Tipping at Hair Salon

Updated on July 30, 2010
C.S. asks from Swampscott, MA
26 answers

I am wondering how much other people tip at their hair salons for a cut and color when the stylist is not the owner. Also, what if you are having a service done that is very expensive ($350) such as a keratin treatment and then a cut and color also. THe total bill could be $500.00 and I am wondering what the norm is on a tip for all of this.

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L.L.

answers from Orlando on

I always tip 20 dollars. My services normally run about 120-130. Sorry if that makes me cheap! lol - but I love my hair stylist and have been seeing her for over 10 years.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

20% - People who provide services are low paid and depend on tips to make a livable income.

I feel that if I can't afford the proper tip, I can't afford the service. I pay $28 plus 20% tip every 5-6 weeks for a haircut and that's all the money I spend on my hair, except for the least expensive shampoo/conditioner and styling gel sold at Target. I get complimented on my hair often.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Well, without getting into the whole Reservoir Dogs Tipping scene....lol
I tip minimum 15% and up to 20% for all hair services based on the total bill. That's standard!

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

I always tip 20%. You can do 15% and still probably be thought well of! Sure, that's $100 on a $500 treatment, but if you're spending $500 on your hair -what's another $100?

To Sharon who wouldn't tip -you should try working in the service industry! People who work in hair salons make a percentage of what the service costs and tips -THAT'S IT! If you're not willing to tip, cut your own hair. The others you mentioned on your trip to Hawaii also make VERY LITTLE base pay and make a large percentage of their money on tips. It's expected that if you can afford to go places like Hawaii and stay in nice hotels that have doormen, etc., then you can TIP! I cannot abide cheap people (and there's a huge difference in being frugal and being cheap). If you don't want to tip -then stay home.

***If you're working in the service industry it must not be for tips or you simply would NOT feel that way because most of your pay would be based on the tips you don't feel you need to give! Seriously -you and all who evidently feel the way you do -stay out of restaurants where there's wait service and hair salons, cabs, etc. You may be surprised if you frequent certain restaurants and don't tip just how much of someone else's spit you're eating...

7 moms found this helpful
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J.R.

answers from Miami on

Dear C., As my hair and skin (and stomach) are important to me, i believe in tipping well those that help me care for them, especially if you want this person to always give you the careful attention and time you deserve. I always tip a total of 20-25% for personal services. (The 25% is for situations where you may want to tip separately the person who washes and combs out your hair etc.) The person will remember you and almost always make time for you. Not to mention, the person usually deserves it.

As an aside, many say I overtip. I believe that if you can afford a service, you can afford to tip nicely. I also tip as I would want to be tipped if I were in that person's stead.

HTH.

Jilly

5 moms found this helpful
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V.T.

answers from Dallas on

I usually tip about $10 an hour.

3 moms found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from Dallas on

As a former hairstylist I was used to receiving 15-20 %. That was the norm for our salon. Even on more expensive services I would tip the same percentage because your stylist is probably working longer on you and therefore not able to book as many clients. Trust as someone that has been there, your tips will be greatly appreciated and I hate to say it, but you'll probably get better service...I know that's not how it should be, but I'd venture to guess it's true in most salons.

2 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I agree that tipping is the right thing to do. Can you imagine the service you would get on a return trip if you didn't tip?

I typically tip 20%. A $500 prodecure on you will take time (Time-$$) She had to block a certain amount of time for you and no one else could get in that time period.

On a bill that expensive, I don't think she would expect at 20% but would appreciate some sort of tip.

Unlike some....I do tip when I get good service and I don't see it as people asking for a hand out.

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A.C.

answers from Washington DC on

20% should be the standard.

2 moms found this helpful
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A.P.

answers from Boston on

I usually do 20% at hair salons and restaurants. I've never spent even close to $500 but I don't see why the tip would be any different. Yes this will make your total bill very expensive, but I imagine if you can afford the services than you can afford to tip well also.

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J.L.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I usually tip around 20%. I've never had a bill higher than $120 so I can't answer to the $500, but I would assume it would still be 20%. If you go to a restaurant, you should tip your server 15% -20% whether the bill is $20 or $200.

1 mom found this helpful

R.C.

answers from York on

I get my hair cut and a partial foil highlight every 7-8 weeks. My total is $60. I give my stylist a $10 tip....this is a 17% tip. I think the tip should depend on how long it takes to do your treatment, how much it costs and how satisfied you are with the results. I love my stylist and always leave the salon pleased with my hair. I would never dream of not giving her a tip!!!

1 mom found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

Honestly I think it depends on what you can afford. Typically, a tip should be about 15% of the cost of the service if you're satisfied with the service. So if you're happy with entirety of the service for $350 then you would pay $53.00. If you receive excellent service and you're very happy, then you could go up to 20%. If you get service that's above and beyond, then you could go up to 30%.

So basically, I tend to tip based on percentages. If you can't afford to tip well then you might want to consider holding off on the services and saving up until you can tip appropriately. And of course if the service is poor, then tip accordingly in the opposite direction, but I try to never tip below 10%.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.F.

answers from Columbus on

I'm in shock by the lady who said she would not tip. The salon makes most of the money for the services, not the staff.
Anyway, I tip my hairdresser 20%. I think in your case it would be fine to leave $50 tip.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.D.

answers from Grand Rapids on

If it was me, I would not tip. These people are still making money no matter what. At a restaurant i tip, because they are paid very little to start with. But then I am so tired of seeing all these services and people with their hand out expecting a tip. I really noticed when i went on vacation to Hawaii. Down there EVERYONE expects a tip. the bus driver, the door man, everyone.

