Caffeine + Lashes: A Love-Hate Relationship

Lattes & Lashes: How Coffee Can Impact Your Lash Sets, and Why It’s Better to Save the Brew for After Your Appointment

We all know the drill: as lash techs, we love our cold brew (and let’s be real, who doesn’t?). As much as we can’t imagine our day without that caffeine boost, it turns out that coffee might not be doing us—or our clients—any favors when it comes to lashing. So, let’s dive into the caffeine conundrum and figure out how to keep our lash game strong, even if we need that morning pick-me-up.

Attention (Or Lack Thereof)

Sure, caffeine can help wake us up and boost our reaction time, but let’s face it—sometimes it makes our brains go a little haywire. If you’re like us, your thoughts can easily flip from one thing to the next after a cup of coffee, and that can be tough when you're working with something as detailed as lashes.

If you're feeling a bit jittery or distracted, it might be worth swapping your usual coffee for a low- or no-caffeine alternative (hello, energizing teas or good old-fashioned water!). This way, you can keep your focus where it needs to be—on those perfect lash sets!

Steady Hands, Please!

Another issue with caffeine: shaky hands. Not ideal when you’re trying to apply lashes with precision! Whether it’s that morning coffee or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, caffeine can make it tricky to stay steady. Don’t forget—new meds or supplements can change how caffeine affects you, so if you’ve made any changes to your routine, go easy on the coffee for a while.

Flickering Eyes = Lash Tech Struggles

Here’s where the real challenge comes in—flickering eyes! After a dose of caffeine, many clients experience jittery eyelids, which, let’s be honest, make your job a whole lot harder.

Trying to apply lashes to a moving target is not only frustrating but can lead to less-than-perfect attachment. Plus, if those eyes aren’t fully closed, you risk chemical burns from the adhesive fumes—ouch! While chemical burns will heal on their own, they can be uncomfortable and unsightly, which is something none of us want for our clients.

Pro Tip: Encourage your clients to skip the caffeine for at least an hour before their lash appointment. If they can avoid it altogether, even better! This’ll help keep their eyes nice and still, which makes your job (and their experience) way smoother.

Dehydration: Not Just a Coffee Thing

You’ve probably heard that coffee can dehydrate you, but it’s not as bad as we once thought. You’d need to drink a whole lot of coffee to feel its diuretic effects. Still, it’s essential to drink enough water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

Dehydration can leave you feeling sluggish, distracted, and even causes headaches—none of which help when you're trying to do precise lash work. Plus, staying hydrated improves your focus, keeps your skin looking fresh, and helps you sleep better at night. So drink up! Water is your best friend when it comes to keeping your energy up and your mood in check.

At the end of the day, we get it—coffee is life. But, as much as we love that caffeine buzz, it’s important to remember how it can impact our focus, our technique, and even our clients’ experience. Where possible, try to cut back on your caffeine intake, and kindly suggest that your clients do the same before their appointment.

Keep it balanced, stay hydrated, and maybe just save the coffee for after your lash session—because no one needs caffeine to get the perfect set of lashes!