If I had a dollar for every sleep mask I’ve tried in the name of aesthetic shut-eye, I’d be rich… and probably still awake, wrestling with a scratchy strap or rogue beam of morning light. But then, reader, I met the one. A sleep mask so soft it could moonlight as a cloud, so blackout it could trick your brain into thinking you’ve moved into a subterranean spa. Say hello to Silk The Label, the luxe newcomer shaking up your nighttime routine—and did we mention it’s Brisbane-born? Yep, this dreamy brand is making waves right here in our own backyard.
This mask is different. It hugs without tugging, blocks every inch of light (yes, even around the nose—hallelujah!), and the special snag-free velcro deserves its own round of applause. I spoke to the brilliant Leya, co-founder of Silk The Label, about burnout, beauty sleep, and the surprisingly rocky road to creating the best eye mask I’ve ever used. Ever. Let’s dive in.
What was the ‘can’t-sleep-without-it’ moment that sparked the idea for Silk The Label?
It started with one restless night too many. I struggled with insomnia and burn-out for months, and the standard eye masks I tried didn’t quite feel right. They were either too tight, slipped off or left creases on my skin. I wanted something that actually worked but didn’t compromise on comfort or beauty. That moment of sleep-deprived frustration became the spark. Together with my partner Matt, who shares an entrepreneurial spirit, we set out to start an elevated version of the sleep masks, and that’s how Silk The Label was born.
Tell us about that first prototype. Was it love at first nap?
Not even close! We had a strong idea of what we wanted, something elegant, effective, and wearable all night but our first sample completely missed the mark. The silk quality wasn’t as good as it could be, the padding was too bulky and the stitching was poor. The manufacturer couldn’t even consistently centre our embroidery. It looked and felt more fast-fashion than luxury. Humorously, it felt like the Temu version of our dream product.
But that experience taught us what we wouldn’t want to compromise on. What we have now is a completely different story. It’s the real deal, and it totally encapsulates the vision we have for our brand.
Can you walk us through the “Silk The Label vs. the rest” mindset when creating the product?
Our mindset was simple: how do we bring together functionality and luxury without compromise? We set out to refine every detail with intention. That meant choosing the highest-grade Mulberry silk, designing a strap that stays on without putting pressure around the ears and head, and ensuring the fit felt effortless for all types of sleepers. All of these features come together to create truly restful sleep –something we’re deeply proud of. It’s not just a silk sleep mask; it’s one designed to work beautifully, night after night.
What’s the secret sauce behind your mask’s ability to stay on all night without messing up a blowout?
The secret’s out: it’s the wide-fit design and fully adjustable strap that makes it non-slip. We use 10x more fabric than a standard elastic mask, which distributes pressure evenly and gently. It’s secure without being tight, and smooth enough to glide over hair without causing damage or frizz.
Silk has long been a beauty insider’s secret—how does your mask support skin and hair health while we sleep?
Our masks are made from the highest quality 6A grade Mulberry silk, finished with our specially commissioned silk treatment for added softness, durability, and shine. The result is a fabric that not only looks beautiful but feels incredibly smooth – gliding over your skin, protecting your hair, and holding up night after night.
Silk helps to retain skin’s moisture and natural oils, is naturally breathable and temperature-regulating. Ours is also OEKO-TEX® certified and GOTS organic, meaning it’s free from harsh chemicals and safe for even the most sensitive skin. And because our masks use 10x more silk than standard designs, you get more surface coverage—and more of silk’s skin- and hair-loving benefits—every time you wear it.
Have you had customers share glow-up stories after using your mask? Any that really stuck with you?
Yes, and they’re our favourite part of this journey! A customer with curly hair told us our mask was the only one that didn’t ruin her curls and stayed on the whole night, thanks to the wide strap and silk finish. A shift worker said it helped her sleep through daylight for the first time, and a customer who suffers from migraines shared how our mask was the most breathable and truly blackout one she’d ever used. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see it helping people across beauty, health, and wellness.
Your colour palette feels luxe but calming—how did you choose shades like Pearl, Plum, and Champagne?
We wanted to reflect the feeling of winding down. Each colour is timeless, elegant, and soft on the eye, but also inclusive. Some love light neutrals, others prefer deeper, moodier tones. Our palette was designed to offer a sense of calm while letting people express their personal style with a range of colour choices. We hope to add more colours to the list!
I feel like your mask is more than a sleep aid—almost like a ritual or self-care statement!
Absolutely. For many of us, sleep can feel like the afterthought and the last thing on a never-ending to-do list. We want to shift that mindset and make sleep a priority—something intentional, and something to look forward to as part of self-care. That’s how it started for me when I was struggling with sleep: using the mask helped me create space for rest, even when everything else felt rushed. Now, I see it as part of a wind-down ritual and we hope it can be the same for others too.
What does your own wind-down routine look like—and how has the mask changed your sleep quality?
Matt (my partner and co-founder) is the sleep pro. He’s lights-out by 9:30pm and won’t go a night without the mask. It’s made a noticeable difference in how rested he feels. I’m a night owl, so I found that dimming the lights, putting my phone away, and avoiding anything too stimulating really helps me wind down. The mask helps me fall asleep faster and keeps the light out, especially during afternoon naps. And yes, it keeps my hair smooth too!
Silk The Label feels like it could evolve into a full sleep-care line. Is that where things are headed?
You’re spot on! We’re launching a new colour soon (stay tuned!) and working on expanding into silk pillowcases and bonnets. The dream is to build a full sleep-care collection. Think loungewear, sleepwear, and more products designed to make rest feel both indulgent and effortless.
If Silk The Label had a motto that wasn’t on the website—just something you whisper to yourself when you work—what would it be?
Probably something like “functional luxury” because that’s really what we believe in. Or even “helping people sleep better, one mask at a time.” It sounds simple, but it captures our purpose: to make a real difference in how people sleep, and ultimately, how they feel during the day.
After chatting with Leya, it’s clear this isn’t just a sleep mask—it’s a sleep movement. Born out of insomnia and frustration, Silk The Label is what happens when two perfectionists (hi Leya and Matt!) refuse to settle for anything less than blissful, blackout rest. Whether you’re a curly-haired queen tired of waking up to chaos, or a sleep-deprived shift worker craving proper darkness, this mask shows up for you. Every. Single. Night.
And if whispers of silk pillowcases and dreamy sleepwear are anything to go by, your entire nighttime routine is about to get a serious upgrade. Until then, I’ll be here, slipping into my Champagne-coloured mask, pretending I’m in a five-star suite and catching zzz’s like it’s my full-time job. Goodnight, sleep tight—and don’t let the standard masks bite.
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
