The 135 Minutes Nobody Can Ask You for Anything: Your First Hybrid Lash Appointment in West Edmonton

Thanksgiving Monday, nine o'clock. The turkey is wrapped in foil, the dishwasher is on its second load, and somebody just asked if you can drive them to practice in the morning. Now picture this instead: two hours and fifteen minutes lying down, eyes closed, phone on silent, while someone else does slow, careful work just for you.

That's what a Hybrid Set appointment looks like at our West Edmonton studio. If you've never had lash extensions before, here's what actually happens, how to get ready, and the first-24-hours rules that help your new lashes last.

What a Hybrid Set appointment actually feels like

You lie back on a comfortable bed, and your eyes stay closed for the whole service. Soft pads go under your eyes to keep your lower lashes out of the way, and Marinelle explains each step before she starts. Lash educators writing in Spanish for Gollee are clear that the process is meant to be painless, and that you should speak up right away if anything stings or feels off. That goes here too.

Then comes the part first-timers don't expect. Lashes & Go, a lash salon chain in Madrid, says the process is so relaxing that many of its clients fall asleep, and Adrian Beauty Studio in Spain says the same. You might too. Nobody will wake you up to ask where the other mitten went.

A Hybrid Set mixes classic and volume lashes for a fuller look that still has texture. At Mari Esthetics it takes about 135 minutes. If you want to know which hybrid look suits your eyes, our first hybrid lash guide covers styles and eye shapes, so we won't repeat it here.

The night before and the morning of

• Come with bare eyes. No mascara, and keep oily eye creams and oil cleansers away from your lashes that day. Oil and adhesive don't get along.
• Leave the double-double for after. Gollee's educators note that caffeine can make your eyelids flutter and make it harder to settle in.
• Washroom first. Go right before you lie down so you can stay put.
• Dress for a nap. A comfy hoodie, hair tied back, toque off. Bring earbuds if you'd like a podcast, or just plan to doze.
• Arrive a few minutes early in winter. Coming in from -20 with snow melting on your face? Give yourself a minute to warm up and dry off before we start.
• Tell Marinelle what she should know. Allergies, sensitive eyes, contact lenses or any eye condition. If your eyes are irritated, check with your optometrist or doctor first.

Ready for your lie-down? Book your Hybrid Set in West Edmonton.

The first 24 hours, Edmonton edition

Lash adhesive keeps curing for a while after you leave. Puravida Lash, a Spanish-language lash academy, puts the cure at 12 to 24 hours depending on humidity and sets a simple first-day rule: no direct water, steam, sauna, pool or crying. Yes, they say, happy tears count too.

Here's how that translates to an Edmonton fall day:

• Skip hot yoga, the hot tub and the sauna until tomorrow.
• Let that steaming bowl of pho cool down, or keep your face out of the steam.
• Keep your shower short and lukewarm, with your face out of the spray.
• Save the tears for the next Oilers win, not tonight's sad movie.
• Sleep on your back the first night, and keep your hands off your eyes.

After that first day, gentle cleaning becomes part of your routine. Marinelle will walk you through aftercare at the end of your appointment, and her instructions come first if they differ from anything here.

Who needs this lie-down most

Honestly, everyone. But especially:

• The mom who hosted Thanksgiving and did every dish herself.
• The nurse coming off a run of shifts at the Royal Alex or the Misericordia.
• The rotation worker home from camp who wants to look rested at supper.
• The student in midterm season at MacEwan, NAIT or the U of A.
• The newcomer mom whose only quiet time all week is the bus ride.

And no, you don't need a wedding to book. Claudia Romero, CEO of the Spanish lash brand Mírame, told 20minutos that women from their teens to their seventies wear extensions now, and that they've become a habit rather than something saved for events.

When to book this fall

The weeks right after Thanksgiving (Monday, October 12) are a calm stretch before the holiday rush. Want a first outing with your new lashes? The Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival is at the Edmonton Convention Centre on November 6 and 7, so book a couple of days before and the first 24 hours will be long behind you. Remembrance Day, Wednesday, November 11, is an Alberta general holiday, and many people have a weekday off that's just right for a longer appointment.

Start now and your first Hybrid Fill (about 60 minutes) lands before the late-November parties. Our first hybrid post explains how fill timing works.

A quiet one-on-one studio in West Edmonton

Mari Esthetics is a private studio, so it's just you and Marinelle. We're close to WEM, Callingwood, Lewis Estates and The Hamptons, and an easy Henday drive from St. Albert, Spruce Grove and Stony Plain. Find directions on our West Edmonton location page.

FAQ: your first hybrid lash appointment in Edmonton

Can I fall asleep during lash extensions?

Yes, and many people do. Your eyes stay closed the whole time, so resting is the whole job.

How long does a Hybrid Set take at Mari Esthetics?

About 135 minutes for a full set. A Hybrid Fill takes about 60 minutes.

Can I drink coffee before my appointment?

It's better to wait until after. Caffeine can make your eyelids flutter while you're lying down.

Do lash extensions hurt?

They're meant to be painless. If anything stings or feels uncomfortable, say so right away and Marinelle will stop and check.

What should I avoid for the first 24 hours?

Direct water, steam, saunas, hot tubs, hot yoga, pools, crying and rubbing your eyes. Sleep on your back the first night.

I'm nervous about my first set. What should I do?

Tell Marinelle. She can keep your first hybrid soft and light, or suggest a Classic Set if that feels like a better start.

You've earned the 135 minutes

Lie down, close your eyes and let somebody else do the careful work for once. You'll wake up with fuller lashes and a little more of yourself back.

Book your Hybrid Set at Mari Esthetics →