Sleep Mask for Side Sleepers 2022 Headband Design, Cup-Shaped and Extra-Soft, 100 Blackout Eye Mask Shades Cover for Men and Women Home or Travel, Machine Washable, Black

I've had this now for a little over a month and I absolutely love it, and how did I ever live without it in my life?? My work swaps back between days and nights, so getting good sleep can be difficult, and my room gets direct light in the mornings. I used to use "traditional" sleep masks, and I have quite a few, but the light always peeks through, some felt like they put a lot of pressure directly on my eyeballs, and some would slip off. But the Alaska Bear sleep mask does none of that! It fits comfortably around my eyes (I can actually open and blink with it on), the strap is adjustable so it fits snug and comfortably around my head, and while I'm mainly a side sleeper sometimes I flip to my stomach, but no matter how much moving I do while I sleep, this mask stays in place and doesn't feel bulky on the side of my face. I was afraid it would feel heavy because it's a bit thick, but it's not! Very lightweight, soft, and comfy! I use this every time I sleep, even when I am getting to sleep at night like a normal person lol. And just to tell you how well it blocks out the light, when I got it, I put it on and looked directly up towards the light over my bathroom sink, and this mask blocked out 99.9999% of the light. I absolutely love it, and will be ordering a couple more so I can make sure I always have one to use if one is being washed, and probably even a dedicated one to use for travel. I looked at others out there that are similar and pretty pricey, so I was glad when I came across the Alaska Bear with it's great price point. Thanks for making such an awesome and affordable product!

Finally, a comfortable eye mask with protection against eye pressure. I have severe dry eye and any pressure on my eyes/eyelids during the night can cause pain. Although other eye masks offer the pressure protection, they usually have narrow bands with slides or velcro for closure. The narrow bands slide up or down behind my ears, or over my ears causing ear discomfort or eyemask slippage. This mask, with its soft, wide bands using something similar to velcro but softer, is a game changer.

I first looked into this sleep mask because it looked unique in that there was more fabric coverage down around the nose (like a true blindfold), and I thought that would be great for blocking out a lot of light. But just a disclaimer, the mask shown in the pictures (as of today, 3/9/23) is the ORIGINAL model. The newer model (which is what I received) is more contoured around the nose, without that additional fabric flap. After reading through some other recent reviews, I saw that if I were to reach out to the company directly, there was a good chance that they might send me one of the original models if they still had it in stock. Spoiler alert, they DID send me the original model! So 5 stars for customer service for Alaska Bear, hooray for a company that actually cares! (I cannot say the same for another sleep mask company, Bucky, as the mask I recently bought from them literally started falling apart a few months after I began using it, and I tried reaching out to them multiple times with no response). So, my overall review after comparing both models... in an unforseen plot twist, the newer contoured model actually blocks MORE light than the original. With the original model, the extra fabric flap seems to hold the mask further from your face, which allows more light in. Maybe if there was more fabric it would just pool around your nose a bit more, but it's taut enough that your nose holds the mask away from your face just enough to let additional light in at the bottom. So for anyone who may be disappointed that the mask they received looks different than the one pictured, don't be! The newer model is actually an improvement, in my opinion. My overall review of this mask (the newer model) is that it really seems like a high quality product. The fabric is super soft and overall it is very comfortable. There is no Velcro to tangle in your hair, and the adjustment clasps are slim enough that I literally can't even feel them when I'm lying on my side OR my back. Also, the seams are SEWN, rather than glued or heat sealed, so it likely won't start falling apart the way several of the other cheaper masks seem to do these days (just click on review photos for other masks you are considering, that should tell you if it's an issue or not). And I think it fits more comfortably and blocks more light then any other mask I've tried in the past. So I'm likely a convert for life now, I genuinely love it this mask!!!

