Do Mirrors Make You Look Bigger? (5 Secrets U Should Know)

Under certain conditions, yes, a mirror might make you look bigger. At other times, it can also make you look slimmer. So looks like a mirror can be your best friend or worst enemy depending if it gives you the benefit of looking slim or spoils your happiness by making you look fat/bigger.

Do mirrors make you look bigger? Yes, Mirrors can make you look different, sometimes bigger or sometimes smaller. The main reason is the curved design of the mirror and the lighting factor. Other reasons include mirror quality, our perception and tilting forward or backwards.

You must be annoyed by how your appearance is poles apart in different mirrors. You probably are confused if it’s the mirror or is it you being paranoid about your appearance. But the truth is a mirror can make you look bigger or make your appearance different and there are several reasons for that and you’ll be surprised to know that there are other culprits besides the mirror itself.

Why Do Mirrors Make You Look Bigger: 5 Reasons

Wondering to know the reasons why mirrors make you look bigger? There are several reasons that you look bigger than real in mirrors. Some reasons are technical such as mirror curved design and tilted mirrors. While other reasons are based on our perception and quality of mirrors used. 

Let’s read out 5 main reasons why mirrors make you look bigger below:

1- Curved Mirror

A flat and thin mirror will make you look lean, this is usually commonplace for unframed mirrors. You will notice these kinds of mirrors in the changing rooms of malls and shopping centres. This trick apparently generates more sales as when you try on something and check it out in the thin, frameless mirror, it is highly likely that you will find yourself to be more attractive. You’ll buy that dress and boom you’ve been tricked by the mirrors. Anyway, that’s not always the case.

Likewise, a mirror that is curved a little bit will make you look bigger. Mirrors vary in their manufacturing types and resultantly, they might show a variation in their build quality. Even a slight curve in any edge of the mirror will make a noticeable change in the reflected image. Difference in the type of curvature decides if the mirror will make you look slim and tall or fat and wide.

2- Lighting Conditions

Lighting conditions are one of the primary culprits behind making you look bigger in a mirror. Kid you not, the type and intensity of light has a fairly huge impact on how your image appears in a mirror. In a dim and subtle lighting environment your reflection in the mirror will look a lot better, especially yellow light masks so much of the imperfections. While on the other hand, in intense light conditions you will get to see every tiny detail of your body.

If you are standing with a light above your head, definitely you’ll look bigger and/or fat. That is because light falling from above will create shadows in a way that will not be favorable to you. The shadows will make you look big and add bulk to some of the areas of your body.

A sharp white light may also not go in your favor. Flashy and stark lighting effects will serve the purpose of a spotlight for all your imperfections and consequently, you might look fat.

3- An age-old Mirror

That age-old mirror in your living room might be playing tricks on you. You ever wonder why your appearance takes a three-sixty degree flip as you check yourself out in a different mirror? Mirrors tend to undergo changes as they hang on the wall for a very long time. You may notice that you looked better in a certain mirror 5 years ago. That is because sometimes mirrors may develop an unnoticeable curve in them because of their own weight. And this curve is the reason why you might be looking bigger and wider in a mirror. Get rid of the old mirrors and save yourself from the anxiety of not looking exactly the way you are.

4- Your Own Perception may be the Bad-guy

Your own mind might be playing games with you. The image you create of yourself in your mind has a huge impact on how you see yourself in the mirror. For instance, if you work out in a gym for 2-3 days and you start thinking to yourself that you’re gaining muscle, then that’s what you’ll see more of in the mirror while a third person will definitely not be able to guess if you even visit a gym.

Similarly, when you start believing that you’re getting fat, you’ll start to see an unnecessarily huge difference in your body shape. So yeah, decide what’s causing the problem. Is it the mirror or your mind?

5- Tilted Mirrors

There are mirrors that hold the capacity of being tilted forward or backwards to a certain extent. If the mirror is slightly tilted forward towards you, it will make you look shorter and wider from the bottom. On the contrary, if you want to look slim and tall, just move the mirror on the back and there your reflection in the mirror will be just as you desire.

why mirrors make you look bigger

DO MIRRORS MAKE YOU LOOK MORE MUSCULAR

If we talk about the mirrors in a gym, then there’s a greater possibility that those mirrors will make you look more muscular. Mirrors in a gym are screwed on the wall which creates a bit of convex effect in them and resultantly, the image in the mirror appears a little stretched. This stretched image will make you look more muscular. 

