7 Face Masks You Oughta Shop For Now
We are living in a whole pandemic, ya'll. The most essential item to us currently: face masks. The CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings and when around people who don't live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Studies have also shown that masks are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings.
There's a unique group of people that refuse to wear masks but when it comes to us and our tribe, we will wear our masks. And we will wear them fashionably. Stylish masks are not hard to come by these days but we wanted to lighten the load for you by rounding up some face coverings that you must shop for right now. Keep reading for the deets!
*This list is specially curated by the xoNecole team and some links are affiliate links. If you purchase an item from an affiliate link, xoNecole might earn a small commission.
Society of Threads Unisex Face Mask Solid 6-Pack
Macy's
Society of Threads created masks that focus on style and protection. The fabric is lightweight and breathable which is so important for those long days. We especially appreciate the adjustable straps because our ears have been struggling lately.
SLIP Pure Silk Adult Pleated Face Covering
Nordstrom
Come on fancy mask! It's the adjustable nose wire for us because masks can lose their shape over time and the nose wire helps to maintain structure. You could easily rock this mask for a socially distanced night out with close friends.
Printed Face Mask
They aren't medical grade face masks but they will most definitely get the job done. Many people love the self-tie ear straps because of their comfortability. When you purchase a mask, you'll get a surprise print!
ASOS DESIGN 3-Pack Face Coverings In Camouflage Print
ASOS
This pack of three comes with an assortment of prints and solid colors. They are uniquely designed with double-layer construction and elasticated straps with adjustable toggles. We really love the camo printed mask because you could style it up or down flawlessly.
Steve Madden Adult Combat Face Mask
Macy's
Cheetah Girls, Cheetah sistahs! Steve Madden face coverings are the perfect way to level up your quarantine style. We challenge you to pair this mask with some other prints like polka dots or stripes.
LOVE CHANGES 3-Pack Gaiter Adult Face Masks
Nordstrom
This type of face mask is known as the neck gaiter. It's ideal for protecting you from germs and the sun. We usually see this style in the colder months but now there are designs offered by brands like LOVE CHANGES that are lighter and cooler for all kinds of temperatures.
ASOS DESIGN Pink Floral Face Covering With Pouch & Scrunchie
ASOS
We love to see a matching set so we are obsessed with this floral face covering, pouch and scrunchie situation. The set is perfect for summer and presents a fun and flirty vibe.
Featured image by Shutterstock
Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
How Content Creators Hey Fran Hey And Shameless Maya Embraced The Pivot
This article is in partnership with Meta Elevate.
If you’ve been on the internet at all within the past decade, chances are the names Hey Fran Hey and Shameless Maya (aka Maya Washington) have come across your screen. These content creators have touched every platform on the web, spreading joy to help women everywhere live their best lives. From Fran’s healing natural remedies to Maya’s words of wisdom, both of these content creators have built a loyal following by sharing honest, useful, and vulnerable content. But in search of a life that lends to more creativity, freedom, and space, these digital mavens have moved from their bustling big cities (New York City and Los Angeles respectively) to more remote locations, taking their popular digital brands with them.
Content Creators Hey Fran Hey and Maya Washington Talk "Embracing The Pivot"www.youtube.com
In partnership with Meta Elevate — an online learning platform that provides Black, Hispanic, and Latinx-owned businesses access to 1:1 mentoring, digital skills training, and community — xoNecole teamed up with Franscheska Medina and Maya Washington on IG live recently for a candid conversation about how they’ve embraced the pivot by changing their surroundings to ultimately bring out the best in themselves and their work. Fran, a New York City native, moved from the Big Apple to Portland, Oregon a year ago. Feeling overstimulated by the hustle and bustle of city life, Fran headed to the Pacific Northwest in search of a more easeful life.
Her cross-country move is the backdrop for her new campaign with Meta Elevate— a perfectly-timed commercial that shows how you can level up from wherever you land with the support of free resources like Meta Elevate. Similarly, Maya packed up her life in Los Angeles and moved to Sweden, where she now resides with her husband and adorable daughter. Maya’s life is much more rural and farm-like than it had been in California, but she is thriving in this peaceful new setting while finding her groove as a new mom.
While Maya is steadily building and growing her digital brand as a self-proclaimed “mom coming out of early retirement,” Fran is redefining her own professional grind. “It’s been a year since I moved from New York City to Portland, Oregon,” says Fran. “I think the season I’m in is figuring out how to stay successful while also slowing down.” A slower-paced life has unlocked so many creative possibilities and opportunities for these ladies, and our conversation with them is a well-needed reminder that your success is not tied to your location…especially with the internet at your fingertips. Tapping into a community like Meta Elevate can help Black, Hispanic, and Latinx entrepreneurs and content creators stay connected to like minds and educated on new digital skills and tools that can help scale their businesses.
During a beautiful moment in the conversation, Fran gives Maya her flowers for being an innovator in the digital space. Back when “influencing” was in its infancy and creators were just trying to find their way, Fran says Maya was way ahead of her time. “I give Maya credit for being one of the pioneers in the digital space,” Fran said. “Maya is a one-person machine, and I always tell her she really changed the game on what ads, campaigns, and videos, in general, should look like.”
When asked what advice she’d give content creators, Maya says the key is having faith even when you don’t see the results just yet. “It’s so easy to look at what is, despite you pouring your heart into this thing that may not be giving you the returns that you thought,” she says. “Still operate from a place of love and authenticity. Have faith and do the work. A lot of people are positive thinkers, but that’s the thinking part. You also have to put your faith into work and do the work.”
