We look different because mirrors, photographs and selfies do not represent the face in the same way.

A mirror shows a reflected image that we see every day. A photograph may show the face in the orientation seen by other people. A selfie taken from very close range can also alter facial proportions due to perspective.

Lighting, angles, facial expressions and the processing applied by the phone can all influence the final result.

Does the Mirror Show Us How Other People See Us?

Not exactly.

When you look in the mirror, you see a reflected image of your face. The side you know as your left appears on the left-hand side of the reflection, but this does not correspond to the orientation seen by someone standing in front of you.

Other people see the non-mirrored version of your face. Since human faces are not perfectly symmetrical, this change can make certain features appear more noticeable.

Furthermore, people do not see you as a static image. They see you talking, smiling, blinking and changing position.

Why Do Some Photographs Look So Unfamiliar?

We spend much more time looking at our face in the mirror than seeing it in non-mirrored photographs. The brain therefore becomes familiar with that particular orientation.

When a photograph shows the small asymmetries of the face on the opposite side to the one we are used to, the image may seem wrong, even though it is technically accurate.

Studies on facial orientation suggest that people may prefer the mirrored version of their own face, while tending to prefer the normal orientation of the faces of people they know.

Feeling unfamiliar does not necessarily mean that you look bad in the photograph. In many cases, it simply means that you are looking at a version of yourself that you see less often.

Is Our Face Really Asymmetrical?

Yes. A certain degree of asymmetry is normal.

One eye may sit slightly higher than the other, one eyebrow may have a different curve, and one side of the jaw may have a more defined contour.

In the mirror, you always see these differences in the same orientation. When the image is reversed, they appear to change position, making them temporarily more noticeable.

Facial expressions can also affect asymmetry. A natural smile, for example, may lift one side of the face more than the other.

Why Can a Selfie Distort the Face?

The main problem with many selfies is not the orientation of the image, but the short distance between the camera and the face.

When the camera is very close, the parts of the face nearest to the lens appear proportionally larger. The nose is closer to the camera than the ears and the sides of the face, so it may appear more prominent.

A study of photographs taken at close range found that this proximity can increase the apparent width of the nose in relation to the width of the face. This distortion does not accurately represent the person’s three-dimensional appearance.

The wide-angle lens commonly used in front-facing cameras makes it possible to include more of the scene at close range, but it also makes the effects of perspective more noticeable.

Is the Distortion Caused by the Lens or the Distance?

Distance is one of the most important factors.

When you bring the camera closer, you are forced to use a very close perspective. This increases the apparent difference between features that are nearer to and farther away from the lens.

A different lens allows you to change the framing without having to stand as close. For example, a photograph taken from farther away and then cropped may show more natural proportions than a selfie taken from just a few centimetres away.

Using zoom or increasing the distance can therefore produce results that are closer to how the face is seen during a normal conversation.

Does the Front-Facing Camera Show a Mirrored Image?

It depends on the phone and the settings being used.

Many devices display a mirrored preview because it feels more intuitive to move in front of the screen as though you were looking into a mirror.

However, the saved photograph may automatically be flipped back. This means that the final image may look different from the preview you saw when taking the photograph.

Some phones allow you to choose whether to save the photograph as it appears in the preview or in the non-mirrored orientation.

Why Do We Look Different in Every Photograph?

A photograph captures only a fraction of a second. A small change can significantly affect the image:

• the exact moment of the smile;
• the position of the tongue and jaw;
• how open the eyes are;
• the angle of the head;
• posture;
• the height of the camera;
• the distance;
• the direction of the light.

When you are talking to someone, these small variations form part of a continuously moving image. In a photograph, they are frozen and receive much more attention.

An image may capture a transitional expression that nobody would notice during a normal interaction.

How Does Lighting Affect Our Appearance?

Light determines which areas of the face are illuminated and which areas are placed in shadow.

A strong light positioned directly overhead can emphasise dark circles and create shadows beneath the nose and chin. A light source positioned below the face can create an unnatural appearance.

Side lighting highlights texture and facial contours, while soft frontal lighting tends to distribute light more evenly.

The colour temperature of the light also affects how colours are perceived. Very warm light can make skin tones appear more yellow, while very cool light can create a bluish appearance.

This is why the same person may look different in two bathrooms, even when the mirrors are similar in size.

Can Two Mirrors Show Different Images?

Two high-quality flat mirrors follow the same physical principles, but the viewing experience can change because of several factors:

• the distance between the person and the mirror;
• the installation height;
• the viewing angle;
• the flatness of the glass;
• the surrounding lighting;
• the colour of the walls;
• the size of the reflective surface.

Small ripples or imperfections can also alter proportions. These distortions become more noticeable in large mirrors or when they are viewed from a distance.

Which Is More Accurate: the Mirror or the Photograph?

Neither one fully represents how other people see you.

A mirror shows a reflected image, but it allows you to observe movement, depth and changing facial expressions in real time.

A non-mirrored photograph shows the orientation seen by other people, but it captures only a single moment and may be influenced by the lens, perspective and lighting.

A close-up selfie can be particularly unrepresentative because of perspective distortion.

The closest representation of everyday vision would probably be a video recorded from a reasonable distance, using an appropriate lens, natural lighting and spontaneous movement. Even then, it would still be a two-dimensional representation.

How Should You Choose a Mirror for Make-up and Personal Care?

For tasks that require precision, the quality of the lighting is just as important as the size of the mirror.

Well-distributed frontal lighting helps to reduce strong shadows. Lighting positioned exclusively behind the mirror may create an attractive decorative effect, but it is not always sufficient for applying make-up, shaving or carrying out other detailed personal-care routines.

It is also important to consider:

• the installation height;
• the usual viewing distance;
• the size of the reflective area;
• the colour temperature of the light;
• the presence of natural light;
• the availability of a demisting function in the bathroom.

In its catalogue, Spiegel & More distinguishes between models with front-facing LED lighting and models with ambient lighting, allowing customers to select the most suitable solution for their intended use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Other People See Us as We Look in the Mirror or on Camera?

They see the non-mirrored orientation of the face, but in motion, in three dimensions and from different distances.

Why Do I Look Better in the Mirror Than in Photographs?

Because you are more familiar with your reflected image, and because a photograph may capture a less flattering angle, expression or perspective.

Does the Front-Facing Camera Distort the Face?

It can distort the face when it is used from very close range. A short distance increases the apparent differences between the areas nearest to and farthest from the lens.

Does the Mirror Lie?

No. A mirror reflects light according to the laws of optics. However, it shows a different orientation from the one seen by other people.

Is a Professional Photograph More Accurate?

It may show more natural proportions because it is generally taken from a greater distance and under controlled lighting conditions. However, it is still a static, two-dimensional image.

We Are More Than a Frozen Image

The difference between a mirror and a photograph does not mean that one version is right and the other is wrong.

Each medium represents the face in a different way. The mirror provides familiarity and movement. A photograph shows a less familiar orientation. A selfie often adds perspective distortion.

In real life, other people see much more than a single image: they notice expressions, gestures, posture, voice and movement. No individual photograph can represent all of that.

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