Halloween Masks

Halloween costumes tend to be either store-bought, hand made, or put together from bits of random clothes found in a dresser or borrowed from a friend. With a little bit of make-up or a wig, it is possible to transform ourselves into any number of fantastical things, from vampires to hippies, stewardesses to a favorite cartoon or movie character. But some of us aren’t too handy with a make-up brush, or some of us pick characters that require more than a coat of make-up to make us look realistically like the person or creature we are attempting to portray.

With this in mind, there is a great market for Halloween masks of all different shapes and sizes, not to mention level of detail and variance of price range. Some cover only the face, while others fit over the entire head and can be used not only to change the basic facial features, but act as a wig as well.

The wearing of masks is a tradition older than Halloween itself. It was originally began as a way of warding off demons who were believed to send droughts, plagues, and other nasty things that could ruin the lives of villagers in small, isolated towns. Even after Samhain, the festival that transformed itself into what we know now as Halloween, villagers still felt quite uneasy about potential demon attacks and took to wearing grotesque masks if they needed to leave the safety of their homes after dark.

These days, the purpose of masks is primarily fun and gives us the ability to pretend to be someone we are not on one of the few nights of the year dedicated to having a good time, young or old.

It is most important when choosing a mask to find one that fits comfortably and does not obstruct breathing and sight at all. Masks with small pin-sized eye holes can make it very difficult to see when trick-or-treating in the dark. Masks with very small nostril holes and mouth holes can make it hard to breathe, as well as make the area between the skin and the mask very moist and uncomfortable, especially if the mask does not fit particularly well.

Consider also the fact that masks are made from a variety of different materials, including plastic, rubber, latex, and others; so for those avid trick-or-treaters with specific or moderate-to-severe allergies and sensitive skin, make sure when buying a mask that you won’t be covering your face in something that could be potentially dangerous.

Once that has been taken care of, the possibility for mask purchases is in many ways unlimited. Given the number of mask-making companies out there, both in stores and online, it is possible to find almost any mask one could want. From Sponge Bob Squarepants to any number of well-known United States presidents, just about anyone can find the perfect mask to match any Halloween costume.

Not only is possible to buy virtually any type of mask — no matter what the level of detail or materials or subject matter — it is also possible to make one’s own mask with the right tools and the proper amount of set-up time. There are many places to buy these, often online, and the price generally costs a significant amount of money, but for those with a creative itch and a love of DIY projects, this could be a good way to go. The upside is that a mask made by the wearer’s own hands guarantees an original, never-before-seen creation, and make-your-own-mask kits tend to have enough materials to either cover several masks, or any potential mask-making incidents that could happen.

Regardless of how a mask is made or bought, with the perfect one, a mediocre costume could be turned into a very good one, and a very good one could be pushed forward into the “best Halloween costume” award category. Go ahead, look over a few Halloween masks, try some on if possible, and have an enjoyable day being whomever you want on one of the most fun days of the year.

Posted in Halloween