The Best Masquerade Masks

Our Top Halloween Masquerade Costume

Prices Start at Under $50 for a Beautiful Costume

Try looking for Halloween masquerade masks, at least, one month before Halloween. These masks are usually bought quickly as costume shops don’t seem to keep very many of them in stock preferring to concentrate on the total Halloween costume. But, if your intention is to wear a Halloween masquerade mask with your regular outfit then look for a mask that will match your outfit.

Although huge fright masks that are more in the order of over the head pull down masks that cover the face and hair and leave air holes for the nose might seem like Halloween masquerade masks, they really are just part of a costume. A masquerade mask covers the face much like the Joker in a Batman movie. The mask covers the face and is held on by a rubber band type cord that goes over the hair. A wig is often used to disguise the hair before putting on the mask.
The effect is really surreal as if the human face is given exaggerated painting like qualities. For the most part, Halloween masquerade masks aren’t meant to be frightening. They are exactly what their name says for masquerade. Masquerade balls were given right before Lent to celebrate. The masks were worn to conceal the identity of the masquerader and to attract friends who might otherwise not have been attracted by the masquerader. The deception is supposed to be exhilarating.

Halloween masquerade masks can be bought in many places from costumes shops to local department stores or even online. The only requisite is that it is a mask and not just make-up put directly on the face. That it is not a frightening rendition of a monster or other such funny full head masks since that would make it a fright mask and not a masquerade mask. A masquerader is masquerading as someone else. Usually, it is of another person or even of the opposite sex. That is the general idea of the term masquerade.

For Halloween to masquerade as a witch would be interesting. Witch masks are usually the most common Halloween masks. But, just because it is Halloween doesn’t limit one to just witches or warlocks. Ghost masks are becoming more common and wearing a white wig with a ghost mask would be one idea. Of course, one could masquerade as any historical person. You could wear a <a href=”http://thebestmasquerademasks.com/masquerademasks/a-white-masquerade-mask/”>white lace masquerade mask</a> like Marie Antoinette. Some Halloween masquerade masks are decorated with sequins and to accentuate the eyebrows. These masks usually extend over the face preventing the onlookers from guessing who the masquerader is from the size of his head.

The little masks that cover the eyes are not really full blown masquerade masks as the wearer is very easily identified. What to look for is a mask that will conceal your identity. Another important point to keep in mind is to try the mask on before you buy it. You will obviously want to breathe while wearing it. You would be surprised how many of these masks have forgotten the air holes for the nose. The mask should fit comfortably and the nose of the mask should reach your nose. The mouth opening should be more than just a slit in case you want to munch on some food without taking your mask off.

Our Top Masquerade Party Mask

Prices Start at Under $20 for a Beautiful Mask

A masquerade mask party can be trully entertaining if planned correctly. Not to say that planning one is difficult, but to be a success it requires more discipline than any other type of party.

The idea behind a masquerade mask party is to have all invitees wear masks to cover most of their faces. However not any mask will do. The party needs to have a particular theme in order to be a true masquerade. The original masquerade mask party theme is The Renaissance, mainly because masquerade balls originated in France during this time period. The masks used at the time were attached to handles which the wearers needed to hold in their hands to keep the masks over their faces. This changed quickly though when straps were added that held the mask over the wearer’s head and no longer required the user’s hands. “Hands-free” masks opened new doors for masquerade mask parties.

Once the theme has been chosen, the purpose and entertainment come next. Just as in any party, the host needs to determine what sources of entertainment will be avaliable for guests. But a key thing to remember is that the guests will be hiding their faces. This is important to keep in mind because some individuals may feel uncomfortable discussing a subject with others or performing certain acts, unless covered by a disguise. Subjects that may be commonly considered as taboo are no longer awkward. Nowadays, masquerade mask parties of sexual nature are common because men and women seem to associate a face with sex. But when the face is replaced by an array of masks, the association is lost, and therefore in most cases a person may perform with more than one partner without feeling constrained. It is the comfort of the mask that enables the guest to open up to experiences which would otherwise be considered inappropriate.

This is not to say that a masquerade mask party is of sexual nature. Another example of how a mask may comfort the guest is subjects of conversation. A person is more prone to engage in a discussion about a subject otherwise restrictive if his or her identity is concealed. This is one of the reasons why people enjoy masquerade mask parties.

The next key element to plan a successful masquerade mask party is to determine the number of guests. A large number of guests wearing masks may prove to be troublesome if the purpose of the party is to socialize with a particular group. However, if the intent is to break the ice and encourage guests to open up, the more invitees the better.

And last but not least, notify your guests not to remove the masks.

Our Top Decorative Masquerade Mask

Created in Italy, Masquerade masks were created as a diversion for townspeople during festival season. It was soon apparent to noblemen and women that they could mingle with the commoners during festival season. In old Italy, the law stated that the two classes could not mingle and doing so would be punishable by law.

Festivals were held frequently throughout the year, and when festival time came, both commoners and noble people would create their own costumes and masks each reflecting the personality of its creator. Masquerade masks allowed noblemen and even clergymen to interact with commoners and many took advantage of common women and get political information out of common men. This gave the nobles a great advantage. Less scrupulous clergymen would also take advantage of common women and they would never know the difference.

Noble men and women found that they could walk among common people without fear of recognition or reprisal. They looked forward to gathering information that could be used against their political rivals.

