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Becoming a Kitsune: Masks and Makeup

One of the most iconic accessories for Kitsune characters (or skilled swordsmen) is the fox mask. To be fair, this likely is mostly associated with Japanese Kitsune, but they do not hold the monopoly on fox fairy creatures. 
I don't think it'll fit right. LOL!

Mask Considerations

For your own costume, regardless of the culture of origin, the common features to consider are: 

Mask Size 

How much of your face will the mask cover? Will it go over your whole head like fursuit head? 
Or is it meant to be more of a decoration that sits on your head or off your waist? 
This will determine how much material you need to use and how to incorporate the mask into the costume.

Full Face Mask
 
Half Face Mask

Basic Mask Shape

This may sound confusing but what I mean here is if the shape of the mask will resemble the features of a fox closely or take on a more human shape with fox features. 

Leather Fox Masks from Etsy.
Basically, will the mask have a snout or look more human?

Eye Holes

How will you see out of the mask?
No Eye Holes...follow your senses! 
Well, the image above is for the "decorative" version of the mask but all things considered, even the other images I've posted so far have had varying sizes for eye holes. Be careful not to restrict your vision to a dangerous amount or only wear the mask for photo ops. Um...oh...yeah another common method for eye holes is to conceal your eyes either using mesh or tinted lenses.

Tinted Lenses
 
Mesh covered eyes. Hard to tell right?

Mask Material 

Finally, consider what shall you make the mask out of. 

Consider Paper Mache! (I know it's not a fox.)

I have linked to several tutorials below for making masks out of a wide variety of materials including: 
  • Paper
  • Paper Mache
  • Plastic
  • Leather
  • Foam
  • Latex/Silicone
  • Fabric
  • Foam
  • Resin
I didn't link to tutorials for ALL these material but I have seen masks using all of them. 

Mask Designs 

The fun look and colors of the mask should be guided by your Design Principles or the Character of your costume. 

Culture, Occupation, or Aesthetic are common bases for helping with designs of the mask. Here are some examples. 

Traditional Japanese Inspired

One of the more common depictions of kitsune masks

Nature Inspired

Fox Skull Shaman Mask! It's natural!

Masquerade Style

Could be a cat, but it's a fox. (Etsy)

Non-Traditional 

Sci-fi Mask...oooh!

Makeup Considerations

What if instead of a mask you hide your face behind make-up!?
My Kitsune Makeup.

Colors

There are a couple of fashion principles that can help guide your make-up. These trends change over time and across cultures so don't consider them hard and fast rules. 
One of the more common bits of fashion advice is to make sure the colors of your makeup compliment your physical features such as skin tone, eye color, and hair color. The "color season" method is one that comes in and out of fashion (so to speak.)

HOWEVER, costumes are a whole new ball game. We use colors with reckless abandon! Still, the handy-dandy color wheel can help guide your way in this case or other design principles may come into play. 

Make-up Design Inspiration

You can crawl through Pinterest and create boards for make-up. I have. But for this particular costume concept you may want to consider: 
    • Cultural Makeup - Cultural traditions can come from any point in history. Japanese Kitsune could go with Heian Era Makeup or Harajuku Makeup. 
    • Fox Inspired Makeup - The markings of the animal itself can lend itself to make-up design. 
    • Theatrical Makeup - Theater make-up is exaggerated so it can be seen from a distance. But it also can include the idea of "whatever you want to do, go for it!" It's meant to be avant-garde. 
    • Daily Modern Makeup Trends - Honestly, I like watching YouTube make-up channels that use regular make-up to make a costume-like, yet formal look. Crack open a fashion website, see what make-up advice there is to be had. 
To be honest, make-up is not my strongest suit. I only wear it when in costume or to formal events. I don't even wear make-up on first dates. (I do wash my face pretty good though.) I have lots of books on theatrical makeup because it is a POWERFUL tool in creating illusions on the face with only color at your disposal. 

I did a cross play!

And so we are at the end of the Becoming a Kitsune Series! Hope it helped inspire your own ideas for kitsune costumes. (It did for me...working on one now!) I need to put my head down and work on a few projects and I will share with you things I'm learning and currently interested in and trying out. I have a few more concept series planned. We'll see what happens next!

References: 

3D Print Mask Collection

Paper Mache Mask instructions

Leather Mask Instructions

Paper Mask Pattern $

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