Wear a Mask (and look cute while you do it!)
I have been wearing a face mask, Covid style, since the beginning of our country’s lock down. At this point, I do not even think about grabbing a mask, it has become a part of my daily routine. At work, I have to wear a mask for most of my day, so I had to go on a scavenger hunt for ones I could wear comfortably. Maskne is a whole other subject, but I needed masks that are breathable and that stay on my face without having to yank it up over my nose constantly. I have been on the hunt for all these months for the best masks on the market. There have been A LOT of shipping delays, fails, some masks I loved until I washed them for the first time, and then there are the masks that I can wear all day!
I will start off by sharing the FAILS!
These brands are a NO from me:
- Target – I tried Wild Fable because it is a brand I love from Target. And look how stinkin’ cute this one is!! You know I was sold as soon as I saw hot pink and leopard print! I am not a big fan of the tie masks in general, but I thought I would give it a try based on the cuteness factor and the fact that a lot of people have raved about Targets’ masks. I was sad to admit I hated it. The straps do not stay secure no matter how tight I tied them. I even tied a knot and cut off the excess string, but I still couldn’t make it work. I also initially liked this mask because it said it fit to your face with a wire on the top strip. Found out it is not actually wire, but instead it is a cheap piece of plastic and does not conform to your face at all. You can make a slight bend around your nose but it is in no way secure to your nose. Yes, there are other masks and Target brands available (they have a whole wall at some stores!) but they are all the same low price point and I am sure the same low quality.
- Nordstrom – These cute masks come in a 4 pack! I really wanted to like these because they are so cute and I was seeing them all over social media, as influencers’ favorite masks and the best bargain. I had the same problem with these as the Target mask with the ties. Maybe they will work for some of you but I am just not a fan of tie masks. These ones also sit weird on your face. Mine pointed out oddly and made me resemble a duck. I am not a fan of the duck face!
- Old Navy – I love the variety of the designs that all of Old Navy’s mask packs come in! I loved these floral prints and shades of pink. I actually love the adjustable yet stretchy ear pieces. I do like these still, but they do not wash well. With each wash, they got more and more uncomfortable; pilling and falling apart. Once again with a low price point that is to be expected; They just did not work for me. I wear masks everyday so I need ones that will hold up with weekly washings. If you wear your masks minimally these are a good colorful option for you!
- Rothy’s – If you are not familiar with Rothy’s brand, they are a sustainable company known for their comfortable shoes. They are super comfortable shoes made with eco-friendly materials and are machine wash friendly! When I heard they came out with their own masks, I was excited that I found the perfect mask finally! While they are lightweight and breathable, Rothy’s masks are way too thin. These masks are a hard pass.
- Brixton – I was SO happy when I found a black mask with actual black lining too! Super soft and comfortable, but unfortunately just so big. This mask hangs off of my face and the ear pieces are fabric rather than elastic so there is no give. They are also reversible! I do still wear this one but only when I am in the office, since it does not form to my face. They now come in 4 packs, if you order from their website. I bought mine individually from Nordstrom.
- Vera Bradley (only because of their inconsistency!) – Vera Bradley masks are the masks I have had the longest. They are super lightweight, have removable filters, stretchy ear pieces, reasonably priced and so many pattern options. I honestly love them and I wear the one all the time. I give these a fail because even though the website says one size, all of the ones I receive are various sizes. One of the ones I received was so large, it not only covered my mouth and nose but went up over my eyes too!
Vera Bradley masks are too inconsistent for me to recommend them.
So the criteria for a good mask to me consists of: lightweight, comfy and fits my smaller head. The above masks did not check off one of these boxes, if not all of them!
These are the brands I love and highly recommend!
- Kitsch – These are my everyday masks! I usually wear these to work, super breathable, comfy, stretches to face and can wear glasses with them! Wearing my blue light glasses is important for my work days so that is an important check box for me! Super affordable too. They sell these at Ulta, Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack, as well as their own website. I highly recommend Kitsch!
- Slip – This mask is definitely pricey but it is my special occasion mask. It is silk and double sided with elastic adjustable ear loops. It forms to your face and is great quality. I use it minimally because silk obviously should not be over-washed like the cotton masks can be. This mask is minimal on rubbing off your makeup, making it the perfect choice for date night or an outdoor wedding! These are pricey but definitely worth it.
- Sanctuary – I saved the best for last. These Sanctuary masks have a built-in filter (you can wash them with this in!), a wire nose piece, the BEST pattern choices, elastic ear pieces and incredibly breathable. I wore one of these for a two hour meeting and was completely fine! They do separate a little from their filters after a lot of washes but there is no pilling on the fabric so they still remain comfortable on your skin.
The Sanctuary and Kitsch masks are the only masks I have repurchased, and repurchased more than once!
To see if a lightweight mask is effective, the most popular rule of thumb is the light test—hold it up to sunlight and see if the weave is tight enough to block the light. All three of my recommended masks pass this test. Rothy’s masks failed the light test. The light literally shines right through their mask.
There are so many styles for masks available, it is easy to find one that is right for you! Get creative and make your own even!!! I have some pretty interesting DIY masks using items you already have at home (including maxi pads!), so the options are endless. Get creative like the Disney Princesses, or my neighbor that uses a maxi pad!
