Eyelash extensions can help you feel like the best, most elevated version of yourself, but they’re also a time commitment. When you know how long your appointment will take, you can schedule your day accordingly.
Eyelash extensions normally take between 1 to 3 hours to complete, depending on the style, your lash technician’s experience, and a few other factors.
When you lead a busy lifestyle, any errand that takes more than a few minutes can be a huge hassle. Time is precious, and sparing 2 hours a month isn’t a luxury everyone can afford.
In this guide, we’ll help you plan ahead with a breakdown of how long lash appointments take, including over a year. We’ll also let you in on an affordable, time-saving alternative - DIY lash extensions.
Table of Contents
Factors That Affect Appointment Length
The difference between one and three hours is significant, considering how little time we have in a day. Here are the factors that can impact how long a lash appointment will take.
Technique
The main lash extension styles or techniques are classic, hybrid, and volume. Classic lashes feature a one-to-one ratio of extension to natural lashes. Volume lashes feature a flare of multiple extensions that are attached to a single natural lash. Hybrid combines both techniques for a textured look.
Lash Density
The more of your lashes are “lashed” during an appointment, the longer the appointment will take. Humans can have anywhere from 90 to 160 upper lashes per eye. If you’re one of the lucky folks with more lashes, your technician will need more time to apply your full set.
Some salons also offer variation in the number of lashes, with “mini sets” that feature fewer lashes than a full set. These can be quicker to apply.
Technician Experience
Applying lashes requires a lot of practice and skill. Beginner lash technicians usually take a lot longer to apply extensions. They get faster with time and practice. If you visit a less experienced lash technician, expect your appointment to take as much as double the time compared to visiting a more experienced tech. That said, newer lash technicians can still do an excellent job, especially if they take their time.
Complexity
Lash extensions require both artistry and skill, and different lash maps can vary in complexity. A custom map with a ton of different lengths will often take longer, especially if it’s a look your stylist doesn’t create often. On the other hand, your stylist should have an easier time completing simpler or more popular lash maps.
Average Time for Different Types of Lash Appointments
|
Technique |
Description |
Appt Time |
Yearly |
|
Classic |
Individual synthetic lashes are applied to each natural lash, creating a natural look. |
1-2 hours |
6.5-12 hours |
|
Volume |
Multiple synthetic lashes are applied to each natural lash, creating a fuller, more dramatic look. |
2-3 hours |
13-18 hours |
|
Hybrid |
A combination of classic and volume lashes, offering a balanced look between natural and dramatic. |
1.5-2.5 hours |
11-15 hours |
|
Mega Volume |
Many synthetic lashes are applied to each natural lash, creating an extremely dramatic and dense look. |
3-4 hours |
30-36 hours |
|
Classic Set Refills |
Refilling of classic lashes to maintain their appearance. |
0.5-1 hours |
- |
|
Volume Set Refills |
Refilling of volume lashes to maintain their appearance. |
1-1.5 hours |
- |
Classics
Classic lash extension appointments are the fastest to complete since they’re just a one-to-one process. On average, an appointment should take around an hour and a half. A very experienced technician might be able to complete your treatment in one hour, while a beginner might need two.
Volume
Volume lashes are the most time-consuming, especially if your technician creates your lash bundles by hand during the appointment. You can expect it’ll take around 2.5 hours per appointment. A fast technician could potentially complete a full volume set within 2 hours, while a beginner may need 3 or even 4 hours. The lush, full lash look of volume lash extensions is often worth the effort.
Some lash technicians save time during the appointment by creating the lash bundles in advance. If you’re in a rush but your heart is set on volume lashes, you can ask your technician if this will be possible.
Mega volume lashes, which can feature upwards of 10 very thin lashes, may take as long as 3-4 hours, and should generally only be applied by more experienced technicians.
Hybrid
Hybrid lash extension applications will take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours, based not just on technician skill but also on the ratio of classic and volume extension lashes.
Refill Appointments
Getting lash extensions for the first time will usually take the longest since your entire lash line will need lashing. Getting refills usually takes half the time of a full set appointment. It’s important to schedule refills every 3-4 weeks to ensure you don’t lose too many lashes.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
Your first lash extension appointment will take a little longer, but subsequent applications will go faster. In general, here’s what you can expect.
- Consultation: During the first appointment, your stylist should always take 10-15 minutes to learn about your preferences, examine your lashes, and develop a lash map based on your needs.
- Prep: Next, your stylist will prep your lashes by cleansing them and applying pads below your eyes.
- Lashing: Based on your custom lash map, your technician will start isolating your lashes and applying the extensions to one healthy lash at a time. This is the longest part of the process, making up for at least 75% of the appointment time.
- Setting: Once your stylist has finished creating your lashes, they may fan your eyes or use special sealers to speed up the setting time for the lash adhesive.
- Final instructions: Lastly, your technician will remove the pads from under your eyes and explain the aftercare process if they haven’t done so already. They might recommend that you book your appointment for a touch-up in three or four weeks.
How Much Time Are You Spending On Lash Extensions In a Year?
Your hour-long lash extension appointment can be a form of monthly self-care. It can also be another errand that robs you of precious time.
You should be aware that in a year, maintaining your lash extensions can take anywhere from 6.5 to 18 hours. That number can go up to 36 or 37 if your lash stylist is new or you choose very dense and complex lash styles.
In other words, you could be spending a day and a half just getting lash extensions every year, and that’s without taking into account the time you spend traveling to and from the lash studio.
Every person runs their calendar differently, with their own priorities and time commitments. However, if time is at a premium (or you’d like a more affordable alternative), you should know that DIY lash extensions are a faster option.
Your Time-Saving Alternative: DIY Lash Extensions
DIY lash extensions can be a major time-saver. They’re a brilliant combination of falsies and lash extensions that stay put for days in a row. DIY extensions come in pre-made, easy-to-apply segments. They’re designed to fit against the underside of the lashline for a very seamless look.
With practice, our Lilac St. DIY lash extensions can be applied within just 10 minutes for up to 10 days of wear. While you will need to reapply them more often, the process is easy enough, and it’s not like you’ll need to worry about leaving your house for an appointment.
Lilac St. lashes come in a variety of styles and lengths, so there’s plenty of room to customize your look. You can opt for demure, natural styles or more glamorous and voluminous ones. With five segments per eye and lengths ranging from 8 mm to 16 mm, every lash map is possible.
Keep an Eye on the Time
Lash appointments can take anywhere from under an hour to upwards of 3. This is largely based on the lash style, the technician's experience, and whether it’s a brand-new set or a refill.
The time commitment adds up when you consider the need for monthly refills, and travel time to and from your appointments. By switching to DIY lash extensions, you can achieve stunning lashes in under 10 minutes and save money in the process.
