Which face masks provide the best protection and comfort. How to choose a mask that fits well and follows CDC guidelines. Are reusable or disposable masks better for daily use. What features make a face mask effective against COVID-19 spread.
The Importance of Face Masks in Preventing COVID-19 Spread
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, face masks remain a crucial tool in slowing the spread of the virus. Even with vaccines widely available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidelines to recommend that vaccinated individuals wear masks indoors in areas with high transmission rates. This is largely due to the highly contagious Delta variant.
Wearing a well-fitting face mask helps protect both the wearer and those around them by containing respiratory droplets that may spread the virus. But with so many options on the market, how can you choose an effective and comfortable mask for everyday wear?
Key Features to Look for in a Face Mask
When evaluating face masks, there are several important factors to consider:
- Complete coverage of nose and mouth
- At least two layers of fabric
- Tight weave that blocks light
- Washable and reusable
- Comfortable fit that doesn’t slip
- Breathable material
The CDC recommends cloth masks with multiple layers of tightly woven, breathable fabric. A nose wire can help ensure a snug fit around the nose. Some people prefer masks with adjustable ear loops or ties for a customized fit.
Simple Tests for Mask Effectiveness
To quickly assess a mask’s filtration ability, try these easy at-home tests:
- Hold the mask up to a light source – you shouldn’t be able to see light through the fabric
- Try to blow out a candle while wearing the mask – if you can extinguish the flame, the mask likely isn’t effective enough
Top Picks for Comfortable, Effective Face Masks
After extensive testing, here are some of the most comfortable and protective face mask options available in 2021:
1. Outdoor Research Adrenaline Sports Mask
This performance mask is ideal for exercise and outdoor activities. It features a moisture-wicking liner, adjustable nose wire, and filter pocket. The structured design keeps the mask off your mouth for easier breathing during workouts.
2. Uniqlo Airism Face Mask
Made from Uniqlo’s signature cooling Airism fabric, this mask is extremely lightweight and breathable. The three-layer construction includes a built-in filter. Available in multiple sizes for a great fit.
3. Bilio Mask
Constructed from recycled water bottles, the Bilio mask offers excellent filtration in an eco-friendly design. The contoured shape and adjustable ear loops ensure a secure, gap-free fit for most face shapes.
4. Vistaprint RFS Mask
These reusable masks come in a wide range of colors and patterns. The soft, stretchy fabric and adjustable nose piece provide all-day comfort. A replaceable filter pocket adds extra protection.
5. Baggu Fabric Mask Set
Made from quilter’s cotton, these playful printed masks are both stylish and functional. The pleated design offers ample coverage while the adjustable ear loops ensure a snug fit. Machine washable for easy care.
Disposable vs. Reusable Face Masks: Pros and Cons
Both disposable and reusable masks can be effective when worn properly. But which option is best for everyday use?
Disposable Mask Benefits:
- Convenient for occasional use
- No washing required
- Often lighter weight
- May offer higher filtration
Reusable Mask Advantages:
- More environmentally friendly
- Cost-effective for frequent use
- Often more comfortable for extended wear
- Available in more styles and designs
For daily wear, reusable cloth masks are generally the more practical and sustainable choice. However, keeping a few disposable masks on hand for situations where you may not have a clean cloth mask available is a good idea.
Proper Care and Cleaning of Face Masks
To maintain the effectiveness of your face masks, proper care is essential. How often should you wash your mask?
Ideally, cloth masks should be washed after each use. At minimum, wash them whenever they become visibly soiled or damp from breath. Most cloth masks can be machine washed in hot water with regular detergent. Tumble dry on high heat or air dry in direct sunlight if possible.
For masks with non-washable filters, remove the filter before washing and replace it regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Always wash your hands before putting on a clean mask and avoid touching the front of the mask while wearing it.
Face Mask Accessories to Improve Comfort and Fit
While a well-designed mask should be comfortable on its own, some accessories can help improve fit and reduce common complaints:
Mask Extenders
These simple straps connect the ear loops behind the head, taking pressure off the ears. They’re especially helpful for those who wear masks for extended periods.
Nose Bridge Strips
Adhesive metal strips can be added to masks without built-in nose wires to improve the seal around the nose and reduce glasses fogging.
Mask Brackets
These silicone inserts create a small cavity between the mask and mouth, making it easier to speak clearly and breathe comfortably.
Addressing Common Face Mask Concerns
Despite their importance, some people still have reservations about wearing face masks. Let’s address some common concerns:
Do masks really work to prevent COVID-19 spread?
Yes, numerous studies have shown that properly worn face masks significantly reduce the transmission of respiratory droplets that can carry the virus. While no mask offers 100% protection, they are a crucial part of a comprehensive strategy to control the pandemic.
Can wearing a mask cause oxygen deprivation?
No, properly fitted masks do not reduce oxygen levels in the blood. They may feel uncomfortable at first, but they do not impact the body’s ability to get oxygen. People with severe respiratory conditions should consult their doctor about appropriate mask use.
How can I prevent “maskne” (mask-induced acne)?
To reduce skin irritation and breakouts from mask-wearing:
- Choose breathable, natural fabrics
- Wash your face and mask regularly
- Take mask breaks when safely possible
- Apply a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer before wearing your mask
- Consider using a salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide spot treatment on problem areas
The Future of Face Masks: Innovations and Trends
As face masks become a more permanent part of our lives, we’re seeing exciting innovations in mask technology and design. What new features might we see in future face masks?
Smart Masks
Some companies are developing masks with built-in sensors to monitor air quality, breath rate, and even detect the presence of virus particles. While still in early stages, these high-tech masks could provide valuable health data in the future.
Sustainable Materials
As environmental concerns grow, more mask makers are turning to eco-friendly materials like recycled plastics, biodegradable fabrics, and even agricultural waste products.
Improved Filtration
Research into new filter materials and designs continues, with the goal of creating masks that offer even better protection against tiny particles while remaining breathable and comfortable.
Fashion-Forward Designs
As masks become a long-term accessory, we’re likely to see more collaborations between mask makers and fashion designers, offering stylish options to complement any outfit.
While the specific features may evolve, the basic principles of a good face mask – proper fit, effective filtration, and comfort – will remain crucial for protecting public health.
Making an Informed Choice: Selecting the Right Face Mask for You
With so many options available, choosing the right face mask can feel overwhelming. How can you make the best decision for your needs?
Consider your lifestyle and typical mask-wearing scenarios. Do you need a mask for all-day wear at work, for occasional grocery store trips, or for outdoor exercise? Different situations may call for different mask styles.
If you have sensitive skin, look for masks made from natural, hypoallergenic fabrics. Those who wear glasses might prioritize masks with strong nose wires to prevent fogging.
Remember that the most effective mask is one you’ll actually wear consistently and correctly. It’s worth investing in a few different styles to find what works best for you.
Ultimately, the goal is to find a mask that offers solid protection, fits comfortably, and aligns with your personal style and values. By choosing a mask you feel good about wearing, you’re not just protecting yourself – you’re contributing to the collective effort to keep our communities safe and healthy.
19 Face Masks We Actually Like to Wear (Updated 2021)
We didn’t want it to happen, but it did. Months after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relaxed mask guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals, the organization has again updated its instructions. Now the CDC recommends that even vaccinated individuals continue to wear masks indoors to help mitigate the spread of the much more contagious Delta Covid-19 variant.
Now is as good a time as ever to update your stash. A good face mask is a critical tool to help slow the spread of Covid-19. We’ve been building our mask collections, outfitting our kids, and adapting our practices as new, science-based recommendations emerge. These are some of the masks, and masking practices, that I and other WIRED staff members are using. I’ve also highlighted sustainable options, ones from diverse and small manufacturers, as well as companies donating masks to or sharing profits with worthy causes.
Try a few, but remember to keep washing your hands regularly, staying at home when possible, and maintaining at least a 6-foot distance from others in public (preferably outdoors).
How We Evaluate Masks
Earlier this year, the materials testing organization ASTM International finally published the first-ever manufacturing standards on what constitutes a good face covering. It will take time for manufacturers to have their products tested and certified, but soon you should be able to find cloth masks that have been vetted by a third party.
In the meantime, the best thing to do is make sure your mask follows the recommended guidelines from the CDC, fits well, and is clean. A good reusable mask should completely cover your nose and mouth, use at least two fabric layers, and be washable. When I receive a mask, I first use the light and candle test—can I see light through the weave? Can I blow a candle out while wearing it? The mask’s weave should be tight enough to prevent you from doing either of those things. Then I wear them while grocery shopping or walking my dog.
