April is Autism Awareness Month! Review and #Giveaway for Sensory-Friendly Masks from Easterseals SoCal and Rafi Nova!

Easterseals Southern California Partners with Rafi Nova to Offer Mask Designed With Sensory Sensitivities in Mind

 Sensory-Friendly Face Coverings Available Feb. 8; Portion of Proceeds Benefits Easterseals

 

April is Autism Awareness Month;

Donation With Purchase to Easterseals With Code: ESSC

 

LOS ANGELES — Easterseals Southern California (ESSC), a leading provider of disabilities services, has teamed with socially conscious lifestyle brand Rafi Nova, pioneer of the clear Smile Face Mask, to develop a Sensory-Friendly Mask, available Feb. 8, to benefit children and adults with autism, other disabilities, or anyone who finds wearing a conventional mask uncomfortable.

 

For individuals with autism and other sensory processing challenges or disabilities, mask wearing can be difficult. A face covering introduces multiple new stimuli, including the fabric's sensation, the pressure of tight elastic bands, and the heat and moisture from breath inside the mask.

  

According to the CDC, about one-in-54 children has been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). About one-in-six children aged 3–17 years (17%) were diagnosed with a developmental disability as reported by parents, during a study period of 2009-2017, including autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, blindness and cerebral palsy, among others. Per the Autism Society, ASD is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the U.S. with 3.5 million+ individuals on the spectrum. In the U.S.; 500,000 autistic individuals are transitioning to adulthood.

 

The premier New England mask maker partnered with ESSC to design a mask with reduced stimuli to address the concerns of people with sensory sensitivities. They consulted with more than a dozen of Easterseals’ therapists, other licensed and certified staff, those working with people who receive services from ESSC, as well as their families and other community members. Over a three-month period, multiple prototypes were tested and revised to achieve a maximally beneficial mask—soft, structured, safe, secure—that provides both comfort and function.

 

Commented Dr. Paula Pompa-Craven, Psy.D., ESSC’s Chief Clinical Officer, “There’s little in the marketplace to accommodate people with sensory sensitivities. This soft mask is an outstanding option not only for the autism community, but for all children and adults who I believe will find it uniquely comfortable.”

 

The Sensory-Friendly Mask retails for $14 (child sizes) and $16 (adults). Available in light blue, light pink, hunter green, black and “Over the Moon” (kids sizes only) at: https://rafinova.com/products/sensory-friendly-mask?_pos=1&_sid=402344580&_ss=r

 

A portion of each purchase will be donated to Easterseals Southern California when you use code: ESSC

 

Features of the Mask Include:

• Softness:  100% Mulberry silk lining reduces friction and adjustable jersey knit straps clasp behind the head instead of pinching the ears.
• Structured:  Minimal design and limited seaming. 
• Secure:  Adjustable nose bridge ensures the perfect fit and decreases glasses fogging. 
• Safe:  Special construction lifts the mask off the mouth and highly breathable cotton is used on the exterior.
• Durability: The mask has an antibacterial layer and is reusable and machine washable
•  Ease:  A clasp on the back ensures ease of putting on and removing. When not on the face, the mask may safely remain on the person and not be lost thanks to an extra strap feature that fastens it behind the neck. 
• Social Story:  Comes with a visual storytelling designed by therapists that helps children understand mask-wearing necessity.  

"Masks must be comfortable and functional for everyone. It's that simple," said Rafi Nova CEO Marissa Goldstein. Earlier this year, the company pioneered transparent masks with their Smile Mask launch to restore visual cues to masked communication. In partnership with ESSC, the Sensory-Friendly Mask represents the next generation of the company's inclusive face coverings designed to protect and reconnect communities.

 

About Rafi Nova:

Rafi Nova is a socially conscious lifestyle brand on a mission to outfit families with products and accessories designed for everyday adventures while empowering them to connect, have fun and do more good in the world. Founded as a fair-trade fashion brand to equip adventurous families with sustainably made travel bags, the company shifted focus to face masks to solve the urgent needs of families and communities. Veterans of sustainable product manufacturing, Co-founders Marissa and Adam Goldstein named the company after their two sets of twins and travel partners: Raya, Efi, Noa and Eyva.

