October 26, 2020

The most affordable reusable face masks I’ve found are the Salvaged Hemp Blend Face Mask from United by Blue. For $20, you get THREE reusable face masks. (Disclosure: there is an $8 shipping fee, but even all together it’s still less expensive than other brands.) Most reusable face masks you’ll find retail for $15-25 PER FACE MASK not including shipping.

PROS

Attachment on strings enables you to tighten or loosen the mask to fit your face.
Pocket sewn into face mask for adding a filter.
For each 3 pack purchased, one mask is donated to Chosen 300 (a Philadelphia-based organization focused on aiding residents who are experiencing homelessness.)
Made from deadstock fabric (a blend of hemp, organic cotton, recycled polyster, and TENCEL™).
Masks are crafted according to Center for Disease Control's specifications for cloth face coverings that are to be worn by the general public while not at home. (These are not medical-grade face masks like the N95. Those are reserved for frontline workers only.

CONS

Activated Carbon Face Mask Filters are not included, but can be purchased for an additional $10 for 10 filters.
Uncertain lifespan of Activated Carbon Filters. United by Blue is still in talks with their manufacturer regarding the precise shelf life of filters.
Masks and filters are final sale and cannot be returned or exchanged.

Credit: Ariel Maccarone phoographed by Graham John Bell

Ariel Maccarone is a Los Angeles-based author, musician ("Black Mouth"), and artist. Her writing has been featured in Boston Poetry Magazine, Argentina-based art magazine Apapacho Gallery, Yay! L.A. Arts & Culture Magazine, FOTO MOFO Photography Magazine, and elsewhere. At Yay! L.A. and FOTO MOFO, Ariel also served as Assistant Editor. She has worked as a freelance social media consultant for clients such as Red Bull and PEN Center sponsored publishing house Unnamed Press as well.

Most recently, Ariel served as a co-founder and Director of Content and Partnerships for The FIG ("The Future Is Good", a forthcoming online marketplace for sustainable and ethical brands.

When not writing, she can be found wandering the Santa Monica mountains with a Jack Russell Terrier that hasn't learned to "sit", "stay", or "come."