We’ve included some tips on mask care and choosing the best kind of mask straps at the end of this list. Be sure to check out our Best Face Masks for Kids guide and How to Prevent and Treat Mascne.
Updated September 2021: We added the latest advice on masks, and new picks.
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
So Face Bras And Chin Masks Are Actually A ‘Thing’. But Do They Really Sculpt Your Jawline?
So face bras are a ‘thing’. No, really – they are. ‘Face bra review’ is a breakout search term on Google – meaning that it’s not just you and I who are confused and intrigued. But what on earth is it? Put simply, a face bra is effectively a fabric strap that you place on the underside of your chin and jaw and hook over both of your ears, and you wear it whilst you sleep. The theory is that the fabric hoiks up the tissue and skin there, subsequently training it to stay put, zero surgical needles or scalpels in sight. Remember when Instagram went crazy over waist trainers? These things aren’t dissimilar in the way they’re designed to work.
And face bras aren’t the only chin and jaw product doing the rounds – chin masks are also trending. As befuddled as we were? Just imagine a sheet mask in the same shape as said face bra above. They pair the structure of a face bra with a firming serum that aims to supposedly tighten everything below your chin up. These are used much like a face mask, for a matter of minutes, and are said to offer more temporary results.
So, is a face bra worth the investment? Is a chin mask worth the faff? Or is this one internet trend we should swipe a firm left on. Let’s delve in deeper…
So Why The Sudden Interest?
We really started to pay attention to chin masks when beauty influencer extraordinaire, Huda Kattan launched one as part of her savvy new skincare line Wishful. Plenty of influencers and fans documented their experience with it on Instagram. The world’s interest was officially piqued.
Sheet chin masks generally promise to nourish, brighten and hydrate the area. When it comes to Wishful’s Chin Lift Sculpting Sheet Mask, £7, a high tech ingredient named acetyl hexapeptide-8 is used – a structure-building peptide that helps to firm the skin. It also aims to boost lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness.
The Expert Opinion
Dr Sophie Shotter, founder and medical director of Illuminate Skin Clinic, is a big name in aesthetics. This is her take:
‘In principle a chin mask or face bra works by supporting the facial soft tissue to minimise sagging of the face associated with ageing but to date there is no clinically validated data that supports their claims. Face bras are worn overnight but as we sleep gravity exerts different forces on our body than when we are upright. A double chin hangs downwards as we stand up, whereas when we lie flat these tissues fall backwards and a double chin would be less apparent.’
‘It is possible that face bras may provide a very short term benefit by decreasing facial swelling and puffiness in people who are prone to this. I often recommend wearing a facial support (even a pair of old tights tied around the head) after procedures to help minimise swelling. The same principle could be the case with these devices, but they will have no lasting effect on your facial contours and have no capability to improve the quality of the skin or to cause lipolysis.’
The Chin Mask Verdict
If you’re happy with subtle results that last no more than an evening or so, then a hydrating chin mask might be worth whirl. A survey revealed that 88% of Wishful chin mask users agreed their ‘jawline appeared lifted immediately after use’.
The Face Bra Verdict
Reviews of face bras are varied. Some say they make no difference, apart from making sleep uncomfortable, others can’t believe the results.
Sarah, 44, from Windsor, who’s been using one for over a month now, gives this new-fangled contraption a glowing review. ‘It’s easy to wear, it doesn’t hurt, just feels a bit tight around my chin,’ she says. ‘I wear it every day when I’m not at work and it has definitely made a difference to my face shape, even if it feels temporary. I thought it was unlikely to work but I have recommended it to others and will continue to wear it.’
Shop Face Bras And Chin Masks
1 of 5CREDIT: Huda
The most famous mask of all is only £8 – meaning it’s affordable if you want to see what all the fuss is about.
2 of 5CREDIT: Amazon
It’s recommended that you wear these affordable masks overnight, 2-3 times a week, to truly make a difference.
3 of 5CREDIT: Beauty Bay
This pomegranate mask is rich in vitamin to help refresh your neck and jawline if you’ve been spending a bit too much time looking at your phone during lockdown.
4 of 5CREDIT: Amazon
OK, so this might look scary on a mannequin, but this reusable mask is #1 in anti-stress and wellness masks on Amazon.
5 of 5CREDIT: Lookfantastic
Try this mask for 40 minutes, and it claims that the lifting effect mirrors a stimulating facial massage.
READ MORE: 10 Face Masks For Under £35, No Matter What Your Skin Type Is
READ MORE: 20 Skincare Heroes That Truly Work Wonders
Cosmetics and Skin: Straps, Bandages and Tapes
Wrinkles, sagging necks and double chins, characteristics of many women over the age of thirty-five, were commonly treated by early beauty culturists by combining massage and skin-care products with straps, bandages and/or tapes.
Straps
In salon treatments, strapping was usually an extra in a regular salon facial. Clients could ask for it specifically or would be tactfully informed that it was needed. For many woman over the age of thirty-five, a strapping treatment would have been considered mandatory but they were also recommended to younger women as a preventative. Clients were also encouraged to buy their own straps to continue the treatment at home; wearing them while sleeping at night or at some other time of the day in private.
A wide variety of straps were available in the past covering all areas of the face and neck.
Above: 1928 Straps sold by the Institut de Beauté Klytia (Paris).
The two most common forms of straps were chin straps, used to lift sagging neck muscles and reduce double chins, and forehead straps, worn to smooth out wrinkles above and between the eyebrows.
Chin straps
Facial treatments using chin straps, sometimes referred to as ‘tie-ups’, were presumed to ‘restore muscle contractility and aid in the breaking down of accumulated fat cells’, so were recommended for mature women with flabby facial muscles, saggy throats and/or double chins.
Chin straps were commonly used with skin foods and/or astringents and were generally combined with some form of muscle stimulation to ‘improve circulation and tone muscles’. This might involve a facial massage before or after the strap was applied and/or tapping the skin with the fingers (tapotement) or a patter.
Above: An oiled silk chin strap holding a cotton wool pad, dampened with astringent or stimulating camphorated oil (Verni, 1946).
See also: Patters
In some salons a more forceful massage routine, known as muscle strapping, was used. Also known as muscle lifting, muscle toning or face-moulding (Wall, 1946, p. 549), it used more pressure than a normal massage and concentrated on those areas of the face and neck where lines had already appeared or might arise in the future.
See also: Massage, Wrinkles and Double Chins
Better-equipped salons may have used electricity to stimulate the circulation with vibratory massage (vibro massage), high frequency or electrical muscle contraction machines. These treatments were presumed to tone muscles, remove fatty deposits and/or improve circulation.
During the facial, the chin strap held the lower part of the face and neck in the proper position. After applying the strap the operator would go over the chin and neck, patting and smoothing the skin. Ice and astringents were commonly combined with the strap to ‘restore the vitality of flaccid muscles so that they would lift and improve the contour’ of the face. Skin foods were also applied to ‘rebuild impoverished tissues, thereby strengthening and firming the flaccid, sagging muscles of the face’.
See also: Skin Foods and Skin Tonics, Astringents and Toners
Forehead straps
Forehead straps were employed to remove or diminish frowning lines and wrinkles. Before the strap was applied, the skin would be treated with a skin food and, if considered necessary, muscle oils would be patted in over the deeper lines like those between the eyebrows.
See also: Muscle oils
Above: 1935 Youth-Molde.
Towels and bandages
Salons that did not have the resources to make and use ready-made straps could achieve similar effect by using surgical bandage or a small towel. These would be tied or wound around the chin and/or forehead. Towels were generally used dry, whereas bandages were sometimes applied wet. Small towels were also used by women who wanted to do a ‘tie-up’ at home, something regularly suggested by beauty writers providing advice though newspapers or magazines.
If you want to keep your chin and throat pretty—keep your chin up.
A chin strap will help you get sagging muscles working correctly. It’s of most use when applied expertly, and when you massage and exercise too.
You might ask the operator who gives you a facial treatment to complete it with a “tie-up.” The operator first thoroughly cleanses you face and neck, massaging with a good emollient cream. Then she adjusts the chin strap.
The same routine should be followed at home. Good ready-made chin-straps are cut on the bias, or are made of elastic material. A towel folded diagonally to make a three or four-inch band is effective if used correctly. The bandage should hold the tissues smooth and flat, should not distort the face. Let it just be comfortably snug.
(Chin Strap Aids Beauty newspaper article, 1942)
Some notable promoters
Straps were widely used in beauty salons in North America, Britain and Europe but two figures stand out for special mention: Eleanor Adair and Elizabeth Arden.