 

About Easterseals:

For more than 100 years, Easterseals has been an indispensable resource for people with disabilities and their families. Each year more than 1.5 million people benefit from Easterseals services across a network of affiliates in communities nationwide. Easterseals makes profound and positive differences in people's lives every day, helping them address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals so that they can live, learn, work and play in our communities. 

 

Easterseals Southern California (ESSC), the largest affiliate of the national Easterseals organization, provides services in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties. With nearly 3,000 employees, 60+ service sites and hundreds of community partnership locations, each year ESSC assists more than 13,000 people, providing adult/senior day services; autism therapy; child development/early education; employment services; veteran employment support; independent living options; and more.

 

For more information, visit: https://www.easterseals.com/southerncal

My Thoughts:  

When I heard about Easterseals and Rafi Nova teaming up to make a sensory-friendly mask I was thrilled! Being a supporter of Autism Awareness, as well as having a younger brother with autism, hearing about these masks made me so incredibly happy. With the stress of the pandemic upon us, the reality is that many with sensory sensitivities are having a difficult time handling the need to bundle up and wear masks. Not all masks are created equal. Some are very bulky. tight, and uncomfortable. Rafi Nova has been making many great and comfortable designs, so I knew that them teaming up with Easterseals would be a great venture! 

When I received my pack of masks, the first thing I noticed was the plush texture. You could tell they were made with love as well as care to detail. My other favorite aspects of the mask is the clasp on the back and the adjustment ability. When I placed it on my brother, it was easy to fit to his face. We both tested out the masks and found that breathing was much easier in them than traditional masks. It felt like a nice cushion on our faces that was not restrictive. I myself have asthma so I appreciated that a lot! The masks were easy to wear while out and their designs are stylish too! 

These masks are such a wonderful creation for those with autism, sensory sensitivities, as well as those looking for a more comfortable fitting mask. Easterseals and Rafi Nova went above and beyond with these. They are made with care, incredibly soft, and durable. You'll feel it right when you put them on. I highly recommend these masks!

The Giveaway: 

Easterseals and Rafi Nova were kind enough to off a giveaway in honor of Autism Awareness Month! One lucky reader will win a pack of masks. I know you all are going to love them as much as my brother and I do! Make sure to use the hashtag #SensoryFriendlyMask if you post on social media! Thank you so much to our sponsors for this opportunity!

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Connect with Easterseals SoCal: 

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Connect with Rafi Nova:

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Stay Safe with Canopus Masks - Get 10% Off Your Order!

No matter where you stand on the mask debate, they are something we all need for the foreseeable future. I work at a hospital, and even though I am in a clerical position and don't have face-to-face interaction with patients, I am still required to wear a mask. There are many choices out there, but remember that safety should come first. Sometimes simple is best. Canopus creates comfortable and efficient N95 masks which are capable of filtering at least 95% of non-oil based airborne particles while also allowing you to breathe easier.

The mask itself fits very well. It covered my nose all the way down to my chin perfectly. The texture was extremely soft, making it comfortable for both short or long hours of use. It was easy to breathe while wearing this mask as well which is important when they are required for the nine-to-five grind.My favorite aspect of the mask was the adjustable ear straps. I have had a horrible time getting masks with ear straps that fit. Most of them are too long. That, in turn, makes my masks ride up my face and they need to be adjusted. This is ultimately putting me in danger of spreading germs. The adjustable straps were easy to use and allowed me to have a looser or a tighter fit around my face in no time  If you need masks for  work or your daily activities, Canopus are a safe, comfortable, and affordable option.

***Discount Code***

If you'd like to make a purchase from Canopus, now would be the perfect time. New Age Mama readers are being  offered an exclusive discount on the these FDA registered high-quality authentic N95 masks. Simply enter the code NEWAGEMAMA at checkout to receive 10% off your first order! All masks ship same day from the United States so you have them when you need them.  During this crazy time in our history where everyone is on edge about proper mask safety, Canopus has you covered!

Please note: These masks are washable and reusable, but washing may decrease the effectiveness of the masks. Please refer to CDC Guides for the proper use of N95 masks. These masks are intended for non-medical usage. These masks intended to be used long term, but CDC recommends frequent disposal of the used masks to provide maximum safety.

MaskMarket.com Review and #Giveaway!

MaskMarket.com is the first PPE equipment website that allows you to design your own mask.

