Vanity
Vanity is similar to pride, but it involves an excessive admiration of oneself because of one's real or imaginary skills, talents, accomplishments, or appearance. Pride in physical appearance can border with narcissism.
Somebody who boasts much or spends an unreasonable amount of time tending to their looks is likely to be described as vain.
If a person writes a book, but is unable to find a publisher, they have the option of paying a vanity press to make the book for them. The implication is that only the person's vanity justifies the book's publication, since if it were worthwhile, someone would be willing to pay the author.
See also: vanitas, Vanity Fair.
"Vanity 6" is the performance name of a female singing trio (and its lead member) from the 80s. Discovered by Prince their biggest hits were "Nasty Girl" and "Pretty Mess." Their trademark was explicit sexuality in their lyrics, performances and attire. Lead singer Vanity, whose real name is Denise Matthews, became a born-again Christian in the mid 1990s.
A vanity is a dressing table used to apply makeup, preen and coif hair. It normally is a low table simlar to a desk with drawers and one or more mirrors atop. Either a chair or bench is used to sit upon.
However, a vanity mirror is not generally the mirror from a vanity, but a portable or convenient small mirror, such as that sometimes found on the rear of a car's passenger side sun screen.