While with regular mirrors, the chances are not that high. Again lighting plays an insanely huge role in the difference in your image in the mirror. Intense lighting will definitely make you look more muscular as it will help in showcasing every detail of your body. Anyway, we have already mentioned the possibilities that might alter your appearance in a mirror and those apply to your muscles as well!

CONVEX MIRRORS VS. CONCAVE MIRRORS

Convex or concave mirrors are usually used in fun house distorting mirrors but are not limited to that only. Convex mirrors are curved forward and hence, they make you look bigger and wider. 

Contrary to that, concave mirrors are bent inwards and they make the image appear tall and slim. But a slight concave and convex effect can also be achieved in regular mirrors. Mirrors with a slight concave effect can be used where a slim and tall image is desirable. Curved mirrors are used to achieve desirable effects; slim and tall, or wide and bigger. The convex and concave effect is also used in sight glasses, car mirrors, telescopes etc.

Why Do I Look Bigger in The Mirror 

When you see yourself in the gym mirror or bathroom mirror you may wonder how big you are. What makes you look big? Is this mirror or something else?  To summarize you look bigger in the mirror because your mirror might be concave, full size or you see your entire body in it.

There are several reasons that make you look bigger in the mirror:

  • You look bigger as some mirrors are slightly concave to reflect you larger than original height
  • Some mirrors are huge enough to present your compressed and large image. Such mirrors are hung in bathrooms and gym to show you bigger
  • Lightning above the mirror also shows you bigger than the real size. 
  • In shadow, body cuts are enhanced due to lighting to show you bigger.
  • You are not habitual to see your entire build in real life. When you see this in the mirror you perceive it as a third person and feel yourself bigger than the original image.

Do You Look Bigger in The Mirror 

People often ask: Do you look bigger in the mirror?

Simply, YES, I do look bigger and skinnier in the gym mirror, wardrobe mirror and bathroom full-size mirror. But when I see myself in the mirror at home, I never look bigger. Why? The reason is the mirror itself, my perception about the entire body version and mirror science.

Certain mirrors are designed slightly concave from the middle to pose you longer. Such mirrors are normally huge in size to cover a full wall and to show your entire body. Full-size gym mirrors and bathroom mirrors reflect your body longer. But abnormal size home mirrors and dressing table mirrors will not show you skinnier quite often.

Some mirrors with lights adjusted on the above portion also tend to show you longer in height. When light is thrown from above, your reflection turns wider than the original. One more reason to look bigger in a mirror is slightly tilted mirrors towards the back. Because of these facts, you look bigger in the mirror. 

Do Tilted Mirrors Make You Look Thinner

Tilted mirror users often ask that do tilted mirrors make you look thinner? The answer is YES, tilted mirrors can show you thinner if they are bent towards the back. Such mirrors tend to compress your body image to show you bigger than the original image. You can see such mirrors at the try section of the garment shop. 

When you try a certain dress while shopping, you look thinner and better in the mirror. But when you return home and see yourself in the same dress in the home mirror, you see a different image. The reason might be the difference in mirrors.

do tilted mirrors make you look thinner

When you see yourself in such mirrors you get a leaner and fine look than better. Using such mirrors at try shops increase sales of garments and it’s a type of publicity gadget. Customers feel the dress is fit to their body and ultimately buy it. 

Do Mirrors Look You More Attractive

Confused about whether mirrors make you look more attractive? Mirrors don’t portray you as attractive or less attractive. It’s your perception that makes you think that you are attractive in the mirror at home as compared to images in the photo or other mirrors. The reality is that mirrors portray you differently from your photos and other images. 

The reflection you see in the mirror is the version that you see quite often. So you are habitual of this image. When you compare your reflection of your home mirror to the photos you feel different. 

The reason is that you perceive a photo image or other images as a third party or stranger. But when you see yourself in the mirror at home, your perception is different. It does not mean if you are looking better in the mirror, you are beautiful. Similarly, it does not mean if you are looking less attractive in the mirror, you are ugly.

Do Mirrors Make You Look Shorter

Why do I look Shorter in certain mirrors? Do mirrors make you look shorter?

Yes, certain mirrors can make you look shorter and wider. The example of such mirrors is tilted slightly forward mirrors and slightly curvature mirrors along one axis and the mirrors with central bulging. The light factor also contributes to this fact. When light is thrown from the upside, your image gets wider.

