Masquerade Ball Masks

This instructable will explain how to make two different masks suitable for a masquerade ball. The two different mask types are suitable for male and female.






I am located in Australia, as with all my instructables prices are in Australian dollars and store locations are Australian.

Step 1 Introduction

Masks were required for a masquerade ball we were planning on attending. Rather than buying something that looked ugly and was expensive we had the idea to make the masks ourselves.

The two types of mask outlined in this instructable are designed to be worn by a male and female. It should be obvious which is which.

A lot of googling was done prior to give us ideas, the main criteria was we wanted masks that shared similar colours, hence, we decided on using a red, gold and black colour scheme.

For mask ideas have a browse through the hundreds of mask examples at MaskaSoo.

Comments

[Ezio88]

Where did you buy the masks?

[WhyHello]

um...I suggest adding glitter glue small, shimmering beads, feathers -on- the masks.

[Mechanic2011]

These look like the preformed inexpensive plastic molded masks.
It is a great idea to cut them up to suit your needs as you are not out much money.
I have seen these masks in LEATHER at renaissance festivals and asked them how the material is shaped.
I was told the the leather is soaked in water for a time until very soft and pliable.
The leather is them pressed into a mold that your have made and let it dry that way .
The mold is taken from the face of the person that is going to wear it.
Keep the mold for future masks.
A person can get really creative with molds like full face or partial face.
While the leather is wet it can also be dyed a color using a color fast dye that won't come off on your face with sweat and moisture .
Then it can be decorated as you want once it fits the persons face who will be wearing it.
Use a black elastic band or cording that you would find in a fabric or hobby shop to hold it on your head.
It now fits the contour of your face and head so it shouldn't take much to keep it in place .

[>;8=L:>2]

Its cool idm

[ilpug]

I have seen people use a tiny dot of super glue to hold these on. It is safe, and makes people wonder how it is staying on your face.

[escapefromyonkers]

i just realized it is a couple of years old, but i was wondering why the female version has a dowel holder? i realize that i think every masquerade pic i have seen has the female with a stick type placement, but why? is it because the traditional masquerade ladies hair would be big and coiffured and combined with powder  make up, would not take kindly to an elastic or string device? i know i would get tired real quick of holding that stick unless i had some velcro or a magnet to negate the gravity and use of my muscles to hold the stick mask up for very long. in case anyone needs to comment, i don't capitalize too much.

[caarntedd]

You're right. It's just standard tradition. Maybe it's so the lady could give a provocative glimpse of herself to her potential suitors.

[Ward_Nox]

if you glue some fabric in after your done with the feathers it will keep your forehead from being scratched/irritated by the feathers

[thydzik]

Thanks for the tip.

[Ward_Nox]

no prob iIve mad masks w feathers in the past i figure that out reall quick

[Hello Kitty]

Wow, "Ward_Nox", your spelling is GREAT!

NOT

[Tierra]

The advice is no less valid, though, so who cares?

[fernwitch]

Where did you find the plain white masks for $2.95? I can't seem to find any online for even close to that price. Thanks!

[thydzik]

Whilst I purchased these at a local costume store.

A number of online stores can be found that sell them for around that price by performing a Google search for 'white mask'

Plain White Male or Female Face
White Face Masks
White Mask Male and Femaile

[duck-lemon]

it look fantazmagolicalisascuxdelux! XD

[theadamlevy]

hm i thought the 'intro' page would be the introduction but no step 1 is the introduction

[thydzik]

the Instructables introduction is a short sentence introducing the project. My introduction is more detailed, and wouldn't fit as a brief summary.

[ThreeWestCreative]

Sweet! With the paint on they look pretty incredible.

[Virtualgoose]

The plain masks look like Buckethead :-D

[TheCheese9921]

cool now you can rob a bank, lol

[Ward_Nox]

in STYLE

[Chris Bilton]

Looks fantabulous, I will make one immediately, great for parties of all kinds.

[canida]

Those look great! I want an excuse to make one.

You should consider entering them in the Sew Useful contest as well.

[thydzik]

thanks would love to enter them in the contest but don't want to sell them.

[HamO]

Very nice instructable, great pix. Well done...but the face on the right is way to pretty to cover up with a mask. Thanks for sharing.