Eleanor Adair: Although many of her contemporaries – such as Frances Hemming (Cyclax) and Marie Earle – also employed them, no one promoted the use of straps in facial treatments to the same extent as Adair. In 1902, she was granted two British Patents, the first for a forehead strap, the second for a chin strap. Pictures of models wearing forehead and chin straps figured prominently in her advertising and she was reputed to have a wax head wearing straps at the entrance to her salons.
Adair’s ‘Strapping Electrical Treatment’ combined straps, manual work and electrical treatments with Ganesh preparations such as Eastern Muscle Oil, Diable Skin Tonic and Eastern Skin Food. Adair used chin straps to ‘remove double chins and restore lost contours’ while forehead straps were used to reduce ‘deep lines between brows, corners of eyes and over the forehead’. Adair also sold a Domino Strap to help ‘cure puffiness under the eyes’ and Ganesh Wrinkle Plasters for the expression lines around the eyes and mouth.
See also: Eleanor Adair
Elizabeth Arden: Arden was introduced to straps when she worked as a treatment girl in Eleanor Adair’s New York salon and continued to use straps when she started out on her own. Like Adair, Arden used a ‘strapped’ head prominently in her early advertising. Given Arden’s prominence in the beauty industry she helped maintain their use in salons for over half a century; for example, Dorothy Gray’s use of straps came about because she had once worked for Arden.
Above: 1950s Dorothy Gray Salon Strapping Treatment. The top photograph clearly shows product underneath the chin strap. The bottom photograph suggests red light may have been included in the treatment. Red light was recommended for dry, rough or wrinkled skin.
See also: Red Light, Blue Light and Dorothy Gray
As well as chin and forehead straps Arden also sold a Puffy-Eye Strap for ‘hollow or sunken eyes’ and an L-Bow Strap; to ‘soften and whiten the elbows’.
Above: Elizabeth Arden. Top: Chin Strap de Luxe. Bottom: Forehead Strap and Puffy-Eye Strap.
As with Adair, Arden also applied her chin and forehead straps with skin foods, muscle oils and astringents, which in her case meant, Venetian Orange Skin Food, Venetian Muscle Oil and Venetian Special Astringent. Muscle stimulation was intensified through the use of the Arden Patter.
There is no appliance so important to the beauty of woman as a perfectly made Chin Strap. Its use is absolutely essential to every woman past thirty, or after illness, strain or worry. It is beautifully made of flesh colored satin of the very finest quality, and it has an interlining of powerful astringent herbs which aid in invigorating and restoring relaxed muscles. This Strap is a combination chin and neck strap, tailored to fit the cheeks and chin and to round out ugly irregular lines on the throat. It holds every muscle of the lower part of the face and neck in proper position. It should be tightly adjusted and worn each day for fifteen minutes or longer if convenient. It is the daily treatment that counts. If you wish to wear the Strap during the night, you will find it very soft and comfortable as it is a rest to tired muscles. Then do not adjust it as tightly as during the day.
(Elizabeth Arden, n.d., p. 33.)
See also: Elizabeth Arden
Tapes
Tapes were used to correct or delay the appearance of expression lines between the eyebrows and the corners of the eyes or mouth.
Did you ever go to see a lady, not of uncertain but of uneasy age, and find yourself ushered into the family sitting-room by a new servant, who did not know the ways of the house? Did you find her with a court-plaster lozenge an inch wide between her eyes, and one at the outer ends of her eyebrows? At sight of this remarkable ornament, did concern express itself lest she had fallen down stairs, or had a difference with the cat? Were these insinuations parried with veteran resources, and were you dissuaded from further inquiry by the delicate remark that she could interest you better than by giving the history of her scratches? Of course you knew there was a mystery about those bits of court-plaster, and perhaps feel so to this day, unless Nature have given you the mind of a detective. If so, your patience is to be rewarded. The secret of those patches was not scratches, but wrinkles.
(The ugly girl papers, 1874, pp. 212-213)
Taping was widely promoted but not everyone was convinced that they had any effect.
It has been supposed that when once the skin has been thus corrugated into folds, it were possible, by stretching it with adhesive strips, to restore it to its natural evenness and smoothness. This has failed in every instance we have known it tried, and we consider it time [they were] thrown away.
(Brinton & Napheys, 1870, p. 254)
A number of different companies produced commercial versions. For example, the B. & P. Company sold ‘Wrinkle Eradicators’ and ‘Frowners’ through drug and department stores from 1899. The Wings Products Co. – organised by Mrs. Mary Roebling in 1937 – sold Hollywood Wings – medicated pink tabs shaped like wings – for use on facial frowns and wrinkles. They were still being sold in the 1950s. Similar products are still sold today.
See also: Expression Lines
Current usage
You can still buy straps and tapes that promise results similar to those put forward in the 1900s but neither are commonly used in the beauty industry today their place in salon treatments taken over by face masques. These come in a wide variety of forms, can be customised to an individual client’s requirements, and have the added advantage of not needing a laundry service.
First Posted: 22nd October 2011
Last Update: 31st August 2021
Sources
Ayer, H. H. (1892). My lady’s dressing room adapted from the French of the Baronne Staffe. New York: Cassell Publishing Company.
Banford Academy of Hair and Beauty Culture. (1938). Theory and practice of scientific facial culture and muscle strapping. New York: Beauty Laboratories, Inc.
Brinton, D. G., & Napheys, G. H. (1870). Personal beauty: How to cultivate and preserve it in accordance with the laws of health. Springfield, Mass: W. J. Holland.
Elizabeth Arden Ltd. (n.d.). The quest for the beautiful. New York: Author.
Verni, M. (1946). Modern beauty culture (2nd ed.). London: New Era Publishing.
Wall, F. E. (1946). The principles and practice of beauty culture (2nd ed.). New York: Keystone Publications.
Wall, F. E. (1961). The principles and practice of beauty culture (4th ed.). New York: Keystone Publications.
W. M. Meyer Co. (1936). The cosmetiste: A textbook on cosmetology with special reference to the employment of electricity in the care of the hair, scalp, face, and hands, also permanent waving and hair curling. Chicago, Ill: Author.
The ugly girl papers; or hints on the toilet. (1874). New York: Harper & Brothers.
Woodhead, L. (2003). War paint: Miss Elizabeth Arden and Madame Helena Rubinstein. Their lives, their times, their rivalry. London: Virago.
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Lululemon Face Mask Review – Double Strap Sports Mask
If 2020 has shown us anything, it’s that a lot—a whole lot— can change in a year. Sure, I’m still testing the latest gadgets and gear for the holiday gifting season, but instead of comparing notes on cool tech gadgets with colleagues by the water cooler in the Men’s Health offices, I’m sitting in my “home office” (A. K.A. my couch in a cramped New York apartment) sitting in front of an overwhelming pile of well over 50 fabric face masks, analyzing the differences in construction and fabrication in between Zoom meetings. Weird flex, 2020, but okay.
None of us would have guessed this would be the norm for 2020, but regardless of whether you’re showing any symptoms of a sore throat, dizziness, or fever, it’s imperative that you wear a mask to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
This doesn’t mean the holidays are cancelled this year. It just means that like finding your perfect gift for a loved one this season, finding the perfect face mask is key to making the most of the holly jolly season. The only problem is, finding the most comfortable reusable face mask is a hell of a lot more challenging than it sounds (kind of like figuring out what to gift dear ole dad that seems to have everything he needs.)
Lululemon Double Strap Face Mask
You want a mask that provides a secure, snug fit, but somehow feels like you’re wearing nothing at all. You need your mouth covered, but require the utmost breathability to feel like you’re taking in fresh air instead of smothering yourself with cloth. Oh, and finding a damn good work out mask is a whole other ball game—drowning in a pool of your own sweat sounds like a childhood nightmare you’d continue to hash out with your therapist. After months of searching for the perfect workout mask, I’ve almost completely given up on my quest. Where’s Tony Stark when you need him, amirite?
But then I found out Lululemon was taking on the challenge of making the most comfortable face mask we’ve all been waiting for—and we had to test it out. While the brand isn’t known for developing AI-powered sunglasses or anti-gravity gizmos à la Iron Man, Lululemon consistently delivers wearable, comfortable gear with innovative technical fabrics and smart design tweaks to help you move like an Avenger while living your best life as an average Joe. If there’s one performance apparel brand that could make this ideal mask, it has to be Lululemon.
