When we look back on the summer of 2020 (unless we've managed to block it entirely from our collective memories, in which case, good for us), we'll likely remember two specific fashion trends. The first: face masks, because, well, yeah. And the second: tie-dye, which—to put on my amateur sociologist's cap on for a hot sec—probably has something to do with both its nostalgic appeal (hey, remember the good old days when we got to go to camp instead of worrying about a pandemic?) and its quarantine-friendly DIY nature.
All of which is to say: What could be more #summer2020 than DIY-ing your very own tie-dye face mask? Whether you're in need of one that will go with your tie-dye sweats set or you're just looking to add a little whimsy to whatever it is that passes for an "outfit" these days, it's a worthwhile endeavor that falls into both the "oddly soothing activities" and "personal health and safety" categories.
Read on for everything you need to know about making your own tie-dye face masks.
The Supplies
- Plain white face masks (they should be cotton, linen or another natural fiber—standard tie-dye kits don't work as well with artificial fabrics)
- Fabric dye (we used a Tulip kit)
- Extra squeeze bottles (for mixing colors)
- Rubber bands
- Baking rack and plastic tub or tray (to catch dye runoff)
- Plastic wrap or sandwich bags
- Rubber gloves
- Plastic table covering
Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Kit Super Big 12 Colors
The Steps
1. Begin with clean, slightly damp masks.
2. Fold, twist, or crumple your mask—here are a few ideas:
Stripes: Gather the mask lengthwise, creating small pleats, then secure with several evenly spaced rubber bands.
Swirl: Starting with the mask flat on the table, place your index finger where you want the center of the design to be, then swirl the fabric around your finger, creating small folds as you go. Secure with two (or three) rubber bands to create sections.
Crumple: Use your fingers to scrunch the mask into a flat, disk-like shape; use a rubber band around the perimeter to hold it in place.
3. Place the masks on a baking rack over a tray or shallow container to catch any dye runoff and use squeeze bottles to apply dye. Try applying a different color to each section; for the crumpled method, apply random splotches of color all over. If you want more of the mask to be dyed (and less white space), use the tip of the bottle to get in between the fabric folds.
Tip: To get pastel shades like the ones we used, just dilute the dye. It's pretty pigmented, so you can use a lot of water!
5. If you want both sides to be tie-dyed, flip the mask over and repeat.
6. Wrap the masks individually with plastic wrap or seal them in sandwich bags. Squeeze out any excess air—you want to make sure the dye stays moist.
7. Let sit for a few hours or overnight.
8. Once the dye has set, unwrap the masks and rinse each one under cool water until all of the excess dye has been removed.
9. Finally, hand-wash your masks with a bit of laundry detergent and let dry.
And there you go—your own quintessentially 2020 fashion-statement-slash-protective-gear!
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Emma Bazilian is a writer and editor covering interior design, market trends and culture. She has very strong feelings about tissue box covers and believes that everything is better with toile.
