Earlier this year, we carried out some research looking at the many ways lighting can affect our customers’ daily beauty routines, and we were surprised to find that three out of four women are applying their makeup in poor lighting, often leading to disastrous consequences. The main issues were that the lighting in the room where women typically apply their makeup either varies too much, or is too dark.

As we settle in for another dark winter, achieving a flawless makeup application is only going to get more difficult – certainly not ideal when party season is also looming.

Daylight saving time may have come to an end, but that doesn’t mean your makeup routine has to suffer. With the average woman spending almost £22k on makeup products in her lifetime, we put together the following tips for achieving optimal lighting so you can get the most out of your makeup, and look flawless, all year round.

1. Step into the daylight – Natural light is the best light for applying makeup, and this is obviously in limited supply once the clocks have gone back, so it’s important to choose lightbulbs that closely mimic daylight.
2. Lumens, lumens, lumens – the brighter the source of light, the easier it is to see the finer details when applying makeup. Choose a lightbulb with around 1350lm (lumens) to ensure enough brightness.
3. Side to side – Setting the lights either side of where you apply your makeup, 90-100cm away from each other, with the radiance focused at eye level, will reduce shadowing.
4. Avoid downlights – Lights that shine in a downwards direction will highlight wrinkles, bags, and skin problems making the face appear – and feel – instantly older, leading to inevitable overcompensation of products.

At Lighting Direct, we have a number of products to illuminate your makeup area, whether that’s in the bedroom, bathroom, or somewhere else. Bathroom LED Swing Arm Mirror Light, for example, is framed with a built in white bulb ring light so you can always see what you are doing. It offers 3x magnification and can easily be tilted up and down.

Alternatively, the Edit Bravi 3 Light Bathroom Mirror Light fitting is great for small spaces as it can be can be fitted vertically or horizontally. What’s more, the light is IP44 rated, making it suitable for use in bathroom zones 1 and 2.

Whilst it’d be great if we could all completely overhaul our fixtures and fittings to suit our personal makeup needs, you don’t have to spend big to achieve better lighting. Something as simple as upgrading to a daylight bulb can make the world of difference.
If you need some help choosing a lighting solution, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Maxine Clarke Senior Buyer

Maxine has been our decorative buyer since 2015. With her experience in working for consumer-led brands, she is the perfect person to pick out the latest lighting trends for both your home and business. Maxine has an eye for the best up-and-coming lighting from the UK and around the world and works tirelessly to add new brands to our portfolio. One of her trends to watch in 2020 is connectable garden lighting; with summer garden parties more and more popular, being able to build and extend your own outdoor lighting with spotlights, festoons and string lights has never been easier – simply plug and play.

Decorating your home is an exciting time; enjoyment and satisfaction come from choosing your favourite style and colour scheme, as well as sourcing products that match your inspiration. Lighting is a major factor to consider throughout the design process, and not just for the main rooms, but also for the ‘forgotten spaces.’

Each room has its own purpose and therefore, its individual requirements. This is also true for those areas that connect each room: hallways, stairs, and landings. In this blog, we’ll give you some great advice and top tips to follow in order to make the right lighting choices for these vital spaces in your home.

Lighting your hallway…

Your hallway is normally the entrance to your home and the first room any visitor sees when they come to your house, so it needs to make the right impression. Hallways aren’t usually blessed with an abundance of natural light, so the lighting you choose becomes even more important.

When planning the lighting for your hallway you should first consider the dimensions of the space. Hallways are often long and narrow, without much room for floor or table lamps. In these scenarios, recessed downlights are a great option for guiding people down the hall. The height of your ceiling will influence the type of lighting that you can choose. For low ceilings, it is best to use flush ceiling fittings to avoid any obstruction; however, if you have very high ceilings, then a chandelier will make a bold statement in your hallway. Finally, if you have a wide hall then adding stylish table lamps wherever possible will create a warm, cosy and welcoming atmosphere.

Stairway lighting – some top tips

Stairs are another area that tend to receive less natural light, so choose your stair lighting wisely. Wall lights are a fantastic way to make a stylish statement, while providing good illumination for walking up and down the stairs. Furthermore, if you are looking to add that wow-factor to your home, then consider a cascading pendant or chandelier at the top of your staircase. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more subtle solution, recessed lights set into the walls next to the stairs, or in the steps themselves, will add a modern finish to your staircase.

Landing lighting – the finishing touch

Your landing may not be seen by as many guests as your hallway or stairs, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve the same level of attention. Once again, like your hallway, you should be aware of the dimensions of your landing before deciding whether it would be best to take a bold approach using lots of bright colours, or to follow a more simple style that uses a subtle palette. Recessed lighting is a brilliant choice for this area of your home. Dimmable lighting is a useful option if you have young children, as this will allow you to softly illuminate your landing and avoid waking sleeping children by accidentally flooding their rooms with harsh, bright light. Incorporating the décor of adjoining bedrooms into the design of your landing will create a seamless look that flows from one room to another. Using the same wall lights in your bedrooms and landing will create a unified style throughout the upstairs of your home.

Hallways, stairs, and landings are all important, but often forgotten areas of the home. Taking the time to plan the lighting in these areas will significantly improve the look and feel of your property by helping to provide natural transitions between rooms. If you need any help in choosing the right light fittings for a hallway, stairs, or landing, then contact us today.

Maxine Clarke Senior Buyer

Maxine has been our decorative buyer since 2015. With her experience in working for consumer-led brands, she is the perfect person to pick out the latest lighting trends for both your home and business. Maxine has an eye for the best up-and-coming lighting from the UK and around the world and works tirelessly to add new brands to our portfolio. One of her trends to watch in 2020 is connectable garden lighting; with summer garden parties more and more popular, being able to build and extend your own outdoor lighting with spotlights, festoons and string lights has never been easier – simply plug and play.