Since launching in April of 2020, we have not only become one of the best-known suppliers of re-washable PPE face masks in the Midwest in the short time since the virus landed in the United States, we’ve are also one of the only manufacturers in the United States selling custom face masks to those who need them urgently to go back out into the world during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What makes MaskMarket.com so unique:

One Mask Sold = One Mask Donated

Also, our custom face mask designer gives everyone the ability to create their very own custom face mask when they use our unique online design tool. Since it is now essential to wear a face mask out in public, regardless of whether or not you just need to get groceries or head to work, you now have the ability to protect yourself unlike you’ve ever had before.

Now you can have your very own custom PPE face mask that represents your love for your favorite pop culture movie, television series, comic book superhero when you upload your selected design. Using your favorite image, we’ll create your very own custom face mask, and when you wear it out into the world, you’ll know that you’re not only safe but that you’re also doing it in a style that unique to you, representing who you are, what you love most.

Premade Masks

If you’re just here at MaskMarket.com to buy a PPE mask, you also have a variety of great ready-to-ship designs to choose from. Looking for something patriotic? Or a design that represents your sense of humor? Our selection of PPE cloth face masks are available in Standard or Deluxe which includes an insert-able filter.

All of our masks are made in the USA. Here in Metro Detroit, Michigan, at our warehouse, while maintaining strict social distancing guidelines, we use the highest quality materials available to create PPE face masks for our customers that are not only essential, comfortable, and stylish, but also provide piece-of-mind in today’s chaotic climate.

My Thoughts:

MaskMarket.com creates comfortable, stylish, and adjustable masks. During this crazy time in our history where everyone is on edge about proper mask safety, MaskMarket has you covered! I was so excited to see a business that allows customers to customize their PPE masks or choose from a variety of fun designs they already have available. 

My favorite aspect of the MaskMarket masks was the adjustable ear straps. I have had a horrible time getting masks with ear straps that fit. Most of them are too long. That, in turn, makes my masks ride up my face and they need to be adjusted. This is ultimately putting me in danger of spreading germs. The adjustable straps were easy to use and allowed me to have a looser or a tighter fit around my face in no time.

The mask itself fits fantastically. It covered my nose all the way down to my chin perfectly. The texture was extremely soft, making it comfortable for both short or long hours of use. It was easy to breathe while wearing this mask as well. Inside one area of the mask is a slit that allows for a filter to be inserted. Mine already had one included. I'm extremely grateful to MaskMarket for allowing me to try out this product. I highly recommend them. 

The Giveaway:

MaskMarket was kind enough to provide a giveaway for our wonderful readers! One lucky person will win a custom mask of your own! I know you're going to love your mask just as much as I love mine. Good luck everyone! Thank you to MaskMarket for this opportunity to keep our readers safe during this trying time. 

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Need some holiday self care? Look no further than 7th Heaven!

Pamper your friends with  7th Heaven’s  cruelty-free, vegan and EASY peel-off masks! Available in several ‘ flavors,’ such as  Coconut & Clay, Tea Tree and Dead Sea,  these de-stressing masks use luxurious  natural  ingredients to reveal glowing, fresher, cleaner skin.

Each mask comes in a generous single-serve sachet and retails for $1.99 - a real stocking stuffer steal!

My Thoughts:

I love the products from, 7th Heaven! I have used their face masks over the last few years and have always found relaxation and beautiful skin afterward! 7th Heaven was kind enough to let me try three of their awesome "flavors". Each mask was left on for about twenty minutes and all had a unique purpose. I was happy with each mask and can say they are the perfect stocking stuffers for those who love and/or are in need of a good treat yourself day.

If you're looking for a mask perfect for getting into the problem areas like the t-zone, I'd highly recommend the Tea Tree Peel-Off Mask. Witchhazel, Tea Tree, and Willowherb are the three main power ingredients in this all-natural mask. When I applied the product, it felt very cool and tingly on my skin. It hardens as you relax and comes off with ease. Having combination skin, I felt this a great fit for me because it left my skin looking smooth, shiny, and cleaned up in my problem areas. 