You can see such mirrors on the full walls of your wardrobe. Whenever a person sees his entire body image in the mirror, he perceives it differently. Sometimes it looks thinner when you are in a standing position. However, moving images get wilder in long full-size mirrors. When you stand still you look different and when you move to left or right your angle changes. The reason for looking shorter and skinnier in the mirror is mirror design, your perception, your angle of watching your reflection. 

Mirror That Makes You Look Taller

Are you looking for mirrors that make you look taller? Yes, it is possible to look taller than actual in certain mirrors.

To look taller you need a concave mirror that is slightly bent from inwards. Moreover mirrors that are bent from top to bottom also show your image vertical and taller. Such mirrors are slightly curved along the edges. An example of such mirrors is full size tall walled mirrors.

If you are in search of these mirrors, check out our list of certain tall mirrors below:

  1. Rivet Modern Oval Hanging Tall Mirror
  2. Umbra Hub Oval Wall Mirror
  3. Rectangular Wall Mirror

Mirror That Makes You Look Thinner

Are you in search of mirrors that make you look thinner? To look thinner, you may need an image that is compressed vertically. The mirrors that are tilted towards the back show you thinner and leaner. Moreover, the position, size, light and design of the mirror are contributing factors to make you look thinner. The rectangular tall mirror will show you more thinner as compared to a round or oval-shaped mirrors.

When you see your full body in a tall flat wall mounted mirror you look smart. Below is the list of mirrors to show you thinner:

  1. Amazon Brand-Rectangular Hanging Wall Frame Mirror
  2. Hamilton Hills Large Tilting Pivot Rectangle Mirror
  3. Amanti Art Full Length Mirror Full Body Mirror 

Do Gym Mirrors Make You Look Bigger

Curious to know do gym mirrors make you look bigger? It’s true that you look different in gym mirrors. The reason is that Jim mirrors are huge in size and designed in a way that your upper body looks closer and bigger to the mirror. Such mirrors are slightly lean forward to show you bigger than you actually are.

Not only does the design of the mirror at the gym show you thinner, but lights also distort the image to some extent. Therefore people often complain that they look chubby and biggie in the gym mirror. This might be a publicity gadget of a gym to show you more fit.

Do you want to look bigger, you can buy this Allied Brass PR-93-GYM Mirror.

Do Round Mirrors Make You Look Bigger

Want to buy a round mirror and confused: Do round mirrors make you look bigger? The shape of the mirror has no effect on its reflection. But the size and design of the mirror matter a lot. Round mirrors are often small in size and don’t show full body. We can see our face or any particular part o body in such mirrors. Unless round mirrors are non-magnifying, it will not make you look bigger.

However, round magnifying mirrors can make you look bigger. That’s why people use magnifying mirrors when they tweeze. If you want to buy wall mounted round mirrors, check this link.

Do Tilted Mirrors Make You Look Bigger

Looking for the answer to Do tilted mirrors make you look bigger?

Yes, the mirrors that are slightly tilted backwards show you longer than actual. The reason is that you can see your full body version in such mirrors. This version is uncommon to see in routine life. So, we are unfamiliar with entire body reflection. When we see this we perceive it differently.

The mirrors at home don’t show the entire body image. They only show some parts of the body, not the entire build. Tilted mirrors with tall size are a good way to look huge. This Kalalou Metal Framed Tilted mirror is a top choice for your bedroom, bathroom and dressing.

Do Concave Mirrors Make You Look Bigger or Smaller

Whether to buy a concave mirror or a convex is another confusion. Do concave mirrors make you look bigger or smaller?

The concave mirror shows you bigger when you stand close to it. But when you move further, it will show you smaller. When objects are closer to the mirror, the linear magnification is greater than one and you look bigger. 

As you move away from the centre of curvature, the linear magnification becomes less than one. That’s why you look smaller with a concave mirror. In simple words, concave mirrors show you both smaller and bigger depending on your distance from the mirror.

Do Convex Mirrors Make You Look Bigger or Smaller

What about convex mirrors? Do they make you look bigger or smaller?

The convex mirror will show you smaller than the actual. The reason is that its linear magnification is less than one. But there are some other factors also like lights and position of mirror and magnification. 

For makeup and close-up grooming tasks, professionals often use convex magnifying mirrors. If you want to look bigger in a convex mirror, you can buy 5x to 10x magnifications. If you want to look bigger in a convex mirror, you should move close to it. 

Do Hotel Mirrors Make You Look Bigger

Struggling to know: Do hotel mirrors make you look bigger?

