You may have wondered why some mirrors make you look better than others. A lot of people have been looking for answers to this mystery. So our team set out to make findings and present you with facts. We have done our research and compiled all our findings into this comprehensive post.

Why do some mirrors make you look better than others? Certain types of mirrors produce poorer images than others. Curved mirrors often reflect a distorted image that looks different from how you look in real life. Low-quality mirrors are also likely to produce image distortions and give your face an asymmetrical appearance, which is perceived as ugly. Tiny mirrors are also likely to make you look less attractive. What’s more, aside from the mirror type and quality, other factors, such as the mirror’s position and how clean it is, as well as lighting conditions can also affect how attractive you look in the mirror. 

As you read on, we will explain the different factors that affect how you appear in mirrors. What factors can make you look finer? What factors can make you look uglier? Which type of mirror should you trust to know how you look in real life? You will find answers to these and many more as you read on.

Why Do Some Mirrors Make You Look Better?

Flat and plain mirrors will usually make you look better than curved and tilted mirrors. What you will see in flat and plain mirrors is closer to the way you look in real life. So when you look in a flat and plain mirror, you are likely to like what you see in them if you have a positive self-image. Larger mirrors also make you look better than the tinier ones. In summary, the type, quality, and size of a mirror will determine whether you will look better or uglier in it.

 While you can trust what you see in a flat and plain mirror, not all flat and plain mirrors can be trusted. For instance, a little crack in the mirror can distort the image and make you look uglier in it. And then, the size of the mirror matters a lot too. As you read on, we will explain the kinds of mirrors that will make you look better.

Flat Mirrors Make You Look Better

Mirrors with a convex curve often magnify the center of the image; they are reflecting more than the edges. Conversely, those with a concave curvature will magnify the edges more than the center. These distortions, depending on your body shape and how much curvature the mirror has, can make you look ugly. Unlike curved mirrors, flat mirrors are likely to make you look better. If you are looking for a flat mirror for your home, you can check out this fogless shower mirror. It is a great addition to your bathroom and it can also make you look better.

Larger Mirrors Make You Look Better

You will look better in a floor-length mirror than in a small, palm-fit mirror. This is because larger mirrors often show you a full view of your body at once. Smaller mirrors, on the other hand, are so up close and may magnify some parts of your face more than other parts. For a large mirror that you can display at home, you can check out this full-length mirror. The mirror can lean against the wall, free-standing, or it can be wall-mounted vertically or horizontally.

High-Quality Mirrors Make You Look Better

All mirrors are not the same; some are of higher quality than others. Higher-quality mirrors will make you look better than low-grade mirrors. One of the ways to access the quality of your mirror is to check its thickness. But then, that’s not all there is to mirror quality. The dimension, focal length, and shape of a mirror also affect its quality and, in turn, whether you will look better or uglier in it.

 You may not be able to ascertain the quality of a mirror on your own if you do not know a bit of physics. It is, therefore, important to check the manufacturer’s description or ask the store attendant about a mirror before you buy it.

Why Do You Look Bad in Some Mirrors?

You may look bad in a mirror that already has a crack or split. Dirty mirrors can also make you look bad. If you are looking at yourself from an awkwardly tilted mirror, it can also make you look bad. Curved mirrors and tiny mirrors can also distort your image and make you look ugly. What’s more, lighting conditions can also affect how you look in mirrors.

 In the sections that follow, we will explain why you look bad in some mirrors and possible ways to fix the problem.

Cracks or Splits

A wide mirror that’s not thick enough will have cracks or split due to pressure over time. Cracks and splits distort the shape of a mirror, which, in turn, distorts your image and makes you look uglier. To fix this problem, dispose of any cracked or split mirror. Also, check the thickness of mirrors before buying them. Buy durable mirrors whose thickness complements their width. Such mirrors are less likely to crack or split. We have also shared this article titled, remedies for a broken mirror. You can check out the article for more tips and information.

Dirty Surface

Looking through a dirty mirror means you have to squint. And when you do this, the image you see is likely to be distorted. As such, you may not look too attractive when you look at yourself in a dirty mirror.

Like any other surface, a mirror can get covered in grime, dust, and dirt over time. But you must make conscious efforts to keep your mirror clean. Wipe and dust the mirror’s surface regularly with a piece of cloth dampened with vinegar, lemon juice, or distilled water. After cleaning, make sure not to leave any streaks on the mirror’s surface.