I only get my hair cut about every 2-3 years so I dont' worry about it. plus I go to the school to get it done. They need the experience and it only costs me about $5 to go and get it cut. \

added::::::::
i have worked in the service industry since I was old enough to work, so we are talking over 15 years. But why is it MY JOB to tip someone AND pay as well. It's a service, and i am taking advantage of the service, and I am paying for it. i shouldn't have to pay the specific person as well. I do know A TON of people who feel the same way. i would rather see the prices of everything go up a few dollars and do away with tipping altogether. Someday that might actually happen. And i will continue to use the services that I use, and continue with not tipping, since I have NEVER noticed a difference in my service EVER.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

I get my hair done once a week (blow dry style) and cut about every 6-8 weeks. It costs $19 for the blowdry and $36 for the cut. I give a $5 tip each time. the $5 is high tip for blowdry style but it evens out when I get the cut lol. And so worth it. As an aside though. The norm tip for hair stuff is not 20% but 10% at least that was what I was told by a hairdresser.

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C.C.

answers from Raleigh on

Hi C., this is a great question and you already have a lot of great answers so I'll keep my answer short. I used to be a cosmetologist and proper etiquette is 15% or more. It doesn't matter if your stylist is the owner of a salon, renting a chair or gets paid by the hour with commision. A tip is a nice gesture to let her know you're happy with her services. To the lady that doesn't like to tip, sorry but I think you're outnumbered here!

L.U.

answers from Seattle on

Oh, the tipping debate!! I have yet to figure out how to tip when I get my haircut or get my brows done. I get my haircut about once a year, must be nice to afford to do it every 4-8 weeks! But, the haircut is usually about $60 and I tip about $8-$10. I don't know what % that is, probably about 15%. I always tip well when I get my brows done...don't want THAT messed up!
I expect that if you can afford to go in and get a $500 treatment that you should be able to tip about 10-15%. Pretty expensive!
My family is not well to do at all. We go paycheck to paycheck just like a lot of families, I think. But, both myself and my husband have worked in the service industry. I personally hated it. People are very cheap! Waitressing was the worst, especially in places that aren't high end (I waitressed at our local Sherry's when prego with my second). People would eat $50-$60 of food, have you running all over the place and then tip you three dollars! (or leave their phone number...grrrr)
Just remember....you will be remembered by how much you tip. meaning, that if you tip poorly the next time you come in you probably wont get treated as well or have as much time spent on you....and if you tip well you will probably be treated better and maybe even have a couple of things thrown in for free!
L.

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L.S.

answers from Chicago on

I tip 15% for both restaurants and hair salons. I do not go to expensive hair salons or restaurants; I work for a local school district and make a "pink" collar salary, therefore 15% is my limit, period, regardless of what I am having done. I always tip . . . they definitely depend on it. However, for those women who make more money, then 20% is certainly a respectable tip, conducive to their salary. It is all relative. It does seem like alot stores and services have their hands out lately, I do not tip everywhere I go, for example, ice cream and coffee shops now have a "tip" cup by their registers. They make a really good hourly salary for scooping icecream/pouring cooffee and they are not waiting tables, so why all of the sudden are these type of establishments expecting tips? I think it's rude. I noticed this has started just a few years ago.

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C.C.

answers from Boston on

I tip 50% !!!!!!

Mind you my haircut is only four bucks and he does a great job. I get a bit worried when he gets out his 9 inch long cut-throat razor down in his basement - he is a big guy from Sicily and he never smiles! ;-)

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T.L.

answers from Denver on

It depends, if the stylist is 'renting' their booth space I seem to tip a little more than if the sytlist is being paid an hourly wage by the salon. It is common for either of these situations where I live.

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A.H.

answers from New York on

wow that's expensive as it is.... i think a 20. tip is always appropriate.... i'm not sure how long these procedures take.. is it really long.. then maybe you want to give a little more... I know with coloring .. they take others too.. while the color is sitting on you.. so they are working on others too. I think if you are paying so much money... which the stylist is getting some of it.. 20 or 30 would be fine.. You can't give 50 or 60.. you will go broke... good luck

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C.R.

answers from Milwaukee on

I personally wouldn't have all that stuff done in one visit.

K.G.

answers from Boca Raton on

I worked in the bar industry for 7 years before I had my son and 20% is the minimum for "me"...
My hair is 105 for a partial foil and I tip 25.00. I tip the shampoo girl 5.00... I find it yucky if people get there hair done/nails done/ go out to eat and tip horribly.. I look at it as: do it yourself if you can't afford to tip the person properly (not saying that about you, just in general)...Those people are there to make money and some live off of what you tip them..
For a 500 process I would probably tip about 80-100. Maybe you can see if that person can do it from there home because they will charge less and make more..
Ps some of my friends do karatin treatments and love it!!! Good luck :0)

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C.H.

answers from Dallas on

When it comes to expensive treatments, I judge my tip on that part by how much they are working with me or are they combing it in and leaving it on while they go work other customers.

I have always been tol 10% but I usually give 15%. I don't tip on items I buy there for home use and if I have an expensive treatment; I judge by how much work they have to do with it. Extensions are high on their involvement. Come in and let it set while they work someone else, not that much.

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R.S.

answers from San Antonio on

I tend to tip on the high side, 20% or higher. Especially at the salon (or barber shop for my son)...you see your stylist every month and when you call for a last minute emergency fix or up-do, etc. they get you in asap with no problem.

They are always glad to see you and I think tend to do a better job, knowing that you really appreciate their hard work.

Anyone in the service industry should be tipped for a job well done...they are making a low wage and their tips are part of their lively hood. The saddest thing I ever heard from a friend who waited tables was the worst tippers were the Sunday after church crowd. She dreaded that shift...enough said.

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