Maintinaing a little bit of (ab)normal in unusual times

April 30, 2020 10:18 AM

People are finding new ways to maintain normalcy in unusual times, and makeup routines are no different. Well, they are and they aren't. Enough talking, time for videos: face masks can reduce the total makeup time [YouTube], or you could put makeup on the mask [YT]. Otherwise, you could make a tiny face above your mask, which may or may not be inspired by Tim and Eric [via Mltshp]. Alternatively, a cloth mask with a clear plastic portion over the mouth [Lex18] allow others to see more of your face, which also benefits those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Here's a video tutorial to make similar masks, and another tutorial [YTx2].
posted by filthy light thief (9 comments total)

I love how artists have embraced masks. The Canadian indigenous community has come up with some beautiful ones with beading.

I like the tutorial on making a mask with the clear window. I find it so hard to understand people without the aid of lip reading (I'm not hard of hearing, but I interact with a lot of people with strong accents).
posted by saucysault at 11:14 AM on April 30, 2020 [4 favorites]

you could make a tiny face above your mask

Wow, that's surprisingly disturbing!
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:16 AM on April 30, 2020 [8 favorites]

Yeah, that tiny face on her nose freaked me right the fuck out. It's like a living Bratz doll.
posted by notsnot at 11:55 AM on April 30, 2020 [7 favorites]

I'm not a makeup wearing person. But I don't know how you can even wear much makeup at all with a face mask. My lips, nose and entire mouth region becomes a sweaty vapor swamp after wearing one around a grocery store for a half hour.

And that's in cool weather! If I'm still kickin' it with a mask when the heat and humidity comes, I'm gonna have to pack the thing with cotton wadding or something.

I have been using cotton bandanas which are sorta more tolerable. Perhaps not as effective? I've been tying it on my face like a cowboy outlaw then tucking the bottom corner point into my t-shirt.

I've had a cotton bandana in my back pocket for the last 25 years though. I LOVE having a soft cotton cloth to wipe sweat. I'm a sweaty guy. Also for light nose-blowing. I have about a dozen assorted bandanas at home. I highly recommend carrying one at all times.
posted by SoberHighland at 11:58 AM on April 30, 2020 [3 favorites]

Also: I have pretty limited hearing, and I have a hell of a time understanding cashiers in stores and anyone else who talks to me with a mask on! I have had deafness like this for my whole life (mostly one ear) and until now I had NO IDEA how much I use lip reading to communicate.

I love the window-masks, but I'd need to distribute them to everyone else for the benefit.
posted by SoberHighland at 12:04 PM on April 30, 2020 [2 favorites]

tiny face mask is amazing and disturbing and hysterical! I hope she really goes out shopping like that (and films it!)
posted by supermedusa at 12:52 PM on April 30, 2020 [3 favorites]

Soberhighland I do not carry a bandanna but a standard hankie every day and could not agree more. they have come in handy for so many situations beyond the blotting of sweat and 'light nose-blowing' as you put it.
posted by supermedusa at 12:54 PM on April 30, 2020 [1 favorite]

Hey, you suss that hoopy supermedusa? There's a cool frood who really knows where their hankie is!
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:14 PM on April 30, 2020 [1 favorite]

Freaky knitted many-mouthed face masks.
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:43 PM on April 30, 2020 [2 favorites]