While the CDC stated yesterday that “fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing,” there are still plenty of reasons (from personal comfort to independent regulations) for continuing to use face coverings while in public or shared spaces. Similar to our wallets or keys, face masks have quickly become one of the crucial everyday items we just don't leave the house without. There are stylish masks for fashion, breathable masks for running, and masks best suited for wearing when you fly — the latter being something you might find yourself doing more of as domestic travel becomes safer this summer.
Bringing the best face mask for a plane has become as much of a priority as traveling with the best luggage or weekender bags. If you're looking for the right style to accompany you on your next trip through the TSA line, then consult our list of air-travel-approved styles. Ahead, find face masks that are breathable, comfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time, contain multiple protective layers, are able to properly repel moisture, reduce droplets, and can be washed once you arrive at your final destination. When it comes to the best travel-worthy face masks that are both easy to breathe in AND follow safety measures, the options ahead have you (and your face) covered.
COVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic. Go to the CDC website for the latest information on symptoms, prevention, and other resources.
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OMK 2 Pcs Reusable Face Shields
When layered atop a regular cloth or fabric mask, the reusable face shield doubles its protectiveness. The shield protection saves you against dust, smoke, particulates, saliva, or splashes when worn properly.
OMK OMK 2 Pcs Reusable Face Shields, $, available at Amazon
HMNKIND APM Face Mask
HMNKIND makes face masks that focus on fit. Their Antibacterial Performance Mask is 99% antibacterial, UV-blocking, has 4-way stretch, and comes in five size options. Each mask is made with 3 cotton outer layers and an additional 2 internal silk layers for the most effective filtering.
Uniqlo AIRism Face Mask (Pack of 3) - Black, $, available at Uniqlo
Hammacher Schlemmer Antibacterial Cooling Face Mask
Protect against germs with this antibacterial face mask — an option that has a cooling effect for extended use. Think flights, jogging, and long walks in a crowded park.
Hammacher Schlemmer Antibacterial Cooling Face Mask, $, available at Hammacher Schlemmer
Etsy Silk Face Mask With Earloops & Nose Wire
According to the CDC, certain materials are better at enhancing filtration AND reducing droplets: "(e.g., silk) may help repel moist droplets and reduce fabric wetting and thus maintain breathability and comfort."
Summersalt Face Coverings | $32, $, available at Summersalt
Everlane 100% Human Face Mask 3-Pack
It's important for masks to be both breathable and washable — it's been said that single-layer masks, such as neck gaiters and bandanas are less protective, and Everlane's iteration is made from double-layered woven fabric.
Athleta Everyday Non Medical Masks 5 Pack, $, available at Gap
Space Mask
The Space Mask uses impressive-sounding (and feeling) nanotechnology for its tightly woven filters and is made of three layers including an antibacterial filter, soft cotton, and another nano filter. It's CDC-approved and comes in three sizes for a comfortable fit.
The Classic face mask from Herschel comes in a variety of different prints for every personal style. Beyond that, it's made with three protective layers with a soft liner and a center sleeve for added air filters.
Herschel Classic Fitted Face Mask, $, available at Amazon
SUDILO Disposable Face Masks
With over 2,000 5-star reviews, it's easy to see that these are some of the most loved face masks on Amazon. One traveler said, "These masks are super easy to breathe in. I like that they don't sit too uncomfortably on your mouth. Definitely recommend these!"
SUDILO Disposable Face Masks, $, available at Amazon
Madewell Three-Pack Face Masks
For a face mask that's both cute and functional, opt for Madewell's 3 packs. The subtle prints vary, but all of them feature a triple-layered construction.
Madewell Three-Pack Face Masks, $, available at Madewell
CONICOMasks Face mask
These cutesy little masks are not only aesthetically pleasing — they're made from organic Japanese cotton with a double-layer silhouette, ideal for eyeglass wearers.
CONICOMasks Face mask for Glasses wearers, $, available at Etsy
Vida Protective Face Mask
Vida's face mask is made of 2 layers of pure cotton with adjustable straps, and a hidden, integrated metal nose-piece to ensure a proper fit. Get yours in every color from pink to bright red, maroon and black.
