Halloween masks come in different shapes and sizes. Some are cute and cuddly while others stir up quite a scare. There are even those that will shake up your funny bone. But no matter what your personal taste, the following categories keep coming back year after year.

Scary

Scary works, for sure. But gross works even better. Make it grotesque, make that mask really creepy, crawly and otherwise disgusting and you’ve got a hit.

Once-popular monsters like Frankenstein are passé. The character is just too camp to make anyone shiver today. But Grub Face or Gooey Flesh, yeah that’s still tops. Of course, you could get any of the masks of popular politicians and really frighten the horses.

Creatures

Sometimes a creature mask might be that of a cute Wookie. The ever-cool Planet of the Apes mask continues to be a favorite years after the last movie was made and forgotten. The choices here are endless.

Seventy years after the original movie was made The Mummy continues to be a Halloween perennial making a mummy mask a favorite. Even the 1940s Mr. Hyde somehow keeps coming back generation after generation. And the book was first published in 1886!

But some of the latest creatures are bound to become classics, too. Alien will never go out of style. The Green Ghost from Ghostbusters is a favorite of many. Yoda is here to stay, like it or not.

Animals

For the young kids, animals are a simple and cute option that is perpetually popular not only with parents but the kids themselves. An original idea that’s hot today is Rex from Toy Story. Flat masks are the norm, so having something with a little bit of depth is a way to be a little different.

Pig Masks are another way to give a mask a good 3-D effect, but with less risk of the nose bumping into something. They’re easy to make, too. But a pre-made latex option doesn’t have to be expensive, and they’re sturdy and comfortable.

Make-It Yourself

Masks are especially fun when your young one gets to make it. Plaster of Paris used to be the way to go. But that’s a lot of work. Today, you’ve got much easier methods available to make a mask. You can use a printable mask or take a snapshot of your child, the family dog, or a bird that hangs around the yard with a digital camera.

Take the digital snapshot, transfer it to the computer. Then just use the digital photo software that came with the camera to print out a color photo on heavy card stock. Cut-out the mask, slip some string through a couple of holes and you’re ready for Halloween.

Take a photo of each of the kids, then have one wear the photo-mask of another. That should confuse everyone!

The great thing about any of these choices is that a Halloween mask works all by itself, with or without a full costume. The idea is to create a recognizable character and any of these will certainly do that.

Which Halloween costume ideas are best is a matter of personal taste, certainly. But year after year, the ones below continue to be hugely popular.

Superheroes and Villains

Whether it’s the Joker thanks to the recent Batman movies or the latest TV show, Superheroes and the villains they conquer are always near the top of any list.

It’s not just the associations with popular characters that does the trick, though. Just think of all the cool makeup possibilities with someone like the Joker. He’s gone through several variations from TV and films over the past 50 years, so you can choose a number of makeup variations.

But, if you don’t want to bother with makeup, Superhero masks offer an outstanding way to avoid it. Pop it on and you’re ready to party.

And, one of the best things about this category is that it works for both genders and all ages. Whether the wearer is male or female, one or 100, a superhero or villain costume fits, in every sense of the word.

Celebrities

Celebrities like Hannah Montana are a close relative to superheroes. These days, they’re treated like ones, anyway. Lots of tweeners love the fashion options that come with picking her, but there are lots of other choices, too.

For the older crowd, celebrities from the past are often a big hit. They bring a little nostalgia to the party that can produce big laughs. Anyone remember John Travolta’s white suit in that disco movie… what was the name? Oh, yeah, Saturday Night Fever. Who could forget!

Sexy

Of course, if you happen to be an adult, sexy costumes are always a hit. Naughty Librarian is right up there with the all-time favorites. Cool Cop works for the guys (or gals) every time.

The possibilities are endless because what is sexy to one Halloweener is a big yawn to another. That means you have lots to choose from without worrying about whether someone else is going to show up at the party with the same outfit.

Fantasy and Fairy Tales

For kids and fans, this fantasy and fairy tale costumes continue to be a crowd pleaser. That crowd starts with the parents, but the Halloweener gets just as much fun from them.

Fairy Tale Princess has been the choice of the little princess in the house forever. But add a frog costume to the mix for the little (or big) guy who goes with her and you have a winning combination.

An Alice in Wonderland theme opens up tons of possibilities. There’s Alice herself, of course. But Tweedledum and Tweedledee are a perfect pair. The White Rabbit is easy and comfortable on a Fall night.

Easy Choices

Things that are easy to wear, easy to move around in, easy to assemble are always big hits. Togas are the classic example, pun intended. But Doctors and Nurses are a perennial favorite because all you really need is a white lab coat or dress and a stethoscope.

The trick in this category is to not make the costume so generic that no one can tell what the character represents. Putting on a pair of glasses, holding a book, and mussing up your hair may be your idea of Einstein, but it doesn’t work for most people.

These Halloween costume ideas present hundreds of variations to choose from.

A major part of the costume industry includes Halloween masks. Halloween masks are a great disguise.

Whether you choose a Halloween mask that covers your entire face and head, or just a portion, the final effect of either is that it alters the shape of you face. This can make it even more difficult to recognize you than it would be with mere face paint. So if you are shooting for the best costume prize, this may be just the option you need to clinch the victory.
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Halloween masks come in all types and sizes. They can be painted on with a skillful hand, bought in online stores, made by hand from latex, foam rubber latex prosthetics, cut from paper, or made from paper. Whether you choose fun clowns, evil clowns, or a monkey face, the look you want is not beyond your reach.

Halloween masks that cover the eyes, but can slip, are dangerous, and can hamper vision, putting your little ghost or goblin at risk for an accident from stepping into a hole and taking a fall, to stepping in front of a moving vehicle. Anytime you can use make up or a mask made of a non-slip latex prosthetic, it is much better. Safety should never be compromised by a mask that slips and blocks vision.

Halloween masks can be made very inexpensively with makeup and things you have around your house. The only limitations to these are your imagination. Very complex, somewhat expensive ($50 and up) foam latex prosthetic mask kits can be ordered online. These Halloween masks come preformed, so all you have to do is apply a little baby powder to your face, use skin glue, apply them to your face, and apply the make up according to easy to follow directions. Another alternative is to make your own Halloween mask using make up and a few ‘props’ made at home or purchased from any department store. One thing I cannot stress enough is to put powder on the faces of anyone who plans to use skin glue.

Halloween masks can also be whatever you want them to be. Use your imagination and be creative. Go to the craft store and let your mind do all of the roaming that it wants. You get to be the creative genius in who or what you want to create.

Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies (http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has a huge selection of free party games, coloring pages, word find, word scramble, printable baby and bridal shower activities. Halloween Party Games (Halloween-Party-Fun.com), party planning tips, decorations, costume ideas, recipes, printable activities and free coloring pages.