3.5 stars rounded up. I've had this eye mask for 5 months and, overall, it's great. The material is soft and smooth, it doesn't leave creases on my face, I don't find it to be overly hot, it's super easy to adjust, it doesn't rub uncomfortably on my ears, it does block all light for me, I can open my eyes without them rubbing, neither the tag nor the low profile adjustment slider bothers me, etc. I'm primarily a side sleeper and rarely a back sleeper. It's comfortable in both positions. It came in a plastic ziplock style bag (a cheap one for sure, but better than nothing) which I appreciate, as I continue to keep it there when not in use. I don't wear it every night, more like 3 days a month depending upon how dry my eyes are. I have two concerns, though. A minor concern is the wrinkles in between the eye pads. No big deal right now, but it worries me that the padding might start to disintegrate soon or rip open. The much larger concern is that it's not ideal for people with small heads. I have a small head and it's so difficult to find items that work well in a world full of big heads with the one-size-fits-all approach. The circumference of my head is about 20" where my eyes are and even on the tightest adjustment, as I stretch this over my head for use, it seems to keep stretching out a bit and it started close to be being too large to begin with. I'm worried it's going to just start sliding down my face soon. As you can see in one of my pictures, you can only adjust the tightener/slider to a certain point because it then runs into another seam so nothing bothers your ears. I really wish they had a S/M and L/XL version, so those of us with small heads don't have to worry that we can only stretch it over our head so many times before it simply won't stay in place anymore. Furthermore, when you have a small head and the eye cups alone are about 7.75" wide, the raised eye cups are already nearly touching my ears and I wish they were a bit more narrow too. I know it's incredibly difficult to get people to do anything, like measure, before they purchase and then complain online 😂, but most people at least know if they have a small or big head and a size differential would be so helpful. If you have a big head, this is 5 out of 5 stars. If you have a small head, it's the best I've found so far, but not flawless. Good luck to my fellow small heads out there.

I have several other sleep masks from Alaska Bear, in a few different styles. I used the others until they literally fell apart. I have also tried a few other brands, but overall this brand has produced my favorites that get the most use. This one, though, is by far the best and most comfortable style yet, with one small caveat. The fabric is very soft, kind of stretchy, and doesn't distort, pill, or wrinkle up with use or washing. It doesn't irritate my very sensitive skin, and is very lightweight. The memory foam eye cups are a good depth for me, and are very soft and comfortable. The wrap-around on the sides and the little fabric flap at the nose are my favorite features; this mask is more effective at blocking light than any other mask I've tried, and the wrap-around on the sides means it is very comfortable on my ears and doesn't shift as much when I sleep. The one and only complaint I have is the sizing. I have what I thought was a pretty average sized head for a female, but this mask is a bit too large. It does have a sliding buckle on elastic on the back, which allows for some adjustment, but because of the wrap-around fabric there isn't as much room for adjustment as my other versions. Even adjusted all the way down to the smallest size, it still wasn't snug enough for preference. (I used my sewing machine to cinch the elastic a little tighter) In addition, I feel like the eye-cups wrap a little too far around the side of my face, and would be more comfortable if they were slightly narrower in width. What I'd really like to see is an overall smaller version of the same mask as an option. Still, even with the slight sizing complaint, this is still hands-down my absolute favorite sleep mask so far. I'm getting much better sleep. I will be purchasing several more so I always have one in rotation. If Alaska Bear releases a smaller version, I'll buy a whole bunch so I always and forever have the best sleep mask ever. Does this sound like an exaggeration? It's not melodrama: this sleep mask really is a revelation for me, and I don't ever want to be without one.

