How to Make a Mask out of Tin Foil and Tape

Last Updated: May 6, 2021

An excellent mask can be made using products found easily at home: tin foil and tape. This is a straightforward project that is ideal for last-minute mask-making before the masked ball or any fancy dress do. Just see Step 1 below to get started.

Steps

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-1.jpg\/aid50923-v4-728px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":484,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Overlap three sheets of aluminum foil in a stack.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/52\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/52\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-2.jpg\/aid50923-v4-728px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":484,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Push down as hard as you are comfortable pushing. Do it carefully, so the foil does not become punctured. (It might be useful to have a helper do this part.)

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-3.jpg\/aid50923-v4-728px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":484,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

nose, lips, corners of your eyes and cheekbones. Use a marker and trace around your eyes (it might be good to follow the bones around your eye socket) for where you want to place the eye holes in your mask. Also, trace around anything else you want cut out. (Breathing holes are useful for breathing!)you might also want to cut a hole for talking too.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a5\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a5\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-4.jpg\/aid50923-v4-728px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":484,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Cut with sharp scissors around the edges of the mask. And note––once you cut it, you can't really go back easily, so leave extra.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-5.jpg\/aid50923-v4-728px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":484,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Do this either by puncturing the foil with a toothpick and tearing the foil out, or snipping in the center of the area with the tip of scissors and folding the foil back.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-6.jpg\/aid50923-v4-728px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":484,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

These are for the ribbons/cord/shoelaces to attach the mask to your face.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-7.jpg\/aid50923-v4-728px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":484,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

While pressing the mask to your face to keep the features strong, gently place the tape onto your mask. When you feel the mask's features are firm enough, place all the sections of tape, overlapping, across all visible places of foil, including the back (foil is itchy next to the skin).
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-8.jpg\/aid50923-v4-728px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":484,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Leave enough length to both wrap around your head, and to tie in a nice knot or bow.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e6\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e6\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-9.jpg\/aid50923-v4-728px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":484,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Use plaster or papier mache to smooth the surface of the mask.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-10.jpg\/aid50923-v4-728px-Make-a-Mask-out-of-Tin-Foil-and-Tape-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":484,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Decorate using acrylic paints . Paint whatever you want, making sure to leave it to dry out of the way of children or pets. You can even sprinkle glitter on the paint while it's wet if you like. Adding sequins, feathers, beads, etc. can enhance the mask.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Can I use Elmer glue or scotch tape? This seems a little complicated.

Community Answer

Yes, any glue is fine, but scotch tape might not work. It will make it look too messy.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 22 Helpful 54
Question

Could I put tape over the tin foil or could I paint it?

Community Answer

If you're going to paint the mask, it's a good idea to cover the foil with duct tape for a smooth surface to paint on.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 26 Helpful 31
Question

What kind of tape is used here? Do I have to use that tape?

Community Answer

The tape in the picture is masking tape. The masking tape looks nice and clean when overlapped, and it gives the mask a nice white-ish color.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 21 Helpful 40

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Use less foil to make a clearer imprint of your face.

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
To make the mask look better, add a layer of white paint before the main coat, even if you're making it white.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Acrylic paint dries fast. A little bit of paint goes a long way, so use sparingly and put the caps back on the paint tubes when done.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Things You'll Need

Really sticky, firm tape
Aluminum foil (aka kitchen foil)
Scissors sharp enough to cut foil and your tape
Ribbon or string
Paint (optional)
Glue (if you don't trust your tape)

Log in

How to Make a Mask out of Tin Foil and Tape

Steps

Community Q&A

Tips

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

About This Article

Did this article help you?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories