I've started thinking I'd like to get into face (sheet) masks more, and that includes eye masks. Lipstick Boulevards said she really likes the Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Eye Mask, so I thought I'd try her recommendation since we both love the Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 eye cream (review here)!!!

 ***All items purchased by me. Affiliate links included.***

Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask, $62.50/12 packets (each pack contains 2 individual eye masks) @ Sephora, Nordstrom, Saks, Barneys.

I was highly skeptical that an eye sheet mask would do much, given my lack of luck with traditional eye masks. Instead I opted for excessive eye cream use whenever my eye area felt dry or needed a boost. However, that strategy didn't seem to quite work as well as it used to so I finally decided to give the Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask a go!

First off, these puppies are expensive. The recommended usage is 2-3x's per week but at that rate you'd go through a box in 4-6 weeks. Ouch. Because of cost I've been trying to limit the use of these to only when necessary. And may I say...even after the first use I found these to be very necessary...so much so, that I have already ordered another box! Ha ha! 

Apologies for the tissue, but when I tried these for the first time and took pictures I didn't realize how 'wet' the container would be when coming out of the package :-)  

Anyway...so this is what comes in each packet... 

There are 2 moon shaped looking eye masks, designed to cover your under eye area only. They are pretty large and should be more than plenty to cover any issues. 

Here are the instructions to show placement. This also says to use for about 15 minutes, and this amount of time seems to be about perfect. Any longer and the little sheets start to dry out...if you let them dry out too much they get a bit wrinkly and those little marks are left on my eye area, somewhat negating the other positive effects. If I only leave the masks on for 5-10 min and I don't fully see/feel the effects. After the 15 minutes, pat the remaining fluid into your eye area. I like to still apply eye cream after that to kind of seal it all it, but depending upon how your eyes feel you may not need to. 

And just what are the positive effects?? These are amazingly hydrating and upon contact, my eye area feels soothed and any tightness or itchy dryness is gone. After the 15 minutes, my fine lines are almost completely gone. My eye area feels plump, soft and completely moisturized. For the following few days/nights I also can get away with a little less eye cream than normal! These are an 'aaaaaahhhh' for my skin...sometimes greatly needed after a full week of flying!!

From Sephora:

Developed with Shiseido exclusive Pure Liquid Retinol Delivery System, this complex is designed to visibly improve fine lines, crow's feet, and uneven texture, in just 15 minutes...this product contains hydroxyproline, a high-technology amino acid that parallels skin's own natural building blocks and helps natural collagen production. It can also be used around the lips for exceptional smoothing benefits.

(Knock on wood) I don't have crow's feet or uneven texture, so I cannot speak to those benefits. But seeing how well this works on my fine lines, I'd say it's worth a try. If you have a little deeper set lines or are very concerned about texture, you might need to use it the recommended 2-3x/week vs. my limited usage. And nothing to do with the product, but you might also try sleeping on your back or getting satin or silk pillow cases if you are trying to reduce wrinkles :-)

For my needs, this works so well and I've been extremely happy with the product. Thank you so much to Lipstick for the recommendation!!!  

Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask ingredients: