Sturdy Balaclava Base

Alright, let's hope I don't mess this one up explaining.
So about a year ago I made fursuits from balaclava bases. It turns out that the heads were WAY too small and the bases weren't sturdy at all.
Recently I've switched to making heads out of all-foam and it's improved my work by a lot.

However, the insides of the heads are not lined.

I recently worked on 3 fursuit bases not made by me... And they were all balaclava bases. Somehow, though, the foam was so strongly on the base that it wasn't very flexible and once furred was the same size as an all-foam head.
I've come down to two conclusions:

1. Make a base out of all-foam, glue a balaclava to the inside and then cut around the eyes and mouth.
2. Make a base out of all-foam, cut off the back piece (for another head) and glue the face to the balaclava, then cut where needed.

Does anybody else use these methods? I'm rather afraid to try them out, only to have the whole head ruined.

Thanks!