What to ask your model before your lash course day

Why does your model matter so much?

On most beginner courses, the live model is the part of the day where everything comes together: you apply a full set on a real person, with your trainer next to you. If your model arrives late, cannot keep her eyes closed, or cannot be treated at all, you lose the most valuable hours of your course.

That is why I always tell my students to talk to their model a few days before the course, not on the morning itself. A friend, a family member or a colleague works perfectly - as long as she knows what she is agreeing to.

What should I ask about her health?

You are not diagnosing anything - you are making sure she can be treated safely on the day. Ask her:

• Has she ever reacted to lash or brow treatments, glue, tint or adhesive tape?
• Does she have sensitive or watery eyes, or any eye infection or irritation at the moment?
• Has she had eye surgery or a treatment around the eyes recently?
• Is she pregnant, or is there anything else about her health she thinks you should know?

If she says yes to any of these, tell your trainer before the course. Your trainer will decide whether she can be treated, or whether you should bring someone else.

What should I ask about her eyes and lashes?

• Does she wear lash extensions now? If yes, they must be removed before the course - ask your academy who does it and when.
• Has she had a lash lift recently? Lifted lashes change how extensions sit.
• Does she wear contact lenses? She will need to take them out for the treatment, so ask her to bring her case and glasses.

Healthy, not too short natural lashes make your first set easier. You do not need a "perfect" model - but very fine, sparse or damaged lashes are harder for a beginner.

What should she know about the day?

Time

Tell her exactly what time to arrive and how long the treatment will take on a beginner. A first set is slower than a set at a salon.

Clean eyes

No mascara, eyeliner or eye make-up on the day, and no oily eye products the evening before.

Comfort

She will lie still with her eyes closed for a long time. Ask whether that is a problem for her - some people find it hard.

Patch test

Ask your academy whether she needs a patch test before the course and when. Plan it in, so she is not turned away on the day.

Photos

You will want before and after photos for your practice. Ask her first whether she agrees, and whether her face can be shown.

What if it is a lash lift or brow course?

The same questions apply, and on these courses you often bring more than one model. On my lash lift and brow courses my students bring two. Ask both models the same questions, and make sure neither of them has had a lift, tint or lamination too recently.

Before the course: your model checklist

1. She has said yes and knows the date, time and how long it takes.
2. You have asked about allergies, eye problems and recent treatments.
3. Existing extensions will be removed in time.
4. She knows to come with clean eyes and without contact lenses in.
5. The patch test is planned, if your academy asks for one.
6. She has agreed to photos - or not.
7. You have one more person in mind in case she cancels.

Your model: frequently asked questions

On my Classic Lash Extensions course you bring one model for the practical day, and I guide you through the full set while you work on her.