Table of Contents
Like many people, I struggle with puffy, tired eyes when I wake up in the morning, no matter how long I’ve slept. Plus, my habit of searching late-night recipes and DIY projects on social media that I’ll probably never make doesn’t help the situation. But I’m also a busy mom with two young children and keeping up with their activities can be exhausting. And with my 48th birthday approaching, I probably won’t be able to escape the dark circles anytime soon.
I have a drawer full of eye masks that I can turn to when I need a quick pick-me-up, but the results are inconsistent and most do little to relieve my under-eye bags. I felt a pang of hope when I discovered the best seller. Grace and Stella Eye Maskscataloged as an “energy drink for the eyes.” And guess what? They’re 58 percent off right now!
These “super hydrating” masks have over 17,500 five-star reviews and are Jessica Alba’s favorite, but did they work for this night-in loving mom? Read below and find out if these vegan eye masks are “magic” or just meh.
Amazon
These eye masks with sea moss and hyaluronic acid help give your eyes the freshness they need.
- Energizing
- Moisturizing
- Helps improve puffy and tired eyes.
- May be irritating to sensitive eyes.
$17 (originally $40) at Amazon
The details
These under-eye masks contain moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, sea moss, amino acids, and glycerin, all working together to help keep eyes hydrated and soft. Moments after application, the ingredients go to work and within 20 minutes, you’ll have a fresh, rejuvenated under-eye area.
Cooling, anti-inflammatory hydrogel masks work quickly to reduce puffiness and brighten the delicate under-eye area.
In addition to gold, the masks are also offered in pink and blue. Are you looking for a mask that helps with wrinkles and is energizing? Go for the gold. More concerned about hydrating and soothing? Blue is for you. All about increasing collagen? Think pink.
Dermatologist-tested, the vegan patches are also paraben- and sulfate-free.
What I like about them
Lack of sleep? No one will ever know: After staying up late to work on a project (i.e. binge-watching “The Bear”) and only getting three hours of sleep, I had to rush to an audition across town. I put them on while enjoying my morning coffee, and 30 minutes later, all evidence of my sleepless night was erased. Mind you, I was still exhausted, but fortunately, on camera, no one noticed.
They are virtually fragrance-free: There is nothing more disturbing than a face or eye mask with a very strong smell. These are virtually fragrance-free, and that’s fine with me!
Smoothes fine lines: I don’t have many lines on my face (thanks, retinol), but the ones I do have are mainly around my eyes. If I sleep less than six hours, as is often the case, those fine lines really stand out. I put them on and my crow’s feet visibly soften. Of course, they don’t disappear, but they don’t stand out either, which works for me.
Great packaging: The individual packets are very convenient to keep in your bag and use on the go. Plus, I never waste the rest of the solution the masks are dipped in. The way it’s packaged, I can easily take the formula out of the bag and apply it directly to my face for full hydration.
Room for improvement
Sensitive skin? You may want to avoid: The first time I used these masks under my eyes, I felt a little discomfort and experienced some redness; however, it was less and less after each application. My friend, on the other hand, has very sensitive skin and was only able to leave them on for 10 minutes.
These babies like to move: The masks tend to slide out of position, which can be annoying if you like to wear them while doing other things, like I do.
They tear easily: Be careful when removing the patches from the package, as they are delicate and tear easily.
What others say
4.2/5 stars
More than 28,000 reviews
“Super moisturizing”
These “super hydrating” masks were a big hit with a 44-year-old man who puts them on during his morning commute.
Another reviewer called them “magical,” as they reduce “99 percent of puffiness” and leave her skin looking “fresh and healthy.”
They’re a “nice break” for “tired eyes,” wrote a third shopper, who mentioned that sometimes the masks “slide down.”
Another reviewer praised that these “must-have” masks are “authentic.” After using them, the bottom of her eyes were “more hydrated” and immediately “less puffy.”
However, one user with sensitive skin found the masks “irritating” and was disappointed that they “burned” his skin, so he removed them after just a minute.
the verdict
As a sleep deprived mother who enjoys her nights late into the night, these Grace and Stella Eye Masks and I’m in this for the long haul. I have never used a mask that so visibly improved the appearance of my eyes, reducing puffiness and fine lines after just one use. It’s not a panacea and dark circles begin to appear as the day progresses, but for a few hours, my 47-year-old eyes look younger and more awake. And with a 58 percent discount right now, they’re down to just $17. Keep in mind that more sensitive skin may take a while to adjust to the hydrogel formula, but if you can hang in there, I promise it’ll be worth the money. grief.
The reviews cited above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! follow us on Twitter and instagram.