Size – the first point to consider is the size of the mirror itself and the size of the whole product.  Both must be suitable for the room it is to be placed in and the needs of the person who will be using it.  For example, whilst a 12 inch mirror may be cheaper (for example, if it were in a sale), the full size of the product, including the base and frame, may exceed 15 inches.  This would be unsuitable for a room where a mirror of only 6 inches is required, as not only will it take up too much space, but the extra inches will be unwanted and therefore wasted.

Design – the actual aesthetics of a vanity mirror play a large part in the purchasing process for many.  Especially in terms of use in a bedroom, the mirror should look part of the room and be as fitting as possible to where it is to be situated.  A prime example would be for use on a dressing table.  It would be inappropriate, aesthetically, to purchase a gold framed and based mirror if the majority of the dressing table was based around silver.

Base or fixings – one of the main points to consider that is often overlooked are the fixings or base that comes with the mirror.  Depending on the type of mirror required and where it is to be placed depends on the type of fixings or base that is required.  A mirror that is for the bathroom wall, for example, requires the correct fixings for it to be attached securely to a tiled wall.  However, a mirror for a bedroom dressing table will often only require a sturdy base to ensure that it is not easily knocked over.

Rotating mirror – useful for all uses of vanity mirrors, a rotating mirror allows the person using it to get the best reflection possible.  Depending on the light that is being used in the room, the reflection on the mirror can be terrible and can make the mirror impossible to use.  Therefore if the mirror is moveable, it can be adjusted to ensure it is in the best possible position for when it is being used.  Furthermore, many moveable mirrors have a second mirror on the back that often provides a larger reflection – perfect for more close up work, such as precision shaving.

One of the major points to consider when purchasing a vanity mirror for the bathroom is the size.  Although large sizes are available, the smaller sizes are regularly considered to be the best.  Between 6 and 8 inches wide, these mirrors allow for the utmost flexibility when carrying out all tasks and make maneuverability extremely easy.

Further to the size, the fixings that are supplied are one of the most valuable points to note.  As a large amount of bathrooms have tiled walls, the mirror should be able to be easily fixed to them and all of the necessary parts should be supplied.  Furthermore, the weight of the mirror should be considered as mirrors that are too large or heavy may cause problems with the fixings or – although it is rare – the wall itself.

Many modern day mirrors are being manufactured and sold as steam proof.  This is a fantastic quality for any bathroom mirror and as it is growing in popularity, the price is falling considerably.  The idea behind a steam proof mirror is that it can be used immediately after a shower or bath, unlike a large amount of bathroom mirrors that have to wait until the bathroom has cleared of any steam to be used effectively.

The maneuverability of the mirror can often be a selling point for many.  Available on many vanity mirrors, a rotating mirror for a bathroom is a fantastic asset as it allows the mirror to be moved to the most suitable position when being used.  This is extremely useful when shaving, as the mirror can be maneuvered so the full face can be viewed easily, as well as being able to me moved out of the reflection of any light which can often obscure the view in the mirror.  Furthermore, most rotating mirrors actually have two mirrors – a standard mirror on one side and a larger reflection mirror on the reverse.  Although not used on a daily basis, the larger reflection mirror allows for the user of the mirror to carry out close up tasks, such as eyelash curling or specific shaving, much easier, as they can see more of the area that is being used.