Ok, I have done the plaster badages on the face for 2 masquerade mask.
Sounds that the plaster bandages may be out of date, double check the date as old plaster will not set correctly! and may explain why it's taken ages to set.
Secondly I haven't burnt my face! as long as your not shoving loads on your face.
I used small strips which I precut and which helps conforms around the face.
After making a good amount of precuts before hand I then put a light coat of vaseline around the face and a good layer across my eyebrows (Trust me I have very bushy eyebrows), and then start building a good layer of plaster bandages, 3-4 layers.
After that pop the mask off your face and then give it a good clean lol