Now, online, there are tons of ways to make these, but here’s an inexpensive way to make a mask!
It’s a simple paper mache project. I started with measuring the circumference of my head. Add an inch to whatever it comes out to be and inflate a balloon until the widest part of it matches the measurement. Get a pile of old newspapers, a cup of water, a plastic face mask that comfortably fits your face, a stand for the balloon (tied end facing downward) and some regular flour. Mix the flour and water to make a waste, but not too watery, find the right balance. Attach the face mask to the balloon securely enough to that it will stay when you apply the paper. It should finish looking like this:
I molded mine to have a flatter brow/top of head, so that I could place the nurse hat on top easier. If you’re curious about how you’re going to be able to breathe, I will be addressing this later on. But now, it’s time to paint! After letting the mask mold dry, (this may take 24 - 48 hours depending on how thick you laid the paper mache on) get a mixture of gray acrylic paint and generic fake blood and begin to gently paint over the newspaper.
Like this! It gives it a lovely, almost burn-victim skin, texture and all. It makes a good base for the bandages. Here’s what it looked like when it was on:
Now, this method to actually GET the mask on is a little tricky. When the paint is all dry, CAREFULLY deflate the balloon inside and begin to cut the back open of the mask. DO NOT CUT TOO MUCH! You need to cut enough to be able to comfortably fit your head in without discomfort and to still have SOME back of the head. The next step will involve two types of bandages as well as tea-staining and paper mache. You will need about two or three rolls of ACE bandage, the stretchy kind sometimes used in crossplay binding. Carefully, you will be wrapping the head up with these bandages, painting the bandages with a thin layer of paper mache in order to stick and give it an eerie look. The next set of bandages are thin, cotton gauze rolls, about three. I suggest putting them in a bowl or glass of BROWN tea, (not coffee) and letting them dye and soak in the color. I suggest doing this when you’re first making your mask base, because it can take a while for the color to seep in. Once they are the color you desire, carefully wrap them over the ACE bandage base, wrapping them tightly, but not enough to damage or warp the mask, securing them with a dab of paper mache at the ends. I must make a note and suggest you do NOT wrap across where your nostrils are! This will make the next step difficult to do! Here’s what the mask should look like now:
Now, this next part will be a little tricky. I had to take an exacto-knife to the inside of the mask to free up the eye slots. The above picture has them covered, but the allowed slots were not big enough. I will warn you, these masks are very difficult to see out of! But the effect is well worth it! Now onto the breathing situation. With the same exacto-knife, I went in and CAREFULLY!!!!! (I cannot stress the carefully enough, because it’s so easy to rip the gauze from the inside) cut out the entire nose frame from the mask inside, so that your own nose will replace it and fit in the gap. By removing the plastic mask’s nose, your own will have a spot to fit and your nostrils will be able to get air, so long as you did not wrap over them. Notice: If you have trouble breathing through your nose, I do not suggest this method! It can be hard to breathe at it is with normal breathing abilities. The mask should now look like this:
And now! The finished product! Carefully paint the mask with a combination of tea water, fake blood, and gray + brown acrylic craft paint. Make sure the mixture isn’t TOO watery, but enough to achieve the effect of bloodied bandages. The hat was made with a few sheets of craft foam, painted with gray + brown paint and a tiny dab of fake blood, then simply hot glued on. The final mask looks like this:
All in all, this mask took a while to make, but cost me under $20 to so do, and I get compliments all over from it. Just another way to have really cool cosplay on a budget!