Banana Republic Face Mask 3-Pack, $, available at Banana RepublicAs of Tuesday, November 10, the CDC updated its COVID-19-related health-and-safety guidelines to reflect that studies are now showing the use of non-medical face masks can protect the wearer in addition to those around them. According to studies, the CDC claims that "cloth mask materials can also reduce wearers’ exposure to infectious droplets through filtration, including filtration of fine droplets and particles less than 10 microns." However, it's important to remember that not all face masks are created equal and wearers should choose materials and styles that are most effective for filtration: "Multiple layers of cloth with higher thread counts have demonstrated superior performance compared to single layers of cloth with lower thread counts."
This story was originally published on November 11, 2020
Our takeaway from this multi-loop spiral of a year is that face masks are, indeed, essential accessories. Similar to our wallets or keys, these non-medical coverings have quickly become one of those crucial everyday items we don't leave the house without. There are stylish face masks for fashion, breathable face masks for running, and, now with summer vacation upon us, face masks specifically suitable for air travel.
Wearing a face mask while flying is as just as significant as remembering to bring your carry-on suitcase or weekender bag. To take some of the selection pressure off, we went ahead and pulled out the best ones to buy for a safer flight home this season; styles that are breathable, comfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time, contain multiple protective layers, are able to properly repel moisture, reduce droplets, and can be washed once you arrive at your final destination. When it comes to the best travel-worthy face masks that are both easy to breathe in AND follow safety measures, the 17 options ahead have you (and your face) covered.
COVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic. Go to the CDC website for the latest information on symptoms, prevention, and other resources.
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On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an update on its masking guidance. People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer need to wear masks or practice social distancing both outside and inside, with some exceptions based on state, local, federal, and tribal regulations.
“We have all longed for this moment,” Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, the director of the CDC, said at a White House news conference on Thursday. “If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.”
Hours after the announcement, First Lady Jill Biden made a quick appearance without her mask, as she, Senator Joe Manchin, and his wife Gayle disembarked Air Force Once. The following day, on Friday, the First Lady made a visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture to celebrate the reopening of D.C. museums. When she was spotted without her mask and asked to comment on the new CDC guidelines she told reporters, “Isn’t it great? Don’t you feel great without it?”
The new guidelines didn’t stop Biden from continuing to wear her mask inside the museum, however, which caused some confusion and (of course) plenty of speculation. But there are a few good reasons for that. While the CDC guidelines state that masks are no longer required for people who are fully vaccinated, there are still exceptions, and businesses can determine their own guidelines. The National Museum of African American History and Culture still requires visitors aged two and older to wear a face mask during their visits even if they have received a vaccine. The First Lady was simply following the rules.
Even though we can all breathe a little easier now as Americans continue to get vaccinated and take off our masks, we’re all still in a period of transition after engaging with the world in a highly restricted way for the last year. And while vaccination is underway across the country, only one-third of people in the U.S. are fully vaccinated as the pace of vaccination has slowed, according to The New York Times.
With that in mind, there’s no right way to get back to living without a mask, and everyone is encouraged to do what makes them feel safest. Many epidemiologists say people should still wear masks in large outdoor crowds, like a concert or a protest, even if you’re fully vaccinated, unless “the vaccination rates increase to 80 or 90 percent over the next few months,” Vivian Towe, a program officer at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute told The Times.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all plan as the masks come off this summer and guidelines will likely vary by state, as they have throughout the pandemic. Some states have listed mask mandates, while others remain cautious. States led by Democrats said they were inclined to review the guidance before implementing it, for example. Meanwhile, half of the country — mostly Republican states — has already relaxed mask mandates.
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US First Lady Jill Biden waves as she greet members of the West Virginia National Guard during a trip to Charleston, West Virginia, on May 13, 2021. (Photo by Oliver Contreras / POOL / AFP) (Photo by OLIVER CONTRERAS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Last week, while boarding a plane in Colorado Springs, Dr. Jill Biden was photographed with a brown Valentino bag. As pointed out by CNN White House Correspondent Kate Bennett, the Garavani Rockstud tote featured hand-painted drawings of the First Lady’s First Dogs, Major and Champ. The addition of the two German Shepherds, who marked the return of White House pets after a four-year hiatus, made the already chic accessory tenfold more covetable, not to mention personal. The leather bag also showcased Dr. Biden’s initials in white letters.
