Facemask Wearing Tips

Alright y'all, this is coming all the way down from the top elites: "Facemasks required in all Minnesota indoor businesses and public indoor spaces."

Luckily I've had some practice wearing my mask around town and have gotten some friendly tips from friends, family, and while surfing the web. So I'm here to pass them along.

But first, some important don'ts...

Facemask Don'ts

Don't #1 Chinstraping:

I have always been a fan of chinstraps. They keep head-wear on, they help with TMJ, and they look pretty stylish.

Unfortunately, as hip as it may be, you aren't helping anyone with that jaw hammock. Andrew Cuomo said it best:

Don't #2 Free Nose

I'd be lying if I said I didn't like a big schnoz, and now I have an accessory to highlight my greatest feature!

But...

Turns out this is also a no no. Noses are for sneezing and boogies so cover them up!

Don't #3 Birdie mask

Last but not least, please please don't do whatever this is:

Facemask Tips

Alright, with that out of the way, lets get to some real tips!

Tip #1 Foggy Glasses

As many of you know breath and glass don't go well together. While I'm wearing my mask with a pair of glasses or sunglasses my breath is consistently fogging up the lenses!

What's a person to do? Hold their breath?

Luckily, a friend of mine gave me the perfect solution. Move your glasses about a half inch away from your face so the bottom sits on the facemask itself. The air from your breath will pass straight up into the sky and keep your glasses foggy free. Just, maybe don't drop them too low.

Tip #2 Headband Clips

If you are like me, you have suffered from facemask elf ears. Those dang straps pull on your ears and they stick out like an elephant. Plus all my essential workers out there know, after a long day of wearing your mask, those straps start to dig in and rub my ears raw. My momma always said, "If you make that face, it'll stay that way." Could we be a generation stuck forever with elephant ears?

No!

Some grand innovator came up with this fancy idea! By putting these buttons on the side of your headband, you can take the weight off your ears!

Super fashionable and totally DIY for those of you with some extra thread and buttons laying around!

Check them out!

Tip #3 Facemask Strap Clips

Now for those of you who are not feeling like wearing a headband all day, have no fear, there is still a way to save your ears! Introducing facemask strap clips! Now you may have referred to them as clips, hooks, extenders, or in this innovative woman's case, a paper clip, but really they all serve the same purpose, keeping those pesky straps away from your beautiful ears.

Now you could just buy some masks that go over your head and strap in the back, but what a hassle and detriment to your well groomed hair.

Facemask strap clips are an inexpensive way to drastically improve your mask wearing experience. I love using them when I need to spend the day in the warehouse. Plus they make a really sharp addition to any companies covid-era apparel with an sharp logo.

Check them out!

Tip #4 Straw Holes

Alright, now hear me out. A while ago I saw a mask come across my desk that had a little flap with a hole in it for a straw and I thought, "What a silly stupid idea." But then a NJ hard seltzer company started making and promoting them and they got a lot of business. It was then I decided to revisit the straw hole mask.

Now, these masks are not the best for every day use, but they are extremely effective at bars or during happy-hour. While out I hate taking my mask off, having a sip of my drink, putting my mask back on, and then rinsing and repeating all night. I could just store my mask under my chin, but the straps tend to fly off and the CDC has said that is not sanitary. With this, I keep everyone safe around me and can regularly enjoy my drink. Having this little mask for bars is a great way to help slow the spread!

Tip #3.5 Companion Piece

Now If you're worried about looking strange sipping through a straw, these make great companion pieces for the straw hole masks.

-Or-

Take this tip from Mac and Charlie.

Tip #5 Windowed Facemasks

I truly do miss seeing people's faces and have been finding it progressively harder to understand people without being able to see their mouths. That's why lots of companies have opted to use Windowed Facemasks.

Now when looking for windowed facemasks it's important to make sure the clear part of the mask is made with something called "polyethylene terephthalate," or PET for short! It's a polyester used in plastic bottles and clothes that is fog proof. Just to keep your mask window nice and clean.

Check them out!

Tip #6 Valve Facemasks

Now these are some cool looking masks. They look super sharp and techy. These masks are great for filtering out air coming into your mask and are much easier to breath with than a standard mask.

However

It's important to note that these masks are not super effective at filtering your exhaled air. For this reason many states, cities, and stores have banned the use of these masks in their stores. If you have one though, not all is lost. While not 100% effective, they are great for those who are looking for a breathable mask to use while at the gym or walking around a busy park. Just like I have a mask for the bars, I use this kind of mask for exercise, because while it's not perfect, it's better than wearing nothing at all.

Tip #7 Facemask containers

I cannot tell you how many times I have been on my way to the store and have forgotten my mask at home. Then I need to either coyly ask for one at the door or drive all the way back home. Needless to say, it's a regular struggle.

Obviously someone else was having this same problem and came up with a mask that could fit into a keychain case! Just like the underwear in a tin, these masks fold up and can easily be kept with your keys, on your backpack, or your water bottle. Super easy solution to keep your mask close and clean.

Tip #8 Antimicrobial Masks

When looking for masks to buy, make sure that they have some sort of antimicrobial lining or solution in them. While this may not kill the corona virus outright, it can help your mask stay cleaner and bacteria free for longer. Antimicrobial linings help kill bacteria from your hands and keep them from forming in areas of the mask that may get damp from breath. These kinds of masks are easy to find and go a long way for promoting your own health.

Final Thoughts

And that brings us to the end of my mask tips. Now there's no excuse! So get out their and sport your fashion face accessories with pomp and pizzazz!

If you have any tips for facemasks or know of any fun facemask accessories please leave a comment!