This mask was such an interesting experience. It is thick and creamy and yet hardens just like 7th Heaven's traditional masks. I would say this mask had a much tighter feel as it hardened. Though it wasn't uncomfortable at all. It felt like it was firming my skin in a good way. This mask is truly a wonderful one for multitasking. It has hydrating coconut oil and the healing benefits of seaweed and natural clay. My skin felt so soft and bright afterward. It also pulled out some blackheads as well. 

I've always been a fan of dead sea products. I was excited to try this mask out. It smelled amazing upon opening the packaging. The three primary ingredients are dead sea salt, seaweed, and chamomile. If you're something looking for something good for cleansing and purifying the skin, this is the mask for you. The chamomile also adds a soothing element so your skin won't dry out from the cleansing. This is a great choice for acne-prone skin or those looking to up their skin cleansing routine. 

Connect with 7th Heaven:

Website  Twitter  Facebook  Instagram  Pinterest  

7th Heaven Dead Sea Peel-Off Mask Review.

The Dead Sea Peel-Off Mask from 7th Heaven harnesses the therapeutic properties of Dead Sea salts and seaweed.  Wear it while relaxing, and then peel off to reveal naturally glowing, fresher, cleaner skin. The mask features crushed sea salt crystals to deep cleanse and purify, seaweed to fight free radicals, and chamomile to soothe. Only $2.50 for each single serve mask.  

My Thoughts: 

I was thrilled to try these masks from 7th Heaven. I have enjoyed the products I've used by them in the past, so I knew this was going to be a great new addition. These masks are lovely! 

Before applying, I began by cleansing my face before use. I opened the packs and instantly smelled the potent aroma. It was relaxing and energizing. The product was nice and thick. There's plenty of it in the pouch. It is easy to spread all over the face. The Dead Sea masks holds up well and do not fall off during application. You can feel the mask begin to dry as you relax. 

At first I got a cold sensation on my face after putting it on, but it didn't last long. At about the 20 minute mark I could feel the mask beginning to peel naturally. It was extremely easy to remove and came off almost completely together. The smell of the mask also stayed on my face and hands for a few hours. That evening I got into the shower before bed and cleansed my face. Afterwords, I applied my moisturizer and realized that some of my blackheads appeared to be closer to the surface. I had no issues removing them. I definitely think the mask had something to do with that! 

A tip for use: As you apply the mask, try not to get any in your hair. It will end up drying and flaking off. The first time I applied this it happened to me so I had to take some water and rinse. Despite that, this mask made me skin feel so smooth and radiant. Something I love about the 7th Heaven products too is that they are natural and good for your skin. This Dead Sea variety of their peel off masks is made with sea salt, seaweed, and soothing chamomile. A great combination for glowing skin! I highly recommend it.

Connect with 7th Heaven:

Website  Twitter Facebook Instagram Pinterest 

One of the "hottest" new trends- Sauna Warming Facial Masks.

7th Heaven has just created two new self-warming sauna facial masks, offered in generous single-serve sachets, that heat upon application.  This includes the following masks bursting with natural ingredients for the perfect skin treat.  MSRP $1.99 at Ulta Beauty, Bed Bath & Beyond, Harmond and more:

1. Red Hot Earth Sauna Masque - An anti-stress, deep pore cleansing formula for all skin types.  Cleanses to the core with rich volcanic clay and plant extracts.  The warming from application helps open pores to coax out impurities.

2. Hot Spring Sauna Masque - Exfoliates and nourishes for deep pore cleansing.  Contains volcanic spring powder and chopped ginger.  Also features bamboo for polishing and leaves skin glowing.

My Thoughts:

As a working college student, I love finding new ways to relax during the week that are quick and easy, but still just as soothing. These luscious creations by 7th Heaven are ideal for people on the go like me. I tried both of their new self-warming sauna selections, and I was highly impressed with my results! 

The first one I tried was the, Red Hot Earth Sauna Masque. There is plenty of it to give you a thick, soft lather. The product is not as red as it appears on the packaging. It's more of a bright pink color. Although they advertise that it is made with red clay, at first I felt it was a thinner texture than what I would think a clay mask would feel like. However, once I let it sit and tried to remove it, I realized how thick it actually was! It covered my face very well.

