At my beauty salon in Maghull, I can usually spot a first-timer the moment she walks in. She’s excited, a little nervous and full of questions. If you’re booking your first lash appointment before the Christmas parties, this guide is for you. I’ll explain how to prepare, what actually happens on the couch and what the first couple of days feel like.
Getting Ready for Your First Lash Appointment
Preparation makes a real difference to how well your lashes last. Please arrive with no eye make-up at all, including mascara and eyeliner. Even a trace of oil on the lashes can stop them bonding properly. So if you’ve been out the night before, give your eyes a gentle cleanse that morning.
Also take your contact lenses out before the appointment, or wear your glasses instead. Bring your case and solution so you can pop them back in afterwards. If you wear glasses, my article on volume lashes with glasses or contact lenses has more tips.
The Consultation Comes First
I never start straight away. First, we sit and talk about the look you’d like, your daily routine and any sensitivity you’ve had with eye products. I’ll also ask about allergies, eye drops and any recent eye treatment. Then I look closely at your natural lashes, because they decide what’s possible.
Bring a photo if you have one in mind, ideally of lashes on someone with a similar eye shape. However, be prepared for me to suggest a softer version for a first set. Your own lashes have to carry whatever we add, so I’d rather start sensibly and build up later.
Choosing Classic or Volume
Classic lashes are applied one on one, with a single lash placed on each natural lash. They’re lightweight and natural-looking, and you can choose any length. Volume lashes, on the other hand, use several ultra-fine lashes gathered into a fan on one natural lash. The fan weighs the same as or less than a single classic lash, so it isn’t heavy.
In practice, classic suits women who want definition that looks like their own lashes on a good day. Volume suits those with fewer natural lashes who’d like more fullness. Neither is a cluster stuck along the lid. We’ll decide together once I’ve seen your lashes up close.
Lying Back With Your Eyes Closed
For the application itself, you lie comfortably on the couch with your eyes closed the whole time. Most women find it surprisingly relaxing, and quite a few nod off. I work one natural lash at a time, so there’s no rush and nothing heavy on your face.
If your eyes water or you need a moment, just tell me. I’ll pause, let you settle and carry on when you’re ready. Wear something cosy too, because lying still can leave you chilly on a damp Maghull afternoon.
The First 48 Hours
Your lashes will feel a little different at first, and that’s normal. Most clients forget they’re there within a day or so, although a few notice them when they first close their eyes at night. For the first 48 hours, keep them away from steam, saunas and hot showers aimed at your face. Also avoid rubbing your eyes or sleeping face down on the pillow.
Brush them through gently each morning, and keep oily creams away from the lash line. If your eyes become red, sore or sticky, read the NHS advice on conjunctivitis. Then ring me, and see a pharmacist, your optician or your GP if it doesn’t settle.
When to Rebook
Natural lashes shed every day, so your set gradually thins as your own lashes fall. That’s why infills are best every two to three weeks. An infill takes 30 minutes, so it fits easily around work or the school run. After your first lash appointment, I’d suggest booking that infill before you leave.
Coming back on time keeps the set looking full. Leaving it too long usually means more gaps to fill, and the shape can look uneven for a while.
What to Tell Me When You Book
A few details help me plan your first visit properly. Let me know if you wear contact lenses, have sensitive eyes or have reacted to eye make-up before. Also mention any eye drops you use and whether you’ve had lashes done elsewhere. If you have, I’ll look at what’s left before deciding how to start.
Tell me about any big date coming up, too. That way, we can time your first set and your infill around it.
When I’ll Ask You to Wait
I won’t apply lashes to an eye that’s red, sore, infected or recently operated on. If your eyes are irritated on the day, I’ll ask you to rebook once they’ve settled. Similarly, if you’ve had eye surgery, check with your surgeon or GP before you book. I’d always rather move an appointment than risk your eyes.
The same goes for a heavy cold or streaming hay fever. Lying still with watering eyes isn’t pleasant, and the lashes won’t bond as well. So ring me, and we’ll find another slot.
Small Things That Help on the Day
Eat something before you come, and visit the loo when you arrive. Leave a little time after the appointment rather than dashing straight to the school gates or a shift at Aintree. Also, skip heavy face cream that morning, because it can travel to the lashes. These small details make the whole visit calmer.
Booking Your First Lash Appointment Before Party Season
I qualified at Hugh Baird College in 1999, and I’m the only therapist here, so you’ll see me at every visit. December gets busy with Christmas dos in Maghull, Formby and Crosby. So it’s worth booking your first lash appointment in good time, which also leaves room for an infill just before the big night.
You can browse all my lash and brow treatments Liverpool clients book before you decide. Then call me on 0151 909 6116 or contact us, and tell me it’s your first time.
