How to fit a full-head latex mask (and see out of it)

Most of our masks are one size for most adults, and that is true for heads between about 21.5 and 25 inches around. A soft tape measure around the widest part of your head, just above the eyebrows and ears, tells you where you sit. If you are near the top of that range, pick a mask with a trimmable neck or an open back.

Pulling it on

• Take off rings and watches; latex tears on a sharp edge more easily than on a stretch.
• Roll the neck up like a sock, set the face on your face first, then roll the back down over your head.
• If your hair is long, tie it low or wear a thin cap so it does not pull.

If you cannot see well

Eye holes are cut to fit an average face. If yours sit higher or wider, put the mask on, mark the spot with a washable pen from the outside, take it off and widen the hole a few millimetres at a time with small scissors. Latex does not unravel, so a clean cut stays clean.

Trimming the neck

A long neck bib looks great but can be tight on broad shoulders. Trim it in a gentle curve rather than a straight line so it sits flat under a collar. Our skull mask with the top hat is made for exactly this.

Staying cool

Full-head latex is warm. Take it off between rooms, keep a small towel in a pocket, and plan the night in 30 to 45 minute scares rather than four hours straight.