One of the reasons that National Kink Month and Halloween are so appropriately matched is that they are both great excuses to get dressed up. Not just in the sense of getting out the formal wear that you’d use to impress your family or employers, but taking on a whole new persona, the kind that’s not acceptable in everyday society, but may be much, much more exciting to you and your partner. Getting the right mask is an vital part of dressing up for kink or Halloween (or both). When we step outside (or further inside) ourselves, we can be more present and aware of what is happening to us and within us. Physical and emotional arousal can both be more intense when there are fewer distractions taking us out of what we’re feeling.
The masks and other costume gear that we sell at Stockroom go far beyond the kind that you’ll find at your local drugstore or Halloween pop-up store, so we want to give you a few tips on what’s available, how to take care of them, and a few ideas on how to incorporate masks into play.
Stockroom’s Dragon Lady Mask
Some of the most exciting aspects of kinky play are the sense of mystery, shocks and surprises, stepping outside of ourselves, and getting lost in an experience with a partner. When part or all of someone’s face is concealed, it’s easier to lose the identity they normally have and become fully immersed in the scene. Whether it’s a character mask or a full leather hood, at least a piece of identity is discarded for that duration of time. When one or more of the senses are suppressed, the others are amplified. When we step outside (or further inside) ourselves, we can be more present and aware of what is happening to us and within us. Physical and emotional arousal can both be more intense when there are fewer distractions taking us out of what we’re feeling. Masks, hoods, and blindfolds are perfect for focusing and enhancing the exquisite sensations in a scene.
Safety Considerations
If the person’s vision is impeded in any way, do not leave them alone to move around unsupervised. This can lead to injuries from falls and other accidents.
If the person wearing a hood or mask will have a difficult time speaking or being heard (if they’re in a leather hood or you’re using a gag along with your hood or mask play), it’s best to come up with a safe signal rather than a safe word. Signals can be such things as a snap of the fingers, a tap on the Top’s skin, or holding a small ball and dropping it to signify a safe word.
During negotiations, it’s good to ask or express if the person who will be wearing the blindfold, hood, or gas mask is prone to panic attacks or claustrophobia. Feelings of panic can sometimes come on unexpectedly if someone is not used to being unable to see or hear what is happening around them. There is usually no light when someone is wearing a hood, and breathing can be difficult. This is a good reason to ask or express if the person who will be wearing it is prone to asthma. There are sometimes only small holes in a hood, and a thick filter in gas masks for ventilation.
Masks
Masks are wonderful for all kinds of role-play. They come in many different kinds of animals such as puppies/dogs, horses, bunnies, pigs, as well as characters such as devils, executioners, and superheroes. In addition to role-play, if the mask covers enough of your face, it can shield your identity at a play party or other public kinky event. Costume masks are typically made of molded plastic or leather. To put on the mask, stretch the elastic strap and pull it over the back of the head so that the mask lies on the face.
The Black Masquerade Mask is suitable for almost any occasion, kinky or not.
Masquerade Masks:
Classic masquerade masks such as the Round Ranger Mask (E194) cover the top half of the face, leaving the mouth and chin exposed. These masks instantly add mystery and fun to your look. There are many stylized variations on theses masks:
- Venetian Bird or “Plague Doctor” masks feature a long phallic beak over the nose for a dramatic effect.
- Halloween is an especially apt time for the devil to make personal appearances; Check out some of our favorites, such as the Minos or Devil Mask.
- Masks such as the Night Hawk Mask, Trident Mask, and Cat Lady Mask are reminiscent of popular superheroes, making them excellent accessories for role playing scenarios. If you want to try out
- Phantom of the Opera style masks such as the One-Eye Jester Mask cover half the face, exposing only one eye.
- Executioner Hoods and our Guillotine Hood evoke some of the darkest aspects of history, and continue to pack an emotional punch centuries after they’ve ceased to be used for their original roles. These masks are comfortable to wear and a great way for a top to create an intimidating appearance.
The Minos Devil Mask
Animal Masks:
- Animal masks can be a great prop for puppy, pony, or other types of animal training play, allowing the wearer to more fully assume the identity of the animal they are emulating.
- Animal masks are also popular with Furries, fetishists who fantasize about anthropomorphic cartoon animals. A hand-painted leather Fox Mask or a Neoprene Wolf Mask are a couple of nice options for fur lovers.
- Degradation and humiliation lovers might enjoy wearing a Bulldog Mask or Pig Face Mask while being told to bark or oink.
- Cat masks have a sleek and sexy visual appeal that can make a domme seem even more sexy and intimidating.
Please be aware that people who enjoy these specific types of play are not interested in bestiality, but the animalistic side of human nature.
Gas Masks:
Gas Masks were designed to be used as protection against noxious gases in war zones, and have subsequently become a popular fetish item. Gas masks completely cover the face, attaching to the head with straps or a harness. While it is possible to see through the clear eye pieces of the mask, wearing a gas mask can create a sense of isolation or sensory deprivation. Many people have a visceral reaction of fear in response to gas masks, and they can be quite effective for eliciting an intense response when worn by either top or bottom. Adding a gas mask to play can have the effect turning the wearer into an anonymous object, or an intimidating tormentor if preferred. Rubber gas masks are also popular with rubber fetishists, and these masks pair well with latex fetish apparel. Stockroom carries a variety of styles, including the French Military Gas Mask, the Finnish Military Mask, and the especially wicked Spiked Gas Mask, perfect for when you want to set your scene in a Mad Max-type apocalyptic future.
Safety With Gas Masks:
People with rubber allergies should not wear rubber or latex masks.
