Alternatives to sleep masks and black-out curtains

Question

Note - This is not a duplicate of How can I effectively black out my room for sleeping, cheaply and such that I can still open the curtains during the day? because I don't want to black out my room and I am specifically excluding the answers to that question.

Excluded

Blackout blinds/curtains/window-covering - I tried blackout blinds but they were unsuitable. I like to sleep with the windows open. They were affected by the wind blowing them away from the window frame. In any case I do not want to black out my whole room - just prevent light from reaching my eyes.

Elasticated sleep-mask - This is my current solution. It works but there are problems with comfort and slippage. I want to move on.

Question

What novel method can I use to prevent light from reaching my eyes whilst sleeping?

One possible answer I have thought of is to use black eye-makeup to paint my eyelids. As a man who has never used makeup of any kind, I am reluctant to try because (a) I don't know if it will be effective in blocking light (b) I don't know how easily I would be able to remove it (c) I don't know if constant application and removal would cause skin problems (d) I'm not sure if it will be expensive.

Is my solution viable? If not, how else can I shield just my eyes rather than wearing an uncomfortable and unreliable sleep-mask? Note that I want the room itself to remain illuminated.

Answer 1

You state that you don't want the two most common solutions, which is to black out the entire room somehow, or using sleep mask. By far I think these are better than most other options, but that is me.

Another option could be to black out only a part of your room, namely the part where you upper body (and head) is. In other words a canopy bed of some sort. Either a fully enclosed canopy bed, or maybe just a partially enclosure for just the upper part.

Think like a mosquito net, but only in a darker material, whilst still allowing air to flow through the contraption. This would allow for you to move during the night, and still to have it dark.

DIY solution of partial canopy bed

If you have to build it your self, I would consider using dark light proof curtains for the three walls at either side of bed and the top end of the bed. For the last wall you could use the same fabric, but double it up with some distance between them.

                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~    ~~ | ^ v  is
BED - BED - BED v BED - BED - BED |    curtain parts
-               v               - |   
B               v   ^           B |    B E D -   is
E               v   ^           E |    the bed frame
D               v   ^           D |
-                   ^           - |
BED - BED - BED - BE^ - BED - BED |
                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In my beautiful, ascii art, illustration of bed viewed from above. In the middle of the illustration you'll see that the one from the top, v, only goes almost over the bed, similar to the one going from the bottom, ^. This allows a corridor of air to flow.

You could (possibly should) do similar arrangements on the other curtain walls to ensure proper air flow. You could also experiment with how high you need the curtains to go, it is not given that they must extend to the ceiling/roof. And lastly, if your bed is in a corner, you most likely don't need to have curtains against the actual walls of the room.

PS: The partial closure used over the bed, can also be used around a window in fixed materials, which would darken the entire room but still allow air to flow.

Answer 2

Something like this might stay better...

Answer 3

As a film maker / photographer there are a couple of tricks of the trade we used to block light which may help. You should be able to source these products on the internet from various suppliers. The Rosco foil is the perfect light blocker / absorber and will allow you to block the windows and still have them ajar without the problems associated with the blinds / curtains flapping around. With regard to the light escaping into the room through the opening you will need to create a secondary barrier of some kind. Maybe try some black perspex / black board / or black draw grip from the DIY store on a suspension style curtain rod The Gaffa tape sticks everything together very well, tears easily and comes off cleanly. Bests

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/44690-REG/Rosco_RS100113_Matte_Black_Cinefoil.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/44690-REG/Rosco_RS100113_Matte_Black_Cinefoil.html

Answer 4

You could get a black winter hat like this, and pull it down over your eyes.

Answer 5

http://www.filmtools.com/duv54rolx50y.html

Duvetyne, is reasonably inexpensive and may also offer another helpful alternative way of blocking light from the windows, its a heavy fabric.

Answer 6

You could sleep in your basement (if you have one). Most basements have a tiny slit window that would allow a small amount of natural light in (if none at all) and you could move a small mattress in there for use during the day.

Answer 7

I don't know if this makes me weird or how comfortable you will find it, but I spent the last 3-4 years sleeping with my right arm covering my eyes. It is pretty comfortable IMO, and blocks 100% of the lights (though I didn't develop this habit consciously). Works even in the beach at noon, and portable more than anything.