* This isn’t a sponsored post or a paid ad. I’m sharing my honest experience using the Godox MA5R during a real beauty shoot. While I do have a discount code (godoxriette) you can use, it doesn’t affect what I think of the gear - I just really liked it and thought it was worth sharing :)

As a portrait and beauty photographer, I'm always looking for ways to streamline my setup without sacrificing quality. Whether I'm shooting full editorial campaigns or quick model photos for makeup artists, lighting is everything. Recently, I did a beauty shoot for my friend Tash, a talented makeup artist, using my Canon R6 and 85mm f/2 lens. While we were busy capturing the main images, I took a moment to test out the Godox MA5R with my iPhone 16 Pro Max, and I was blown away. The images from the phone, lit by this tiny but powerful RGB light, were crisp, flattering, and perfect for social media.

In this post, I'll walk you through what the Godox MA5R is, how it performs in a real-world beauty shoot, and why it's a must-have for both photographers and makeup artists who want reliable, portable lighting.

What is the Godox MA5R?

The Godox MA5R is a sleek, ultra-thin RGB LED light with MagSafe mounting that attaches directly to your phone. It's designed for creators on the go, but it packs serious power, whether you're shooting iPhone portraits, filming BTS clips, or quickly lighting studio photos on location.

It's also a dual-purpose device; not only is it a light source, but it doubles as a wireless power bank for your phone. That makes it perfect for long days on set or shooting content back-to-back

Beauty Portraits with the Godox MA5R and iPhone 16 Pro Max

During the shoot, I attached the MA5R to my iPhone 16 Pro Max and used it for a few spontaneous portraits. The MagSafe connection made setup instant; no stands, clamps, or modifiers needed. I positioned the MA5R at a 45-degree angle to Zoë, our model's face, and adjusted the colour temperature to around 5000K. The result? A soft, flattering glow that highlighted her makeup beautifully, without overexposing the skin or adding unnecessary warmth.

Note: When testing on a smaller iPhone, we noticed that the diffusion dome overlapped the camera slightly, which caused part of it to be visible in the image.

Quick fix: We repositioned the MA5R just above the phone rather than directly behind it. Shooting from this angle still gave us gorgeous, even light without blocking the lens.

Canon R6 vs iPhone 16 using MA5R — Tash taking a photo of a Zoë using the MA5R

These images were perfect for social media:

• Quick turnaround

• On-brand colour

• Professional polish without a full camera rig

I later edited the phone shots using Evoto and Lightroom Classic on desktop, but honestly, if you want to keep everything mobile, Lightroom Mobile does a fantastic job too.

Beauty portrait comparison: Canon R6 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max with Godox MA5R — Canon R6 vs iPhone 16 using MA5R

Here's what you're getting with the MA5R:

• CCT range: 1800K-10000K

• Max brightness run time: 3h40min

• MagSafe mount (or magnetic ring for Android users)

• RGB and FX modes (14 creative effects)

• Built-in selfie lamp: 2800K-6500K

• 2-in-1: LED + Wireless charging power bank

It's powerful enough to handle close-up beauty work and compact enough to fit in your makeup kit or camera bag.

When you unbox the Godox MA5R, you'll find:

• 1 MA5R RGB LED Light

• 1 USB-C charging cable

• 1 Magnetic ring (for non-MagSafe phones)

• 1 Diffusion Dome

• User manual

It's minimal and clean, exactly what you want from a portable light that's meant to be used on-the-go.

Behind-the-scenes: using MA5R RGB light for beauty portraits

Here's why I think it belongs in every creative's kit:

• MagSafe compatibility: Instant mounting, no accessories required

• Full RGB + CCT control: Match any lighting environment

• FX Modes: Great for video content and creative lighting setups

• Thin + lightweight: Only 13mm thick and 164g

• Wireless charging: Keeps your phone powered while on set

• Perfect for iPhone or Android content creators

• Ideal for makeup artists who want to snap their work on set

Does it hold up?

While an iPhone will never replace a professional camera, and a small portable light can't compete with a powerful constant light, the MA5R exceeded my expectations. As someone who has used everything from big softboxes to panel LEDs, I wasn't expecting a phone-sized light to deliver this kind of softness and versatility. But in practice, the Godox MA5R produces beautiful skin tones, subtle falloff, and enough brightness to light a full beauty portrait, even indoors. It's not just a backup. It's a tool you'll actually reach for whether you're doing behind-the-scenes content, quick model headshots, or grabbing content in a tight studio space. If you're a makeup artist, it's the perfect tool to photograph your looks as soon as you're done.

Final Thoughts + Discount Code

The Godox MA5R is the definition of small but mighty. It fits in your hand, works seamlessly with your iPhone, and gives you true studio-quality results on the go. If you're a portrait or beauty photographer or makeup artist who's ready to level up your phone photography, this is the upgrade you need.

Use the code godoxriette at checkout to get a 5% discount on the MA5R and other gear from Godox South Africa.

Want to see it in action? Check out my YouTube video where I do a full unboxing and first impressions.

HMUA: Tash

Model: Zoë

Why You Need the Godox MA5R in Your Makeup Kit & Photography Bag