Comments on: How to Tip a Hairstylist

on 11/5/2009 Good one, thanks very much!

on 11/5/2009 Good one, thanks very much!

on 10/1/2009 I was looking to see how much is usually expected when tipping a hair stylist, and although this was not the topic was appalled to see the disrespectful comparisons to servers! I would like to clarify for the record for all of you who clearly have never had to wait tables, that severs deserve tips just as much as hairstylists. First, servers across the board make ONLY tips, so the gratuity is their salary, while most stylists receive paychecks in addition to tips. Additionally, many of you commented it takes no education or talent to be a server. I would like each of you to try and wait tables for just one night and try and make that statement again. I have been working for over ten years to get into a high end restaurant and could not have received the job without these countless hours of experience. Additionally I have taken numerous wine classes, where many of my co-workers ...

on 9/12/2009 I appreciated your advice on how to tip a hairdresser.

on 8/1/2009 I am a stylist. If I was to drive to someone elses home to do their hair and bring the supplies I need (shears, cape, ect.) OR if I was to offer to cut someones hair at my house instead of them coming to the salon....I would definately expect a tip for going so far out of my way and being inconvenienced to accommodate them. It is an inconvenience to do hair at home or someone elses home when you are "finished" at work or on your day off...wouldn't anyone expect a little extra compensation? Also, it is difficult (impossible) for me to maintain posture while cutting without my salon chair that can be adjusted to the correct height. This can cause neck, shoulder, back, and wrist pain....hope this helps

on 7/10/2009 (Please read both comments below first- this section was also cut off... Thank you!) If a server worked 16 hour days 7 days a week without any tips, they would still only make about $260/week BEFORE taxes. Yikes! I hope this puts things into perspective for those who are non-believers in tipping or giving adequate gratuity. I appreciate your time and thank you for listening.

on 7/10/2009 (Please read below first- this was cut off... Thanks!) Many of us receive all of our income via paychecks/payroll through our employers, but that is not universal for those working in industries such as serving and cosmetology. These employees rely on tips from their customers/clients, and most work very hard to please those they are serving and therefore deserve to be compensated for their time and efforts. I hope people will show respect and compassion for service providers in these industries, as they are forced to rely on their customers’ gratuity to pay the bills. Stylists who rent out their booths usually pay what many spend on their monthly mortgage bill and must also purchase their own products and supplies. Their gratuities help to make up for their “overhead.” Servers’ employers factor in their tips when giving them the hourly wage of $2.35/hour. If a server worked 16 hour ...

on 7/10/2009 I see here that some people are stating that servers make “minimum wage,” which is currently $6.55/hour. This is untrue. Servers have a separate minimum wage requirement of roughly $2.35/hour. Servers MUST rely on tips in order to survive. This does NOT mean that stylists do not need tips to survive, either. Servers and stylists alike cannot rely on their “salaries” to pay the rent. In this society, it is expected that we as consumers tip employees in certain professions for their services. If one cannot afford the services plus the customary gratuity, then it may be wise to seek alternative services, such as cosmetology schools, Supercuts, cafeteria-style restaurants, or even shopping at the grocery store and cooking meals at home. Please show respect for those that provide us services within industries that factor in expected tips and thereby reduce “salary” wages. Many of us recei...

on 12/18/2008 A questions - I have a sytlist who works in a salon, but told me she also comes to my neighborhood to do hair, and offered to come to my home instead. I washed my own hair, etc., and we used my products. The price of the cut was $45 - do I tip in this situation? If so, what percentage?

on 10/29/2008 A friend just called and she is going to a stylists home to get her hair cut...does she tip or not? She said the stylist told her it would be $15. I suggested giving her a $20 and then seeing what the stylists response is. Do any of you stylists have suggestions?

on 9/20/2007 I think it is up to the client. Did you get a good service? Then make your choice, tip or don't. As a hairstylist/owner, I would rather see someone go out happy and tell everyone than not. Do not assume everyone can afford the service and a tip on top, and when a tip comes your way appreciate it. I also have clients that don't tip but give chocolate at christmas or one tip a year, and quite frankly the gesture of those are sometimes more meaningful if you know it is from someone who maybe saves to come and see you every six weeks or if they honestly enjoy all your hard work. I have one client who brings me coffee everytime she comes. The 1.60 she spent on it means more than the 20 dollars from the arrogant person who treats me like a hired hand. If you are a true professional and do what we do because you love it, you know appreciation comes in many forms from clients.

on 8/13/2007 Beauty Industry Tipping - We always have a choice to go to someone who charges more or less, but keep in mind that the majority of this industry only receives commission & gratuity for the work they do and also do not receive benefits, vacation, sick time, or retirement. Why would you tip a waiter for bringing you food more than a stylist who has probably spent more time on you, has to have a license that must be continually renewed to perform any services, pays to get more education in their field, and performs many different skills from cutting to coloring or highlighting, perming, etc...Also remember that the stylist gives you splendid service before he or she even knows what type of gratuity you will be giving them. If you want continued great service then you must always let your stylist or food server know by the percentage of gratuity you give. It feels great when you look great!

on 7/25/2007 Some people mentioned that anything less than a $5 tip is insulting on cuts that are $12. GIVE ME A BREAK. Thats over 40%. Sorry, if we choose to go to a "chop shop" it's obviously because we cant afford to tip the higher end shops. The extra money I save I keep, not you. Besides, I believe the rule is 10-15%? That's $2. I would rather insult you than insult good sense.

on 4/26/2007 While I think that this is an agreeable article, doing away with a tip is absurd. It is a gracious gift that a guest can give to whomever is taking care of them. Like they say with the restaurant business, if you can't tip don't eat out! If you know you can't afford to say thank you with a tip, then don't go to the expensive salon. This industry is certainly different than a grocery store or even a job that you get with your degree. I have my degree and I'm a hairstylist, I do make more money than I did with my degree, But that is because my clients trust me with their hair and I make sure that I keep that trust. Which is why they tip me and I tip them back with a fabulous set of locks

on 4/25/2007 Tomorrow I have an appointment in a two-chair salon, figure I'd try out a real professional just once. He quoted me $375 for a full head of highlights, which is $75 dollars more than it states on his website. How much is the customary tip if he owns the salon? Maybe the $75 was figured into the bill for the extent of his services?