eye treatment - mask

This is the category we used to call 'Treats for Tired Eyes’, in the olden days of Beauty Bible, because they are all quick-fix treatments – rather like a face mask, but for eyes, in this case. 

They're designed for use as an extra step, in addition to your daily/nightly eye treatments, for those ‘emergencies’. Some of them, however, promise longer-term benefits, when used repeatedly. Most are infused with serums or other active formulations; one resembles a fabric sleep mask, with no skincare promises, but delivering a definite benefit in terms of relaxation.

They are all designed to answer eye S.O.S.-es… Tired eyes. Scratchy eyes. In some cases, dark circles, too. Those eye woes might be the result of one too many tequilas, or a crisp binge (salt being very dehydrating). Or maybe you’ve simply been burning the candle at both ends, or tossing and turning when you should have been zzzz-ing – and your eye zone is screaming for relief.

GOLD (JOINT) AWARD Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask

A previous winner, several times over – and back in the Gold position, yet again. This refreshing gel-cream formula does triple-duty as an overnight mask, but can ALSO be used nightly/daily as a nourishing moisturiser or a primer – thanks to light-reflecting pigments that have an action like a BB cream. Hyaluronic acid and ‘watermelon snow algae extract’ work to keep skin hydrated for up to 24 hours. Apply in the morning, under or over make-up, or leave on overnight to sink in. But however you use it, a winner. (Yet again.)

£60 for 15ml - click to buy 

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘I can comfortably say that this product has transformed appearance of my undereye make-up. I did use it daily, and friends commented that I look less tired. Once applied, the area around my eyes felt very nourished and hydrated’ • ‘I loved placing this gel around my eyes and being Elemis, I knew it would do as it said on the tin. Another great benefit was the option of being able to use this over make up; whether it was foundation or powder I felt both did 'sit' much better on my skin’ • ‘My favourite thing about this gel is that it definitely reduced the fine lines around my eyes area. My 10x mirror confirmed this!’ • ‘Cousins noticed I wasn’t as tired looking and commented on this product, which is a complete tonic for the area around your eyes, preventing fine lines, hydrating and helping with dark circles’ • ‘The consistency is rich and creamy and feels so luxe going onto the skin. Immediately my eyes looked more plumped-up and hydrated and it made an amazing base and primer for makeup’ • ‘Very refreshing; the cooling nature of it seems to refresh and reduce puffiness. Fines lines are reduced dramatically. I can wear it under make-up so my under-eye bags and dark circles disappear’ • ‘I have sensitive skin some eye creams don't suit me, but this didn't cause any issues. A little goes a long way’ • ‘A very good product that lightens and brightens the eye area, with some reduction in my dark shadows, and a little less puffy.’

£60 for 15ml - click to buy 

BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD  Katherine Daniels Instant Eye Effect Masks

A previous Beauty Bible Award-winner (in 2020), these masks are BACK. From no-nonsense British skincare brand founded by a skincare expert and a top facialist, with an ever-widening salon network, this also has a specially sculpted shape for application to the eye area. It works its plumping, smoothing, luminosity-boosting magic in 20 minutes – after which you're recommended to massage any residue into the skin around the eye area. Fresh-feeling, the ingredients include sea kelp and a mineral complex, saturated with skin-quenching hyaluronic acid. According to Katherine Daniels, instant results will be visible after just one use – but use it twice a week, and you should see 'sustained visible effectiveness'.

£75 for 4 pairs - click to buy 

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘An eye mask that shows instant results; it can be used before a special occasion for an instant rejuvenating effect or over four regular treatments for a longer effect. I felt this product reduced fine lines and made me look younger and more refreshed – very relaxing and cooling when applied’ • ‘I used it in winter but I will buy it again in summer as it will really help to cool my eyes when I am puffy. I was described as looking "fresh" after use’ • ‘Eye area looked smoother, less wrinkles; the overall feeling I had from this was a luxury treatment and I would recommend to anyone who was going to an event, who wanted to add that extra sparkle and confidence boost’ • ‘After using all sets, I saw a reduction in fine wrinkles; I believe my eyes look much fresher, less tired, much brighter and with reduced dark circles and fine lines’ • ‘Lovely to apply and I was amazed by the results I had; they make the eye area look brighter and firmer, blurring the fine lines with a quite noticeable difference – they were smoothed out’ • ‘Definitely an improvement in the brightness around the  eye area. Overall, I enjoyed these eye masks, finding them easy to use, adhering well to the skin. The effect they had on my eye area was noticeable and they had an immediate, though not long-term or cumulative, effect on fine lines and wrinkles.’

