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Original poster

Seasalt Handybands - any good as face covering?

28 replies

feistyoneyouare · 06/09/2020 14:16

Just debating whether to get a mask or a Handyband from Seasalt, I love the colours/patterns on both but the Handyband seems more versatile - IF it functions OK as a face covering. I've never used a bandana-style face covering, are the handybands any good for this purpose? (with the usual provisos re hygiene etc, obviously)

Also, do they fit very snugly around the neck? I can't help feeling if something is snug enough to use as a face covering, it'll fit a bit too snugly round the neck... would be interested to get opinions from anyone who has one. Thanks!

OP posts:
Ginfordinner · 06/09/2020 14:36

As a glasses wearer any scarf or band I have tried just steams up my glasses, so I stick to face masks.

Original poster
feistyoneyouare · 06/09/2020 14:39

@Ginfordinner

As a glasses wearer any scarf or band I have tried just steams up my glasses, so I stick to face masks.
I'm getting that problem with masks too! Grin
OP posts:
Ginfordinner · 06/09/2020 14:40

So do I, but less so than with a scarf.

Lottieskeeper · 06/09/2020 14:42

Steams my glasses right up!
Also because I have a very small nose the handyband goes into my eyes, if I pull it down far enough not to touch my eyeballs it pops off my nose.
Completely useless as a face covering for me, also far to tight to wear around my neck.
So actually a not very handyband.
If you have a normal - big nose and don't wear glasses I'm sure it would be fine

Elieza · 06/09/2020 14:50

The spray for glasses really works. They don’t steam up. My pal has it. Defo worth buying.

BoudicasBoudoir · 06/09/2020 15:05

I like them. I have four.
They wash well.
Can be left around neck for pulling up when needed.
Hide my double chin.
And I feel like Dick Turpin.

BoudicasBoudoir · 06/09/2020 15:09

Oh and I don’t find them uncomfortably snug around the neck.

Why would it be necessarily tight round the neck, if tight over the face? My head is bigger than my neck.

profpoopsnagle · 06/09/2020 15:21

I have one- I wanted something that didn't look like a mask. I wear glasses and they still steam, I have use disposable masks and they still steam, think everything steams unless I can get the breathing just right.

It is soft, and it does creep up onto my eyes- any mask has to be high up as it has to catch under my glasses. It's only 2 layers- I am not bothered by this but others might want the supposed grail of 3.

I am only wearing them when I absolutely have to- so don't wear around town but put it on to go into a shop. I like that I can use them as hairbands, warm scarfs etc when mask wearing stops being compulsory.

And please, please, please check with the optician if you are a glasses wearer, about using any sprays, or washing up liquid, that the chemicals are suitable for your lenses. I have some coatings on mine and cannot put anything other than water on them. This advice has been banded about since mask wearing came in and it's usually bad advice for many modern glasses.

Original poster
feistyoneyouare · 06/09/2020 16:06

Why would it be necessarily tight round the neck, if tight over the face? My head is bigger than my neck.

Fair point! Grin I dunno, it was just a preconception I had, but it's not all that logical when I think about it.

Some useful info here, thanks - I think I might try one. I'm so tempted by the lovely designs tbh!

@Elieza you don't happen to know the name of that spray, do you? (I take your point @profpoopsnagle, I will check re mine, but if I can get away with it I'd love a solution to the steaming up, it drives me mad! lol)

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 06/09/2020 16:10

I really like the Seasalt masks, they fit well and are as comfortable as these things can be. They are way better than the Boden ones which are too thick and keep pinging off my ears Confused

The handybands are a bit tight, I find.

CharitySchmarity · 06/09/2020 18:34

I have a cheap version of the same sort of tube thing and I find it works quite well as an option - I double it over as it is long enough to cover the whole area twice. It doesn't steam my glasses up at all so long as I put the glasses over the face covering, not the other way round. It's not my only face covering option but mine's an unusual colour that is deal for wearing with certain tops.

Ginfordinner · 06/09/2020 18:40

And please, please, please check with the optician if you are a glasses wearer, about using any sprays, or washing up liquid, that the chemicals are suitable for your lenses. I have some coatings on mine and cannot put anything other than water on them.

I'm glad you raised this @profpoopsnagle. I have been told the same, and am reluctant to use any spary on my glasses that isn't meant for them.

123456abcd · 06/09/2020 18:48

I love mine, I just pull it up enough that my glasses sit on top of the fabric = no steamed up glasses and face covering stays in place.

homemadecommunistrussia · 06/09/2020 20:04

I have one and it works fine and is soft, not keen on the pattern though- it was an emergency purchase.

Livingthecovidaloca · 06/09/2020 21:27

I found them too loose as a mask, and need to shrug my shoulders up to keep them up... cost me a fortune and I’ll never use them!

Saturdayrabbit42 · 06/09/2020 21:30

But a real chance of contaminating your face when you remove it...

Mum2jenny · 06/09/2020 21:35

My dh hates masks and does tend to panic when wearing them but he can wear the Seasalt masks if he has to, only for about 30 minutes tho’

OhTheRoses · 06/09/2020 21:35

I love them. Much more comfy than a mask sitting in the theatre or on a train. Because they slip down around the neck you also can't lose them and they look quite pretty. Also double up as a headband which I like. I can sort of get just a teeny bit angled under my glasses so they don't steam or fall down. But I do have quite a big nose Blush

I also like their face masks. All the family say they are more comfy than others.

And no, I don't work for seasalt

InescapableDeath · 06/09/2020 21:47

I think they’re a great option for when you’re not sure if you’re going into a shop and you can just wear it and pull up as needed. I’m not sure how much protection they offer but they are much comfier than masks.

PickAChew · 06/09/2020 21:50

I have a lot of hair and it just falls down. I stick to using them as scarfs and headbands.

RingtheBells · 06/09/2020 22:13

I use them if I am popping in and out of shops as you can pull it up and down easily and are comfortable. They are probably only for if you are satisfying the need to have to wear a face covering as some would worry about self contamination, I only wear one because I have to not to protect myself

Wrongdecider · 06/09/2020 22:14

They’re too loose for me :( pretty and seemed like a great idea back in May.

I don’t know what I’ve done with them - they were pretty useless Blush

MoltonSilver · 06/09/2020 23:28

I find with any type of mask, if my glasses sit on top of the mask they don't steam up.

PickAChew · 06/09/2020 23:41

That makes no difference for me. My glasses are quite deep, though.

And around the chiller cabinets in a supermarket they steam up regardless.

CatBatCat · 07/09/2020 10:00

I've been using a buff which I would normally use for cycling which does the job.