Adding an illuminated mirror to your bathroom can be a great idea, especially if you experience trouble shaving those hard-to-reach areas or spend lots of time applying makeup. That said, you'll need to take the following steps to ensure that your illuminated bathroom mirror does its job as effectively as possible.

1. Get All Angles Covered

Probably the most important thing to do when you're looking for an illuminated bathroom mirror is to make sure that it is illuminated along all sides. Some models, usually those at the cheaper end of the spectrum, only provide lighting along one or two sides. If only the bottom or only the top of the mirror provides illumination, or if only the sides are lit, odd shadows will be cast on your face and you won't be able to use the mirror very effectively. Even if you need to pay a little bit more, you really need lighting along all sides.  

2. Look for LED

LED bulbs are ideal for use in illuminated mirrors. This is partially because they direct light very evenly, creating ideal lighting for putting on makeup or shaving. Additionally, LED bulbs can be counted upon to last for a very long time; in fact, they are predicted to last between 15,000 and 50,000 hours, so you won't need to worry about replacing burnt out bulbs anytime in the near future. LED bulbs also generate very little heat, so you won't find yourself starting to bake when you're close to the mirror for long periods.

3. Go Strip Instead of Bulb

Another great reason to look for LED lighting is that LEDs are usually easy to lay down behind a strip. Individual bulbs might provide the classic Hollywood appearance that so many people look for in an illuminated mirror, but strip lighting is a lot more effective. It helps provide more even lighting, and it won't protrude as much to get in the way.

4. Consider Positioning

Finally, make sure you think about the position of your illuminated bathroom mirror. Ideally, you want to hang it so that natural light doesn't interfere. If light is going to be coming in from either the left or the right, that light is going to disrupt the balance of light on your face. If the light is coming in from directly behind, it's going to reflect right into your eyes. If possible, try to install your illuminated mirror on the same wall as your bathroom window to avoid such issues.

Bathroom mirrors are necessary in any form, but seriously consider an illuminated mirror for greater ease of use.

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