look at it in a True mirror. A True mirror will show you what you look like in real life. This is because when you look at a True mirror, it does not reverse your image so you can see your natural self. A True mirror is made using two optical mirrors that are perfectly aligned.
Is the Mirror or Phone Camera More Accurate?
The mirror is more accurate than the camera because you are familiar with the image staring back at you. This is also the reason why you look better in the mirror than in the camera. Of course, there are some exceptions to this. Nowadays, there are many phone camera applications that you can use to enhance your looks. We have also written this article that discusses why you look fat in pictures but not in mirrors. Check out the article to know the reasons why this happens.
Conclusion
You have reached the end of this article that discusses if we look the same in the mirror as in real life. We have found out that the reflection of ourselves that we see in the mirror is different than how we look in real life. The image that we see in the mirror is reversed that is why we sometimes feel like we are looking at a different person when we see our photos. We hope that the information that we have shared in this article has helped you learn more about why you look different in the mirror than in real life. Thank you for reading!