The Fit
At first glance, The new Lululemon Double Strap Face Mask looks a bit intense with two adjustable straps, but that’s what makes it great for workouts. While other performance face masks from Lululemon’s competitors feature ear loops that can cause irritation, especially when soaked in sweat, the brand was committed to creating a solution for consumers with an active lifestyle. Basically, the two straps prevent this reusable face mask from shifting during any activity, allowing you to focus on the task at hand and nothing else.
The face mask’s construction has a comfortable Olson-like mask shape to contour to your face. To ensure you have some breathing room, it features a center seam that keeps the mask lifted away from your skin, preventing friction against your skin and lowering the chances of pesky “maskne”.
Lululemon
BUY IT HERE
The Fabric
The secure fit is great, but had this Lululemon mask been created with the wrong fabric, there’s no way it would be considered comfortable. Thankfully, Lululemon is known for their innovative fabric technology, so naturally, the brand looked to a fabric they created for their popular women’s sports bras, Ultralu.
Ultralu is an extremely lightweight and breathable fabric that incorporates key features that make it ideal for reusable face masks: four-way stretch, moisture-wicking technology, and quick-drying capabilities. It has the incredibly smooth feeling that’s similar to neoprene but less dense. With added Lycra, the mask is able to stretch to your face shape and retain its shape wear after wear.
What makes this mask stand out is its breathable fabric—it doesn’t create too much heat inside and the thinness of the fabric makes it a million times more comfortable. Plus, I noticed it’s easier for friends to hear my voice when making calls outside. “Can you hear me now? Good.”
The Style
Like most of Lululemon’s apparel offerings, the Double Strap Mask has a minimalist design with discreet seam construction for a streamlined look. Honestly, the last thing you want anyone to focus on is your face mask—and if for some reason you’re purposely trying to look like an astronaut, there’s an option for that, too.
With a low price tag of just $10, you can load up on multiple mask colors and pattern designs, from a cool Palm Deco print to the rich Ink Blue colorway I enjoyed pairing with my denim duds. There are plenty of stylish face masks on the market, but not all match the comfort of this stunner.
It might seem bizarre to consider a face mask as a holiday gift, but trust us, it’ll make everyone on your list extra merry this year.
The Lululemon Double Strap Face Mask is available now at lululemon.com and in stores on November 24th.
Some of Our Favorite Lululemon Items to Buy Now:
Lululemon Cold Terrain Run Gloves
Lululemon Cold Terrain Run Beanie
Lululemon City Sweat Pullover Hoodie French Terry
Lululemon Welterweight Jogger 28″
Adam Mansuroglu
Senior Style and Gear Editor
Adam is the Senior Style and Gear Editor, overseeing grooming, gear, and fashion content on menshealth. com.
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Face mask chains and accessories are taking over social media
Since masks are now on the list of daily essentials we grab before we leave the house, they are becoming just as much of a fashion item as your go-to pair of leggings. From dainty floral designs to fun masks that call for some childhood nostalgia, masks are no longer just a preventative measure, they are a means of self-expression. With this in mind, it makes sense that the latest style trend taking over Instagram is face mask accessories.
You read that right.
From influencers to jewelry designers, people are looking for more unique ways to make wearing a mask work for them by adding chains, embellishments, strings and even personal touches to their fabric masks. One influencer, Lara Eurdolian of Pretty Connected, even launched her own line of mask straps.
These face mask chains and lanyards are meant to be more than just a decorative statement, according to one Etsy shop owner, whose face mask chains are current bestsellers.
“I started to make the chains after noticing that people don’t know where to put their masks when they take it off, to eat or drink, to breathe out in the open, when they get in their cars, et cetera,” Rocio Biosca, owner of Etsy shop FireflyFeelingBright, told Shop TODAY. “Some people would just hang their face mask on their ear, but that is very uncomfortable, and if you place it on a table or on any surface, it could easily become contaminated.”
Related
While accessories like these are intended to make mask wearing a more convenient experience in every kind of setting, experts say this new “fashion trend” can also be encouraging.
“I’m in favor of any accessory that makes a mask more comfortable or appealing to wear,” Daniel Morgan, M. D., a professor of epidemiology and public health and infectious disease at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, told Shop TODAY. “It will encourage people to wear their masks for longer periods of time and help prevent the spread of infection.”
However, Morgan says that the chain (or any accessory used) should not modify or alter the function of the mask. While lightweight chains and decorative overlays are fine to use as an accessory, it is important to keep in mind the actual purpose of the mask. “To have any benefit, masks require a material to serve as a filter — such as cloth — that completely covers the nose and mouth,” he explained.
Dr. Ruth Bush, a vascular surgeon and associate dean of medical education at the University of Houston College of Medicine, is also in favor of the trend and has her own assortment of unique face masks. As mask-wearing becomes mandated in states across the country, Bush says it makes sense to invest in face mask accessories. “Since we must wear one though, why not look good!” she said.
Whether you decide to opt for fun prints or sequins, you should still ensure that your accessories can be properly washed. “Though I must state, above all, whatever you do, just wear a mask,” Bush added. “This simple act shows respect for your neighbors, your loved ones, your community and the world.”
If you’re looking to get in on the latest trend and test out some options yourself, we found accessories, masks and more that are just as fashionable as they are functional.
To shop this article by category, click below or keep scrolling to browse everything.
Face Mask Chains
1. FireFlyFeelingBright Face Mask Chain
Biosca crafted using this chain using bracelet beads. “I thought that it would make it more fashionable than a simple cord,” Biosca told us — and it worked, since this lightweight beaded chain is a current bestseller on Etsy.
You can try out the trend by purchasing one or purchase a set of three to gift to friends. If your mask has a thicker ear loop, you can also clip the chain around itself for a secure fit.
2. StyleMaskNY Face Mask Strap
These washable mask straps are designed to fit both adults and children and are currently available in three different colors. The length of the chain is just short enough that it doesn’t dangle, but long enough rest comfortably away from your face.
3. The Sis Kiss Custom Face Mask Holder
Accessory brand The Sis Kiss has also stepped into the mask chain scene, creating custom pieces that are available in an array of colors and styles. Each piece can be customized with your name, initials or even a mantra that will serve as fashion statement.
4. PieraBijouxDesign Custom Initial Mask Chain
You can personalize this dainty chain with letters of your choice and with three gold-style finishes to choose from, this custom find also adds a bit of glam to any outfit. The chains are also available in kid sizes too.
5. Coach Dinky Chain Strap
This elegant chain from Coach features small clasps that can be used on masks with thin ear loops, or clasped onto itself to help stay put.
6. FromClareWithLove Mask Chain with Pouch
This handmade mask chain is just as dainty as it is convenient. Reviewers are calling it “cute and lightweight” and perfect for work.
7. JunieLife Lace Mask Lanyard Set
Etsy shop JunieLife has a collection of dainty chains that you can purchase individually to match your masks at home, or you can purchase a matching mask and lanyard set that pair perfectly with one another.
8. ATLanyards Eyeglass Chain
You can clip this chain on the top ends of your face mask to keep it in place and prevent it from slipping out of place. The stainless steel chain is both light and durable.
9. Custom Lanyard Face Mask Lanyard
These lanyards have already amassed 30 five-star reviews and are available in six vibrant colors. You can snag two of them on sale for just $5.
10. Coconeedle Shop Handmade Stripe Face Mask Lanyard
This face mask strap is made from ribbon and has a button closure, so you can adjust it to the size of your mask and wear it how it fits best. Both kid and adult sizes are currently available in three different patterns.
11. JJCraftsMasks Face Mask Lanyard
These fabric lanyards also feature button closure and are available in two different sizes to accommodate variations in mask size.
12. MaskKeeper Cord Lanyard (Set of 3)
You can purchase this bestselling set of three mask lanyards for just $12, so you can order multiple for your family. The masks can easily be clipped and unclipped for when they need to be washed, as the individual hooks are easy to maneuver.
13. Cotton Boutique Face Mask Lanyard
These lanyards are sturdy but use a slightly thinner fabric to hold face masks in place. While the chain is 36 inches long, the seller recommends knotting it to keep it at your preferred length.
14. The Rusty Jalopy Mask Lanyard with Ear Saver
Designed for both children and adults, this lanyard is suitable to use with most face masks. The lanyards also feature included ear savers, so it can easily be adjusted for a better, snug fit.
Related
Face mask accessories
1. Packmille Face Mask Bracket
After a Georgia teacher went viral for her innovative use of face mask brackets, they’ve become one of the most popular face mask accessories on the market. The accessory rests underneath face masks and its 3D design makes it easier to talk while wearing a mask (or keep lipstick intact). This style from Etsy shop Packmille is available in both adult and kid sizes.
