I’ve always loved creating my own Halloween costumes. For starters, the latex and rayon costumes at typical Halloween costume shops are well, terrifying, and I’ve always loved getting crafty with a purpose. Some years my handmade costume turns out better than others, and most years, my sister and I wind up throwing wings on and calling ourselves some version of “fairies” (gothic fairies, Katy Perry and Rhianna fairies, Royal Tenenbaum fairies, it’s all good). But this year, I have a pretty awesome blinged out mask to wear, so now all I need is the punk tulle skirt and I’m ready for Halloween … or the MET Gala.
Back in early September, I spent a day with a few amazing and talented Glam producers, editors, and bloggers, and we created and filmed a little DIY Halloween Mask Girls Night In. I had a blast breaking out the glue gun, flexing my DIY muscle, and bonding with great girls.
I also love the idea of throwing a little Girls Night In crafting party for pre-Halloween costume festivities. Cover your dining room table with craft paper, light a few black candles, throw in a little wine and a few snacks, or pizza delivery, and you’ve got yourself a great little party, just before Halloween; plus everyone will leave with a Halloween costume ready-to-go.
What you’ll need:
- crystals, rhinestones, mesh-covered stones (what I used), fake flowers, leather, lace, feathers – or whatever else you plan to glue to your mask
- mesh, to create your mask base
- metallic mesh (optional)
- styrofoam display head form
- push pins or fabric t-pins
- sharp scissors
- ribbon (cut a long string of wider ribbon and then cut in half; glue half of the ribbon to either side of your mask and allow them to dry; this way you have something holding the mask to your face)
- hot glue gun
- glue gun sticks
A few tips for making your own DIY mask:
- It helped to work on a styrofoam head form. You can pick one up at any craft store or order online.
- Cut your mask shape out of the mesh first. Be sure to cut two holes for eyes out as well (trick: fold the mask at the point where you want the eyes and cut half ovals).
- Use the t-pins to secure your mesh mask to the head form while you work on gluing to the mask.
- If you’re going for jewels, the mesh may not be heavy enough to support them, so we hot-glued strips of metal mesh over the white mesh (use the t-pins to keep everything in place) and then, using a pair of scissors, roughly cut out the shape of the mask.
- Stock up on plenty of glue sticks (you’ll need them) and keep your glue gun hot.
- Don’t be afraid to mess up. Just glue something sparkly on top and it will look great!
And here are all of the fantastic masks created by Channing, Rachael, Erica, and myself; feathers, flowers, leather and lace, and crystals.
All Photos taken by me, Lexi of Glitter, Inc.
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