Learning how to sleep on a flight is a true art form. For years, my go-to strategy was to cover my head and face with a hoodie, then tie the drawstring closed for a snug feel that also blocks out light. On a recent flight to Australia, however, my sweatshirt proved to be no competition for my neighbor’s reading light, which stayed on for the entirety of the 16-hour trip. That’s when I knew I needed to find a better solution. 

One day while scrolling through social media, I came across Hailey Lowell, a flight attendant of eight years, who named Up&up Sleep Eye Mask one of her favorite travel essentials in a video. Seeing that it was only $7, I ran to pick up the sleep mask at Target before my next overnight flight to Australia. Even the sales associate sang its praises, and now I can’t stop raving about it, too.

Target Cushioned Sleep Eye Mask

I’d tried sleep masks before, but I usually ditched them after just a few minutes of wear; I’d even tried an expensive silk one that failed to impress me. All of them made me feel like I was being smothered and suffocated, but this Target find features contoured eye cups designed to remove pressure from eyelids for a soft and plush, yet roomy, feel. 

The mask also boasts an adjustable elastic strap that connects via velcro at the back. This was a feature I’d never even considered before, as others I tried featured uncomfortable metal clasps or unalterable straps that felt too tight around my head.

Target Cushioned Sleep Eye Mask

As soon as my midnight flight took off and the cabin lights dimmed, I put on the mask and noticed an immediate difference. I had ample space to blink my eyes and achieved the ideal fit around my head. The 100 percent polyester fabric is easy to clean, too. After a quick hand wash upon my arrival in Sydney, the mask maintained its shape and perfect fit. 

The reviews are glowing, too. One Target shopper raved that this was “the single best sleeping mask [they’ve] ever used,” adding that it had the perfect weight and fit to keep light out.” Here’s a sentence I never thought I’d say: I’m genuinely looking forward to my long-haul flight back to the States now that I’ve got the Up&up Sleep Eye Mask. And trust me, if you grab one too, you’ll be thanking yourself when you step off the plane feeling refreshed and well-rested.

Looking for more travel hacks to make your next flight as comfortable as possible? Keep scrolling to check out some more in-flight travel essentials that shoppers swear by for a smooth, hassle-free, and relaxing trip. 

More Comfy Travel Essentials for Long-haul Flights: 

Dot&Dot Adjustable Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow

Basic Concepts Airplane Foot Hammock

Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Wireless Headphones 

Bedelite Travel Blanket

Fitrell Compression Socks 3-pack

At the time of publishing, the price was $7. 

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