The First Lady’s tote was illustrated by Riccardo Cusimano, as part of Valentino’s Pet-Ã -Porter collection that allows shoppers to customize the totes with a painting of their four-legged friend(s).
A member of the staff holds US First Lady Jill Biden’s personal bag with a picture of the presidential pets, German Shepherds named Champ and Major, as she prepare to board a plane in Colorado Springs, Colorado, May 6, 2021. (Photo by CARLOS BARRIA / POOL / AFP) (Photo by CARLOS BARRIA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
There to celebrate Military Spouse Appreciation Day at Fort Carson, an Army base, Dr. Biden paired her custom bag with a regal purple skirt suit, with a white blouse underneath, and tan heels. She accessorized with a light pink, satin-y face mask, pearl stud earrings, and a green, flower-shaped brooch that she pinned to the lapel of her jacket.
That same day, she also traveled to Nevada, to surprise Las Vegas educator Juliana Urtubey with the award for 2021 National Teacher of the Year, as well as to attend a National Nurses Day event at University Medical Hospital, thus making her Valentino carry-on a travel must-have.
If Valentino isn’t in your budget — the custom Rockstud totes start at $1,900 — fashion brand STAUD also can customize its best-sellers the Mini Moon Bag ($350) and the Shirley PVC tote ($310), among others, with your pup’s face on them.
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Whenever we're feeling less than 100%, upping our hydration is usually our quickest fix. Tired? Drink water. Got a headache? Bottoms up. The same goes for your skin, which benefits across the board from moisture. Whether you’re dealing with dryness, looking to minimize the appearance of fine lines, or wanting to maintain a healthy glow, a good moisturizer can help, since it’s formulated with special ingredients to keep your skin plump and healthy.
But moisturizer isn’t a one-size-fits-all product. Rather, your individual skin goals and concerns should determine the ideal formula for you. That’s where Olay makes things easy: The skin-care brand offers a range of innovative moisturizers to address any skin-care need — without the $$$ price tag. You can see the results for yourself, too: Olay has committed to CVS’s Beauty Unaltered pledge, which helps promote a healthy self-image by not altering photos of models.
With that, we ask: Are you using the right moisturizer for your skin-care needs? Keep reading to find your best moisture match, ahead.
Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Cream
Best for: Smoothing fine lines
How it works: Recognize the iconic red jar? This moisturizer is a classic for a reason. Designed to visibly diminish fine lines and wrinkles, the formula blends vitamin B3 (aka niacinamide) with hyaluronic acid, amino-peptides, and antioxidants to boost elasticity and increase cellular turnover for smoother-looking skin.
Best for: Delivering lightweight hydration and sun protection
How it works: Even if you keep blotting papers on hand 24/7, that doesn’t mean you should be skipping the moisturizer. Those with oily skin still need proper hydration, which you can get with this hydrating whip. The light-as-air texture feels weightless on skin (a non-negotiable for anyone prone to grease), offers sun protection, and leaves your complexion soft and matte.
How it works: Retinol is a notorious overachiever — it can smooth and brighten skin, improve dark spots, and minimize the look of pores. This formula pairs Olay’s retinoid complex with vitamin B3 to deliver results gently.
How it works: Enriched with Olay’s Collagen Peptide24 Complex, this fragrance-free moisturizer packs a punch with collagen peptides and vitamin B3 to deliver visibly firmer skin — all without any stickiness or residue. The intensely moisturizing formula absorbs right into skin as well, delivering hydration for up to 24 hours.
How it works: With a quick-absorbing formula that defies all SPF expectations, this fragrance-free moisturizer goes on sheer and blends into all skin tones. The mineral formula contains zinc oxide, which protects against UVA and UVB rays, as well as peptides and vitamin B3 to nourish skin.