So, I have a short forehead, a tiny nose, and really sensitive ears. I have tried at least 10 different types of masks, but they all are either too tall on my forehead that they practically sick up over the top of my head, or they cover my nose to the point that they stick out over my nose. ALL of them have had that metal buckle that sits on the temple or right at my ear. That hurts! One mask had the metal closer to the back of the head, but the fabric that went over the ears was padded, and that put extra pressure on my ears and hurt. The other masks also slide around on my face, some even popping off my head during the night, because I'm a side sleeper and the mask sticks so far away from my face and is slick. The last thing the other masks do is make my face sweat, no mater how "breathable" they say the fabric is. Well, it isn't breathable if its shiny and slick. THIS mask from Alaska Bear did non of those things! The fabric is soft, stretchy, and actually IS breathable. The elastic is thick yet soft. The buckle is in the back and you can't feel it when you sleep. The padding around the eyes is minimal, and my lashes kinda touch, but it's not bad. I wear it pretty loose and that helps. The fabric that covers your ears is thin and soft, so it doesn't bother sensitive ears. Also, this mask doesn't cause over stimulation on my face like the other masks do. If you have ADHD/ASD you know what I'm talking about. It blocks out the light almost 100%. The little bit of light that gets in is from around my tiny nose. My husband tried on my mask and said there was zero light leakage. I just ordered him his own Alaska Bear mask, because he jokingly said he's gonna use mine when he's asleep during the day. He works 3rd shift. Even though this mask is more expensive than any other mask I've tried, it's 100% worth the extra money. I've probably spent 5x the cost of this mask on other masks that cause me to wake up throughout the night to fix it. So, if you're on the fence because of price, just get it! You won't be sorry!

It really does block out all light while still being comfortable and lightweight. I hardly notice any pressure or pulling from the mask even as a sensitive sleeper. I just throw it in a mesh laundry bag and machine wash + air dry and it's still holding up well. Travels well and can still be paired with earbuds to block out noise on planes or in hotel rooms.

I was so excited about getting this mask (I know, that's lame and says so much about my life, but anyway). Our bedroom is very bright in the summers, and I'm no morning person. My goal? Sleep whenever I want/need to. Reviewers promised this mask would CHANGE MY LIFE by blocking 100% of light! I was in. I hurriedly ripped into the packaging and stroked the luxurious smoothness of the silk. I went to bed eagerly anticipating the bliss of total darkness all night long. Well, today, dear people, I am trashed: I did not sleep after dawn--a dawn which arrives at night in this part of the world at this time of the year; a dawn which arrives when sane people, imo, should be sleeping. The trouble? This mask. It's not that the mask is uncomfortable--far from it. It's well-made (hence two stars for the first version of this review, rather than one; I've since upgraded to three stars b/c Alaska Bear upgraded me to a better mask). Obviously, lots of people love it. But I suspect those people have bedrooms that were already dark. Because this mask does the one thing a sleep mask should not: the light shines through. I don't mean the light gets through at the nose (although that, too, is an issue if you're a side-sleeper). I mean the light cuts through the material of the mask itself. Literally, I was lying there wondering why light was getting through a black mask that all these people claimed resulted in total darkness. I mean, should I believe them, or my lying eyes? I chose the latter. Today, I went to return it, only to find that Alaska Bear does not allow returns on this item. I'm glad I'm only out roughly $11. Still--I lost a night of sleep and that in itself is worth more than $11 to me. (Warning: whatever I write today for my upcoming book will probably suck.) Sigh. I'm left going back to the eye mask I have been wearing for the past 12 years. It's beaten to hell, but absolutely no light gets through it. Wish I knew where it had come from, so I could buy another. My career depends on it! UPDATE: Alaska Bear kindly provided me with their upgraded mask, ALASKA BEAR® Natural silk sleep mask & blindfold, super-smooth eye mask (Starry Night version), to replace the original (and thinner) mask written about for this review. The upgraded mask is better at preventing light's getting through the material, possibly because it's a little thicker. It's super-comfortable and absolutely gorgeous--a true work of art. But the absence of a nose baffle means light leaks quite a lot in that area. The people who run this company are very nice, and accommodating. And as you see, most people love this and their other sleep masks. I only wish their products worked better for me. Wondering when the Starry Night will come with a nose baffle--that would be bliss!