Preparing for an at-home beauty appointment requires a bit of planning to ensure you get salon-quality results in the comfort of your home. The rise of in-home beauty services has made it easy for anyone to enjoy expert hair, makeup, and nail treatments without traveling. Whether you’re preparing for a big event or indulging in self-care, a few proactive steps can help ensure a successful on-demand session. One brand that has popularized this trend is Glamsquad, which lets clients book glam services online and have certified stylists arrive at their door. The key to a great outcome is preparation. In this guide, we’ll walk through all the home beauty appointment tips and best practices, so you know exactly what to do before a beauty appointment at home.
Before Your Appointment: Booking and Communication
Successful at-home appointments start well before the stylist rings your doorbell. As soon as you schedule your service, take time to organize and communicate key details. If possible, book your session in advance. Popular time slots and top artists can fill up quickly, especially around weekends or events. The earlier you reserve, the better your chances of securing your ideal time and preferred stylist. When you book glam services online, include any relevant notes for your provider. Describe the look or style you want, mention any allergies or sensitivities, and note logistics to help them arrive and set up easily.
Open communication is crucial. After booking, stay responsive to any messages from your stylist or the service. Share inspiration photos or style ideas in advance if the platform allows it. If you’re booking a combined hair and makeup home service for an event, let the team know your outfit or theme so they can plan a cohesive look. It’s also wise to ask how much time is needed. Allocate a buffer so you’re not rushing. If you’ve scheduled a trial session for a bridal or big event, that’s great, as a trial run is often the best way to be sure you’ll love the look on the day itself.
Set Up Your Space for Glam
Before your stylist or in-home nail technician arrives, prepare a work area that will make the service efficient and enjoyable. Choose a clean, clutter-free space with a sturdy table or counter where the pro can lay out tools and products. Good lighting is essential. Natural light from a window or bright artificial lighting will help your artist see true colors and details. If you have a large mirror, position it nearby so you can easily preview the work in progress. Also, ensure there’s a convenient power outlet in reach. Professionals typically need only a flat surface and an outlet to set up, so providing them will help them get started quickly.
Set up a comfortable chair for yourself. Ideally, use a chair with a back that isn’t too high, or that won’t interfere with hair styling. A straight-backed dining chair or desk chair often works well, as it allows the stylist to move around you. Make sure the seating and height are such that the stylist can work without hunching or straining. For example, a chair without armrests can give them more access. It’s also thoughtful to have a nearby spot for the stylist to wash their hands or access water if needed, especially for a home pedicure service, where a foot soak might be involved.
Minimize potential disruptions in your environment. If you have pets, consider keeping them in another room so they don’t startle or interrupt the service. Likewise, if you have young children, plan an activity to occupy them during your appointment or arrange for someone to supervise them. Silence any loud devices or alarms for the duration of the session, and have some ambient music ready if you’d like a relaxing vibe. By turning your living room or bedroom into a mini salon, complete with good light, a beauty prep checklist of setup items, and a calm atmosphere, you empower your stylist to do their best work, and you’ll feel more at ease throughout the appointment.
Preparing for Your At-Home Makeup Appointment
When you book a makeup home service, the goal is to provide a perfect canvas for your at-home makeup artist. On the day of your appointment, start with a fresh face: cleanse your skin thoroughly and make sure all old makeup is removed. Follow up with a light moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated without being greasy. Makeup artists agree that continuing your normal skincare routine and exfoliating the night before helps create smooth, moisturized skin for makeup application. Come to your at-home makeup appointment with well-prepped skin. Avoid heavy oils or any makeup on your face, as these can interfere with how products adhere.
It’s best not to experiment with any brand-new skincare products right before your appointment. Stick to the products you know work for your skin in the days leading up to the session, since an adverse reaction or breakout from a new cream could sabotage your results. Similarly, avoid harsh facials, peels, or aggressive exfoliation for a few days after your makeup service to prevent redness or peeling. If you plan to wax or thread your brows or upper lip, try to do so a couple of days ahead of time rather than the same day. Small steps like these ensure your skin is in a calm, neutral state for makeup. Avoid new skincare or hair removal 24 hours before your session to prevent last-minute irritation or redness.
Take a moment to gather any specific makeup items or tools you might want the artist to use. While professionals bring a full kit, if you have a favorite foundation that perfectly matches your skin or a lipstick you love, you can ask the artist to incorporate it. Also, if you have known allergies, inform your makeup artist in advance and again when they arrive. They can often use alternative products if they know.
At the start of the consultation, clearly communicate your preferences and note anything you definitely want to avoid. This conversation ensures you and your in-home makeup services professional are on the same page. Wear a top that’s easy to change out of without disturbing your makeup.
