Love mask - headgear by Pipedream - review by Supervixen

Pipedream has made a simple but very aesthetically pleasing blindfold/mask that is affordable, comfortable and effective at giving a totally "lights out" experience to the wearer. If you enjoy being blindfolded or blindfolding your partner to enhance sensory play, then you really can't do much better than this little gem of a mask. While it is a bit too tight to be used comfortably as a sleep mask (for me anyway, but I've never been able to sleep well with a mask on my face), it is a great addition to the bedroom. Whether you have a passing interest in spicing things up with a simple, non-intimidating accessory, or are into harder, kinkier play, for $5.99 you have no reason not give this mask a try.

The Love Mask comes in six different colors and I decided on the purple one. According to other reviews here on Eden, the pink and white mask do not shut the light out completely so if that is a concern of yours, rest assured the purple one is much more effective at blocking out most light. Most importantly to me though, if it is worn properly then it is impossible to peak around the sides once you are wearing it, as is sometimes the issue with bedroom masks and blindfolds. Because this one fits so snugly though, there is no peaking--you or your partner will be completely unable to see whatever surprise is in store!

The snug fit of this is just what I was looking for in a mask, but some people may find it to be too tight to fit comfortably. My head is 22" around right where the mask sits over my eyes, and while it isn't loose at all, it is still totally comfortable. The back is made up of two elastic straps that have a decent amount of stretch to them; unstretched, it sits at 8 1/2" and stretched at its fullest, it goes to 16".

The part that actually masks the eyes is 7 1/2" in horizontal length and 3 1/2" in vertical length. The mask part is lightly padded and is made of a very luxurious feeling satin. On the inside of the mask is a small, unobtrusive tag that says Pipedream on one side and "Made in China" on the other. You can't tell that the tag is there when you wear it, but if it bothers you, it can be easily removed.

I love being blindfolded; it heightens my other senses and the feeling of excitement when my partner and I are engaging in foreplay. Our old mask recently went missing (we think that the couple he leased his apartment to while he was gone over the summer might have found it, and the temptation was too great to not take it home with them as a souvenir), and so I came to Eden looking for a new one. Since I'm the one who likes to wear it, my biggest complaint with our old one was that I could see a bit at the bottom of it because of the way it sat on my nose. I knew that I wanted an upgrade that would make seeing around it completely impossible. I was a bit skeptical when I came across this mask, because the $5.99 price tag seemed too good to be true. Eventually though, I figured hey, what do I have to lose with a price like that really?

When I first pulled the mask out of its package, I was first struck by what a pretty shade of purple it was. As I ran my fingers along it, I was impressed with how soft and nice the material felt to the touch. And then I tried the thing on, and was delighted by how effective it was; it certainly was an upgrade from the former blindfold because once in place, I couldn't see anything! I had one last test to try out before I decided if it was a hit or a miss; what did it look like while on? So I snapped a picture of myself once the mask was in place, and was thrilled to see that it really looks rather attractive while on. It's not too large for my face, it doesn't fit awkwardly, and the color is very pretty. I had found a winner!

Since it looks like a regular sleep mask, storage is super easy for this lovely bedroom accessory. Even if someone sees it, who cares? I have mine hanging in plain view on my bedpost, and no one raises an eyebrow. For all anyone else knows, I wear it to block out the light while I sleep. If you take it with you travelling, you could wear it on a plane while napping, and no one would think a thing.

The satin material should be hand washed in cold water, not bleached, and left to air dry. I can't imagine why anyone would have a hard time caring for such a low maintenance, unassuming piece; low maintenance is the best kind of maintenance, right?

The packaging for this mask is the least discreet thing about it. For some reason, Pipedream wants to announce what the mask is probably being used for (hey, it is called a "Love Mask" after all), but the thin, cardboard envelope that it comes in is easily recycled and totally unnecessary for storage. I tossed mine in the recycle bin, took it out to the street for pick up, and hung the mask up on my bedpost. No one is any the wiser as to the mask's true purpose...