Since I’ve been lashing for over a decade, my timing is down to a science.

In this article, I’ll share a handy table that shows precisely the time needed to get your lashes done broken down by technique (classic, hybrid & volume) and by appointment types (full set & refill).

If you prefer to listen, you can check out my video below.

Lash Extension Appointment Length

In my experience, the total appointment duration varies based on 4 main factors:

1- Desired technique (classic vs hybrid vs volume).
2- Type of appointment (full set vs refill).
3- The experience level of the lash tech.
4- The condition of the client’s natural lashes.

The table below gives you a very good idea of how much time you should set aside for your lash appointment.

Lash Extension Appointment Lengths	Full Set	Refill
Classic Lashes	90 to 120 minutes	30 to 60 minutes
Hybrid Lashes	90 to 150 minutes	60 to 90 minutes
Volume Lashes	120 to 180 minutes	60 to 90 minutes

As a general rule, your typical lash appointment will be separated into the following steps:

• Consultation (5-15 minutes) to discuss your desired look, technique, preferences, aftercare, etc.
• Prep time (5-10 minutes) to clean the natural lashes and apply under eye patches.
• Application (1.25 to 1.5 hours) where your lash tech carefully applies individual lash extensions to each natural lash. This is the longest part of the process where all the magic happens.🪄
• Drying and final touches (5-15 minutes) to check the work, force cure the adhesive and do final toutch-ups.

Now, as a client, you mostly have control over the first two factors when booking your appointment.

But I still want to explain how each factor affects the overall duration.

1- Desired Technique

As you’ve noticed, volume lashes take more time than classic lashes.

The explanation is simple.

It all boils down to the number of lash extensions being applied.

For classic lashes, we apply one single extension per natural lash (one-to-one ratio). Volume lashes however require a fan of extensions to one natural eyelash (one-to-many).

That means your lash tech has to create a fan before every single application.

I will say this though.

I personally make my own fans on the go, which allows me full customization for my clients.

Having said that, some lash techs use “pre-made fans” which are pre-made fans of 2D, 3D, or more.

It allows them to save time, but certainly limit the styling customization they can do.

2- Type of Appointment

For a full set, your lash tech will need to apply more extensions to fully cover your lash line when compared to a refill appointment.

Generally, you can expect to receive 60 to 80 extensions per eye during a full set.

You won’t need that many for a refill.

That’s because you’ll still have some extensions left.

As a rule of thumb, I generally assume a retention rate of at least 50% when my client comes back for a refill.

For example, If I applied 80 extensions per eye during a full set and the client comes back in 3 weeks for a refill, at least 40 extensions per eye will still be there.

Less time is needed for the refill, since I only need to apply 40 extensions per eye to reach the initial fullness the client had 3 weeks ago.

3- Experience Level

When a beginner lash technician joins my salon, we always allocate more time.

The table I previously shared was for an experienced stylist.

A beginner lash tech will take 120 to 180 minutes to apply a full set of classic lashes and 60 minutes for a refill.

If you’re just starting out in the industry, keep in mind that clients will always prefer honesty and longer appointments for quality lashes.

Don’t misrepresent yourself.

Never compromise on quality.

Master your craft and take the time to have perfect isolation, avoid stickies and always check your work.

4- Natural Lashes Condition

If your natural eyelashes are short and thin, it will take more time to properly isolate each lash and apply the extensions when compared to someone with longer and thicker lashes.

Also, if your eyelashes are sparse and have gaps, I might use a technique to “bridge” the gaps to create a uniform look.

It’s just the nature of the job.

I personally love the challenge and find it very rewarding to transform more difficult cases.

Make the Most of Your Time

Your time is valuable, so make it count!

Here are my top 5 tips to maximize the value you get from your appointment.

1. No makeup: You should remove any makeup and clean your face before coming to the salon. If you don’t, your lash stylist will ask you to remove it and this will cut into your appointment time.
2. No drinking like you are in a desert: Everyone needs to go to the restroom once in a while, and that’s completely understandable. But keep in mind that if you need to go several times, you’ll end up with less application time.
3. No phone: If your phone keeps ringing, it will be very distracting, and it makes it harder to apply the extensions. Moreover, a lot of lash salons are open-concept (mine included), so you would be disturbing other clients too.
4. No food: It’s a very bad idea to eat during your appointment. For one, it can be messy and unhygienic. And two, you’ll be moving. Even the slightest movement disrupts the lash application process. We need you perfectly still.
5. Be punctual: I always recommend my clients to arrive 10 minutes early in case there’s traffic. Most lash salons are appointment-based. This means that if you’re late 20 minutes for example, we can’t give you that extra time at the end of your appointment or else it cuts into someone else’s time.

Closing Thought

I understand that my clients have busy lives.

They need to be able to plan their day ahead.

I hope this article is helpful and that you’ll have a better idea of what to expect.

If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below. 😊

Happy Lashing!

— Asako

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