Roundtable: What Makes a Perfect Mask?

Masks: In just a few months, they’ve become an essential part of everyday life. And during those months, many of us have test-driven various types, from DIY styles fashioned, painstakingly, via YouTube video to designs made by many of our favorite brands who’d quickly incorporated charitable buy-one-get-one offers. In our experience: Mistakes have been made! Lessons have been learned! And we are slouching, ever so slightly, toward an understanding of what makes a good (read: safe, stylish, comfortable, functional) mask. Here, a handful of MR team members who self-identified as having “opinions about masks”—Amalie, Edith, Eliz, Jasmin, Mallory and Matt—discuss where we’ve landed and how we got there. Please do share your own takes in the comments!

Mallory: Hello everyone! Welcome to our roundtable discussion: What Makes a Perfect Mask? I will be MCing for no other reason than that will make it easier for me to edit this into a post.

Roll call: Can you drop a pic of yourself wearing your favorite mask and tell us why it’s working for you?

Matt: omg hello hello hello

brb taking a pic

Jasmin: Yoohoo! This is me in my Steele Canvas x Food52 mask purchased from Eliz’s mask story in May. It was a ‘buy one give one’ situation.

It has thick, soft lining inside and denim (?) on the outside. It’s comfy and has adjustable ear straps, and even though it’s heavy, it’s not too much in the heat.

I have some cuter linen ones, but this one is softer on the cheeks

Mallory: Wow yeah I was going to ask about how it’s doing in the heat—it looks nice and sturdy which I have liked in a mask so far

Jasmin: Sturdy is a good word for it, feels like nothing is exposed around the sides

Matt:

Jasmin: Hi Matt, cute top! and mask

Mallory: Sporty spice!!

Matt: Hahahha YES. So, now that sporty spice reference is the number one reason this mask is working for me. But other reasons include that the ear straps are elastic and haven’t stretched out yet and keep a snug fit without being super restrictive. The fabric is light and breathable but feels like it’s substantial and there is a built-in pocket for a filter, which I appreciate from an added layer of protection perspective.

I really like it and also the cut-out on the nose area has been the key difference for me and other masks I’ve tried

Matt: It makes it feel a little less like my whole face is covered / constricted

Mallory: @Matt oh that’s cool about the filter pocket. Have you used it yet?

Matt: Yes! I got some filters in my order from another mask, which I ultimately swapped out for the adidas one, but still used the filters and they fit

I also read that you can apparently use coffee filters for an effective DIY filter sitch?

Eliz: I read that too!

Matt: Don’t know how fact-checked that is though

Eliz: This article says “Missouri S&T research found three layers of coffee filters by themselves without fabric removed 24.1% of relevant particles…. There’s no harm in adding one to your mask.””

Mallory: Love that pattern, Eliz. Is it an around-the-ear style or tie?

Eliz: I need the ties—my ears hurt so much otherwise. This one’s super lightweight and I don’t sweat in the heat with it on. Also very easy to wash and dry. I tie it in the back of my head! Way more comfortable

It’s by a friend of mine who is hand-making them

Amalie: Have you guys seen that Christy Dawn Instagram ad?

Eliz: I haven’t, but I know they make sustainable ones

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Amalie: I feel like they’re the only brand I’ve seen advertising masks on IG (they’ve overlaid a posi review from Vogue on the ad from this article)

Anyway, my friend Jamie had a pack of five and gave me one

Eliz: Omg, I’ve seen SO many ads

(I think it’s bc I did so much market work for the mask story so my targeted ads are at a high)

Amalie: It’s made from deadstock material, cute asf, and really lightweight. I had a jersey mask my mom sent me from Etsy for the longest time and it just wasn’t cutting it on these hot days. No face swamp here.

Edith: Amalie, thanks so much for bringing up the topic of Instagram-promoted masks.

I recently had the pleasure of this mask catching my eye on my Discover page

Amalie: Edith stop

Matt: omg wait

Mallory: @edith sending the mask convo into a tailspin so early

Edith: The transparent mask is a contentious topic, but one I can get on board with if only because of the transparent mask’s role in our cultural mythology

(This will be quick re: tailspin)

Not sure how many of you are familiar with the Detroit Pistons 2004 roster, but Rip Hamilton was a prominent player on the team and had an iconic clear-mask look

Photo incoming

Edith: He had to wear this after breaking his nose twice in order to prevent significant nasal reconstructive surgery. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve wanted to look as cool as Rip

Now is my chance

Jasmin: I feel like the clear mask should come with some built-in digital technology, like it should at least be tracking my steps or double as a microphone or something

Matt: or let you do fun voices

Mallory: Rly wish you’d been able to order in time to contribute a selfie

Amalie: Apropos of almost nothing, I feel like I should share this:

@jessssthabest2Oh no they didn’t!!