The masque is warm upon contact with your face. It slowly starts to cool off as it sits. The scent is not over bearing at all, which is perfect for me considering my allergies make me sensitive to heavy smells. The masque is made with squeezed lime, pressed jasmine, juiced grapefruit, as well as red clay. It is very refreshing! The masque is a non-drying formula, and to be left on for 15 minutes. It helps remove excess oil without drying the skin, while helping the user de-stress. Once I washed it off, my skin felt smoother, shinier, cleaner, and not oily at all! I loved it! The masque advertises that it works best when used once a week to maintain your glowing appearance! I will certainly be using it again.

The last masque I tried was the, Hot Spring Sauna Masque. I adored the smell of this one! The masque is made with volcanic spring minerals, chopped ginger, and pulped pumpkin. It's an exfoliating mask, so it also has bits of bamboo to remove dead skin cells, while opening up and cleaning pores. I felt there was not as much product in this one as the last, but this masque was also a lot thicker and grittier since it exfoliates. Still, there was plenty to apply to get full coverage. As you rub the masque on, the bamboo automatically begins exfoliating the skin. It is nice to not have to sit and rub excessively. For those that do have sensitive skin, I would advise to be careful not to rub too hard. There is plenty of bamboo in the masque to do the work for you. Once you wash it off, you get a good exfoliation as well. Like the Red Hot Masque, this is a nondrying formula that you wash off in 15 minutes. 

Upon putting the masque on, it heats up very quickly. I actually felt this one stayed warmer longer than the other, and warmed up again as I took it off. My skin felt incredibly smooth once I washed the masque away, and I could see some of my dead skin already coming off before rinsing. This will defiantly be my go to masque during the winter season when my skin gets very dry and flakes. 

I would highly recommend both of these luxurious and affordable masques from, 7th Heaven! You will not be disappointed with your results. I also have to highlight that I love that 7th Heaven is a company that creates all of their masques themselves by harvesting and pressing the ingredients, while also being approved by PETA, being cruelty free, and vegetarian standard approved. Plus, who wouldn't want to bring the comfort of a relaxing spa day to your home? These are two products you will love treating yourself to!  

Connect with 7th Heaven:

Website  Twitter Facebook  Instagram  Pinterest

  

Mother's Day Gift Guide - Green Tea Peel Off Facial Mask by 7th Heaven

There’s something so relaxing and refreshing about teatime!  Treat your skin to a drink of delightful green tea with the newest high performing, all-natural Green Tea Peel Off Mask, which channels all the goodness of the time honored, antioxidant-rich elixir to purify, tone and brighten complexions.  It also fights free radicals and removes toxins.  The peel-away format makes the mask naturally exfoliating and helps remove dirt, oil and dead skin cells in one 15 - 20 minute session!  SRP $1.99. Also cruelty-free and a member of BUAV/Leaping Bunn

My Thoughts

Facial masks are an old favorite for a little self-care. I got the opportunity to try these out, and I was overall pleased with how they worked out. Unlike a lot of the new masks I see coming out, this is a gel that you spread over your face instead of something resembling a Halloween mask. 

I'll warn upfront that, while it seems there is a lot in the pouch and you might (as I was) be temped to save some, don't. If you don't use the whole pouch, you end up with a mask that is almost impossible to peel off. Yes, I know this because I felt like it was too much at once. 

The mask itself felt nice when first applied. It's cool and soothing, which I think is a nice addition to a nighttime ritual or meditation time when you need to wind down. It (when you apply enough) peels off pretty easily, and left a nice glow to my skin after. Of course, the longer it's on, the tighter it starts to feel. 

An advantage of the gel masks over others is, it stays in place so you're able to do whatever you might need to do around the house while it dries. The other masks I mentioned tend to slip as you move. 

Review: Anti-aging face masks by Enrich Biotech Global Limited

I'm always looking for more natural products to help my skin, so I was interested in trying these anti-aging face masks. I have to admit, they look a little creepy, but I really enjoyed them. I've used three out of the five masks so far, and I did see an improvement.

The material the mask is made of is smooth and comfortable, and was a nice chance from the cream masks I'm used to. Those tend to harden and leave my face feeling uncomfortably tight until I am able to wash it off. The thing I enjoyed most was the cooling sensation it gives. I put it on and just lay back for the 15-20 minutes you're supposed to wear it and enjoyed the feeling. It left my skin feeling refreshed and it even energized me a bit.

Here's some before and after.... 

The before...

And the after...

The masks are available on amazon, where they talk a little more about the ingredients.