Frequently Asked Questions including Pre + Post Care

The Range — Access is via our private side entrance on Agnes Street - NOT THE HAIRDRESSERS. Look for the Botanika Beauty plaque beside the door.

Rockyview — Address details will be sent via SMS the day prior to your first appointment.

Please attend your appointment alone — this includes children. Your appointment is scheduled for your care, and also requires my full attention. For safety reasons and to maintain a calm, professional space, children are not permitted in the salon at any time. If you arrive with a child, your appointment will unfortunately be declined.

Please arrive on time. All required forms have been completed online, so there’s no need to arrive early. We run strictly on time and appreciate the same courtesy.

If you do arrive early:

• The Range — You’re welcome to wait in the seated area just inside the Agnes Street entrance (to the right). If you prefer to wait outside, please pop your head in first so we know you've arrived.
   
• Rockyview — Please wait in your car or our outdoor sitting area to the right of the front door until your appointment time.
   

Mobile phones can be used freely during your appointment. You’re welcome to bring AirPods and listen to music or podcasts if you’d prefer some quiet time during your treatment.

Looking after your nails properly is the key to keeping them strong, beautiful, and lasting as long as possible. Here's why it matters:

✔️ Your nail health — Incorrect care can weaken your natural nails and, in some cases, cause long-term damage.
✔️ They look better for longer — No one likes chipped, lifting, or damaged nails — especially when my name is attached to them!
✔️ Saves you time and money — Well-maintained nails last longer between infills, saving you extra salon time and cost. With proper care, some clients enjoy up to 6 weeks of wear.

✅ Treat your nails like jewels, not tools — avoid using them to open cans, scratch, or pry.
✅ Wear gloves for housework, gardening, or anything involving chemicals or water.
✅ Use a spoon or tool to open cans — not your nails.
✅ Check your grip when lifting heavy objects to avoid stress on the nails.
✅ Gently push back your cuticles after showers using a towel or cuticle pusher.
✅ Use a nail file (provided at your appointment) to gently shorten your nails weekly if they become too long or top-heavy.
✅ Apply cuticle oil daily to keep your nails flexible, hydrated, and protected — it only takes a few seconds and makes all the difference.
✅ Let us know if you have questions or concerns — we're always here to help.

⛔ Don’t pick, peel, or bite your nails — this can damage your natural nails.
⛔ Don’t use products containing Vaseline, mineral oil, or petroleum-based ingredients.
⛔ Don’t glue down any lifting — if you notice lifting, book a professional assessment.
⛔ Don’t leave water or moisture sitting around your nails for long periods.
⛔ Don’t skip cuticle oil — it helps prevent breakage, peeling, and cracking.

Cuticle oil is one of the most important steps in maintaining your nails — here’s why:

✔️ It prevents your nails from drying out, shrinking, and peeling — which often causes that annoying curling or separation at the edges.
✔️ It keeps the enhancement flexible — much like shocks on a car, it helps absorb impact, reducing cracks or breaks.
✔️ It prevents hangnails and keeps your cuticle area soft and healthy.

Avoid mineral oil, Vaseline, and petroleum-based products — they sit on the surface and can actually pull moisture OUT of your skin. A quality botanical cuticle oil absorbs deep into the nail, delivering real hydration and protection.

To keep your nails looking and feeling their best:

✔️ Book infills every 2–4 weeks — timing depends on how fast your nails grow, how you treat them, and if you want to change your colour or style for an event.
✔️ Nails grow faster in warmer months — you may need infills sooner in summer.
✔️ Always pre-book your infills in advance — evening and popular times can book out weeks ahead.

Questions about nail care? Want personalised advice?
Just ask — I'm always happy to help you get the most out of your nails.

Looking after your lash extensions properly is essential for three key reasons:

✔️ Your lash health — Incorrect aftercare can weaken your natural lashes, slow growth, and cause irritation. Clean, cared-for lashes stay healthy.
✔️ Better retention — When your lashes are properly cleaned and protected, they stay looking full and fluffy for longer.
✔️ Saves you time and money — Well-maintained lashes mean fewer extended infill appointments and better value for your investment.

✅ Avoid touching or playing with your lashes, especially in the first few hours. The more you touch them, the more oils transfer, weakening the bond.
✅ Keep your lashes reasonablyl dry for at least 24 hours — no steamy showers, saunas, swimming, or heavy sweating.
✅ Use oil-free makeup and skincare around the eyes at all times.
✅ Clean your lashes at least once daily with a foaming lash cleanser to prevent makeup, oils, and dead skin buildup.
✅ Control excess oil on the skin with blotting papers or oil-free moisturisers if you tend to be oily.
✅ Let us know if you have any questions or concerns — we’re here to help.

