What you actually feel during a set
Here is the appointment from your side of the bed.
- Setup. I set up the bed, the lighting and my supplies. That takes about twenty minutes, and all I need is a quiet spot and an outlet [2].
- The consultation. We talk about your eye shape, your lifestyle and the look you are after [5]. Nothing touches you yet.
- Pads and tape. I wash your lashes with an oil-free foaming cleanser, then place under-eye gel pads and a gentle paper tape over your lower lashes to keep them out of the way [1]. You feel them sitting there. They should not feel scratchy.
- The set. Your eyes stay shut the whole time: an hour and a half for a Classic, three for a Mega Volume [2]. I separate one natural lash at a time with fine tweezers and place the extension on it. You may feel a light touch now and then. It should never feel like pulling.
- The rest of it. Most people fall asleep, honestly [2]. A podcast or an audiobook makes the time go quickly [1].
| Part of the appointment | How long | What you feel |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | About twenty minutes | Nothing yet; I set up the bed, the light and my supplies |
| Consultation | A few minutes | A conversation about your eyes and the look you want |
| Prep | A few minutes | A gentle wash, then under-eye pads and a paper tape on your lower lashes |
| The set | An hour and a half to three hours | Eyes closed, a light touch now and then; most people fall asleep |
| The mirror | A few minutes | Pads off, a brush through, and the aftercare walkthrough |
What can sting, and what I do about it
When something does sting, it is usually one of three things, and all three can be fixed while you are still lying there.
Glue fume reaching an open eye
Lash glue sets using moisture in the air, and while it sets it gives off a faint fume. That is what stings if your eyes open [3]. The fume is drawn to moisture, so if your eyes flutter or do not close all the way, it reaches the surface of the eye and you get stinging, watering or a bit of redness. I keep gentle air moving across your face so the fume goes away from your eyes and nose. If you feel a sting, say so, keep your eyes closed, and I will pause.
A pad sitting too close
If a pad sits too close to your waterline it can feel scratchy; tell me and I will move it [3]. Talking and laughing push the pads up, too: when your cheeks move, a pad can touch your eye and make it water [1]. Chat all you like at the start, then let your face go still.
Twitchy eyelids
Caffeine can make your eyelids twitch, and even a small flutter breaks the seal between your lids and lets fume in [3]. Skip coffee, energy drinks and pre-workout before your appointment. And take your contact lenses out beforehand, because your eyes stay closed for hours and lenses get uncomfortable.
What is normal afterwards
A new set should feel light, and by the next day you should barely notice it. For the first 24 hours keep water and steam off the lashes: no showers directly on them, no sauna, no heavy sweating [5].
If glue fume did reach your eyes during the set, they can look a little red and watery for a while. That kind of fume irritation is a surface irritation, not an immune reaction, and it eases once the glue has set and the air has moved [6].
What is not normal
- Heavy, tight or pulling. That usually means an extension is too long or heavy for the lash it sits on, or lashes are glued together. An extension that is too heavy works like a lever on the root every time you blink [7]. My guide to signs of bad lash extensions shows how to check.
- Pain, itching, redness or swelling. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says an allergic reaction can trigger pain, itching, redness and swelling. It says not to remove the extensions yourself or treat it on your own, but to see an ophthalmologist immediately [4]. I am a lash artist, not a doctor. Only an eye doctor can confirm an allergy [6].
My guide to reactions versus irritation explains the difference in more detail, and the sensitive eyes guide covers what helps if your eyes are easily bothered.
If you are nervous about anything near your eyes
That is a very common worry, and a fair one. A few things help:
- Your eyes are closed from the moment the pads go on, so you do not see the tweezers.
- You can ask for a patch test first. Text me before you book and I set up a patch test at least a day before your appointment. It takes about ten minutes, then you wait 24 hours to see how your eyes react [5].
- You can text me first with any question [8], and at the appointment I talk you through each step before I do it.
- A Classic is the shortest set, an hour and a half [8], if you would rather start small.
Every set includes the consultation, the mapping of your lashes, the application and the aftercare walkthrough [8]. Sets run from $140 for a Classic to $240 for a Mega Volume, and a $25 deposit holds your time and comes off your total. Reschedule with more than 24 hours notice and your deposit moves to the new time at no charge. Cancel inside 24 hours and the $25 deposit is not returned, plus a $20 cancellation fee.
First time booking a full set? Use code FIRST20 at checkout for $20 off. One per client, and it comes off the balance you pay on the day, not off the deposit. It does not apply to fills.
Questions about whether lash extensions hurt
Do lash extensions hurt?
They should not. You lie down with your eyes closed and most people fall asleep. You may feel the under-eye pads and a light touch now and then. A sting usually means an eye opened a little while the glue was setting, or a pad sits too close, and both can be fixed on the spot.
Why do my eyes sting during lash extensions?
Usually because an eye opened slightly and the fume from the setting glue reached it, or a pad is sitting too close to your waterline. Tell your artist straight away. Keeping your eyes fully closed, skipping caffeine beforehand and taking contacts out all help.
Is it normal for lash extensions to hurt the next day?
No. A new set should feel light by the next day. Heaviness or pulling can mean the extensions are too long or lashes are stuck together. Pain, itching, redness or swelling is a reason to see an eye doctor, and do not try to remove the extensions yourself.