Ever since people have celebrated Halloween as a mainstream event rather than a Gaelic pagan ritual, masks have been a central piece of how children and adults go trick-or-treating and spend the day. There are masks in all shapes and sizes and hundreds of different designs inspired by the most terrifying characters in popular culture.
You’d think that in the mask department, there’s not much variety in terms of build and quality, but there is. In fact, masks range from your classic cheap plastic variants to some made from more expensive materials like latex and even silicone.
Each mask type has to receive different types of care, and with the help of our in-house experts, we’re here to tell you all about them.
Popular Mask Materials
For most intents and purposes, masks come in three different materials, plastic, latex, and silicone. Each material determines greatly how long the mask will last, how it should be taken care of, and what cleaning substances and other actions should be avoided.
Plastic
Plastic masks are among the most common types of masks you’ll find, especially around Halloween, with many big supermarket chains offering mass-produced options. These basic plastic masks tend to be rigid, lack durability, and often don’t provide a comfortable fit. They can easily warp with heat, crack after repeated use, and require minimal care—just store them in a cool, dry place, away from heavy objects to prevent damage.
However, not all plastic masks are created equal. We offer high-quality vacuform and resin masks that are a cut above the rest. Our masks are thoughtfully designed, well-painted, and made to be much more durable and comfortable than the standard supermarket fare.
Latex
Latex masks like our Official Halloween 2018 Michael Myers Mask are an enormous step ahead of rigid plastic masks for many reasons. For starters, the material they’re made from is much more malleable, allowing for more complex designs, more intricate paint jobs, and a lot of customization.
Other than the fact that they can get hot and sticky over time, especially in warmer weather, they’re overall very comfortable. As opposed to their plastic counterparts, latex masks can also be made with complex textures that add more realism to the overall look.
Not to mention that they offer the possibility of a much tighter fit on the wearer’s face, which plastic masks can’t do. Our experts recommend keeping your latex mask away from direct sunlight and avoiding polystyrene heads for display or storage.
Since latex masks tend to stick to dirt and other pollutants, our experts recommend disinfecting them with wipes and leaving them to dry inside out. This will not only keep the mask in hygienic conditions, but also ensure it always slides on with ease.
Silicone
Last, but not least, there are silicone masks. These masks are the top of the top. You’ll see them in professional movie sets all the time, as they’re often integrated into larger VFX makeup projects to deliver the most realistic experience possible. Typically, silicone masks don’t end at the neck, but rather continue down to the shoulders and extend beyond them.
This helps provide a much tighter fit while hiding any divisions between the material and the wearer’s skin, providing a much more realistic look and a more comfortable experience. Products like our Tinkerbell – Silicone Dog Mask are made in collaboration with Savage Silicone, and designed by professional sculpting artists, such as Mark Alfrey.
These high-quality masks feature details like hand-punched hair, power mesh to strengthen key stress areas, premium paint jobs, and an overall level of detail that other masks in lower-priced tiers can’t emulate.
While it’s true that the cheapest masks in this price point hover above the £500 mark, they’re well worth it considering the amount of work and professional craftsmanship that goes into them. Our experts recommend keeping your silicone mask on a plastic smooth head form only, using baby wipes to clean the inside, and turning them inside out to let them dry.
They also mentioned that you should always put on and remove a silicone mask like a sock, with both hands on the lateral internal sides of the mask. This helps prevent deformation and accidental tearing over time. A top tip is to put on a swimming cap when wearing one of these to protect your hair!
Which Mask Type Is Best for You?
There’s no simple answer to this question, as the type of mask that you need will be greatly determined by three main things, your budget, the purpose you want the mask for, and your willingness to clean and maintain it.
If you’re only looking for a last-minute addition to your Halloween costume or a get-together with friends later that day, then a plastic mask is your best option. They’re cheap, easy to put on and require no maintenance.
Provided you want something more high-quality for a costume contest, a video, or any other purpose that requires a mask that offers a better fit and a more realistic look, then latex should be your go-to.
Latex masks are a bit more expensive than plastic ones, but not as expensive as their silicone counterparts. They’re the ideal mid-point and require some maintenance, but not a lot.
Finally, if you want to dazzle everyone with your professionally designed mask and are willing to spend a few hundred quid, then you should definitely hop on the silicone train. Buying one of these masks is a long-term investment, and you’ll be the proud owner of a piece of art that is also functional.
Here at Mad About Horror, we have everything you need to decorate your house and dress as your favourite character for Halloween. Make sure to visit our Homepage to explore our offerings. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
We’re open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