Read the answer here. Hotels sometimes use low-quality cheap mirrors that tend to distort your real image. That’s why you look chubby, skinny or sometimes bigger than the actual image. Moreover, the light factor is also important to see your image in hotel mirrors. 

Lights are mostly harsh for publicity and decorative purposes. Such lights pass parallel to the body when you stand in front of the mirror. As a result, the reflection is full of flaws and different from the real version of yourself. Whatever the image you see in the hotel mirror, you have to stay calm on it.

 There are very few people who notice this fact deeply and complain to hotel managers about the low quality of mirrors. So, stay calm and don’t get confused when you see yourself in the hotel mirror. From here you can buy the best magnifying hotel mirrors. These are portable mirrors, you can easily take them anywhere during traveling.

Do Mirrors Make You Look Fatter

Chubby chubbier image, OMG it’s not me? Do mirrors make you look fat?

Yes, certain mirrors that are bulging out from the center show you fat. Such mirrors are slightly curved along one axis. They reflect your body as it is wider than actual. That’s why you appear fat and skinny in these mirrors.

do mirrors make you look fatter

If you want to see your actual figure, you should use a flat mirror.  Sometimes it’s not the mirror, it’s lightning that shows you fat. When lights are thrown above the mirror directly on your body, you look relatively fat and prominent in the mirror. This happens when lights are harsh enough to elevate all body cuts.

Do Leaning Mirrors Make You Look Bigger

Owning a leaning mirror and being confused: does it make you look bigger? 

Leaning mirrors are full-length hanging mirrors. They can make you look bigger when they are not flat. The mirrors which are tilted towards the back make you look longer and leaner. Such mirrors show your vertically compressed version in the image. 

Leaning mirrors are mostly hung along the walls in corridors. When we see our reflection here while walking we feel ourselves bigger and taller. This is because we see the entire physique instead of different body parts. Here is our expert’s collection of best leaning mirrors.

Do Dressing Room Mirrors Make You Look Bigger

Yes, dressing room mirrors often make you look skinnier and bigger. The reason is not the mirror itself, its overhead harsh lights. When light falls down on your body, it elevates the body cuts and makes you look bigger and fat. When you move out of light, you may not look bigger.

When you are shopping and you look at yourself in the dressing room mirror, you are confused. Is this me? When dressing table mirrors are adjusted in soft light, you may not see such a horrible image. That’s why use soft lights for the dressing table mirror instead of harsh lights.

Do Planet Fitness Mirrors Make You Look Bigger

Yes, fitness mirrors at the gym make you look bigger. The reason is that such mirrors are fixed slightly forward to show the upper part of your body closer to the mirror. As a result, you look bigger and muscular.

One more reason to look bigger is the lightning in the gym. The lights are often hung right above the mirrors or on the roof to portray your body cuts prominently. This makes you look bigger than actual life. One more reason is the size of fitness mirrors. They are huge enough to show your multidimensional image.

Do Target Mirrors Make You Look Bigger

If Target is your favourite manufacturer, read it out! Target mirrors are the name of a famous brand. They make decorative, wall-mounted and other types of mirrors. They produce different size ranges and shapes of mirrors. This brand stands among top suppliers. So, you can’t expect to get a distorted image from Target mirrors.

However, certain factors other than the mirror itself can also affect the image. The position of lights and placement of a mirror can also impact image formation. You can’t say that the mirror itself is always responsible for a bigger and smaller image.

Do Mirrors Make You Look Bigger Than You Are

Yes, there are certain mirrors that make you look bigger. For example, to make you thin and bigger your image needs to be vertical and compressed. To get a longer image you need mirrors to bend from top to bottom. Such mirrors are slightly curved around the edges. 

Moreover, light factors are also important to consider. When light is above the mirror or on the roof right above the mirror, you get a relatively better and bigger image. Light makes your body cuts visible in the mirror and you look bigger.

Don’t forget to read: why mirrors are so much expensive?

Closing Thoughts

Now we are at the dead-end of this informative post about how mirrors make you look bigger. To summarize, you can blame that mirrors are responsible if showing you bigger and smaller than actual life. But mirrors only are not the only culprit, lights are often blamed to distort the image.

Moreover, the design of the mirror is a determining factor whether to show you bigger or smaller. Don forget concave and convex mirrors have different linear magnification and will show you differently. Keep all these factors in your mind before getting upset by the mirror’s image. Believe in yourself and not in your looks. Stay confident and stay happy!