Kiribai Red Bean Steam Warming Eye Pillow

Maybe you remember this post about the steaming eye masks from Kao Megurizumu?

I still love the masks but on the long run they turn out to pricey so I was looking for a cheaper alternative.

I got the Red Bean Steam Warming Eye Pillow from Kiribai on eBay for around US$15 and you can find it on Sasa for around $13. It´s an eye mask filled with red beans and can be heated in the microwave so it´s reusable. 

The beans have a light smell, like grain or dried beans of course. Not strong and not bothersome, natural and fine for my taste.

The eye pillow is thick and a little heavy so it stays on the eye area nicely. However there is nothing to attach this to the ears so you have to lie down on the back or the pillow will fall down. 
Microwave this mask with the words facing down (this is the side that´s not touching your eyes) for about 30 seconds on 600 Watt or 40 seconds on 500. If you see Japanese words appear on the lighter and softer side of the mask (the one you put onto your eyes) then the mask is too hot and shouldn´t be used until the words disappear.

The pillow stays nicely warm for about 5-10 minutes, not as long as the Kao masks though! Still it´s a great replacement and great to use daily!

Overall a great item and perfect to relax with this on at night or when my eyes feel tired during the day. I probably still prefer the Megurizumu masks but they are too pricey and uneconomical for daily use!

Kao Megurizumu Relaxing Steam Eye Masks & Hot Steam Sheet

I´ve been enjoying the Relaxing Steam Eye Masks from Kao very much in the previous months and I ordered them several times so I think I should review them at this point.


Adambeauty lists the brand as "Nekurizumu" whereas Alphabeautyuk has these as "Megurism". Since I don´t know Japanese I don´t know which is correct or if any of those 2 is correct at all but I thought Nekurizumu sounds more Japanese so I listed the item under this name hehe =D
Update: According to the comments below the name should be Megurizumu. Thank you!!


Anyway, the Steam Eye Masks are an interesting invention as these are disposable eye masks that heat themselves to 40°C calming tension around your eyes and making you feel very relaxed. These are not eye care sheet masks as they are dry (well, they get a little wet from the steam produced) so they are solely for relaxing your tired eyes. I love putting one on when I am extremely tired at night and falling asleep with a mask on. These would also be great to be used on a plane ot in a train and I am sure to pack couple of these in my handbaggage next time I am traveling.


There are 3 types available: lavender, chamomile and unscented. I got the 2 scented versions and love them both as the scent of both is extremely lightweight, soothing and calming.


You can get a pack of 5 pieces for about US$8 or a pack of 14 pieces for about US$19. Adambeauty only sells the 5 piece packs whereas Alphabeautyuk has both sizes and all types available.

I use a mask about 1-2x per week.


I also got a box of the Hot Steam Pads for body use. You can stick one of these on your neck, back or your tummy or wherever you would feel comfortable wearing these. I don´t like these so much though as I don´t feel the heat really and the pads don´t stick that well. I only got one box back in August and still haven´t used it up.


All in all I will continue buying the Relaxing Steam Masks as they are really nice.