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Some cloth face masks are better than others, and of all the reusable face masks I’ve bought since the pandemic started, one stands out as the best. If you’re in the market for a new reusable face mask, I’m sharing three cute and comfortable cloth face masks that I keep in rotation. These include the best cloth face mask I’ve bought, the softest face mask and the best deal on face masks I’ve found.
These are strange times. On the rare occasion I go out, I first think about coordinating my face mask to my outfit. We can’t have our mask clashing with our vintage hair scarf, now can we? I’m fortunate to have a mother who can sew and has made me a handful of pretty masks. The washing machine does take a toll on them, so to prevent my masks from getting too much wear, I purchased a few more to use.
There are a few qualities I prefer in a good reusable face mask:
- it’s comfortable
- it has a cute print or color
- it’s made sustainably and ethically
I’ve purchased cute face masks from a few different brands over the past several months. Here are my honest opinions on each one:
The best cloth face mask I’ve bought
Royal Jelly Harlem Adult Mask
The adult mask by Royal Jelly Harlem is the most comfortable cloth face mask I have. To be completely honest, I found this cute face mask after seeing a photo of Megan, Duchess of Sussex wearing the Royal Jelly Harlem mask in the Blue Seersucker print. No, I’m not a royal superfan, I just admire her style, ok! Anyway, I could tell that the mask was comfortable based on the construction, so I was curious to get a more detailed look.
What makes this reusable face mask so great? Firstly, the vintage-inspired Yellow Toile print is so pretty. Secondly, that particular print is made of linen, so it’s breathable. Thirdly, the white elastic straps make the mask easy to put on but aren’t too tight on my ears. Most importantly, while the mask has the center seam, it also has a third panel at the chin so the mask doesn’t get sucked to your nose when you breathe in.
If I’m going to be outdoors for any length of time, or have a big grocery shopping trip to do, this is the mask I wear. It’s the most comfortable and most stylish mask I have. I’ve washed it several times and it’s still in great condition. At $15, it did cost the most of all the masks I have, but the durability and comfort level make the few extra dollars worth it.
What’s more, the brand was founded by a mother-daughter duo and all products are made in NYC. Royal Jelly Harlem also has beautiful clothing with African-inspired prints in silhouettes inspired by the 1950s and 1960s. The Yellow Toile print mask is currently sold out, but you can find others at royaljellyharlem.com.
The best deal on cloth face masks I’ve found
Malia Designs 5 Pack of Reusable Cotton Face Masks
If you are looking to save on a bundle of reusable face masks, I recommend Malia Designs, a fair trade business that works with independent designers in the US and Cambodia. I needed several for my family and came across these masks while searching for fair trade face masks. You get five masks for $30 and you can get a mix of different prints. There are really great designs! I received a pale rose pink mask that I kept for myself and have some striped and solid color masks for my family.
As for fit, my husband found them to be too small but they worked for the rest of us. They have elastic straps so they’re easy to put on and take off. They’re lightweight and I found them to fit very comfortably on my face. However, since they have the center seam the sides might get sucked in if you’re breathing deeply.
Best of all, for each mask sold, Malia Designs donates one to a community in need. This bundle of five equals five masks donated. They also mention to get in touch if you’re coordinating efforts to distribute masks in your own community. Get the set at maliadesigns.com.
The softest cloth face mask I’ve bought
LA Relaxed Face Cover
Of all the reusable face masks I have, the LA Relaxed Face Cover is the softest cloth face mask I own. Not only are they super soft, but they’re also made sustainably. The masks are made of remnant fabric including organic cotton, modal and lyocell. The masks are double layered and I like that they have an opening to insert a filter if you want. Additionally, the masks are made in Los Angeles and the brand values the ethical treatment of its employees.
I was browsing sustainable loungewear brands online—since it’s about all I wear now—and landed on a pair of comfy-looking pants by LA Relaxed when I saw they also make the face masks. I purchased the 2-pack of solid color face covers for $24. There is also a 2-pack with assorted prints/colors and even a kids size mask set.
Unlike the other masks I own, they are not stiff or structured. Because of this, they do tend to get sucked into your face if you breathe in too deeply, but that’s common with many soft cotton masks. Get the sustainable face masks at larelaxed.com.
Have you found a cute face mask you really like? I’d love to hear about it! Let me know here or tag me on Instagram @thedapperdahlia.
Looking for more sustainable style tips? Check out my top thrifting tips on how to find vintage clothing at Goodwill.
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