Tipping a Hairdresser

Updated on September 27, 2010
W.D. asks from Carrollton, TX
22 answers

Hi,

Do you need to tip your hairdresser, even if she is truly her own boss, i.e. she rents her salon space from one of those salons where she can close her door if she is not there? I've always heard you should tip your hairdresser, but wonder why I should do that when she's setting her prices based on what she needs to live and pay her bills. You know what I mean?

Thanks!
W. in Carrollton

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

Yes, you always tip service professionals -massage therapists, aestheticians, hair dressers, servers, bartenders, etc. If the service is good 20% or more -if it's fine 10-15%. Remember, this person is largely in charge of how you look. Hair grows, but not overnight!

4 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from New York on

I tip my hairdresser 15-20% and she is the owner. She deosn't charge an arm and a leg and I know that she is working hard for a living - so I tip her.

4 moms found this helpful

More Answers

H.V.

answers from Cleveland on

My sister is a hair stylist at a salon that has the same kinda set up.
My opinion..ALWAYS tip your hair stylist.
I think if they are doing all that work to make you feel good then they deserve a tip. Even if they set their own prices.
I personally think it is rude not to tip.

4 moms found this helpful
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R.D.

answers from Washington DC on

I always tip 20%. If I can't afford it, I simply wait until I can. Even for my kids. Same with nails. The only time I don't tip is if I am truly unhappy and I have told them that before. One time. And it's because she did exactly the opposite of what we discussed. But yea, I think you need to tip 20%.

3 moms found this helpful
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R.G.

answers from Chicago on

I always tip my hairdresser 10-15% of the bill--that comes to $15-20 sometimes if I am getting everything done, and I am there for 2+ hours.
Also, to respond to another person, I DO tip the maid when I stay at a hotel...all I do is put a couple of dollar bills on the edge of the bed. My Dad taught me that if you are staying somewhere for several nights, it never hurts to let the maid know that they are appreciated.

3 moms found this helpful
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K.W.

answers from Dallas on

You should definitely tip! Her prices are set to cover her time, supplies and bills, but that doesn't pay for her efforts to make your hair exactly what you want. It's just a sign of appreciation that she makes you look great!!

2 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I always tip 20%. My total bill runs $130-$150 with tip.

I would not consider not tipping, I think it is rude if you don't.

2 moms found this helpful

H.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

I worked in the industry for 5 years, and I actually based my money needs with my tips added into it. I made $300 a month in tips, and without that, that was a car payment for me. Your payment for your color/cut is paying her for what she did and the products she had to buy. Your tip is telling her that you think she does a great job!

2 moms found this helpful
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L.K.

answers from Kansas City on

Well, I'm not a hairdresser, but I always tip mine. I look at it as almost any service industry.
And to be honest, yours is probably setting her prices on the going rate of the area and salon NOT what she needs to live and pay her bills.

2 moms found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

I've only had two different hair dressers in my entire adult life. Both owned their own shops. I have always tipped them both at least 20 percent, and both have always given me a hard time about it, tehehehehe, even have lowered the price of services in anticipation of my tipping. A great stylist and a good friend are priceless, and to me always worth an extra 20%!

2 moms found this helpful
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A.F.

answers from Columbus on

Yes, you should still tip. I tip my hairdresser 20%

1 mom found this helpful

J.D.

answers from Washington DC on

I totally understand why you're perplexed because I've never understood why we tip certain service people and not others. We tip waiters and hairdressers but not chefs and maids. It has never made sense to me. But to be polite, yes, I think you need to tip a hairdresser even if she is the salon owner.

1 mom found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

I'm a stylist as well, and many do not get paid very well at all, including salon owners. And they work their butts off to make that wage. The ones that do get paid very well, still work their butts off. Prices are based competitively and the tip is the gratuity service that most hairstylists base their survival pay on.

Much like how other companies who count on Christmas or yearly bonuses as part of their salary.

1 mom found this helpful

K.G.

answers from Boca Raton on

Yes, definitely still tip. They have to pay monthly for the space they rent out and tip there assistants (if they have one)..
20% minimum is my answer.
I get a partial foil and it's 105.. I tip 25 and give the shampoo girl 5

1 mom found this helpful
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K.E.

answers from Buffalo on

My Mom owned her own salon and no they still have to stay competitive from the rest, otherwise no one will come. They do live off their tips. If you are happy with what she did, you should tip.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.L.

answers from Dallas on

She does set her own prices, but she sets those prices based on the expectation that her industry gets tipped. If you want to keep her as your hairdresser, tip her! Otherwise I wouldn't be surprised if her schedule fills up and she can't work you in. If you were a business owner and had one or two non-tipping clients, wouldn't you give priority scheduling to those who tipped?

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

You tip to say "job well done", same as at a restaurant or when you tip a hotel maid. I always tip my hairdresser, unless I hate my hair when he/she is done!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.M.

answers from Dallas on

My MIL is a hairdresser and I asked her this question once. She said it depended on how much they were charging. She does not do my hair (better to get along than have her mess my hair up), but I told her what the lady at the time was charging, and she said it sounds like she has priced herself so high that she shouldn't expect a tip. History on that is that it seemed that everytime I went in to have my hair done, the lady's price went up exhorbentantly. The guy that does my hair now is wonderful and I always love what he does. His prices are reasonable, and I do tip him.. depending on time spent (full color and cut, or just a quick trim) anywhere from 10-20%.

Good luck!
K.

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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Never heard of the kind of salon that you are referring to but for me, unless they own the salon, I would tip 20%.

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C.T.

answers from Dallas on

I have had the same hairdresser for about 9 years and while her prices have gone up, my salary has gone down(I'm now a sahm). I have always tipped around 20%, but cannot afford to tip quite that much these days. I still tip 10-15%. She is the salon owner and does very well. Yes, I think you should tip, but tip as much as you can afford without going broke over it.

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C.H.

answers from Dallas on

I was told by a hairdresser long ago that 10% was adequate. I don't tip if I hated the hairdo, let them know I wasn't comfortable with it adn they couldn't get it well enough. I tip 10% usually (not on any products I buy from them. I tip 20% if they came up with a style that was fabulous for me and if they gave me a product last time that really worked for my particular hair issue. If they worked me in for a last minute "emergency," then 20% for sure or more. When they know that you pay for big favors, they don't hesitate to do you favors like that in the future. If it is very expensive and you're not overwhelmed with joy, zip tip.

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T.H.

answers from Dallas on

i always do but.. Good question. Make you think?

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