2. EVGlow Silicone Ear Savers
Whether you often wear your mask for extended periods of time or simply want to avoid the pressure that the straps place on your ears, these soft silicone ear savers can offer some relief. They’re available in multicolor packs of four and have amassed more than 600 verified five-star reviews.
3. Plazala Ear Loop Locks
Finding the perfect mask that just doesn’t fit right doesn’t mean you have to go searching for a new one all over again. These convenient ear loop locks allow you to adjust the fit of the straps around your ears and face, for a secure, comfortable fit. One verified Amazon reviewer called them “a must for back-to-school right now.”
4. BloomAngels Guardian Angel Mask Case
If you prefer to keep your mask stowed away when it’s not in use, this bestselling storage case is a popular option on Etsy. It features a mask deodorizer and antibacterial coating that can help keep your mask stowed away and sanitary.
5. Mainely Crochet Design Button Headband
These innovative headbands use thick buttons that you can loop your mask’s ear loops over to not only achieve a better fit, but to also keep the pressure off of your ears. You can choose from 25 different styles to rotate through, so you can wash one while wearing the next.
6. Tasha Imitation Pearl Hair Clips
To combat ear irritation, one hairdresser took an innovative approach by using chic barrettes instead of a typical ear saver, Allure reported. These clips come in a set of two and can make wearing a mask both stylish and comfortable.
7. Hanna Roberts Headband with Ear Savers
This stylish headband currently ranks among the top five fashion headbands on Amazon. You can choose between seven different styles that all feature convenient buttons, which function as ear savers for reusable face masks.
“After a long day of mask usage, ear pains are definitely a problem! This product provides the comfort as advertised,” one verified reviewer wrote. “The headband material is also sturdy and soft!”
8. AriaMarliCollections Mask Storage Bag
These bestselling keychain mask storage bags are another chic way to keep your mask within reach, and not hanging somewhere in your car until the next time you need it. The pouches are large enough to fit most fabric masks and are also machine washable.
Stylish Face Masks
1. Baggu Fabric Mask (Set of 5)
Baggu’s fabric masks are crafted with 100% organic quilter’s cotton and feature adjustable ear loops, a nose wire and a filter pocket for optional use. For every pack of masks sold, Baggu will be donating a portion of the proceeds to numerous organizations such as the Black Voters Matter Fund, Center for Disaster Philanthropy and Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
2. Everlane The 100% Human Face Mask (Pack of 5)
We had the chance to try out Everlane’s solid-colored face masks last month and loved how soft the fabric felt while still managing to be breathable. Everlane’s tie-dye fabric face mask collection is slightly chicer than the standard color deviations but still provides the same comfortable fit.
3. Lele Sadoughi Face Mask
For those truly looking to make a subtle fashion statement, this beautifully beaded face mask has a double-layered design and a filter pocket. The ear loops can also be adjusted, thanks to the sliding beads that help provide a better fit.
4. Leopard Fanny Pack and Face Mask Set
This fanny pack set proves that matching sets aren’t just for clothing. The reusable mask is made from two layers of cotton fabric with a built-in filter. Whether you need to run errands or stow away your mask when you’re not wearing it, the fanny pack is the second stylish and functional item in this set.
5. BalancedCasa Bow Face Mask
A unique take on self-tie masks, these adorable gingham print face masks can help you stay protected in style. The masks are available in both kid and adult sizes and feature a double-layer design crafted from cotton with a filter pocket and an adjustable wire around the nose.
6. BaubleBar Adjustable Face Mask (Set of 2)
BaubleBar just added additional styles to its popular face mask collection, so you can now choose between a total of five different sets of designs. The masks are sold at cost, so you can stock up and rotate as needed.
7. Jackie Yazmin Holographic Face Mask
This holographic mask is a fashion statement all on its own, but for a little extra flair, you can purchase the matching scrunchie. The inside is made from soft cotton while the outside is made from a polyester blend, but to maintain the sleek look the seller recommends hand-washing the mask.
8. Stoney Clover Lane Face Mask (Set of 2)
These cute fabric face masks are back in stock and are decorated with matching pastel heart beads for an accessorized look. For a custom fit, these masks use self-tie straps to ensure all-day comfort and protection.
9. Araks Protective Face Mask
Available in seven different designs and patterns, these masks are made from a durable cotton and feature adjustable, intricate self-ties. Twenty percent of the proceeds from these stylish masks will be donated to the non-profit GetUsPPE, which works to address the shortage of PPE worldwide.
For more stories like this, check out:
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Sarah Jessica Parker Keeps Wearing Pretty Connected Face Mask Chain Strap
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Sarah Jessica Parker doesn’t really repeat outfits the way we’ve seen celebrities like Katie Holmes and Angelina Jolie rewear their favorite staples. Holmes has her Common Projects white sneakers, which she wears at least three times a week. Jolie has her Everlane basics, which she pairs with thousands of dollars worth of accessories. Parker, in true Carrie Bradshaw fashion, is constantly reinventing her look, breaking fashion rules, wearing controversial pants, and rarely ever doing the same thing twice. Which is exactly why we were so surprised to realize she’s been wearing the same $30 face mask chain for weeks with nearly every single one of her outfits.
SJP Keeps Wearing this Face Chain Mask on Repeat
Credit: Getty Images
SJP Keeps Wearing this Face Chain Mask on Repeat
Credit: Getty Images
Of course this shouldn’t come as a surprise. If anyone were to find the perfect stylish hack for face masks it would be SJP herself. The chain she can’t stop wearing is a chunky silver option by the brand Pretty Connected, and it costs just $30 on Amazon. She’s worn the face mask chain often with her go-to plain black mask by Masqd. Since Parker has been actually working through the pandemic at her SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker shoe store in Manhattan, it feels right that her most worn accessory would be something so practical yet fashionable.
face mask chains
Credit: Courtesy
Shop now: $30; amazon.com
The mask chain makes any outfit hassle-free by allowing you to easily wear your mask around your neck when you’re able to take it off. Not to mention, it adds some instant bling to your look. Parker has shown a newfound dedication to all things sparkly and bedazzled, and the chain works perfectly with her rhinestone boots or embellished baby doll shoes. But the best thing about this $30 face mask chain is that you can also just be wearing sweatpants and it will automatically take your outfit up a notch. SJP has actually also been wearing sweatpants non-stop and proves this theory to be correct.
2021 is looking to be slightly better but still just as chaotic as 2020, and we all need to keep wearing face masks while social distancing for months to come. So why not dress up our face masks and try to have some fun with it for now? If it’s good enough for SJP, it’s good enough for us. Not to mention this is probably the most affordable celeb-approved accessory trend we’ll ever see.
Shop the Sarah Jessica Parker-approved face mask chain below, as well as some similar options from Amazon.
PrettyConnected Nikki Silver Face Mask Chain
face mask chains
Credit: Courtesy
Shop now: $30; amazon.com
Skqir Store 2 Piece Silver Face Mask Necklace Chain
face mask chains
Credit: Courtesy
Shop now: $11; amazon.com
Happibox Face Mask Chain
face mask chains
Credit: Courtesy
Shop now: $10; amazon.com
Mernjir Face Mask Chain
face mask chains
Credit: Courtesy
Shop now: $8; amazon.com
Kai Top Store Beaded Face Mask Chain
face mask chains
Credit: Courtesy
Shop now: $11; amazon.com
Sam & Lori Face Mask Chain
face mask chains
Credit: Courtesy
Shop now: $13; amazon.com
IDesign Store Face Mask Chain
face mask chains
Credit: Courtesy
Shop now: $10; amazon.com
Crimmy Store Face Mask Chain Lanyard
face mask chains
Credit: Courtesy
Shop now: $10; amazon.com
Hidden Hollow Beads Store
face mask chains
Credit: Courtesy
Shop now: $9 (Originally $110; amazon.com
Graphene Face Slimming Strap Double Gear Chin Strap Skin Tightening V-Shape Face Lift Chin Strap
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Longines Dolcevita | silver strap | white face | L52584716
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If all goods are in stock, then the order is picked by 4:00 pm (Monday to Friday) for shipment on the same day or by 11:30 am on Saturday for shipment on Monday.Please note that all our orders are subject to control procedures before shipment, and we must also accept payment. If it turns out to be impossible, we send an email. letter or SMS with further instructions. For delivery and other questions, please contact us at 01926 298499.
For other products, we quote the expected delivery time whenever possible. If, after placing your order, it is found that the delivery of the goods within the specified time is not guaranteed, we will notify you so that you can change the order if necessary.The goods are dispatched immediately after they arrive at the warehouse using the delivery method you have chosen. We do not charge your card until the item is shipped (PayPal and Amazon charge your card immediately).
