15 people who are taking the creative approach to wearing a face mask – for better or worse
As coronavirus lockdowns ease (at least temporarily), people around the world are being required to wear face masks when they finally go back out in public.
Medical-grade masks are still in short supply, which has left many of us in a position where we have to make our own.
But just because we need to cover half of our faces for the foreseeable future doesn’t mean we can’t still express ourselves.
These 15 people doctored their masks to give their creativity some breathing room:
1. Masquerade
Feel like you can’t get your glam on with a mask? Bedazzle it!
This woman even attached a masquerade mask to the top for extra drama.
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2. Fierce face mask
Using a 3D printer and some respirator cartridges, this man made himself a pretty cool way to keep the cooties from spreading.
While some 3D materials make it hard to print a mask that will fit your face properly, there are flexible materials that can be used to make custom masks. But they aren’t cheap!
3. Old school
The masks we’re being asked to wear don’t need to filter out all particles (in fact, none of them can), they’re simply there to protect others from our “spurts” of germs.
We’re not sure how much this mask keeps it, but it sure is making a statement about our 21st-century problems.
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4. From mask to headdress
Whoa! This is magnificent.
Inspired by Thai designs, this face mask is now just a tiny part of a much more elaborate apparatus.
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5. For the modern plague
It’s a play on the medieval plague masks doctors used to wear but it sure makes a modern statement.
If nothing else, it reminds us that we certainly don’t learn the lessons that history has tried to teach us.
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6. This little piggy
As long as you don’t mess with the integrity of the filter, you should feel free to have fun with your mask.
This guy went for the boar-d look.
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7. You can still KISS
Just because you’re required to cover your mouth doesn’t mean you can’t pucker up.
We like the symbolism – as well as the straightforward message – here.
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8. Better than nothing
Most of us are free to wear whatever mouth and nose covering we’d like and use whatever material we have.
The only thing mandatory is using your cleanest underwear for this little number.
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9. Open wide
Maybe we should be keeping our mouths shut and covered but that doesn’t mean we can’t send a message with our masks.
Let them see you smile!
10. Gender bender
Like to confuse people? This is the perfect mask for you!
11. Breathing through bling
We’re obsessed, but that looks like a WHOLE lot of work.
Still, a daring mask for nighttime might soon be part of everyone’s black-tie wardrobe.
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12. Welcome to the future
It may not be the best idea to freak people out with your mask, but it’s a pretty scary world we live in right now.
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13. Read my lips
It took a few weeks of talking about masks before anyone realized how hard it would be on the deaf community – many of whom rely on reading lips.
Luckily, folks have come up with alternative face covers that allow others to see through them.
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14. Fringe benefits
While we’d be worried about swiping up some extra germs, we can’t help but want to take the fringe trend to new heights with this fabulous face mask!
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15. Mustache mask
Ever wanted to grow a mustache but just couldn’t for some reason?
Now’s your chance to get away with a fake one with no judgment!
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Whatever you do to glam up your mask, just be sure it doesn’t compromise the integrity of the material.
This pandemic is no fun, but that doesn’t mean we have to give up on self-expression.
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