I have a couple of theories as to why I have such a hard time staying asleep at night. Is it because I'm anxious about potentially sleeping through my alarm, missing my 6:30 a.m. spin class, and being charged $5 for a no-show fee? Maybe. Did I drink too much red wine right before bed, and now I have indigestion so bad I can't stop tossing and turning? It's possible. The exact culprit behind my chronic no-sleep syndrome might vary depending on the day, but the next-morning results are always the same: a cranky attitude and sallow skin. But now, I've found a new beauty product that promises to fix at least one of those things. (The sallow skin — not the 'tude.)
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If you're even somewhat active on Instagram, chances are you've already seen the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask in your feed. Since its launch earlier this month, the creamy face mask — and its aesthetically-pleasing sky-blue tube — has practically gone viral, which might have something to do with the fact that it's the skin-care baby of influencers Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Gores Ireland. But familiar founders and chic minimalist packaging aren't what make this product truly worthwhile; it actually works to reverse those telltale signs of sleep deprivation.
With a balm-like texture that goes on white but quickly melts to a smooth, clear finish, this mask is undetectable and doesn't have to be rinsed, which means you can technically wear it in public — like, say, on a long-haul flight surrounded by strangers. Because it's basically invisible, it also works wonders as a moisturizing base underneath your makeup. And, most importantly, it actually seems to do something: After waking up from what was most likely one hour total of uninterrupted sleep, my skin looked dull, tired, and tragically dehydrated. Thanks to what I assume is the help of the mask's chestnut extract, vitamin C, and green tea, I got what felt like an instant face transplant: I looked wide awake, glowing, and healthier than if I spent a week at a Goop-sponsored wellness retreat.
Better still, this mask isn't irritating to the eyes, so it can be applied all over the area to refresh and de-puff, which is exactly what I did. Almost instantly, my terrible sleeping habits became nearly invisible to everyone around me — and if I can't feel well-rested, I might as well look it, right?
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, $48, available at Sephora and Summer Fridays.