Fran ultimately encourages content creators and budding entrepreneurs to take full advantage of Meta Elevate’s vast offerings to educate themselves on how to build and grow their businesses online. “It took me ten years to get to the point where I’m making ads at this level,” she says. “I didn’t have those resources in 2010. I love the partnership with Meta Elevate because they’re providing these resources for free. I just think of the people that wouldn’t be able to afford that education and information otherwise. So to amplify a company like this just feels right.”
Watch the full conversation with the link above, and join the Meta Elevate community to connect with fellow businesses and creatives that are #OnTheRiseTogether.
Featured image courtesy of Shameless Maya and Hey Fran Hey
Millennial Women On What Inspired Them To Choose The Careers They Love
"You can't be what you can't see." I often heard that phrase as a child, and for many of us, it rings true. (And if not in the literal sense, it points to the fact that what we witness--our environment, parenting, and education experience--certainly impacts how we see the world and move within it.) When it comes to our career choices, many of us have been inspired by the women we've been impacted by, whether within our personal circles or professional networks.
We had a few awesome millennial women tell us about who inspired them to choose their career paths and why those women played a role in providing that motivational push to pursue their dreams:
Courtesy of Tia Hazelwood/The Cravingz Kitchen
Tia Hazelwood, Chef, The Cravingz Kitchen
Finding Her Niche: "What inspired me to become a chef was the lack of influence in this industry where I am from. There are not many instances of creatives making a big break from my hometown, and I want to change that. I want others to look at me and be inspired that they can also make their dreams come true. This is not just for me; It's for those that do not think it's possible."
The Woman Who Inspired Her Choice: "My mother, Tre Jacks, inspired me to choose my career and to not give up. She is one of my biggest cheerleaders. When I explained to her why I wanted to take this path, she was 100% supportive. I watched my mother take back her adulthood and pursue her business of fashion. This taught me that even being a wife, mother, and grandmother, your dreams can still happen in due time."
Empowered By Examples Of Strength: "The talents and attributes that I seek to embody from others as a woman in business are endurance, uniqueness, and the ability to pivot. Things will not always go as planned, but being able to pivot and weather the storm will overpower any areas of lack."
Courtesy of Tracy Aliche
Tracy Aliche, PR Executive, Tracy Aliche Consulting
Redefining Public Relations: "I love that I get to share the stories of purpose-driven brands and dynamic founders that may not have otherwise been afforded the opportunity to be featured in the top national media outlets that I secure for my clients."
The Woman Who Sparked It All: "I was inspired by Nigerian and esteemed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's ambition to boldly pursue a career path doing what she loved despite the cultural resistance and societal obstacles she likely faced. As a burgeoning storyteller, I love Chimamanda's ability to tell complex stories, particularly around themes that have historically been told from a singular narrative."
Continuing A Legacy: "As a Black PR executive, I will not only continue to create my own narrative but advocate for and highlight the stories that need to be told, despite the odds. I aspire to always move without fear, consistently act with intention, and boldly share my voice with the world."
Courtesy of Mia Hall
Mia Hall, Director of Programs, The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation
The Woman Who Inspired Her Path: "Karin Buchholz inspired me to work in philanthropy and specifically how to leverage the power of 'celebrity' to make an impact on the world. I met her when I was a rising sophomore at Hampton University, working with PowerPlay, NYC, and she was the vice president of community relations and fan development for the New York Knicks. I had interests in working with children and in sports, and while many people I told that [to] said I'd be a great gym teacher, Karin showed me that I could increase the breadth of my impact by going into social responsibility at a multimillion-dollar corporation.
"As a woman of color who grew up in (as she described) a low-income household that rose to becoming a top professional tennis player and high-ranking executive, Karin helped me to see myself in her and dream bigger than I ever imagined."
Greatness In The Making: "Karin always told me, 'Extraordinary people are those willing to do what ordinary people are not,' and I still keep that in mind today. I also appreciate her compassion and drive to give others opportunities, just as people gave to her growing up. Lastly, Karin never gives up, no matter what, and I look to do the same each day."
Closing The Gap: "The impact I plan to make is helping to close the achievement and wealth gaps by raising funds and creating partnerships that will provide literacy programs (financial and reading) for millions who need them the most. I will also support those involved in helping the Black dollar to circulate at a greater level in the Black community. Finally, I want to help reconstruct the narrative of Black people and those of low socioeconomic status through sustainable initiatives and storytelling on my podcast Parables from the Projects."
Courtesy of Antoinette Warren
Antoinette Warren, Senior Integrated Planner, Finn Partners
The Power Of Storytelling Through Marketing: "I remember being 13 years old, tuning into The Oprah Winfrey Show daily because of how Oprah was always able to draw her audience into the stories she told and the interviews she conducted. Today, I'd say my list of women who've inspired me has evolved. From women like Issa Rae to Shonda Rhimes and Ava DuVernay. While these women work in entertainment and television, they're phenomenal storytellers. Marketing is essentially storytelling."
The Oprah Connection: "I admire Oprah's ability to connect with people emotionally. The ability to connect with people is essential for effective marketing."
Making A Difference: "I want to become a thought leader in this space and be a go-to trusted advisor for crafting effective storytelling and marketing strategies."
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