These masks by Caraa (a New York travel bag company) are THE BEST masks I’ve tried since March, and I’m not just saying that because the colors are conducive to matching with eyeshadow and eyeliner, hahaha!
I got these after a recommendation from a friend who, using “The Patented Mom Scientific Method” (LOL), ordered several masks from a ton of different brands and had her kids be guinea pigs try them out. Based on all of the masks they tested — and there were a lot of them, apparently! — the Caraas won. The kids *and* adults loved them particularly because of how comfy they are.
After wearing them for a couple weeks, I completely agree. These are fabulous! The best masks I’ve found…which is a sentence I’ll filing away in my “Sentences One Does Not Expect to Write, Ever” and “Things One Says During a Pandemic” folders.
Customizable to fit your face
The secret sauce is how adjustable they are!
Each mask has a lightweight, bendable wire tucked into the top seam that rests on the bridge of your nose, and it holds the masks firmly in place so they aren’t constantly slipping down your face.
That’s just the start of it though.
The loops that go around your ears also have these plastic pincher things that toggle up and down the loop so you can easily tighten or loosen them to fit.
The masks themselves are double layer 100% cotton and sufficiently breathable without being flimsy. The cotton on the inner portion feels slightly thinner than some of the more robust masks I’ve tried, and I’ve read that the inner layer wicks away moisture. I’ve definitely noticed that, compared to other masks I’ve worn, the Caraas feel less humid and damp after wearing them for a while, and my glasses don’t fog up as much as they do when I wear other masks.
I guess I have a weirdly shaped head or lopsided ears or something because this is the *only* mask I don’t feel the need to constantly adjust every few minutes. I pop it on, and it stays put for hours, so I’m free to go forth on my merry way spreading glittery sparkly joy. No, really though…I’ve used masks that’ve been too hot or too tight or rubbed up against my chin, or they caused my glasses to fog up and therefore left me extremely crabby, but that never happens with the Caraas!
Other key deets
- Two sizes are available: a smaller size for kiddos and a larger adult size for your big ol’, full-grown human visage, and they’re sold in a pack of five masks for $25.
- They’re non-medical grade (so you should opt for a different mask if you’ll be performing open heart surgery), machine washable and reusable.
- A portion of your purchase goes toward New York City COVID relief efforts
- And um…just in case you were wondering, the packaging says to *not* place masks in the oven or the microwave (WEIRD)
- The kid-sized mask is recommended for children three and up.
- The masks include a pocket to insert a disposable filter if you want, which Caraa sells too.
Plus… they’re pretty!
Like I mentioned earlier, they come in a bunch of different colors, but there’s also a five-pack in basic black, if that’s your thing.
I got the Universal Brights for me, which comes with masks in Fuschia (a warm red), Apricot (a yellowish orange), Canary (a goldenrod), Avocado (a lovely baby poo khaki!) and Lagoon (a greenish blue). For CoyCoy, I picked the Warm Colors, which include Lemon (a cheerful yellow), Lavender (a mellow pastel purple), Olive a khaki), Strawberry (a warm red) and Pink (a pale, warm pink).
I also like that the cotton has a slight sheen, but it’s not obnoxiously shiny.
If you’re interested, you can find Caraa masks online. Highly recommended! I’m actually thinking about buying some packs for mom and dad, and my brother and his girlfriend, too. I like ’em that much.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Chelsea says
September 8th, 2020 at 11:27 amI’m currently using some Target cotton masks that are quite comfortable. The ear loop adjusters on this are great! I have to do knots in some of mine for them to fit well.
My issue is a lot of masks make my glasses not stay on my ears so I put the arms through the ear loops.
Karen says
September 8th, 2020 at 11:42 amI’ll have to try putting the arms through the ear loops! That’s genius!
Ruchita says
September 8th, 2020 at 3:26 pmThanks for the recommendation! I love that these are adjustable. I’ve had problems with masks being too big and I’ve tried knotting the ear loops, but then they are just a tad too tight. I love the colors too. If I’m wearing a mask, I want it to be in a bright color.
Karen says
September 8th, 2020 at 3:32 pmI hope that you give them a go! They’re really the best ones I’ve worn. Super comfy and cute, too!
Karen says
September 9th, 2020 at 7:11 amMe too! I want that big pop of color (makes my eyes look less tired, hahaha).