Preparing for Your At-Home Hair Appointment
For a hair styling appointment at home, the main preparation is to have your hair clean and in the right condition for the style you’ve requested. Unless your stylist tells you otherwise, it’s generally best to wash your hair within about 24 hours of the appointment. Freshly cleaned hair is easiest for them to work with and ensures no residue or buildup impacts the styling. Arriving with heavy styling products in your hair can interfere with the results. Too much hairspray or oil can cause uneven styling or affect how they assess your hair’s texture. If you typically apply dry shampoo or texturizer, skip it on the day of your appointment. Light leave-in conditioner or a small bit of your usual serum is fine if needed, but avoid anything that leaves hair sticky or crunchy.
Preparing for At-Home Manicure and Pedicure Services
An at-home nail appointment is all about relaxing while the pro brings the salon experience to you, but a little prep work will go a long way for your mobile manicure service or in-home pedicure. Check your nails and remove any old polish before your technician arrives. Starting with bare nails saves time and allows the nail tech to get right into shaping and painting. If you have gel polish or acrylic nails on, ask whether the provider can remove them. Some in-home beauty services charge extra for gel removal or may not handle acrylic removal at all. For example, if you’ve booked a standard manicure and home pedicure service, you’ll want to have any hard gels taken off beforehand, as many mobile technicians aren’t equipped with drills for acrylic removal during a regular appointment.
Do not shave your legs on the day of a pedicure. Shaving can create micro-cuts in the skin that increase the risk of infection during foot treatments. Health experts recommend avoiding leg shaving for at least 24 hours before a pedicure. Your technician will not mind a little stubble, and your skin will benefit from it. Along those lines, if you have any small cuts, blisters, or foot issues, let your nail technician know so they can be gentle or avoid those areas.
If the in-home pedicure service for seniors is being performed, take a couple of extra preparatory steps for their comfort. Ensure the room is warm enough, as seniors can get cold easily when their feet are wet. Have some pillows or towels on hand to support their legs during the pedicure if needed. Also, double-check that the seating is secure and at a good height. A higher armchair might be easier for a senior to get in and out of, and you can place a waterproof pad or extra towels to protect the furniture. The beauty of an in-home pampering service for elderly clients is that it’s done in familiar surroundings. Make the most of that by setting up a cozy, safe area.
What to Do Before Your Beauty Appointment: A Handy Checklist
When it comes to an at-home service, a little preparation makes all the difference. Use this handy checklist to cover the essentials before your pro arrives:
- Confirm the details: Double-check the date and time of your appointment, and make sure you’ve provided any special instructions to the stylist or service. Have your phone on hand in case they need to reach you while en route.
- Prepare your space: Tidy up the area where the service will take place. Set up a table or counter with an outlet nearby for the stylist’s tools. Ensure there’s ample lighting. Arrange a chair for yourself and clear any clutter so the pro has room to work.
- Gather inspiration and notes: Have any reference photos ready to show your stylist. Jot down any specific requests or concerns you want to mention.
- Do your personal prep: Shower or wash your hair if needed, and cleanse your face depending on the service. Arrive with clean, dry hair for styling and a clean, makeup-free face for makeup applications. Remove old nail polish if you’re getting a manicure. Avoid lotions or heavy products on areas that will be worked on (no oily face creams right before a makeup session, and skip heavy styling products before a hair appointment).
- Set up comfort items: Have a clean towel, tissues, or water nearby for your own use. If you’ll be seated for a while, use the restroom shortly before your appointment starts. It’s also a good idea to keep some drinking water handy for yourself and offer one to your stylist.
- Minimize distractions: Secure pets in another room, and let family members or roommates know you’ll be occupied. This ensures you can sit still and focus on the service. The more you can remain in place without interruptions, the better the results – a stray bump while applying mascara or a sudden phone call in the middle of nail painting can be detrimental. Consider putting your phone on silent once things get started.
- Have payment ready: If you need to pay or tip outside an app, prepare cash or a card in advance so you’re not scrambling after the service. Many app-based in-home makeup services and nail services will handle payment and even tip digitally, but confirm if anything is expected in person. Being ready to settle up smoothly will end the appointment on a stress-free note.
By running through this checklist of beauty prep tips, you’ll cover all the bases. Both you and your beauty pro will appreciate the foresight. It means they can set up quickly, and you can fully enjoy the experience. A little planning ahead leads to a much more in-home pampering service overall.
With preparation complete, you can look forward to a luxurious, convenient beauty experience in your own space. By following these steps, you’ve ensured that both you and your stylist are set up for success. The whole idea of at-home services is to reduce stress and make you feel comfortable, and preparation is part of that. When your stylist arrives, you can sit back and relax. You won’t have to worry about whether you forgot to find a hair clip or clear a spot by the outlet; everything will be ready. Instead, you can focus on enjoying the one-on-one attention and watching the transformation unfold.
Sources:
- American Retirement Homes – “Salon, Spa, and Grooming Services for Seniors”
- POPSUGAR – “What to Expect From a Pro Makeup Appointment, According to the Experts”
- Southern Living – “5 Mistakes Not To Make Before a Hair Appointment, According To A Stylist”
- URMC Health Matters – “Prepping for a Pedicure? Tap These Tips for Safety”
- APMA – “Pedicure Pointers: Dos and Don’ts for Fabulous Feet”