Caring for Your Natural Hair Before and After a Dye Job – 11 Tips
By Jacqueline Samaroo
Are you planning on peekaboo highlights or an all-over, “new me” kind of dye job? Will it be enchanting green, whimsical pink, or something that’s close to your natural hair color? Whatever your decision, keeping your color-treated natural hair healthy and vibrant will be a priority.
Here’s a rundown of before and after steps to color-treated hair care.
Before you color your hair
These five tips will help you prep your natural hair for the big day.
1. Clarify
Use a clarifying shampoo to remove built-up oils and product residue from your hair. This will help the dye better penetrate your strands for a richer, longer-lasting color. However, don’t wash your hair a day or two before you color it – squeaky clean hair doesn’t hold dye very well!
2. Trim
Hair dyes tend to dry out natural hair. Thus, if your ends are already damaged, they will be susceptible to even more breakage. A trim will also do more than protect your strands. It also keeps your new color-treated hairdo from looking frizzy.
3. Deep condition
The chemicals of the dye can weaken the structure of natural hair. This makes deep conditioning a vital step before a color treatment. Also, consider doing a protein deep conditioning treatment about a week before your dye job. It will help to create the correct protein-moisture balance in your strands.
4. Consult your stylist
Even if you intend to color your hair yourself, still talk to your stylist about the decision. They can provide guidance on the current state of your hair and anything you need to do before you color it. Your stylist can also suggest the best process for you to use.
5. Use good-quality hair color
Use a professional, conditioning hair color for the very best results on day one and for weeks to come. They are made with natural oils, like argan oil or cottonseed oil, to moisturize and nourish your strands. Some also give hair a keratin boost to help strengthen it.
After you color your hair
Now that your fantastic new color is in, there are seven Dos and Don’ts to keep in mind.
1. Shampoo less often
It will take a couple of days for your new color to set in your natural hair so hold off on that first shampoo after dyeing. When it does come time to wash your hair
Wear a shower cap to keep your hair dry when you’re not washing it.
Weekly deep conditioning with a color-protecting conditioner does wonders for color-treated curls, too.
2. Avoid chlorine
Install a filter to remove chlorine from the water you use to wash your hair. If you go to the pool for a swim, be sure to take along a fully waterproof swim cap to protect your color. If swim caps aren’t your thing, then wet your hair and apply a leave-in conditioner before you go into the pool. This will help to shield your color from the (over-abundant) chlorine in pool water.
3. Do a hot oil treatment
Hot oil treatments add enviable shine to color-treated hair and they’re SUPER EASY to do. Use your favorite essential and carrier oils to nourish your scalp and hair. They’ll also leave your curls with a heavenly scent!
4. Heat style less often
Many naturalistas already avoid using heat on their hair. But, if you are into heat styling, remember that color-treated hair is somewhat weak. Using too-high heat too often can be damaging to color-treated curly hair.
So, when heat styling color-treated natural hair:
Always use a heat protectant.
Use the lowest possible heat setting.
Use the cool blast setting if your blow dryer has one.
Start with clean, dry (or near-dry) hair.
5. Get UV protection
Direct sunlight fades hair color – fast! There are many natural hair care products that include UV protection. Check the labels to be sure. You can also cover your hair if possible. A stylish hat, scarf, or umbrella should do the trick.
6. Keep up regular trimmings
Just as you did before your color treatment, it is important that you get regular trims. Every 6 to 8 weeks is usually recommended. Trimming will help to:
Get rid of split ends.
Minimize breakage.
Reduce frizzing.
Keep your colored curls bouncy.
Have any other color-treated natural hair tips you’d like to share. We’re all ears!
White may not be the first shade that comes to mind when selecting mommy and mini matching sets. After all, littles have a tendency to get messy (we know this all too well with our little C). But don’t let this keep you from exploring all the mix and match possibilities this summertime favorite has to offer. White styles, particularly in light-weight cottons, look great while feeling light and airy, keeping both Moms and minis cool and comfortable all day long. Take it one step further by pairing these easy, breezy pieces with similar sandals, sneakers, or espadrilles. For more summer white style inspiration, see my round-up of favorites below.
A simple yet elegant white summer dress can be worn during the day and to evening events. A simple change of shoe, from flat to heeled, is all that’s needed.