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In addition to our 30-day return policy, all items purchased from October 1, 2021 can now be returned by January 15, 2022. terms and conditions apply.
Your overall shopping pleasure is our goal, so we allow you to change your mind about any item purchased from this site within 30 days.This can be done using the form attached to the placed order, or in another way. We will refund all payments received from you (minus shipping costs) in full, usually within 48 hours after we receive the item. Refunds will be issued with the original payment method. For most of them, the translation is carried out within 3-5 business days.
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Shower gels, oils and soaps
Shower gels, soap
What is our daily routine? Work, home, and in the evening meeting with close friends or a loved one? Whatever we do, wherever we are, we cannot imagine our life without water procedures and personal hygiene.Otherwise, how could we radiate energy and feel fresh and vigorous ? And for these procedures, special products are needed: an ecological moisturizing shower gel, soap. These products help us to feel good in any life situations, smell fresh . Shower gel without sulfates and parabens , for sensitive or dry skin, acne treatment gel … Whatever your requirements, a rich assortment of of these products in the e-shop Kaup24.ee will enable you to find what you are looking for quickly and easily .
Do you need shower gel for women Adidas , Rasa moisturizing gel , or maybe you are looking for shower gel for men Lacoste, Chanel ? Products in our store can be selected not only by the manufacturer’s company , but also by favorite aromas: shower gel with argan oil , with tea tree oil, aphrodisiacs, pheromones – it remains only to decide which aroma for day you want to feel.The price of shower gels Dove, Palmolive, Nivea, Adidas corresponds to the quality, you will not only smell good , but also feel that your skin is protected by . We must take care of not only about ourselves, but also about the cleanliness and freshness of our little family members. We can offer you for children not only high-quality goods, but also interesting packaging, which will give baby a lot of joy. They should like green soap , which will attract attention with its color.It not only washes away dirt with , but at the same time moisturizes and nourishes the skin . Soap for hamam , Himalayan, Marseilles, hypoallergenic, tar – whichever option you choose, you will feel clean and fresh for a long time.
The price of black hair soap is immediately evident, so if you want to pamper yourself or try something new , give yourself extra freshness and charm.Although we use this product every day, soap as gift is a great idea for birthday as well as other holidays or important dates.
Young parents will surely be pleased with natural ecological soap for children handmade, it should appeal to lovers of natural products. Laundry soap for hair, for acne, is probably not suitable for a birthday present, but it can be productively used every day in household chores.If you are looking for where soap for oily skin or for sensitive face skin, intimate hygiene, body soap is sold, we suggest you look into the electronic store Kaup24.ee and get acquainted with the offered assortment. Here you can buy face and body soaps, handmade soaps and other products at very attractive prices, so that you can simply and easily take care of your hygiene and solve your skin problems. You don’t have to waste your time standing in endless lines.Without leaving your home, you can order all in our store: shower gel, any soap or other goods – and the order will soon be at your home.
Our store often has promotions , so you can buy goods at very attractive prices . There are face and body soap from companies such as Weleda, Escada, Eucerin, Rituals, Radox, Replay, Playboy, Puma, Aras, Bioderma, Diesel, Fa, Greenland, Guess, Lynx, Lavera, Cottage, Netrual, Margarita, Mexx dušo želė, Ringuva, Wileda, Tindi, Tork, Terra, Palmolive, Smile, Sebamed, Dove, Dalan, DuduOsun, Genera, Himalaya, Linea, LePetitOlivier, Žiedė, Camay, Carmen, Eucerin, Monar, Medimix .Take a look at our store and you will surely find what you need.
“They kissed their lips painfully” What erotic games looked like in the Russian Empire: Society: Russia: Lenta.ru
A pastoral Russian village of the late 19th century seems to many to be the abode of chastity, house building and strict moral principles. But behind this screen are the rituals of the village youth, which are capable of shaking even those who have seen the kinds of people and now look absolutely immoral. The elements of coercion that were necessarily present in them will make any adherent of the new ethics indignant.Folklorists and anthropologists Maria Gavrilova and Alexandra Arkhipova delivered a lecture “Kiss or Slap: Erotic Games of the Russian People.” “Lenta.ru” publishes fragments from it.
Maria Gavrilova:
In our culture, we are used to associating play with the concept of childhood. We do not just say “play”, but “child’s play”, meaning games as such. In fact, it began not so long ago – from the end of the 18th – beginning of the 19th century.
In general, in traditional societies, this was more likely not the case, play was not isolated as a child’s form of activity and was more likely to apply to everyone.There were not so many special children’s games, and they belonged to the time of infancy, and mostly children played the same games as adults. These were gambling, erotic games, and others. At the same time, no matter how strange, unbridled or gambling game, it very often carried a sense not only to have fun and amuse your vicious inclinations, but also a social and quite often ritual function.
Our recent ancestors got married quite early, it was customary for them to do it without exception.People who were not married or married had a very low social status and were practically deprived of public rights. They did not have the right to vote in society at important moments, so they tried to marry people very early, practically in childhood.
Among other things, this kind of society lacks what is natural for us – the concept of personal space. The life of people proceeded in very cramped conditions. On the one hand, they lived on the street, because by their main occupation they were in nature: in the field, in the forest, and so on.On the other hand, they all spent the night in the same room, in close quarters, on top of each other.
What seems to us shameless, rather licentious, was partly due to the fact that children from childhood saw absolutely everything, because everyone was doing everything in full view of everyone. On top of all this, such manifestations were very strongly ritualized, and this was not some kind of manifestation of personal desires and aspirations, but, rather, a socially strictly regulated action, a public manifestation characteristic of a certain age at certain moments and situations.
Under these conditions, it was impossible to be unduly shy, because it was condemned. Young people who participated in public life together with their peers should not have been unnecessarily pinched, because such people are sent to the back bench and are no longer counted as subjects. At the same time, being too free in all manifestations was unacceptable, since everyone was in full view of everyone, and this was condemned.
It is important to understand that sexuality in such a society was quite aggressive.“Beats means loves” – this is just from this area. After all, manifestations of sexuality, even normative ones, were tied to spanking, humiliation, beating and other similar things.
Since everyone got married very early and without exception, it was necessary to re-acquaint the youth as early as possible and through these rituals to prepare for what awaited them. In this regard, children began to go to meetings (conversations) quite early on with their peers – almost from 10 or 12 years old, where they participated in various kinds of entertainment.These were not necessarily some kind of unbridled activities, but something of this kind was already beginning to manifest itself at this age.
Christmas gatherings
Illustration: Globallookpress.com
There were older and younger conversations. The younger ones were attended by small children who cannot yet be grooms and brides, but are already beginning to get acquainted, somehow interact with each other, play, sing songs. Although the main idea of such meetings was that everyone was engaged in needlework.The girls mostly spin, and the guys either do nothing, or, if the day is not a holiday, weave sandals, baskets or something else.
Everyone sat very closely, literally on each other’s lap. And, interestingly, it was the guys who sat down on the knees of the girls more often, and not vice versa
Girls, as a rule, provided the premises, rented it either for working off, or for money or some value that they brought to the owners of the premises. Often it was a widow who had a free hut, and this was her way of earning, among other things.
There could be several such conversations in the village, and the guys in companies wandered from one to another, lingering on each for some time. They prevented the girls from doing needlework, took away the spindles from them, confused the threads, pinned them, distracting them from work in every possible way, pulled them into all sorts of activities, and so on. They kissed each other endlessly, sat on top of each other. There was fumes, stuffiness and noise.
Observers describe this kind of entertainment: “there was a subtle sound of endless kisses, like a mouse squeak.”There were different kissing techniques, and everyone did it, constantly and continuously. In the eyes of a modern person, it looked wild.
On the other hand, it is important to understand that this whole event was rather strictly regulated, and there was no complete permissiveness. In addition, the whole event was attended by a large number of witnesses. There were also small children, they looked out the windows, climbed onto the beds, stoves and watched all this. For them it was a semi-theatrical event.There were also elderly people who watched how it all happened, and noticed who allowed themselves what. They made sure that there was nothing superfluous.
People of the late 19th – early 20th centuries were quite straightforward. There weren’t any subtle ambiguities. There was a class of games that involved dividing the participants into pairs, sometimes in an arbitrary order, by lot. During them, the participants had to kiss or at least somehow interact with each other. Not kissing if it was prescribed by the rules of the game was pretty bad.Such a person was punished, usually beaten.
