One of the highlights of moving cross-country last year was getting to spend a bit of time in New Orleans. Bourbon Street was a vomit-scented letdown of alcoholic Slurpees and Britney Spears, but Cafe Du Monde made up for it with little bags of sugary heaven. The gift shops were goldmines of pretty masks, everything from curvy faces that dripped pink fringe down one’s cheeks, to those miniature porcelain pouts so popular in the 80’s, the kind of thing Prince decorated his bedroom with in Purple Rain and never seem to die out of dollar stores.

BTW, you can liven up a plain porcelain mask by draping some “hair” over its head with a scarf. Tying together a bunch of fiery colors to spill down one side looks pretty cool, so does a little veil of black lace.

Typing “mask” into Etsy spits back 360 pages of search results. This is definitely a topic that will have to be returned to later for further study, because that’s a lot of gorgeous.

Let’s start with tradition: an Italian jester mask in red and gold. The loop inside the forehead is for hanging when it’s not in use, and a little reminder that yes, that’s a piece of art tied to your face. From The Art of the Mask.

The Venetian shape takes on a light, delicate air with wire and glass beads. From Grin, Grimace, and Squeak.

The roses on the this Day of the Dead mask can be frosted with black, if you wish. The seller also recommends you wear it with a push-up bra. From MasqueFaire.

Venetian flair…rendered in kanzashi. From Xiuxiueig.

Inspired by circus sideshow acts, this nail-studded mask brings a touch of grotesque to the masquerade. From Deux Visage.