In the least popular sequel since Jaws II, the heatwave is back. Just when you thought you’d had a chance to wring out your sweaty PJs, there’s a vicious new wave of 30-plus degree heat about to hit, spelling more sleepless nights. If, like me, you’re naturally prone to nocturnal restlessness, it’s a horror.
Last time round, there was only one product that helped me to get through it, and I’ve had it on standby for round two. Meet my MVP for a sticky night: Drowsy’s Featherweight Silk Sleep Mask.
Like pretty much every beauty editor I know, the original, supersized Drowsy sleep mask is THE go-to for a better night’s kip. It’s a genuine black-out mask, and so big, cosy and puffy it’s like wearing a (breathable) duvet on your face. Which is all wonderful.. until it’s a hot summer night.
It’s for this exact reason that Drowsy launched a summer-weight option, which is designed to be swapped in as the temperature rises, like switching over to a lower tog duvet.
It’s a lot lighter and definitely not as bulky in design, so I was pretty sceptical about how well it would block out the light, which is always the prime culprit for my sleep struggles.
My chatty brain might jolt me awake with an unsolicited early hours conference call (typical agenda: oh nooo, did I accidentally cc the wrong person to that snarky email?) but then it’s the creeping light through the curtains that won’t release me back into the arms of sleep. If I don't take action right away with a mask, that's my day started. Ugh.
The mini Drowsy isn’t quite as comprehensive a light block as the original fat mask but it’s very, very close, and the featherweight feel on a hot night easily outweighs any hint of dawn breaking. It might need a tiny adjustment to get it positioned perfectly, but nine times out of ten, it blocks out enough light while I try to block out the inner chatter, and allows me to slide back to Sleeptown.
The last heatwave was a challenge but I genuinely did manage to doze again off by wearing it, despite the sweltering temperature in the small hours.
It’s definitely far more effective than the average silk sleep mask, with an uncomfortable stringy strap and propensity to slide all over your face, letting early daylight sneak in. Drowsy's silk design goes all the way round, tailoring off to a smaller velcro fastening which then wraps securely to fit your head.
I have what my family kindly describe as a pin-head, so having that adjustable design is a godsend. It’s also flush to your head without being bulky so there’s nothing digging into your scalp to distract you when you’re trying to count sheep.
As an extra beauty bonus, sleeping under silk is good for both hair and skin. Skin is gets fewer sleep creases vs smooshing your face into a pillow, and there’s less friction to accidentally fray hair as you toss and turn.
I can’t pretend that sleeping through a heatwave is ever going to be easy, but this product (plus a fan) really is the best remedy I have for fighting off heat-induced insomnia.
If I’m ever travelling somewhere warm, I’ll pack it before my passport – it really is that good in bed.
