mask-o-tronica with minor updates
May. 15th, 2020 01:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
phosfateTwo of the masks I ordered have turned up, so I thought I would write up my mask experience so far.
(Note: if your skin is in any way sensitive, masks will scrape a layer off and there's nothing you can do except moisturize. Make-up will be destroyed, so get used to just doing your eyes.)
First is a laser-cut thick spandexy material from...ebay? Amazon?
Pros: It is light, fits well, easy to put on and off, makes you look a bit like Diabolik, and seems to keep the horrible coronadamp in. If you have a laser cutter you can get a pattern of etsy for US$.70 and make fresh ones whenever you like. If you don't, you can get a hand-cut pattern for about the same. No idea if they make one for Cricut.
Cons: Keeps the horrible coronadamp in so well that no matter how much you've brushed or minted, you will taste your own breath for as long as it's on. I sat on the bus bench outside Target waiting for a cab with my groceries and drank a bottle of chocolate milk because I hadn't had dinner. Imagine the smell of chocolate baby spew. Good for short trips but maybe not all day. I'd hand wash because I don't trust the ear holes to hold.
Second new one is a snazzy handmade Pokeball mask from Snowtigra on Etsy.
I've had it for all of two days and it's easily the best mask I own. I got the Pokeball fabric, which is bright and cheerful and so far makes people on public transport leave me alone. It's thick yet breathable, the cotton absorbs coronafog rather than returning it to you, it covers nose to chin, doesn't dig in my ears, and I can wear it for a long time without wanting to claw my face off. I'd hand wash because the elastic is the kind meant for lingerie, and there's a nose wire inside to keep the shape.
Bandana and hairband mask:
Instructions on cdc.gov. Pros: Easy to make, requires no sewing, but if you don't have bandanas in the house you may be out of luck unless you can cut up a cotton shirt. This mask totally does the job, but will be much more comfortable on your face if you can press the folds. If you don't have an iron, put it under a pile of books overnight.
Cons: If you don't have hairbands, you should be able to find a card of them at the drug store for $2-$5 depending on the quantity and colors. People have reported difficulty if they also wear glasses, but etsy and ebay both offer very inexpensive band extenders so you can stretch the elastic behind your head instead. Easy to disassemble and toss the bandana in the washer, then re-fold. (UPDATE: Drives the beagle next door apeshit, but most things do.)
Hacked up T-shirt mask:
Instructions also on CDC.gov, and there are videos on youtube as well.
Pros: Very easy to make - just a shirt, a pair of scissors, and two minutes. Horizontal designs/stripes are easiest to cut. Can be adjusted if you cut it too big. Ties on. (If you can't bear to destroy a shirt of your own, the cheapass shirts from the grocery store or drug store work perfectly well. If you feel like being more stylin', I recommend the kids' clearance at Target where you can find dinosaurs or phases of the Moon. Don't buy anything with thick silkscreen or heat-sealed rubber because you may die.)
Cons: Ties may not hold if your hair is very slick. I have to make a pony or sloppy bun get shit done and tie the ties to that - also it fits tighter if you put the lower ties over the pony or the top of your head, which is counterintuitive. Sucker stays on but taking it off involves swearing. Can probably go in the washer on gentle/hand wash.
Mystery molded mask from an ancient emergency kit Patti found somewhere in the office:
Pros: No idea how good it is, but it does the keep-your-breath-in thing, so I assume it's at least slightly effective. Easy to take on and off.
Cons: Perfect for your tiny mouth inhabitants to breed. Will eventually decay. Easy to crush in your bag. Use it if it's all you got. (UPDATE: I crushed it in my bag.)
Coming eventually: Tube masks, those Chinese masks from Amazon that are on a boat somewhere, Aziraphale plaid mask from Italy, and custom Redbubble masks that are starting to ship.
Not coming even though I really really want it: Full-head Spider-Gwen cosplay mask, and upcoming Marvel tube masks unless they change their minds and add a damn girl.
