We both enjoy multiple positions, but when I can’t directly look him in the eyes in some positions, I’m curious about whether he actually likes it or not! I decided to use the mirror to investigate and as it turns out, I loved the experience.
We looked incredibly hot, and it helped me understand that he loves me for me. How my body looked didn’t really matter to him and honestly, it shouldn’t matter to me all that much either.
Still, I love my body more now. I feel more confident overall wearing clothes without being picky about whether they show the shape of my little love handles, or if they make my arms seem slightly flabby. I still see things about my body in the mirror that I want to improve, but the feeling that I need to fix them is less pervasive. Now, the mirror for sex is solely for me to see his enjoyment.
Victoria, 24, London
During my teenage years, I was extremely skinny and often body-shamed by friends and family, leading to body image issues. Around the age of 17, I took nudes for the first time and shared them with someone who appreciated my body, which shifted my perspective.
Over time, I realized I was turned on by this. I started masturbating and taking nudes in front of a mirror, which eventually extended into the bedroom. This experience completely transformed how I viewed myself. Initially, it was strange seeing myself have sex, but it grew to be more comfortable and affirming. Despite my insecurity about my body, seeing how much my partner desired me helped shatter those negative beliefs.
While this has improved my self-image during sexual situations, it hasn’t significantly changed how I feel about my body outside of them. I still struggle with body image issues, but in the bedroom, the confidence boost is undeniable.
I used to be very insecure about my breasts, thinking they were too small. However, seeing my partner appreciate them during mirror sex made me feel wanted and more confident. The visual aspect of this experience is powerful—there’s a big difference between hearing someone telling you they like your body and actually seeing them enjoy it.
I do want to say that despite enjoying mirror sex, it can sometimes trigger negative feelings about my body. For instance, I once started criticizing my stomach during sex, which made me stop [having sex]. I’ve felt that this usually happens when I’m PMSing, so I avoid it during those times and re-engage only when I’m in a better mental headspace.
Carla, 40, New England
The first time, my boyfriend and I rented an AirBnB that just so happened to have mirrors in the bedroom—one full length by the closet and one behind the bed. As soon as he saw them, he was grinning from ear to ear and I was clueless. I couldn’t figure out why he was so excited.