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From: (Don Klipstein)

. net, Paul R wrote:
I have looked and looked at all online incandescent light bulb sellers
that pop up in Google, have gone to Home Depot and Lowe's, Wal-Mart and
K-Mart, etc., but have been unable to find a 25-watt small base
incandescent light bulb I need. All I find are either 10 or 15-watt
small base or 25-watt intermediate (or medium) base. I help out a small
local theater group and the bulbs are needed for the make-up mirrors
that are installed in their dressing rooms. Anything smaller than
25-watts just won't do. Too dark.

All the mirrors we installed originally came with the 25w bulbs and have
been, up to now, easily replaced. The last time I had to buy some I
didn't have any problems, for the bulbs were easily available at all the
DIY stores. Never a question. This time, however, it seems that this
wattage is no longer being made, or at least easily available, for small
base bulbs (??).

Does anyone have a clue?

Shop around the hardware stores. I can usually find candelabra base
bulbs in 25, 40 and 60 watts at hardware stores. You may have to say the
words "candelabra base" for web searching.
There are two other similar-size small base sizes, miniature (mostly
low voltage ones such as some bulbs for battery powered lanterns, a few
flashlight bulbs and some indicator lamps) and miniature-candelabra
("mini-can", less common in the USA, used for a few halogen lamps).
"Chandalier bulbs" and "night light bulbs" in the USA have the base size
known as "candelabra".

Also, please do not call the intermediate base "medium" - "medium" is
the same size that is also called "edison", about 1 inch in diameter.
There are in the USA two larger sizes: Mogul (about 1.5 inches in
diameter) and a less common one called "admedium", slightly larger than
"medium" and used on some mercury vapor lamps. Intermediate and medium
are different base sizes - at least in the USA.

- Don Klipstein )

Check HD and Lowe's again. Only this time, look BEHIND the racks of whatever
wattages you do find. They'll re-stock all of the same wattage on every peg
with a bulb that looks the same in every respect except for the actual wattage.

I have 16 of those theater-style "golf-ball" bulbs, candelabra base around one
of my bathroom mirrors. No problem getting them at HD in 15, 25, and 40 watt
versions. In either clear or frosted.