Dear Curious, Those little pockets are, according to DreamTime's website, "padded cheek flaps [that] completely and comfortably block out the light." My mask was made by Earth Therapeutics and I've owned it since the mid-90s. It's 100% silk and I can no longer recall if it was scented when I received it, but it is nearly identical to this product. I like to take 2 cotton pads (not balls, they're too bulky), place a drop or two of lavender essential oil on each, fold each in half and tuck one into each of the cheek pouches in the morning -- buy early evening, the entire mask has absorbed the scent and I can remove the cotton pads (I don't recommend leaving them in as the oil at this dosage level is too strong to leave in close contact with the eye area overnight without first blending with a carrier oil--and that would make a fine mess!). By bedtime, the mask's aromatic benefits have been completely rejuvenated. There are many other essentials oils and blends that are wonderful to use, but I urge you to consult an aromatherapist or other authority before using them. Another use I've discovered for the cheek pockets is to soak two cotton pads in icy chilled water, squeeze the water out completely, fold each in half, insert into the pouches and use the mask to soothe puffy, irritated eyes (from allergies, tiredness, crying, etc.). There are many different types of essential oils that are helpful and can be added to the icy water, but I urge you to consult an aromatherapist or other authority before you try using them. I hope you return, Curious, and that I have satisfied your curiosity!

I bought 2 of these, and gave one to a friend of mine. I tend to go to sleep with the tv on and this mask blocks out the light. I'm just curious on what the pockets on the inside are for!

This mask worked well. It seems to be well made * it stays on throughout the night.

This mask is wonderful. Even with the lights on it blocks out all light. The lavender smell is nice and it has a good snug fit over my eyes. I've had sleep masks that were flimsy before, but this one is beautifully made. Quite a luxury for the price. I'm a very light sleeper used to waking up if my husband had to turn on the light. No more!

I love this mask. It is soft, smells great/relaxing, and it blocks out all the light. I can only give it four stars because I think the band is too thick. I would like to wear it so that the band is underneath my hair, but it hurts my ears that way.

Great for blocking out all light! I love it. I like to nap but I need dark. This mask is just right!

I have a chronic sleep problem, and this mask really helped. I loved the thickness and softness of the materials, as well as the lavender smell. If you are a stomach or side sleeper, don't sleep with it on expensive pillow cases, because the color wears off for about the first six months. It washed out fine.

This is the best mask I have EVER used! It has a nice soft scent of lavender, and blocks out all light. You would never know it was daytime with this one. It's the best, so splurge on yourself.

If I had a seeing eye dog, I would wear this all day. It is so luxurious to lie there breathing the lavender scent, and it's deep enough that you can open and close your eyes while wearing it. When I have a migraine, I absolutely dread the moment I have to take this off and be bombarded by painful, overly bright light. I've slept much better since I bought this, I'm so glad I didn't get a cheaper one. The strap fits nicely too, it's moderately wide and has velcro. Add a pair of earplugs (Leight sleepers, the red and yellow ones) and you have sensory deprivation at its finest!

I thought that for the price of the mask it was totally not worth it. It has a pretty good lavender smell and nice velvet on the front of the mask. Its nice but defenitly not worth the price you mise well just buy a cheaper one on a different website or try to find one at a store. If you are the type of person who likes to spend a lot of money then you will like like this, if not dont buy it, it's not worth the price.