Uuh I use clipping Layers. It somehow describe what you mean I guess but I am unsure

If you mean having two layers, a top one and a bottom one within photoshop and you wanted to use a Mask to make a hole on the top layer to show off the bottom mask, I think this video will help you out. :3

https://youtu.be/Ztywetz3DO4?t=30

Also, there should be an options menu as soon as you apply the mask onto the layer you wanted Masked in order to set the opacity to whatever you desire or you can use colors between black and white to pick and choose what you want. All you need to do is set the brush to be a particular type of gray and then draw what you want to keep within it.

^w^