Tried & Tested: Do These New Canadian Eye Masks Actually Brighten Under-Eyes?

(Grace & Stella via Amazon)

Obviously, nobody likes to look tired. The best way to avoid it is by getting a good night’s sleep, but between stress, busy schedules, early mornings, and late nights, eight hours isn’t always realistic. That means we often need to count on our skincare to go the extra mile.

There’s no shortage of lotions and potions promising to revive tired-looking under-eyes, but as someone who tests products for a living, I can confirm that not everything is worth your money. Some products promise the world and never deliver results — and frankly, who has the time or budget for that?

My review of the Grace & Stella Brightening Eye Masks

Personally, I swear by a good eye cream paired with eye masks for an extra boost when I need it. Shiseido’s Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Eye Cream is my current favourite, as it combines retinol with SafflowerRED to help fight signs of aging while lifting and brightening. The problem? It comes with a hefty $122 price tag. Yes, a little goes a long way, and the ingredients justify the splurge, but it does mean I’m inclined to spend a little less on step two of my routine: masks.

Luckily, my prayers have been answered by Canada’s very own Grace & Stella with its latest launch: Brightening Eye Masks. The brand’s entire line of masks is ultra-popular on Amazon Canada, earning cult-favourite status and becoming a bachelorette party must-have, but this new launch has quickly made its way into my daily rotation. They’ve made my morning skincare ritual feel more enjoyable, and the shiny bright orange design makes them the perfect selfie accessory.

And when it comes to ingredients, they don’t slack on the good stuff. Peptides, vitamin C, allantoin, horse chestnut extract, and hyaluronic acid work together to deeply hydrate, de-puff, soothe, and brighten. In testing, 93% of users agreed that their eyes appeared brighter, 85% said their skin looked more vibrant, and 85% said their skin felt awake and refreshed after use. I agree — and I find their efficacy doubles when you keep them in the fridge. They’re even more refreshing after a long night or a particularly difficult morning.

Are the Grace & Stella Brightening Eye Masks worth the hype?

Now, I’m not in the business of raving about products that don’t live up to expectations, so I’ll say this: these probably work best for me because they’re part of a fine-tuned skincare regimen that includes red light therapy and a multi-step routine. That said, they’re fun, they do work some magic when it comes to depuffing and brightening, and they’re very affordable.

Whether you’re looking for the cherry on top of an existing routine or a fun addition that makes Sunday scaries a little less scary, they’re definitely worth adding to your cart.