S says
September 8th, 2020 at 6:30 pmThank you for the review! I love the colors you chose for your sweet Connor Claire. I just placed an order for the Marine set 😊
Karen says
September 9th, 2020 at 7:10 amThe Marine set looks cute. I really hope you like them!
S says
September 21st, 2020 at 7:51 pmHi Karen, I just received the masks and the colors are gorgeous! I washed and tossed them in the dryer and they are super wrinkled now. Do you put yours in the dryer or do you hang them to air dry?
Karen says
September 22nd, 2020 at 7:39 amHi S,
I hang mine to dry. They do get a tiny bit wrinkly but not excessively so, and when I wear mine they smooth out. 🙂
Jade says
September 8th, 2020 at 6:40 pmJust bought some for me and my parents!
Karen says
September 9th, 2020 at 7:10 amI hope you and your parents like the masks, Jade! What colors did you get?
Jade says
September 9th, 2020 at 10:50 amthe pink set, and the classic neutrals, thinking about the marine pack as well.
I love the brights but it’s just starting to turn to fall here in Maine so it feels like the wrong season!
Karen says
September 9th, 2020 at 12:44 pmThe pink set is so pretty. I think that’s next on my list!
BTW I’ve heard the fall colors in Maine are out of this world. One day I would love to see all the changing leaves!
Jade says
September 9th, 2020 at 5:43 pmIt does get gorgeous here!! Definitely worth a trip as long as you’re flexible!
Kim says
September 9th, 2020 at 5:56 amJust bought a couple of packs for the boys. I think you know that all black is my thing. HAHA! They have a discount code: SPRING20 that gives you 15% off if anyone is thinking of buying and wants to save. 🙂
I probably should have picked up a pack of kid size for my tiny head. I’ll see how the adult size fits when they arrive. Looks like they won’t ship until the 18th.
Karen says
September 9th, 2020 at 7:10 amOh, thank you for the heads up on the discount code!
Kim says
September 10th, 2020 at 6:30 amI do love a bargain. And also lead the cult of Ebates-now-Rakuten. I should just wear a purple shirt that says “It’s Free Money!!”. 🙂
Karen says
September 10th, 2020 at 7:08 amBelieve it or not I’ve never used that service!
Anne says
September 9th, 2020 at 6:01 amIt is weird that “find a great fitting mask” has almost replaced the task to find the perfect comfortable lipstick, but here we go…
Anne recently posted … The Inkey List Hair Care – Scalp Treatments reviewed | Doctor Anne
Maricar says
September 9th, 2020 at 2:17 pmHi Karen,
Just checking on you and family. I’ve seen photos of California with the orange skies and listening to news reports. You guys ok?
Karen says
September 9th, 2020 at 3:26 pmHi Maricar,
Thankfully we’re not close to any major fires, but the sky above us is this crazy shade of orange! It’s very unsettling. For now we have a roof over our heads. 🙂
Barb says
September 10th, 2020 at 6:55 amThanks for the recommendation, Karen! I ordered a pack of the classic colors as I’ll be giving a few to the husband. If I like them, I’m gonna go on and order another pack for just me in the colors I want. How do they wash?
I’ve ordered a pack of the Old Navy ones and I like them but they don’t have the nose gripper thingy, which is key when I’m wearing glasses!
Hoping you guys are staying safe and doing well!!
Karen says
September 10th, 2020 at 7:07 amHi Barb,
The nose gripper thingy is a game changer! When I don’t have one my glasses drive me nuts.
Regarding the washing, I think they wash up great. I put mine in a lingerie bag and then stick it in them in the washer with the rest of my laundry, and reshape them and then hang them to air dry.
One thing to keep in mind is that since the material is very close to your nose, it will pick up your laundry soap scent readily. I either use very lightly scented soap that I like or an unscented soap.
Barb says
September 11th, 2020 at 7:47 amThank you! I bought unscented laundry detergent just for that reason. My husband has this weird super nose that picks up all kinds of scents, some of which really bother him. I just wanted to make sure that the nose gripper thingamajig doesn’t pop out or anything.
I gotta say I’m super impressed with the company. I ordered yesterday and it shipped the same day. In this day and age, that’s unheard of!
TravelingBlush says
September 20th, 2020 at 5:42 pmPeople were putting their (lightly) used masks in oven/microwave/ricecooker to ‘sanitise’ them, which is why that warning…