Photo: Library of Congress / Corbis / Getty
Or the participants represented roughly who they liked, and they began, as they say now, to “ship” – with the help of any ritual actions to push each other, so that they both have shown their sympathy. They could force you to kiss with the person sitting next to you, or push you to confess who you like, and then call that person. Or they arranged a game when everyone had to visit everyone in a pair in turn and, accordingly, kiss.
Alexandra Arkhipova:
If you refused to kiss as part of the game, you could be pulled with a strap. This was a rather serious punishment. If, for example, as a now elderly woman from a village in the Vologda region told us in an interview, while going to conversations she fell into this game, everyone wanted to kiss her, because she was a very beautiful girl, and she had a boyfriend, and she refused, then she was rather perceptibly beaten with a belt on the back. That is, these kisses had a very significant coercive factor.
Maria Gavrilova:
Sometimes they were beaten by children, sometimes by some of the elders. Often, especially at festive gatherings, there was a presenter from an older age group or even generally married, and he was doing this as a stronger and more responsible one.
Permanent couples often formed. Back then, girls and boys didn’t really want to swap partners. In this case, the constant guy had to serve as the girl’s protector and substitute his back so that he would be beaten instead of her if he did not want her to kiss someone else.He was beaten twice: for him and for his girlfriend.
It made sense to acquire a permanent boyfriend, not only because it is prestigious, honorable and pleasant, but also because in all these games he takes, in theory, all the punishments on himself, freeing the girl from the need to kiss anyone. And this had to be done constantly.
Alexandra Arkhipova:
Once again we repeat two terms: older and younger conversations. The younger ones are 13-14-15 years old, the older ones are 16-17 years old. Sometimes it happened that the younger children were led by the people of the older conversations, and then these were rather innocent games.And what people played at senior conversations – this was already, from the point of view of modern ethics, tin, tin and tin.
Maria Gavrilova:
The two main types of conventionally erotic, in the modern view, interaction in such games were: kissing with everyone and hitting. They were often combined together in the same game.
It used to command everyone who sits next to kiss. They ask the girl: did you go to the swamp? – I went. – Did you pick the berries? – Collected. – Whom did you kiss? And you had to name either the one you like, and if you don’t want to name or you don’t like anyone, then you have to kiss the one who is next to you.And if you refuse, they beat you.
Painting by A. Venetsianov “The Reapers”
Or they distributed by lot pairs for kisses using, for example, threads. The presenter grabbed the threads in the middle, the girls took the ends on one side, and the guys on the other. Accordingly, you do not know with whom you will fall out to hold on to different ends of the same thread and then – surprise-surprise – you have to kiss! Of course, it was possible to refuse such a kiss, but it was a great shame and entailed sanctions.It was easier to do it.
There is also such a game – “smoking room”, when it is necessary to transfer a lit torch. For those who go out, he gives a fant and fulfills some desire. In one of the options, it was necessary to kiss all the guys or girls, depending on who you are – a guy or a girl. Well, if you hesitate or do not want to kiss, then you will be beaten
Well, or just beaten – it happened quite often. For example, you had to admit whether you like your neighbor, if you like, kiss him, and if not, then quickly change places so that you are not beaten, or just be patient.
Alexandra Arkhipova:
Another example: there is a presenter, for example, me, and you are all sitting around me in a conversation. I very quickly say to someone: do you like the presenter? You either kiss quickly, or I quickly say “apply” and almost immediately hit you on the body with a belt. This is a game of speed and reaction of a person with a belt.
Our story is that we seem to love birches, Russian culture and want to return there. But in reality, one must return there with great care.This culture is built on completely different grounds, one of which was that since you belong to a certain age class, then you are forced to show this kind of interaction. And if you do not show them, then you become a social pariah – something is wrong with you, no one will marry you or will not marry you.
Maria Gavrilova:
There was, by the way, a lot of entertainment where no one was kissed, but immediately beaten. There were, say, such Christmastime entertainment as “bake pancakes”, “salt girls” or “give the girls horseradish.”The guys invaded the meeting, grabbed all the girls in turn, took them on their backs, and you had to hit them on the back with a shovel or a board. Or just grab the girls on the street, throw them into the snow and roll on this snow. This is also a traditional ritual entertainment.
The main trash and frenzy took place during Christmas celebrations. A fairly common form of dressing up is dressing up the dead at Christmas time. A young man was brought in, covered with a white sheet, his face sprinkled with flour. In his mouth, he could have terrible teeth, carved from potatoes, depicting a ghoul.Under this sheet, he was completely naked.
It was carried either on the board or by holding hands and feet. There was a comic priest, who cured with a bast shoe, into which was put on fire dung or other strange smelly things, he sprinkled those present with a broom from a tub. At the same time, he sang obscene obscene funerals about what a good person was, describing his physical characteristics, behavior and wishes for everyone to do something more pleasant than attending a funeral.
After that, various kinds of entertainment usually began. The girls were seized, brought to him by force and forced to say goodbye to him, kiss on the face, on the lips, in those terrible teeth. At the same time, he puffed out of his mouth with pre-stored coals, flour or soot. They could be forced to kiss him and not at all on the lips, but on other parts of the body
Or there was such entertainment with the deceased as “measuring silk.” Silk was wound on his genitals. They brought the girls up to him and said that they needed to measure the silk on the dress and bite off after that.If the girl did not do this, she was immediately beaten. If she had a boyfriend, then he could somehow smear her from this, substitute himself so that he would be beaten instead of her. But if the guy was not there, or he was somehow not like that, then she was still beaten. In the end, the deceased could “come to life” – running around naked, waving his parts, climbing kissing girls, dirtying them (since he was soiled in soot or flour) and interacting with them in every way interesting.
This was not the only option. For example, “the skin on a bear.”The man was dressed as a bear in a fur coat, and under the fur coat he was naked. They sold his “skin”, took off his fur coat, and he ran around naked, embarrassing and frightening everyone. Or the mummer portrayed a “cow”, they took him on all fours on a strap and offered everyone to milk him for a “tit”, and he kicked at the same time. Then the girls were dragged to him and forced to do the same, which made them embarrassed.
Photo: Universal History Archive / UIG / Getty
There was also a variant of the “mill”, when the rear of a young man represented the mill.The girls were forced to feel it to check if the grind was good. “Mill” also behaved quite freely, could crawl under the hem and so on. Or they could “roll boots”. The mummers spread a sheet on the floor, put girls and boys in there, wrapped them up and rolled them until they got bored. After that, they still said “thank you, good boots, we liked everything!”
The most trashy case is playing with “hot grandfathers”. We have not come across anything worse. The bottom line is that these grandfathers, at some crucial moment, pull the girls out into the snow and rub it between their legs with this snow, or lift the girl upside down, upside down and put snow on her hem, and so on all in turn.And the girls had no right to be indignant at the same time, they had to thank, like Morozko’s stepdaughter: “Thank you, my dear grandfather!”
Alexandra Arkhipova:
Here is one of the plots of such a game, which has already been recorded in a 19th century diary in the city of Berezovo. This is a game of “king”, where the “king” chooses a “queen”, begins to feel, touch and kiss her. This is one of the rare games that has a direct succession in modern erotic games.
What Masha was talking about is, in a sense, ritually tied to two things.This is either part of a calendar rite, Christmas time, when there is a complete revelry of evil spirits at Christmas and after it, and you can behave this way. It’s no coincidence that you dress up as a dead man, devil, you turn the idea of a priest upside down. Time prescribes this behavior to you, because at this moment everyone behaves in an inverted manner.
The second moment of antibehavior was available during conversations, when girls and boys, who had reached age, came to separate huts, met there, and there it was ordered to behave as they did not behave in ordinary life.It was not for nothing that Masha was talking about at the beginning – the guys sat on the knees of the girls, and not vice versa.
In all the games that we have described, you probably remember the moment of cruelty, the element of coercion, beating, but, among other things, these were games tied to certain moments. In a calendar sense, they usually took place in January-February, because this is the time when there is little work, the time of Christmas festivities, and this is the time when the days drag on and need to be filled with something. Not that these games are played non-stop throughout the entire calendar year.
Maria Gavrilova:
When Soviet power was established in Russia and adjacent territories, she was very concerned about raising youth and children. She paid very serious attention to their play activities. And this applied not only to erotic games, but games in general. They tried to subject them to a very serious revision as outdated in terms of realities and ideology and unsuitable for a new person. There was a concept that leisure is no less important for political education than education at school, so it must be very tightly controlled, to suppress what was not good from the point of view of the Soviet regime, and to support what was good.