£75 for 4 pairs - click to buy 

BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD  Mii Cosmetics Bright Eyed Hydrogel Eye Mask

Mii’s little white pot contains 60 refreshing biodegradable patches, which (like PIXI’s) magically adhere to skin when placed under the eyes, ‘to leave the under-eyes feeling smoother, awakened and calmer, with a healthy-looking, illuminated glow’. Key ingredients include hyaluronic acid, niacinamide (to soften fine lines) and circulation-boosting caffeine. These can also be used to hydrate the under-eye area to prep for smoother make-up application; again, the cooling action can be turbo-charged by popping them in the fridge beforehand. Mii’s a fascinating brand, BTW: they created their range based on feedback of thousands of women who use beauty salons, first developing make-up and now skincare. 

£24 for 30 pairs - click to buy 

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘Massive improvement – my eyes looked brighter and so much more awake. My frog eyes are no more!’ • My Mum asked what was different about my eyes – these are essentially fake sleep in a pot’ • ‘Easy to use and can be left on whilst doing other things, as they don't slip down your face’ • ‘Make-up looked smother, under-eye brighter and the masks felt nice and refreshing’ • ‘A cooling, refreshing eye mask that has a slightly textured feel, so won't slide down your face. The gel brightens and really cools your tired eyes; these actually always felt cooling without the need to put them in the fridge, and I really recommend them for spectacle-wearers and/or when you need a pamper session’ • ‘Absolutely made my eye area look better; I wouldn't quite say “younger” as I don't think any product can turn back the age clock, but certainly improves the area and makes me happy with the product, which brings brightness, helps blur the lines but doesn't make them go away’ • ‘I especially notice the brightness in the evening; the effects almost really last – not till morning, perhaps, but that initial brightness makes my eyes more awake and my tired eyes feel more refreshed for longer’ • ‘My husband mentioned that I looked like I had a great night of sleep, even though my son had woke me up during the night! With the reduction of dark circles my eyes looked brighter, younger and more rested.’

£24 for 30 pairs - click to buy 

BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Tropic Hydrogel Eye Masks

Each pack contains five pairs of elliptical gel patches that are positioned over the skin for an instant cooling nourishment boost, post-cleansing. They’re quite generously-proportioned, covering just below the lower lashes to below the top of the cheekbones, delivering a cargo of de-puffing, skin-plumping ingredients that include aloe vera juice, red algae extract and bio-peptides, to encourage cell renewal and boost elasticity. We’re not generally fans of single-use masks, but as the masks themselves are completely biodegradable, we’ve included here. (The sachet can’t currently be recycled, NB.)

£15 for 5 pairs - click to buy 

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘If I was telling a friend about these, I’d say that these are simple to use, effective and relaxing. Just great for tired eyes! I felt that my under-eye area did look more vibrant and youthful for a day or so after each use’ • ‘Really enjoyed these; found them effective and easy to use with no unpleasant effects or discomfort to my eyes. They also stayed were I put them; they didn’t end up slipping down my face like other under-eye masks I’ve used in the past. I was impressed’ • ‘My make-up applied fantastically well after using these masks; they really prepped the skin. Because they leave such a smooth finish, my foundation/concealer etc. looked better. The masks plumped up my fine lines, so the make-up didn’t crease into them, and my eyes looked fresher; this effect lasted a few hours’ • ‘These offer a real moment of self-care. Take time to relax back and enjoy these eye patches; they really do work to make the eye area look better’ • ‘A general all-round useful product to have in a skincare arsenal. These masks are huge compared to others I have used, and I felt they gave a lot of conditioning hit over a large area - something much appreciated when you are older with crinkles that extend further and further which each passing year! Despite only using this product, once my eye zone did look better after a single use - more plumped up, while my under-eye and upper cheek area felt very nourished.’

£15 for 5 pairs - click to buy