A masquerade mask could be as plain or elaborate as the person designing it wanted, and was usually made of whatever materials were available at the time. Beads, ribbons, and feathers were usually plentiful and vibrant colorful masks could always be expected. Although created in Italy, the idea of masquerade mask quickly spread throughout the world. They became the icon of many different festivals in hundreds of countries. The masks were always creative and worn proudly.

There have been many festivals throughout history that depicted these masks, however the most well known has become Mardis Gras. The elaborate masks are still worn today, and in the tradition of old Italy, even the most recognizable stars and even royalty mingle on the streets of New Orleans without being recognized.

Halloween is a holiday that has a very long history. It original started out as a festival that was held once a year. Although it is now a holiday for children, it’s original state was far different then today; the festival was strictly for adults only.

Masks were hand created out of ceramic, wood and even bone. The colors often brilliant and vibrant. The masks of today generation are mass-produced and generic. They are usually based on very recognizable characters that entertain children all over the world.

Festivals and masks have always gone hand in hand. They are a way of expressing each individual personality. There are some people who still create their own masks, letting their imaginations run wild.

Our Top Carnival Masquerade Mask

Prices Start at Under $40 for a Beautiful Mask

Venetian masquerade masks are extremely beautiful works of art and come from the Carnival of Venice, Italy or Carnevale di Venezia. The Carnevale was recorded for the first time in documentation in 1092, when it was thought to come from the annual Dogate of Vitale Falier celebration. It is one of the oldest and most unbelieveable festivals in Europe, allowing people to celebrate hedonism in diguise for centuries. St. Mark Square in Venice is the heart of the Carnival festivities, with people roaming the streets singing, dancing and playing games all incognito.

There are five basic types of Venetian masks and all can be made from leather, the original paper mache trick or like modern day masks, with the application of gesso and gold leaf. The type of mask worn the most during Carnevale, was the Bauta. Bauta is a mask with a square jawline, pointed chin, no mouth and covers the entire face for complete anonymity. Bautas were not just for Carnival, people wore them for other affairs as well to keep their identities secret.

The Moretta is a black velvet oval mask that was thought to bring forth the more feminine features. It was held in place by a bit or button that went between the bearer’s teeth and the look was usually finished with a veil. Moretta or Servetta Muta, translates into ‘mute maid servent’. Made from fine wax cloth, the Larva or Volto masquerade mask is almost all white and usually worn with a tricorn(three cornered hat) and cloak to complete the costume.

In the 16th century, a beautiful actress from Commdeia Dell’arte or also known as Extemporal Comedy, inspired the Columbina masquerade mask. Columbina, Columbine or Columbino, as it was called, is a half mask that was held up to the face by a baton or tied with ribbon. It is said that the actress thought herself too pretty to cover her entire face. Columbine masks are most always eccentrically decorated with many things like fur, feathers, jewels, gold, silver and crystals.

Probably one of the most recognizable masks from Venice is the Medico Della Peste or The Plague Doctor. A french physician named Charles de Lorme designed the mask as a precaution when treating patients with the plague. Medico Della Peste is a full faced mask with a long narrow and hollow beak. They are usually all white and have round eye holes that are covered with crystal discs.

Mask-makers or mascherari held very special positions in society with their own laws and even their owns guilds. The Carnevale was outlawed by the fascist government in the 1930s, and it was not recelebrated until 1979, when it was brought back by a young group of theatre and culture followers. Now the visitors to the Carnival of Venice are estimated at more than 500,000. Carnival starts about two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday, which is the day before Ash Wednesday. The Gran Ballo della Cavalchina at the Teatro La Fenice or The Feniche Theatre, is in many opinions the grandest and most amazing of all the events at the Carnival of Venice.

Venetian masquerade masks can be made out of a variety of different materials and decorated with as much or as little flare as wanted. They are beautiful, unique and a great way to become the life of the party, while hiding your true face.

Masquerade masks are gorgeous pieces of work today, but they did not originate as pieces of art to be displayed. Unlike today where we display these works of art, they were originally used to help make people from all levels of society equal in order to have a wonderful party atmosphere.

That great all inclusive party is called Carnival. It is said to have originated in Venice, Italy around the 11th century. The practice spread to France during the Renaissance in the 16th century. However, the behavior of the masked party participants lead to poor feelings about the event by religious figures and the practice was eventually stopped. Luckily in the 1970’s there was a revival in Venice.

The event was a chance for all of the citizens to be seen equally because they disguised their identity with elaborate paper-mâché masks. Since their identities were unknown it allowed each person to take on a whole new personality, expressing themselves in a way they would never behave normally. In fact men would use this opportunity to steal kisses from women, a practice that would never be acceptable in the general public but the protection of the masks allowed for such behavior (one of the reasons religions decided this party was not respectable).

In America, Carnival has transformed into the great parties held in New Orleans, Louisiana in the days leading up to Lent. Yet those parties are stemmed directly from the European idea of Carnival, thanks to Pierre LeMoyne d’Iberville. Iberville is credited with discovering the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1699. He brought along the great party Carnival.

Over time there began to certain styles of these masks. One extremely recognizable style would include a long pointed nose, a style often referred to as the Capitano. This half a mask was thought to help ward off some diseases, in particular the Black Plaque. Another popular style is the cat mask, or gatto style, which looks like a cat face. Then there is the jolly masks which is a full face covering with curly extensions around the top and finished off with pearls or bells to add to the Carnival feel. These are only a few of the styles that have become popular over the years. Masquerade masks make great works of art to be displayed or worn to masked balls in order to take on that new persona.