We're passionate about silicone masks. If you’re reading this, it’s likely you are too! But have you ever wondered what the history of silicone masks is? Or perhaps you’re curious to know why we find them so arousing? We’re uncovering the history and appeal of silicone masks in today’s article!
Silicone masks are made using silicone rubber. Silicone rubber is commonly used as it provides a realistic appearance and feel. They were allegedly invented in 2003. But other rubber masks had been around since 1938. First used in the media industry and for Halloween costumes. Silicone masks became popular within kink and fetish communities due to their versatility. They can change someone's appearance to embrace certain attractive qualities. The texture and appearance of silicone itself can be appealing to some.
Eager to learn more about how silicone masks have evolved? Or just curious about how they were invented? Keep reading and you'll be a silicone mask scholar in no time!
Creation Of Rubber Masks
The use of silicone rubber to create masks wasn’t utilised until the 2000s. However, that didn’t mean that masks made of other kinds of rubber didn’t exist before then. In 1938, a man called Don Post created some of the first latex rubber masks for film and stage productions.
He would later form “Don Post Studios”. Creating masks that would be used for major Hollywood films such as “Star Wars” and “Halloween”. He was indirectly responsible for creating Michael Myers’ iconic mask!
But his main impact was how he helped create mass produced rubber masks for the general public. In the 1950s and 60s, Don Post Studios focused on creating Halloween masks. Arguably, it helps cement Halloween as a globally celebrated holiday.
Don Post’s efforts paved the way for future mask making techniques, along with creating an appreciation for the art of masks themselves. Without him, there would be a severe lack of creative VFX in films and other media. There would also likely be no Smitizen!
Introduction Of Silicone Masks
The first known use of silicone for rubber masks isn’t particularly well documented. Most sources seem to agree that the first silicone mask was made around 2003. Created by an American called Rusty Susser and his business, SPFXMasks.
They offered online orders through their website as early as 2006, which would become standard for other companies selling silicone masks years later. Their main selling points for silicone masks are convenience and realism.
Silicone masks had the advantage of being easy to wear without the need for extra steps, as seen with foam latex masks, which would require gluing down. Saving time and no longer needing assistance applying the mask properly.
They also had the same capabilities for realistic movements as foam latex masks. Such as matching the wearer’s own face movements. A step above the more traditional, stiff rubber masks from the 1930s.
Even within its early stages, silicone masks allowed for easy customisation. Proving to be the perfect method for creating highly detailed and unique masks. Pushing the boundaries of imagination and realism like never before!
Introducing… Us!
Over the years, techniques for creating silicone masks spread across the globe. Accompanied by advances in technology and access to it. This led toward the creation of our business, Smitizen! Smitizen was established in 2011 in China.
We’ve been hard at work to fully embrace the possibilities that silicone masks can provide. Whether it be our animalistic monster masks or our realistic human masks. We’ve catered our products mostly towards the kink and fetish communities. Embracing a market that had been previously overlooked.
We understand there’s a wide appeal to silicone masks. They can be used for more than just Halloween costumes or special effects. We embrace the more risque side of silicone masks. Understanding their relationship with various kinks and fetishes.
Yet, we’re not ignorant of the history of silicone and rubber masks! We understand what made them so popular with the general public. Society has always been fascinated with disguises and monsters! We ensure that we create a range of masks that fit in multiple places on the erotic-vanilla scale.
We use this understanding of the past and present to allow us to constantly innovate our masks. Creating exciting new products and experimenting with creativity. This allowed us to become a globally operating business. We strive to bring our passion for silicone masks to the forefront!
We’re also making sure we keep track of current trends, along with technological advancements. We make the most of what technology allows us to do. Striving to create a modern, convenient experience for our customers.
We are in an age of social media and online content. Therefore, we allow for easy, open communication and engagement. We actively encourage our customers to showcase their masks. We even offer an affiliate program. Allowing us to thank our customers for recommending our products!
We also aim to cater to the communities of our customers. Whether they’re simply passionate about masks or hardcore kinksters, for some, a silicone mask is a way to express their inner desires or reflect their ideal self.
Knowing this, we chose to also offer custom works. Allowing customers to collaborate with us to create a custom product that is unique to them. We focus on providing enjoyable experiences for our customers!