(Note: if your skin is in any way sensitive, masks will scrape a layer off and there's nothing you can do except moisturize. Make-up will be destroyed, so get used to just doing your eyes.)
First is a laser-cut thick spandexy material from...ebay? Amazon?
Pros: It is light, fits well, easy to put on and off, makes you look a bit like Diabolik, and seems to keep the horrible coronadamp in. If you have a laser cutter you can get a pattern of etsy for US$.70 and make fresh ones whenever you like. If you don't, you can get a hand-cut pattern for about the same. No idea if they make one for Cricut.
Cons: Keeps the horrible coronadamp in so well that no matter how much you've brushed or minted, you will taste your own breath for as long as it's on. I sat on the bus bench outside Target waiting for a cab with my groceries and drank a bottle of chocolate milk because I hadn't had dinner. Imagine the smell of chocolate baby spew. Good for short trips but maybe not all day. I'd hand wash because I don't trust the ear holes to hold.
Second new one is a snazzy handmade Pokeball mask from Snowtigra on Etsy.
I've had it for all of two days and it's easily the best mask I own. I got the Pokeball fabric, which is bright and cheerful and so far makes people on public transport leave me alone. It's thick yet breathable, the cotton absorbs coronafog rather than returning it to you, it covers nose to chin, doesn't dig in my ears, and I can wear it for a long time without wanting to claw my face off. I'd hand wash because the elastic is the kind meant for lingerie, and there's a nose wire inside to keep the shape.
Bandana and hairband mask:
Instructions on cdc.gov. Pros: Easy to make, requires no sewing, but if you don't have bandanas in the house you may be out of luck unless you can cut up a cotton shirt. This mask totally does the job, but will be much more comfortable on your face if you can press the folds. If you don't have an iron, put it under a pile of books overnight.
Cons: If you don't have hairbands, you should be able to find a card of them at the drug store for $2-$5 depending on the quantity and colors. People have reported difficulty if they also wear glasses, but etsy and ebay both offer very inexpensive band extenders so you can stretch the elastic behind your head instead. Easy to disassemble and toss the bandana in the washer, then re-fold. (UPDATE: Drives the beagle next door apeshit, but most things do.)
Hacked up T-shirt mask:
Instructions also on CDC.gov, and there are videos on youtube as well.
Pros: Very easy to make - just a shirt, a pair of scissors, and two minutes. Horizontal designs/stripes are easiest to cut. Can be adjusted if you cut it too big. Ties on. (If you can't bear to destroy a shirt of your own, the cheapass shirts from the grocery store or drug store work perfectly well. If you feel like being more stylin', I recommend the kids' clearance at Target where you can find dinosaurs or phases of the Moon. Don't buy anything with thick silkscreen or heat-sealed rubber because you may die.)
Cons: Ties may not hold if your hair is very slick. I have to make a pony or sloppy bun get shit done and tie the ties to that - also it fits tighter if you put the lower ties over the pony or the top of your head, which is counterintuitive. Sucker stays on but taking it off involves swearing. Can probably go in the washer on gentle/hand wash.
Mystery molded mask from an ancient emergency kit Patti found somewhere in the office:
Pros: No idea how good it is, but it does the keep-your-breath-in thing, so I assume it's at least slightly effective. Easy to take on and off.
Cons: Perfect for your tiny mouth inhabitants to breed. Will eventually decay. Easy to crush in your bag. Use it if it's all you got. (UPDATE: I crushed it in my bag.)
Coming eventually: Tube masks, those Chinese masks from Amazon that are on a boat somewhere, Aziraphale plaid mask from Italy, and custom Redbubble masks that are starting to ship.
Not coming even though I really really want it: Full-head Spider-Gwen cosplay mask, and upcoming Marvel tube masks unless they change their minds and add a damn girl.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-05-14 06:26 pm (UTC)