⛔ Don’t rub, pick, or pull at your lashes — this can damage your natural lashes.
⛔ Don’t use oily makeup removers, cleansers, or skincare near your eyes.
⛔ Don’t apply mascara or strip lashes over your extensions — it damages both the extensions and your natural lashes.
⛔ Don’t use makeup wipes or cotton pads on your lashes.
⛔ Don’t attempt to remove them yourself — we offer professional removal if needed.
⛔ Don’t use cleansing oils, coconut oil, or other oil-based products on your face if you want your lashes to last.
⛔ Don’t stand over the toaster or stove-top trying to light a cigarette (good life advice generally — but also keeps your lashes from getting singed!).

✔️ Minor redness or dryness around the eyes immediately after application — this usually settles within an hour or so.
✔️ Natural lash shedding — expect to lose 1–5 lashes per day as part of your normal lash cycle.
✔️ Slight differences in retention from appointment to appointment — lash cycles vary, and sometimes you’ll shed more or less.
✔️ Your lashes won’t look identical to a friend’s — all sets are customised to suit your natural lashes and eye shape.

⚠️ Intense itching, redness, swelling, or discomfort in the first few days — this could indicate an allergic reaction. Contact us for advice.
⚠️ Excessive shedding within the first 2–3 days — if this happens, please reach out so we can troubleshoot the issue.
⚠️ A gritty, sandy feeling in the eyes after wearing extensions for a while — this usually means they need to be cleaned more frequently.

✔️ Book infills every 2–4 weeks to maintain fullness — most clients return around the 3-week mark.
✔️ The more lashes applied, the longer they tend to last (volume sets outlast classics).
✔️ Clean lashes before every infill — oil, makeup, and residue prevent new extensions from bonding properly.
✔️ Avoid coming to your appointment with heavy eye makeup.
✔️ Pre-book your infills in advance — especially evenings — as popular times book out quickly.

Unsure about lash care or noticing something unusual?
Reach out anytime — we’re happy to answer questions and help keep your lashes looking their best.

 There are a few simple but important reasons to look after your brows and lashes properly after a lift or lamination:

✔️ The results last longer — Following the correct aftercare will help your brows stay fluffy, full, and in place, and your lashes stay beautifully lifted for as long as possible.
✔️ The health of your brows and lashes — Brows and lashes are delicate. Avoiding harsh products or bad habits ensures they stay strong and healthy.
✔️ You’ll get the most value out of your treatment — The better you care for them, the less frequently you’ll need to redo them.

✅ Avoid touching, wetting, or applying products to your brows and lashes for the first 24 hours — this includes water, steam, makeup, and skincare.
✅ Sleep on your back if possible for the first night to avoid flattening your brows or lashes.
✅ After the first 24 hours, brush your brows daily with a clean spoolie to keep them fluffy and in place.
✅ Use a nourishing serum or oil on your brows and lashes after the first 24 hours to condition and support hair health (ask if you're unsure what's safe).
✅ Let us know if you have any concerns or questions — we’re always happy to help.

⛔ Don’t get your brows or lashes wet for at least 24 hours — this includes water, steam, swimming, and excessive sweating.
⛔ Don’t apply makeup, self-tanner, or heavy skincare to the treated area for the first 24 hours.
⛔ Don’t rub, pick, or scrub your brows or lashes.
⛔ Don’t use harsh exfoliants, retinol, or AHAs near your brows or eyes for a few days post-treatment.
⛔ Don’t book facials or intense skin treatments around the brow/eye area for at least 48 hours.

✔️ Slight redness around the brows or eyes immediately after the treatment — this usually settles within a few hours.
✔️ Your brows and lashes may appear slightly darker or bolder initially — this will soften within the first day or two as the tint settles.
✔️ It’s normal to need a few days to get used to the fuller, lifted look — especially with brow lamination, which gives a fluffier, more styled appearance.

⚠️ If you experience significant redness, itching, irritation, or swelling that lasts beyond a few hours, contact us — this could indicate sensitivity or a reaction, and we can advise on the next steps.

For best results:
✔️ Avoid strong skincare actives around the brows and eyes
✔️ Use nourishing brow and lash serums
✔️ Avoid over-plucking or trimming brows at home
✔️ Book maintenance appointments every 6–8 weeks to keep your brows and lashes looking their best

Questions? Unsure about aftercare products?
Just reach out — we’re always happy to provide guidance to keep your brows and lashes looking beautiful.