Gas masks require more safety precautions than other masks, as they completely cover the face and can inhibit speech and breathing. Have a non-verbal safe signal in place (such as snapping) when wearing a gas mask. This will allow you to quickly end the scene if needed. Never block or obstruct the air vent of a gas mask, as this can lead to suffocation. Do not leave a person wearing a gas mask unattended if they are restrained, and regularly check in with them, as you will not be able to see their facial expressions. Promptly remove the gas mask if the wearer becomes sick or becomes unconscious while wearing it. Some people have intense psychological or phobic reaction to gas masks, so they should only be introduced into a scene with prior negotiation.
Caring for your mask:
Handcrafted leather masks will generally not need much care as long as they are stored in a cool, dry place. Many leather masks have an acrylic paint top coat, so do not apply leather conditioner to these masks.
All-latex masks such as hoods can be rinsed with soap and water and allowed to air dry, and stored separately from other latex or rubber items.
The inside and external surface of a neoprene mask or rubber gas mask can be carefully wiped clean with a solution of mild soap and water as needed.
Blindfolds
Blindfolds are wonderfully versatile toys. Their uses can range from a lusciously romantic scene with feathers and chocolate to a mocking humiliation scene to a captive and heavy torture scene. Using a blindfold can increase trust, heighten other senses, and increase the element of surprise. They allow the wearer to focus on tastes, smells, sensations on their skin, and their partner’s voice without their eyes wandering off to distractions.
Impeding vision in an erotic context can encourage an internal focus, which can intensify the person’s emotional response. It can increase feelings of care and trust, or uncertainty and fear, depending on the feel of the scene. As stated earlier, taking blocking one of the senses increases sensitivity to the others, especially touch. It can also lead to an altered state or headspace called subspace. Subspace can be described as an intense sense of trust and submissive obedience. Outside worries and responsibilities fall away as long as the person is in this mindset.
Materials can range from delicate to industrial: Fabrics such as satin, flannel, polyurethane, or fleece-lined, or materials such as leather and PVC.
The Punisher Muzzle is a fearsome-looking design made to look like a skull. It also comes with its own snap-on blindfold.
Hoods
Every effect that wearing a blindfold has on the senses, wearing a hood magnifies and intensifies. Taking away the senses of the head amplifies every touch, stroke, shock, slap, clamp, kiss, kick, whip, tickle, or temperature sensation on the exposed parts of the body. Hoods can give the wearer a sense of isolation, objectification, and can serve to cause an intoxicating or otherworldly headspace, and/or subspace. They are wonderful for many different types of role-play scenes: Dogs & other animals, executioner, interrogation, slave, objectification, sensory deprivation, among many others. Some have built-in gags and blindfolds, zippers, eyeholes or no eyeholes, and can come in an assortment of shapes and colors.
Hoods can be made from various materials. There are spandex hoods, which are very comfortable, affordable, easy to pack for play parties or play dates, and the light material makes it easy to breathe. Leather hoods create a more intense experience. They are thicker and heavier, which means no light is getting in, and the wearer is enveloped in the smell of leather. Hearing is muffled, and can be hindered further with the use of earplugs. To increase sensory deprivation, put in earplugs before the hood is administered. Latex hoods are good for a skin-tight encased feeling. If the hood is lubricated with silicone lube, the wearer can feel sensation through the latex, leaving them hyper aware of being touched, but helpless to see what will happen next, or do anything about it. Sometimes leather and latex hoods only have small holes for ventilation. This enables breath play possibilities by blocking the holes (advanced players only).
At the end of a scene, remove the hood slowly. The person who was wearing the hood was just in a totally different headspace, and they should be able to come back into their senses gently without being traumatized. The transition can sometimes be a shock.
Scene Ideas
We’ve covered the basic facts about masks, hoods, and blindfolds, but theory can get dull. Here’s some ideas about how to put those things into exciting, sensual practice with some of our favorite toys and costume pieces:
Beginner:
- Using a blindfold to obstruct the receiver’s vision (we recommend our Fleece-lined Red Leather Blindfold), caress them with an Ostrich Feather Tickler. Then incorporate the Foreplay Ice Frost Massager anywhere on your partner’s skin: nipples, genitals, feet, neck, or anywhere else that might induce heavier breathing.
Or…
- Surprise your partner by wearing the sexy Trident or Cat Lady Mask mask into the bedroom and acting out your favorite superhero fantasies. Incorporate some sexy fetish clothing like the Full Latex Catsuit w/ Back Zip to complete the costume.
Intermediate:
- Restrain your partner with some firm but comfortable wrist cuffs and cover their eyes with a blindfold. Use the Foreplay Ice Frost Massager as directed above, and increase their heartbeat using the Wartenberg Wheel.
Or…
- Incorporate the French Military Gas Mask into your sensory deprivation play by covering your partner’s eyes with an Adjustable Blindfold before putting on the mask. They will be shrouded in darkness and quiet, intensifying every sensation during play.
Advanced:
- With your partner kneeling in front of you, put the Slave Mask on them. Cover their eyes with the Fleece-lined Red Leather Blindfold and restrain them with the Premium Garment Leather Wrist Cuffs. Build anticipation by using the Foreplay Ice Frost Massager and Wartenberg Wheel. Give them a jolt with the Jackboot Paddle, or some zesty caresses with the Vampire Gloves. Reward their good behavior with the Ostrich Feather Tickler.
Or…
- Create an intimidating persona by wearing the Rubber Executioner’s Hood paired with a matching Front Zip Latex Tank Top. Restrain your partner with a pair of cold Heavy Duty Steel Wrist Cuffs (E235) and flog them with the Shoroq Cat O’ Nine Tails until they beg for mercy.
