The other factor is simply just face size. Some people have larger faces/features than others! My face is I think on the small size - it’s easy for a mask to swallow up my whole face!
If you like a buff type and you’re a woman who likes colorful accessories these bandeaus feel great! You can get a full or half. The full are shown also as a mask but I have been able to make my half size work for a mask for short periods of time.
https://www.naturallife.com/accessories/shop-all-boho-bandeaus.html
I like the Olsen style masks better than the pleated ones because they fit me better. I got some from a friend, some from my neighbor who was making them, and last week I bought a two pack at Target…navy blue 100% cotton for $4. I actually got two packs. They are nice two layer and light weight.
In terms of fit…my nurse neighbor showed us that if you twist the elastic around and then put it over your ears, it makes a better and tighter fit. Works for me.
Is any one else weird like me and not like white masks? I feel like it looks like I am wearing underwear! Yes, I said I was weird 
I have a small face, so I definitely need a mask with a wired nose otherwise it would fall down, especially if I’m talking. My favorite mask also allowed for adjusting the ear loops. I got it on Etsy from RolyPoly Crafts.
I was reading the reviews for the Nordstrom masks mentioned above. One of the reviews said that while she liked the mask, she said she felt like it looked like she was wearing a cloth diaper on her face. ?
For me a nose wire is crucial, both because my nose is small, but also to keep my glasses from fogging up.
Lots of great suggestions. Thank you all. Will check them all out and i’m sure I’ll do some purchasing.
I’m particularly interested in the Lou mask posted by @snowball as it has a valve. Wondering if, somehow, it helps a mask not feel so stuffy.
I also am intrigued by the ones that have two elastic bands that go around the head and whether you could slide it down around your neck when it’s not needed. And I appreciate the link to the article about different types of masks. Definitely need to spend some time looking at all the options.
I have one mask with the two elastic bands around the head. I have a hard time keeping it on. Probably if you had a pony tail it would stay on better. Or maybe I am doing something wrong. I hang my lightweight cotton mask on my ear when I am at my desk.
@collage1 I find that mask not stuffy at all and I have worn it for 9 hours, only taking it off for lunch. I do wonder if it is the fabric or the valve that helps, and if the valve lets hot air out, does it also let air in?
I do add the coffee filter, and you could add a PM2.5 filter if you wanted. Hopefully it is keeping me safe enough at work; I still keep my distance as much as possible.
@tx5athome, thanks for your feedback. I never wear my hair in a ponytail so helpful to hear your feedback.
And @snowball, I think i’ll definitely be ordering the lou mask…9 hours is quite a testament. The longest I’ve worn a mask thus far has been about 15 minutes and I struggle :neutral:
I thought the valve ones don’t work for “my mask protects you”? I would be glad to be wrong, but if I have to wear one I would like it to keep my germs to myself.
My hair is very short, thick, and curly - I still prefer the stretchy tie-in-the-back masks and have no trouble keeping them on. I think the stretchy tie is key.
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As I mentioned above, I do wonder about the valve on my mask. BUT, there are still 2 layers of fabric and my filter between the valve and my face; the valve only goes through the front layer. I don’t see any difference between that and a two layer mask without a valve. I am not even sure if the valve has any real benefit, but I know I can breath through it without feeling hot and stuffy.
I can not keep a tied mask on my head to save my life! My husband wears one in surgery without difficulty, and says the female doctors and nurses usual have their hair in a ponytail and have on surgical caps, so they don’t have issues either. I guess with my straight hair the tie just slides down; even with a tie that has a stretch fabric.
That’s helpful @snowball. If the valve doesn’t go through all the layers I would assume the two layers in that mask are as good as other two-layer masks.
https://www.thecraftpatchblog.com/ Check out how to make an ear saver. I made 9 of them and love them.
I took 6inches of grosgrain ribbon and sealed the ends with a match. Sewed two buttons on the ends.
I wrap the left side twice around the button and once on the right. I can pull down my mask easily and leave it on my neck for quick use. I put this entirely under my hair. My hairdresser loved it as she could cut and color while I wore it the entire time. My HMO sent a link to the pattern and most of the people working at the clinic are using them.+
@oregon101 I have seen similar versions of the ear savers and they are great for many. Unfortunately if you have a fabric mask, like the ones someone made for our clinic, where the elastic is too wide or too short, these do not help. What happens is it pushes the mask tighter on your face, which for some mask, is too tight.
Of course using this for a well fitted mask is great!
Saw a young man in a mask on the trail today… his black mask had big white letters on it. It said, “VOTE.”
Like the “Vote”
Correction–
Cut a 4" piece of 1" gross-grain
Seal ends with candle or match
Sew a button on each end
I think if it was too tight you could just cut your ribbon longer and use bigger buttons. At my HMO even home made ones were being used with these
Hope this is helpful to some
I like the disposable surgical masks way better than the fabric masks. I have three sets of fabric masks and all but one is too big for my face. They all fog up my glasses no matter what I try. I definitely like ear loops better than the ties.