6 of the best lighting systems to help you capture a perfect selfie

Neewer Ring Light Kit

First up on the list is pick from Robert Welsh, a professional makeup artist with over 320,000 YouTube subscribers who makes it his goal, as he states in every video, “to help you become a pro yourself, or just someone who’s really good at makeup.” He turns a full glam look like none other, but still focuses on makeup theory to make sure skin looks like skin, natural beauty is enhanced, and no one leaves his chair or channel looking overly caked or baked.

“I personally really like the Neewer LED ring lights that can be found on Amazon,” Robert told us of his longtime go-to for lighting pictures and videos. “They are so much more affordable than most ring lights and are incredible quality for the price. I’ve had mine for many years now.” Robert’s word means a lot, but it should also be noted that 85% of Amazon buyers feel the same way and left a five star review saying so. Some of the most frequently used phrases in describing it include “easy to assemble,” “highly recommend,” and “social media,” so you can bet others are swooping up the Neewer to look their best online.

Also worth noting is that, unless you’re going super-pro, you won’t need to upgrade to an expensive camera to get these benefits. Robert continues: “It definitely gives your pictures more of a professional look, whether you’re using a phone or camera. I’ve also found on some cameras it gives a filter-like finish when you dim the ring light slightly!” The full kit we’ve linked below includes the light and stand, white and orange color filters, a smart phone holder, and plenty more to give you everything you need to get snapping.

Neewer 2 Pack Dimmable Bi-Color 480 LED Video Light and Stand Lighting Kit

Our next MUA is Annie Cherry, whose Instagram has nearly 69,000 followers and shows off looks ranging from the experimental and avant garde to the more traditionally glamorous, “Insta-ready” type looks. Her selfies and shots of clients show off an endless stream of colorful, smoky, and clean looks, all lit beautifully to capture the depth of skill involved in their creation.

Annie is also on the Neewer train, but her choice is just a touch more expensive than Robert’s and (according to reviews) works best in portrait photography and cinematography. According to Annie, “I use two as I find two sources of light works best for selfies, but I also use them for my professional work as well. They’re fully adjustable brightness and the white or yellow light feature is perfect, too, as being able to control your light source is another huge tip to getting the best outcome for your pictures.”

She notes the lights are durable, user-friendly, and “100% worth the investment,” and she uses them for Instagram pictures, client work, and her video content: “I can’t recommend them enough!” 90% of customers on Amazon reported similar levels of satisfaction with the product, with the top review calling them an “Outstanding value for the price.”

Glamcor Brilliant Mirror

Shanzey Amin is Canada’s National Director for beloved cosmetics brand Anastasia Beverly Hills. One look at Shanzey’s Instagram and you can see her many years of experience as an international makeup artist has not only taught her how to make any face look its best, she knows the importance of lighting those looks properly to showcase the client’s, and her own, best side.

Her choice for best lighting comes to us from high-end company Glamco, whose products range from the Brilliant Mirror seen here up to the six-foot tall Fortune & Fame Mirror for customers looking for full-body radiance. When browsing her photos, you can see how Glamco’s promises for adjustable color temperature and independently controllable light rows capture expertly placed highlight and contour to bring out every artist’s skills from the freshest amateur to the most seasoned pro. If the investment seems a bit steep but you’re tempted, you can take comfort in the five-year warranty and environmentally friendly LED technology that goes into creating each of these masterpieces.

UMsky Selfie Ring Light

Natalia Urbina is a New York City nail artist at Brooklyn salon Local Honey, and her Instagram is stacked with incredible up-close images at the painstakingly detailed and pristine work she churns out with every appointment. Rhinestones and clean lines aside, a good light is key to capturing just how clean she leaves the clients’ cuticles–a huge indicator of a quality tech.

For a more accessible light that even the casual social media presence can appreciate, Natalia dropped us a line about the UMsky Selfie Ring Light and says: “It’s small, rechargeable, has different levels of brightness, and comes with a charger for many devices.” One of the best advantages here is also the affordability. At just under $10 after shipping (for Prime customers), the UMsky is nearly impossible to beat. You might expect a product this low-cost to be filed under the “you get what you paid for” category, but 82% of customers gave it four or five stars, meaning some things might not be too good to be true after all.

Rotolight RL48-B Stealth HD LED Ringlight

When talking about lighting and photographs, there's no one better to go to than a photographer, particularly one who focuses on human subjects and specializes in transforming and capturing each subject at various complex emotional states? Our next expert does just that and goes by Most Exalted, or C. Rasputin, and gave us a simple, versatile option to create a fantastic image each time.

“For ring lights there are a few things you need to consider: The size of the light, its portability, and the power source will all make a difference,” he tells us when explaining why he went with the Rotolight out of a market filled with endless, often confusing options. “This is one that's a little more versatile and aimed towards video bloggers who aren't only doing selfie work, but it could also work for that.” Most Amazon reviews lean toward a positive experience, and the very reasonable price point sits right between the UMsky and Neewer kits.

Decute 500 LED Fairy Lights Warm White 164ft Silver Wire String Lights

Plenty of folks have made repetitive jokes about turning to online services like OnlyFans to pad their income while the economy takes a serious nosedive but as plenty already know, the world of online sex work has been a booming industry for years, and models and workers who thoughtfully invest in their content have a serious leg up on their stiff competition. Ramona Flour is one such model with a healthy Instagram following of 35,000+ and a feed full of stunning snapshots, and her suggestion lends an unexpected twist to the more standard options you see above.

“If you are just getting started as an online sex worker investing hundreds of dollars in professional lighting and a DSLR camera isn’t advisable,” she tells us. “I think people work best with what they have.” She went on to explain how resourcefulness is key when getting started in a creative field, especially when you’re modeling or presenting yourself online in a certain light and eventually hope to monetize your image.

One of Ramona’s best and cheapest additions to any prospective tool kit is LED fairy lights. “There is a reason you see fairy lights in almost all of the top models’ rooms. Yes, aesthetic, but notice how small investments in string lights can draw attention from the foreground to the back of the webcam’s eye. That is to encourage the eye to wander and “see” more of the set.”

She also explains the necessity of using “at least three different light sources” to prevent any unflattering shadows from being cast throughout the image, so with a quick set of lights like the Decutes above, you’re well on your way to setting, and brightening, the scene.