I’m always excited to try out new beauty products that might work for me. But when I got this steam eye mask at an event, I was both curious and terrified.
This product is from Japanese brand MegRhythm. According to the packaging, it’s used to soothe the eyes via a steam heat that reaches up to 40°C. All you have to do is place the mask over your eyes for 10 minutes (before you sleep or even at work), and you’ll have de-stressed and brightened-up eyes after. It also comes in three varieties: Unscented, Lavender Sage, and Chamomile Ginger.
After reading that, the first thought I had was, “There’s no way this thing will heat up that high.” It’s almost the same temperature as a peak summer day in the Philippines. How is it described as a “comfy steam heat”? There’s also a precaution that says to remove if the eye mask get too hot. Despite all my questions and concerns, I still tested it out.
The eye mask comes in a plastic pouch. It’s made from a thin cotton-like cloth and with a heating pad (containing iron powder) on each slot. The instructions say that it starts heating up once you take it out. True enough, while we were shooting the masks, it gradually became hot to the touch. (Also putting out there that it kinda looks like a sanitary napkin.)
When I put it on, it felt like the heat couldn’t reach my eyes unless I pressed it down. But of course, it was too hot if I did that. I left it on for 10 minutes as recommended because hey, I need to de-stress my eyes from staring at my laptop screen for hours every day.
After the allotted time, I didn’t feel any difference—my eyes still looked puffy and tired. But I think that’s just the effect of sleeping late all the time. It did, however, make my eyes tear up a bit because of the heat. Nothing major though, my eyelids are still intact at least.
Personally, I think you’ll still get the same effect when you heat up a dampened towel and put it over your eyes. But if you want something that’s quick and you can bring anywhere, then MegRhythm’s Steam Eye Mask might work for you.
MegRhythm Steam Eye Mask is available at Watsons.
Photos by Samantha Ong
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