A long, comforting shower is one of the simple pleasures in life. To be able to take care of your cleansing and shaving needs all in one swoop is even better. Without seeing where you're zipping that razor, shaving in a shower can be a hazardous experience.

It doesn't need to be. You can use a fogless shaving mirror. With one of these mirrors, you can perform that ultra-close shave that shower steam promotes.

You may wonder how a mirror remains fogless for a long time. Some can't. Fogless shaving mirrors that employ non-fog coating over their glass eventually wear and degrade. After a time they fog up like any regular mirror does. When this happens, they're useless.

Mirrors that use a different technology constantly deliver the performance a shower shaver seeks. A mirror that employs the shower's own warm water as a temperature-controlled fog deterrent works the best. A mirror with holding cells for warm water, housed behind the glass face of an apparatus, provides this function.

As the shower runs, this style of mirror is taken in hand and held vertically under the shower stream. This allows the reservoir cells to fill up with warm water. This warm water heats the glass face from behind. The glass face warms to the proper temperature, to match the water and shower environment's temperature. When this happens, the fog forming on the mirror dissipates. There is no difference of temperature between the shaving mirror face and the interior of the shower.

Therefore, there is no fog. It's the law of physics in action, which produces this result, and it works no matter how many times you need it. Because this process does not involve chemicals, there is no breakdown of film coatings to worry about.

When looking to buy a fogless shaving mirror, consider durability along with anti-fog features. While many models on the market stick or fasten securely to tile or other surfaces, they can and do slip off. You want one that can handle a plummet down to the bathtub floor without shattering into pieces. You also want one that can take an elbow or two as you maneuver in a confined shower space.

You also want a fogless shaving mirror that attaches easily to a tile surface or shower fixture. You don't want to be fumbling with hooks, fasteners or other gadgets. You want to give a quick press, so it sticks to a surface with vacuum pressure. You also want it to fasten easily, so you can easily unfasten it for cleaning and for refilling the water cells.

Another key thing to look for in a fogless shaving mirror is one with no moving parts, especially metal; the more moving parts, the more chance of malfunction or breakage. In addition, moving metal parts rust, corrode and eventually weaken the mirror. This causes the mirror to breakdown, possibly fall down into the tub, and become damaged.

A quality fogless shaving mirror is portable. You don't want some permanently fixed monstrosity in your shower. It's a simple shaving mirror, not a piece of furniture. You should be able to remove it quickly and stick it in a suitcase compartment or overnight bag for when you travel.

Consider price when purchasing a fogless shaving mirror. You don't really need to pay a lot of money for some gadget that has attachments, holders and other things. You're in the shower to wash and shave, and shaving requires clear glass big enough to show your face; that's all you need.

However, don't buy something less than the price of a pair of cheap socks. You get what you pay for and may end up with a contraption that falls, cracks and smashes after a couple of uses.

Consider a fogless shaving mirror to make your shower and shaving experience comfortable. Many types are available on the market today. A mirror that utilizes warm-water technology is a better alternative to non-fog coatings that don't last. Remember, your face depends on it.