A lot of things fell under this. At one point, playing with dolls was condemned as individualistic. We tried to stop the children playing at the dinner party – they were told that we were not playing at lunchtime, but at public catering. Or, if we played a wedding, no, we are not playing a wedding, but some public holiday.
Accordingly, sexual elements were highly discouraged, especially since some of those people in the Soviet Union who were previously involved in the field of education were quite educated.They knew about Freud, about sublimation. There was even a well-founded opinion that this element should be eliminated in order to channel the energy of adolescents and young people into another channel – the channel of building communism.
Photo: Anatoly Garanin / RIA Novosti
In the 1920s, quite a lot of manuals were published on this topic: how to organize cultural education in a village, establish reading rooms and some kind of cultural program in them. Among other things, it indicated that all these games should be suppressed as much as possible, somewhere more severely, and somewhere more gently.
The training manual said: you see that young people are going to play something like this, and you will infiltrate there, try to attract their attention, take the initiative and offer them something else instead. Something more interesting, refined and cultural, instead of these unbridled and, by the way, unhygienic fun. It was said that kisses should be especially suppressed, because in this way diseases can be transmitted – even not so much sexuality itself is disgusting as a violation of epidemic norms (and everyone really kissed with everyone).
What could have been suggested instead? For example, well-chosen mass dances. That is, instead of some kind of pair entertainment, quadrille, tango and even foxtrot, select entertainment where everyone dances one at a time, but collectively moves to the beat. Especially if this activity had some kind of everyday, revolutionary content, and it was accompanied by a song, altered accordingly.
Or, for example, they could be offered board games, such as “Selhozloto”, or “Azbuka-Lotto”, where it was suggested to guess the slogans from the pictures.Or “Gazetnoe Lotto”, where it was necessary to evaluate newspaper news as positive or negative. One could also offer singing, choir, recitation, intellectual games, riddles, scientific entertainment. Various indoor outdoor games were allowed, for example, “Politfants”, “Politlottery”, an auction game, where instead of the price for the prize they pay with a detailed story, say, about the international situation of the USSR. Or how to choose a dairy cow. Or how best to develop agricultural cooperation.
It was also possible to have fun by arranging a trial over any literary work or negative social phenomenon.For example, to play a scene in which the mother does not allow her son to join the pioneers, and to arrange a trial for all of this.
The training manual offered ready-made scenarios for game evenings. They began and ended with a march to music, some simple gymnastic pyramid. They had about five different games and two unpaired dances to revolutionary songs.
But, judging by the fact that erotic games survived until the 50s, and some – until the 60s, there was an acute shortage of cultural educators in the village.All continued to do more or less the same, and then stopped for completely different reasons.
Aleksandra Arkhipova:
Game of the “bottle” – the bottle is spinning, whoever he points to, he kisses. The big question is when this game appeared. The Swede Erik Gustav Eström left a dramatic account of how he spent Christmas in Russia at the age of 22 on January 7, 1913. The whole thing takes place in Nizhny Novgorod.
“They introduced us to many local families, got acquainted with many Russian customs of celebrating Christmas.We got together in the evening, played and danced until midnight, many games were with songs, almost all games with fans. Most of them were kisses. I kissed girls from Nizhny Novgorod until my lips hurt. Russian girls take care of their lips, but kissing is allowed during the Christmas games. ”
This is a very important point that we talked about earlier – the anti-behavior attachment to Christmas remains. During Christmas and Christmas time, you can behave in a way that you do not behave in ordinary life, and you can kiss everyone.
A mention of the game appears here, and in an urban, rich merchant environment – a kiss for desire. Are you asking: desire or kiss? That is, a person must either fulfill the desire or kiss. It doesn’t have a name yet, but somewhere between the suffering of the Swede and the Second World War, this game gets the name “bottle”. The principle of roulette is very strong in it – the one who gets the random draw of the wheel must do something.
Maria Gavrilova:
We don’t see this game in a traditional village environment.Why? Because there are, firstly, many other interesting games, and, secondly, it is very difficult to imagine a situation where a Russian peasant will play a bottle, since a bottle is a rather valuable object, it is unlikely to be used so stupid. Moreover, the table used in this game is a completely unacceptable field for such a game. In traditional views, this is a throne, a sacred place, behind which it is not allowed to do anything. As we know, you need to play with the bottle either at the table or on the floor, and Russian peasants do not sit on the floor.
We assume that this is an international game. In its technique, it is similar to the board game “compass”, which was widespread in Europe in the 19th century. It was a map, in the middle of which a movable arrow was placed, and it had to be launched. Players placed bets on different sectors of the field, like in roulette. Where the arrow pointed, that sector won.
Alexandra Arkhipova:
There are two corpuses of Russian texts in which you can check the occurrence of certain expressions.These are the National Corpus of the Russian Language and the Large Corpus of Diaries on the website prozhito.org. For both of these buildings, the expression “playing with a bottle” or “playing with a bottle” began to be consistently encountered in the 60s, but the first hit was 1941.
Photo: Samuel Hopwood / Getty
A senior student at the boarding school writes: “When the teachers left, they began to play with a bottle, with doves, in a word, with kissing games. All the guys were embarrassed and only pretended to kiss, and if the audience really insisted, they kissed each other on the forehead or on the hand.This was the first time I took part in this game. ”
This is a very chaste version of the bottle. Note that there is a very reduced, simplified, but coercive element in this description. The author writes that the audience “insisted on the kiss.” We meet him regularly in traditional games.
Further in the diaries, in the 50s – 60s, the bottle game occurs in the same dramatic context. It can be called like this: the Komsomol organizer met a bottle. Repeatedly the Komsomol organizers complain that those for whom they are responsible behave differently.In this case, a twenty-year-old Komsomol member writes: “My Komsomol organization is doomed to failure. Yesterday’s party at Bori T.’s side clarified a lot about the mood of the group. These are well-established moods of frivolity, bohemianism and epicureanism. I am terribly sick of all this, especially the games of “kys-brys” and “bottle”. ”
We have divided post-Soviet and late-Soviet erotic games into two subtypes. The first is the usual games, into which, perhaps by accident, an erotic component is introduced. It could be any games, for example, which were called “blind man’s buff”, “blind cat”.Unlike the usual hide-and-seek games, they were played in the room with the lights out. When you catch someone in complete darkness, you can touch them. Or you may not feel it. That is, the erotic element was completely casual here.
The second type of games is just the one that interests us, in which bodily contact or kissing was the main goal, a scenario that existed for this. Among the repeated games in the survey that we launched, in addition to the “bottle”, these are “kis-scatter-meow”, “truth or action”, “aram-shim-shim” or “aram-zam-zam”, “clothespins”, “Statue of love”, “dancing on the newspaper”, “kiss right through” and “playing the prince”.
In all these games there is an element of coercion on the part of the collective, some social sanctions, but they are very weakly expressed in comparison with what we know about traditional Russian culture with beating, dragging, public embarrassment and the like.
It is clear that our survey is not representative, but we asked the respondents how they now feel about the practices they had in childhood. Almost 10 percent said it was rather negative, 45 percent said it was rather positive, and 36 percent neutral.That is, rather okay. When asked how the parents treated this then, the overwhelming majority answered that they either did not know, or they did not care.
Here is a very characteristic quote about the attitude towards these games now. According to her, games associated with heading and erotic touching are not good because they are played by a child with strangers. This is where we come to an important moment when a new ethic invades this story. The old and new ethics are now everywhere, including in relation to erotic games.
We asked a question, how would you react if your students or children would now play such games. The answers were distributed in different ways, but 25 percent of the respondents gave answers from the series, which, of course, is okay, but first you need to talk about the boundaries of the body, about their violation and non-violation. An example of such an answer: “provided that the children understood that they can refuse to comply with the conditions of the game at any time when it becomes uncomfortable or abnormal.” Where they kiss on the cheek – okay, in other cases it is necessary to explain to the children that they have the right to refuse and advise to use it.Or “today I would be worried that everything can be filmed on phones and then used for blackmail.”
Painting by II Sokolov “Night on Ivan Kupala”
This attitude to such games is completely opposite to that which we observe in Russian culture almost a century ago. When not just coercion and violence were obligatory, but it would be impossible to imagine a Russian girl Manefa, 16 years old from the Vologda village of Nikolaevskoe, in which they explain to her what you should feel, in which situation in the game you are comfortable, and in which not, and if you are uncomfortable, you must quit this game immediately.
This is really a very big difference in the attitude to these games, since they were built not so much on causing some kind of erotic effect as on this forced humiliation and confusion of the participants.