This lightly padded blindfold is intended to be used as a covering for the eyes. This type of play is called sensory deprivation, wherein the bottom is deprived of one (or any number) of his or her five senses. A blindfold is meant to inhibit the sense of sight. The Extreme Blackout Blindfold delivers a superb result and is appropriate for anyone, from veteran lifestylers to the kink-curious who are just testing the waters.

I was a little nervous about what the craftsmanship might be like when I ordered my Extreme Blackout Blindfold, due to the fact that the pictures here on EF seem to display an example that has some strange or poor stitching around the nose flaps. It makes the product look cheap and poorly made! I was absolutely delighted, upon opening and inspecting my blindfold, that the stitching is perfectly straight and even and all the edges of the material are clean and flawless, with soft edges. It is obviously well made and durable. It would take a great deal of effort to rip any of the fabric or the seams.

The front of the mask and its straps are made of a thin, supple leather. The mask itself is reinforced with a lightweight foam padding sandwiched between the leather layer and a layer of soft fabric, which lays against the wearer's face. I'm uncertain what kind of fabric it is, but I will see if I can find out and then update my review with that information.

The fact that this blindfold has a velcro closure has its pros and cons. For example, the velcro affords excellent adjustability, but it also tends to cling painfully to your hair, especially if you have long locks, when putting it on and removing it. Although the product is listed as "One size fits most", I would like to be a little bit more specific as to the sizing. A certain amount of velcro has to be touching in order for the straps to be securely fastened. If there's only a small bit of velcro "locked" together, it can easily come undone. This means that there is really only about a size range of approximately 20" to 25". Anyone with a head much smaller than 20" may need to make some additions to the straps, perhaps sewing on an extension of the velcro so that you can make the fit a little tighter. If you have any doubts...measure your head before buying! I would measure from your forehead, just around the tops of your ears, to the back of your head, beneath the slight swell of your skull above your neck. I find that's the most comfortable placement for the straps.

Please see the "Performance" section for further information on the wonderful, functional design of this blindfold.

The Extreme Blackout Blindfold is extremely comfortable and simple to use. Simply apply the mask to the bottom's face, fit the nose through the flaps, which are shaped like an upside-down "T" and reinforced with stitching, and secure the mask in place with the velcro straps.

This blindfold performs excellently, meeting all of my needs and expectations at the wearer. For me, because of the shape of my face and facial features, there are some very small gaps of light around the nose. I find that if you firmly, but gently press on either side of the nose you can secure the flaps a bit and effectively block out all light. It simply requires a little soft pressure to coax the flaps into melding comfortably against the sides of your nose. Doing so will also help to keep the blindfold in place because your nose is nestled right between those flaps with a little strip of leather between the upper lip and the bottom of the nose, preventing the fabric from slipping around on your face.

That thin strip between nose and lips helps to keep the blindfold in place, but it also allows the opportunity for a naughty bottom to catch a glimpse if they are so inclined. If you push upward on that strip with your lips, you can sometimes create enough space between the flaps and the bridge of your nose that some of the room may be visible through the opening. Due to..ahem...rigorous testing I can tell you that most of the movements and facial expressions you might make in the midst of your play session will not be enough to nudge the blindfold out of position. Unless you're trying to! For example, to push it upward slightly, you have to deliberately make a very unattractive, monkey-like face in order to sneak a peek!

Being that the fabric on the inside of this blindfold lays against the wearer's face, which subjects it to the natural oils on your skin as well as make-up or moisturizer, I feel that it would be a good idea to clean it occasionally. However, since I'm not sure what kind of fabric it is, I can't advise you as to how to do that. If I can figure it out, I will update my review. In the meantime, I would advise against soaking the entire blindfold in soapy water or putting it in the washing machine or dryer. I think that a gentle wipe with a damp rag would do just fine. Be sure to allow the mask to air dry fully before putting it away. You don't want the fabric to smell of mildew, especially being so close to your face!

I store this blindfold with my two gags, in a small fabric pouch that my sheet set came in. However, I mostly keep it there for organizational purposes. It doesn't necessarily need its own separate bag or any kind of special storage, but I would recommend that you try to let it lay flat so as not to crease or damage the leather.

The blindfold came in a clear plastic bag which was excessively large for its size. I wish the packaging had been a bit more economical. Two or three blindfolds could have fit in the amount of plastic that was used. The plastic bag was sealed with a white sticker with a barcode on it. No instructions or other information were included. It would have been nice to at least have a removeable tag with materials and care and keeping information.

If you are considering trying out a blindfold and adding some sensory deprivation to your play sessions, I would like to provide you with a short description of my first experience with being blindfolded.

I was bound, hand and foot, spreadeagled on the hotel bed. The ropes softly embraced my wrists and ankles and I struggled lightly to test them. I was stuck. With the blindfold fastened snugly around my head, the room was utterly and completely dark. Out of nowhere, it seemed, I felt his fingers running gently over my body. Every few moments, the touches would lessen, lighter and lighter, fewer and farther between. A long pause. I could feel my nerves straining for sensation, aching for another touch. When it finally came, through the silence and the dark, I jolted with surprise. Panting slightly, I realized it wasn't a physical touch at all. He was blowing gently across my flesh, just a thin stream of air teasing my skin, and I was squirming and whimpering as if it was a hand caressing me.

Having your senses taken away is an excellent way to heighten the sensitivity of your other senses. It helps you to close your mind to outside distractions and allows you to focus solely on the sensations. A feather brushing down your tummy, a trail of kisses mounting up your inner thigh, or the sharp bite of a cane across your ass. I would absolutely recommend trying the Extreme Blackout Blindfold. It will enhance your experience immensely, be it a sensual massage scene or a stinging over-the-knee spanking.