Everything You Need to Know about Face Masks

After taking my face mask out for a test drive, I was a little disappointed with my glasses fogging up. Perhaps I hadn’t bought the best mask and thought I might do a little more research now that I was forced to wear one.

You might find it takes a couple of days to get used to wearing a mask. Some fabrics like cotton are better to breathe through than others.

Wash your hands well beforehand, and then make sure your mask covers both your nose, mouth and chin.

The blue coloured side (think surgical masks) may be waterproof. These usually go on the outside with the folds pointing downwards.

The disposable face masks are meant to be changed every 4 hours. Please remember to cut the elastic parts of masks off – to avoid them becoming harmful to wildlife and birds.

Fabric masks can be wash after a day of use. It is recommended to machine wash them at 60 degrees Celsius.

Definitely go foundation-free or makeup-free when you wear a mask – as a way to prevent any irritation, blocked pores and pimples.

Where to buy your face mask

The most convenient place to buy your face mask might be your local chemist, but it pays to shop around as the prices can vary. Here are some other places to consider:

Adidas
Athleta
ASOS
Bonds
Cotton On: https://cottonon.com/AU/accessories/travel/face-mask/
Jaanuu: https://www.jaanuu.com/face-masks
Kombi Canada: https://www.kombicanada.com/
UNIQLO: https://www.uniqlo.com/au/en/women/accessories/face-masks

Etsy also has a good range of handmade face masks that are reusable, washable and adjustable.

I like the Maskit brand – which has lovely patterns and a comfy fit with disposable filters. I also like the Cotton On ones as they have a wire bit around the nose (but these need to be pre-washed before wearing). I think it’s a good idea to have a spare one in your handbag – just in case (because the straps broke on one of the disposable ones I wore).

Adjusting your mask

If your mask doesn’t fit right or you’re feeling a little claustrophobic – you might have the wrong size. Some masks are available in small, medium and large. If you go larger, you can then tie a little knot in each of the string loops to make them smaller.

Some people prefer to wear children’s sized masks, as they are smaller and may fit their face better. However, I’ve found the opposite to be true – I have a small face, but I prefer the medium/large-sized ones. This might depend on your brand of mask.

Amazon and eBay has a range of weird and wonderful items to modify your face mask – think silicone face spacers or guards, adjustable ear hooks and guards, silicon ear caps and anti-fog nose clips.

You can buy mask liners made from paper that protect your makeup and help to blot oily skin. These go inside your fabric mask. One company that makes these is called Cheek Sheets: https://www.cheeksheets.co/

How to Prevent Glasses and Sunglasses Fogging Up

There are a number of methods to prevent glasses and sunglasses from fogging up when wearing a face mask. You can use a tissue folded long ways and placed at the top of your mask along your nose and then pinch the nose. You can also try using surgical tape along the top to stop air escaping. Another method is cleaning your glasses with baby shampoo and water.

Not wearing a face mask

There are a number of medical reasons that some people are unable to wear face masks – these include severe burning, lung disease, breathing problems, skin conditions etc. You may like to carry a medical certificate to ensure you avoid getting a fine. Please refer to your local health department’s website for clarification.