Awkward Tilts

A mirror gives the best reflection when it is flat and straight. If a mirror is slightly tilted, what you would see in the mirror would be an altered reflection. Mirrors that you look your best are the ones hung on perfectly straight walls. If a mirror slants towards you, you would likely look shorter, fatter, or compressed. On the other hand, if the mirror bends away from you, you would look taller, slimmer, and stretched.

Distance (Too Close or Too Far)

The distance between you and a mirror can make you look good or not-so-good. When you stay far away from a mirror and look through it, you focus on the overview reflection and are unable to see your rather striking features and details. On the other hand, if you stay too close to a mirror, you are likely to appear fatter than you think. Staying the right distance from a mirror —not too close, nor too far— allows you to pay attention to your eyes, nose, skin glow, lips, or dimples, amongst other features, and appreciate them.

Why Does Some Mirror Make Me Look Fat?

You can look fat in some mirrors because of image distortion. Take note that even the smallest bend in the mirror can distort your image. If the mirror is bent in any way, the light would hit the mirror differently which can make you look larger.

How to Look Good in Mirrors?

The first thing you need to look good in mirrors is to have a positive self-image. If you don’t think of yourself as beautiful, no mirror will make you look good. Aside from your self-image, you should also pay attention to lighting conditions. Proper lighting conditions will make you look good in mirrors. A beautiful and neat background is also likely to make you look better than a dirty and disorganized background. So paying attention to your background will also make you look good in mirrors. We have also written 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 – The Scary Truth About What Some People See In The Mirror!

In this video, you will understand how important self-image is to how you see yourself in mirrors. Medical Centric shared this video on YouTube. This video is a must-watch; you will learn a lot from it.

But beyond all external factors, if you don’t feel great about yourself, no mirror will do the trick for you. How you feel about yourself is the greatest factor that affects whether you see an attractive or ugly person when you look in the mirror. 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.

What Factors Affect How I Look in the Mirror?

The type of mirror, glass quality, lighting, and surroundings can affect how you look in the mirror. Let us delve more into these factors below.

The Type of Mirrors

One of the factors that affect how you look in the mirror is the type of mirror that you are using. The two main types of mirrors are those that have metal on the front and the back. The mirrors provide a different image because the light is reflected differently.

The Glass Quality

Another factor that affects how you look in the mirror is the glass quality. The front and back surface of the mirror plays an important role in the image that you see. If the glass is low-quality, the surface of the mirror can distort and your image will appear blurry.

The Surroundings

The surroundings also affect how you look in the mirror. This is because it can change how the light is reflected. If you are outdoors, the trees and lighting can affect how you look.

The Lighting

Another factor that affects how you look in the mirror is lighting. Light settings can change how you look depending on how it falls on you.

Do Some Mirrors Make You Look Better?

Yes, some mirrors make you look better than others. Plane mirrors will make you look better than curved mirrors. Straight mirrors will make you look better than tilted mirrors. Larger mirrors will make you look better than tiny mirrors. Clean mirrors will make you look better than dirty mirrors. The dimension, focal length, and shape of a mirror also affect how you would look in it.

You can trust what you see if you are looking in a plane, flat, wall-length, and clean mirror with no cracks or splits. If you are using a curved, tilted, tiny, dirty, or low-quality mirror, you may look bad in the mirror. But don’t trust what you see because such mirrors distort images. We have also shared this article titled, why do I look fat in pictures but not in the mirror? Check out the article to learn the answer.

Which is More Accurate, Mirror or Camera?

Mirrors are more accurate provided that you are using a flat and plane mirror. More so, unlike cameras, mirrors don’t exhibit optical aberrations. More so, you can add different kinds of filters and adjustments to camera images. But when it comes to mirrors, what you see is what you get.

All mirrors are not created equal, so not all mirrors are accurate. If you want an accurate image, make sure to use the kind of mirror we have described above – flat, plane, clean, wall-length, and without cracks or splits. You can also check out this article titled, do I look like the mirror or camera? We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.

Do You Look Fatter in the Mirror?

You may look fatter in a convex mirror or a mirror tilted forward. But a perfectly straight and plain mirror will show your exact size and shape. Convex mirrors extend your image horizontally while forward-tilted mirrors compress your image vertically. These effects will make you look fatter than you are in real life. We have also shared this article that discusses why gym mirrors make you look bigger. You can check out the article for more information.

Conclusion

So far, we have seen that several factors can affect how you look in mirrors. Some of these factors are within your control while others are not. The primary thing to pay attention to if you want to look attractive is to have a positive self-image. Aside from that, make sure to only buy high-quality and perfect-size mirrors. Mount your mirrors appropriately and take heed to lighting conditions and background too. What’s more, ensure that your mirrors have a clean surface.