What's The Sexual Appeal Of Silicone Masks?
So, we’ve got the history of silicone masks down. What actually makes them so arousing? This differs for each person, but it’s typically due to some of the following qualities.
Appearance
Sometimes it’s just as simple as finding the appearance of the mask arousing or attractive. Furries may find themselves drawn to dog masks as they resemble anthropomorphic dogs, given the human proportions combined with canine facial features. Likewise, someone into hairy men may find a mask with facial hair appealing.
Sometimes it may be the literal appearance of the silicone material that is arousing. Some people find the look of unpainted silicone appealing due to the shiny, rubbery look it has.
This can either be due to the lack of distinctive facial features. Or due to the mask having an appearance that looks normal, save for the unnatural skin colour. Something that makes them look distinctly not-quite normal, embracing the uncanny.
Feel
The feel of a silicone mask can be exciting for some. Silicone masks are designed to fit around the facial features of the wearer. Therefore, they usually feel quite tight.
Some people may enjoy how that tightness feels. This could be due to having a fetish for feeling compressed or squished. Or they enjoy feeling like the mask is part of their actual skin. Alternatively, they might enjoy how it affects their breathing or vision.
Others may simply enjoy the feeling of touching the silicone mask with their hands, especially if there are parts that jiggle or squish, like the muzzle of a cow mask. They might just enjoy how smooth silicone feels!
Synergy With Kinks And Fetishes
Quite often, the main appeal of silicone masks can be how they synergise with kinks or fetishes. BDSM in particular sees a lot of use of silicone masks for gimps or drones.
Silicone masks are versatile. Therefore, they can be made into many different forms. Some will innately appeal to someone’s kinks or fetishes based on the mask’s appearance alone. Or the mask might be designed in a way that appeals to a fetish like breathplay, by limiting the wearer’s breathing.
Alternatively, silicone masks may be used to represent an impossible kink or fetish. Petrification, transformation, or corruption are some examples. The masks are used as tools to help keep a roleplay session more “realistic”. Providing a visual representation of what has happened to a participant.
Anonymity
You might like the sound of silicone masks because most masks cover the wearer’s entire head. Allowing the wearer to completely disguise themselves. Anyone glancing at someone wearing a silicone mask is unable to tell who’s beneath it!
That sense of anonymity is arousing to some people. They may enjoy sexual encounters where the identities of participants are unknown. Or they may get a thrill out of being unable to recognise their reflection.
Some people find it brings them confidence. Others may find it both arousing and comforting. For example, they might have a high-profile job. Meaning they could be afraid to post anything erotic online in case they’re recognised. A silicone mask allows them to embrace their kinky side without fear!
Embracing A Persona
We mentioned furries earlier. They’re often drawn to silicone masks for more than just appearances. Being able to embrace a persona is usually the reason. However, this applies to non-furries too.
As mentioned under anonymity, silicone masks can conceal someone’s true appearance. People are often drawn to silicone masks because they want to look like the thing the mask resembles. Or for some, literally be a living version of the mask itself.
A person might already have an ideal persona they want to embrace in mind. Or they may simply grow attached to their mask to the point they create a persona around it. This “persona” is their ideal self. So wearing the mask that represents that fills them with confidence.
It’s essentially a way to tackle life’s hardships by drawing inspiration from and embracing being a fictional entity. Some personas may be near identical to the actual person, save for their appearance. Whilst others may have a drastically different personality.
This persona provides a method of escapism. Allowing a person to embrace their inner desires. Becoming whoever or whatever they want to be in real life, even if it’s impossible for them to actually do so.
Conclusion
Now you know! From starring in Hollywood, to saving Halloween, to enabling furry fantasies! Silicone masks have had a pretty eventful history. One that has shockingly had very little coverage!
We struggled to find any information on what designs the first latex and silicone masks had. Nor could we find much information on the actual process for creating these masks. Truly a shame, given how important both were to the media industry!
We encourage any silicone mask historians out there to leave a comment below. Let us know of any information you know of! We’ll admit, we didn’t do much research through books! So, any relevant book recommendations are appreciated!
Want to try a silicone mask for yourself? Why not try out the Black Silicone Hood - Thor? You’ll really get a good feel for how tight and comfortable silicone masks can be!
