Cell phone mirrors and the cell phone lipstick trick

Senko Screen Mirror

For a self-professed beauty mavin, it’s kind of embarrassing to admit that it’s not that unusual for me to find myself without a mirror.

Fortunately, I recently figured out a cool little trick with my cell phone to use in case of a vanity emergency — I use the screen display created by my camera phone to look at myself, so I can touch up my makeup.

This trick will only work with a cell phone such as my Nokia 6102i, which is a camera flip phone that includes an external screen display. Simply turn on the camera mode on the phone, then close the flip phone so that the camera is aimed at you and you can see yourself in the viewfinder. Use the image of yourself to help apply your lipgloss, check for broccoli bits, or whatever.

Obviously, this trick will only work if you have the kind of flip phone that allows you to take pictures of yourself. Another (and probably better ;) alternative is one of these little cell phone “screen mirrors.” These screen mirrors work to protect the face of your cell phone (or Blackberry or iPod) and are completely transparent as long as the phone’s backlight is on. As soon as the backlight turns off, however, the screen becomes a mirror that’s perfect for touch-ups. ($14.99 from Senko.com)

Want something a little cuter? Check out the adorable stick on mirrors from Mobile Beauty. They come in a bunch of different shapes — stars, hearts, skulls & crossbones, and more. ($12 from http://www.mobilebeauty4u.com/products.html.)

For a cheaper alternative (these might make for some good beauty themed party or shower favors :), Officefones.com also sells small cell phone vanity mirrors. ($10 for 5),

Lucky owners of a phone from the Nokia 3300 series can also pick up a Phonebites Mirror and Light Backplate for their phone ($13.95). This adorable replacement for the phone’s factory standard backplate provides what is essentially a vanity compact for your phone. Just flip the the cover open and voila! A mirror for quick touch-ups. Major bonus: the backplate is also outfitted with a light that pops on so you can even touch up in the dark.

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