How to use it
- Pick Ring or Full panel. The full panel gives more light, the ring gives the round catchlight in your eyes that ring lights are known for.
- Set the color temperature. Daylight 5600 K is a good start for makeup; go warmer if the room lights are warm.
- Turn your device brightness to maximum, then click the preview or press F for full screen.
- Want a mirror? Pick Mirror in the center options and allow the camera. You see yourself inside the ring while the ring lights your face. For a full size mirror with zoom, freeze and photos, use the online mirror.
- In full screen, the arrow keys change brightness (up and down) and warmth (left and right). Click or press Esc to exit.
Where to put a screen ring light for makeup
- Straight in front of your face, at eye level or a little above. Light from the front fills in shadows under the eyes and along the nose evenly, which is what you want when blending foundation or concealer.
- Close. A phone or tablet gives far less light than a real ring light, so it works best 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 feet) from your face. The closer the screen, the softer and brighter the light on your skin.
- Use a big screen if you can. A laptop or tablet screen is a larger, softer light than a phone. A second device as the light and your phone as the camera works well.
- Turn off or dim overhead lights of a different color. Mixing a warm ceiling bulb with a cool screen makes skin tones hard to judge.
Which color temperature for makeup
Match the light where your makeup will be seen. For a daytime look, a cool to neutral daylight setting (about 5000 to 6500 K) shows color closest to the light outside. For an evening look that will be seen under warm indoor bulbs, check it at 3000 K as well. Switching between the two presets is a quick way to catch foundation that looks right in one light and off in the other.
The color temperature here is an approximation of real light at that temperature, and every screen shows color a little differently. Use it to compare, not as a calibrated reference.
Questions
Can my phone or laptop screen really work as a ring light?
Yes, for close-up light. A screen at full brightness lights a face well from 30 to 60 cm away, which is enough for makeup, selfies and video calls. It is much weaker than a real ring light, so it will not light a whole room or a full-body shot.
Is the ring or the full panel better?
The full panel gives the most light. The ring gives the round reflection in the eyes and leaves the center dark or free for the camera mirror. For makeup in a dark room, start with the full panel; for a lit mirror, use the ring with Mirror in the center.
Is the camera mirror recorded or uploaded?
No. The camera picture is only shown on your screen. Nothing is recorded, saved or sent anywhere, and the camera turns off when you pick another center option or leave the page.
What color temperature is best for makeup?
Daylight, around 5000 to 6500 K, is the usual choice because it is close to outdoor light. Check evening makeup at a warm setting such as 3000 K too.
How do I exit full screen?
Click or tap anywhere, press Esc, or use the Exit button in the corner.