How to Make a Masquerade Party Costume Mask

A masquerade mask can be simple to make.

A masquerade mask is a traditional costume item from Europe, originating in countries like Germany and Italy. These masks date back to the 16th century and in modern day people usually wear them during the time before Easter known as Carnivale. You can also wear the masks for Halloween or costume parties. You can make them simply using household items like flour and newspaper and decorate them as simply or elaborately as you like.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic trash bag
• Flour
• Glue
• Bowl
• Newspaper
• Scissors
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Ribbon

Instructions

1. Mix equal parts flour, glue and water in a mixing bowl. About 1/2 a cup of each should suffice.

2. Tear old newspaper into strips and set aside.

3. Lay or sit down in a comfortable position and drape a plastic trash bag over the top half of your face, covering the eyes and the bridge of your nose.

4. Coat the newspaper strips in the flour and glue mixture. Lay each dampened strip over the trash bag covering your face. Continue laying strips until you have covered the top half of the face. Smooth the strips close to the face so the paper follows the contours of the eyes and the nose. Lay still until the paper is dry.

5. Cut out a shape from the stiffened newspaper. It can be any shape you desire. Also cut out two circles where the eyes should be.

6. Paint the mask in desired colors to match the outfit you will wear with the costume piece. Let dry.

7. Poke out holes with the scissors at the outside ends of the mask. Thread a piece of ribbon through the holes to act as a securing strap for wearing the mask.

Tips & Warnings

• Decorate the mask with embellishments like sequins and glitter.

• Take care when draping the trash bag over your face to make sure you can still breathe.

References

• Papier Mache: Make a Papier Mache Mas
• Princeton Online: Papier Mache Masks