So me and my friend wanted our costumes for the book launch to be EPIC. Everyone always dresses as Harry Potter, or some form of Hogwarts student, and I have been guilty of that in the past. However after seeing the masks that Death Eaters are going to be wearing for the OotP movie, we knew there was only one thing we could do.

This is my first time making any sort of mask, so bear with me if I'm suggesting something incorrect. :) The end result turned out pretty spectacular though!

Most of these pictures were taken by friends while we were making the masks (ie. not for the purpose of an instructable), so they're not necessarily the best for an this and I'm probably missing some photographic steps.

If anyone decides to use my project, PLEASE send me some pictures! I would love to see your masks!

Step 1: Gather Ingredients

You will need:

Plaster Bandages - these are bandages already coated in plaster (meaning you just need to add water). I found mine at my local art store.
Vasaline
Straws
Aluminum Foil
Lots of newspaper
A Bucket of warm water
Towel
Headband to hold up your hair
Metallic Acrylic paints
A friend

Step 2: Prep Work

If you're not sure exactly how you want your mask to look like, head over to Death Eater Art for some inspiration. It will help to sketch out your mask beforehand, especially if you want to leave holes around the mouth area.

Find a nice spot on the floor and lay down the newspaper. Although this isn't too messy if you're careful, you don't want to get plaster all over the floor.

Get a few globs of vasaline and rub it all over your face. Make sure to cover your eyebrows, hairline, sideburns, and any other facial hair well. It can be pretty painful to remove the mask if you forget this vital step!

We wanted to be able to talk through our masks at the book launch/movie premiere, and since plaster would have set directly over our face we wouldn't be able to move our mouths. If you unroll some aluminum foil, fold it in half, and squish it over your lower jaw, that should leave enough room for you to talk behind the mask. It will make your final mask look somewhat gorilla like, but I think it's even more menacing. :)

Cut two pieces of straw about two inches long. These pieces of plastic will fit glamorously up your nose, enabling you to breathe.

Cut your plaster bandages into strips of varying lengths.

I'm blind without my glasses and I don't have contact lenses. What I did was take the lenses off my old glasses and laid them over my eyes. Once the mask comes off, you can glue the lenses inside the mask.

Step 3: Start Making the Mask

Now it's time to put your trust in your friend. You will need to lay on top of the newspapers face-up (might be good to lay on a towel/pillow as the floor can be quite hard, and you'll be there for a while). You friend will take the plaster bandages, dip them in water, squeeze off the excess, and start plastering up your face.

Step 4: Modify Mask

Once your mask is finished, wait another 10-15 minutes before removing it. If you're having trouble, try scrunching up your face, saying the vowels, blinking rapidly, raising your eyebrows, etc. Anything to stretch your skin and get the plaster off. If you haven't rubbed your hairy bits with enough vasaline, this step might be a little traumatic.

Once the mask is off your face, you can now shape it with the remaining plaster. I added more depth to the forehead, nose, and cheeks. I also added a 'ring' around the eye sockets as seen in some of the official death eater art. Once you're happy with the mask, let it dry overnight resting on a ball of aluminum in case it starts to buckle.

Step 5: Paint the Mask

Get out your metallic paints and paint-er-up! This is a stage where it is helpful to have your sketch to refer back to.

Once you're done painting, let it dry. Attach elastics/ribbon to the back using super-glue (I needed an anchor above and below my ears, as well as over the top of my head. The mask is a little heavy!).

I glued my lenses to the back of the mask using a glue gun. I also left a ring of glue around the lenses where it makes contact with my face, as I found without that extra space my eyeballs were pressing up against the lenses and it was quite painful. Just wear contact lenses if you have them!

Step 6: Wear It!

Grab your longest cloak, blackest gloves and boots, and don your mask! Memorize some curses! Pose grumpily for pictures! Scare small children! :)

For my wand, I've used this great instructable.

Also, for added authenticity, henna-tattoo a dark mark on your left forearm!