Comments on How to Tip a Hairstylist

I have been in this business for 3 years now, and I've worked full service salons to franchises. My view on tipping is we help people's appearances and keep them looking good. We deserve gratuity for it. Waitresses get tipped more, and honestly I don't see the talent in serving people food. Food lasts an hour and fills you for a while, but a haircut lasts 4-6 weeks and keeps your appearance looking good. It insults me that sometimes the name of the salon you're working for will also vary the tip. Someone may go to a high top salon and pay more for a haircut than a fast service salon. But they can get the same quality hair cut at a fast service salon. But because of the fact they may be at a high top salon they will tip better. If you get a great haircut and great service give a good tip. it is insulting to us if you tip anything less than $5 dollars if the haircut ranges from $12 and up. We spend 2 years training, we have licenses, and we always have continuing education so we can ensure proper quality haircuts and service.

My stylist does a good job-she's not fantastic. She did not cut my hair the way I wanted it the first time-she thought I was going "too short", so I had to go back in 4 weeks and insist on a shorter cut. Each time I tipped $5.00. This is a girl who goes from chair to chair (like a dentist does), while the poor recent grads do her grunt work and leave me sitting for 10 minutes with a wet head while I wait for my stylist to finish me. I sat in her chair for 2 hours today for a 3/4 foil and cut and lousy blow dry-I tipped $10.00. She was exhausted. While I was there, she did 3 other clients. I spent at least 30 minutes of my appointment waiting on her, not the process.

People have no problem tipping a Server in a restaurant, so let's compare: Education: Server = none Stylist = on average 1700 hours, state board licensed, continuing education (all at the stylist's expense) Wages: Server = minimum wage Stylist = varies...but after you figure in the product and supply expenses that the stylist has to pay, most are making close to minimum wage. Service/Product Knowledge: Server = menu items, maybe a wine list Stylist = color theory, basic chemistry, design formulas (haircutting is technical), basic physiology, training on specific color lines and styling product lines. Physical Level of Job: Server = on feet all day, lifting, bending Stylist = on feet all day, lifting, bending, arms usually elevated at shoulder-level for long periods of time Customer Service: Server = deals with a number of people per shift. Stylist = deals with a number of people per shift...usually on an intimate level. Providing a custom service...listening skills are crucial. Responsibility Level: Server = Insures the correct order is place in a timely manner Stylist = Working on the human body with chemicals and sharp objects. Works to give the client exactly what they request or gives the client realistic expectations of service. Offers client product and styling knowledge so they can create the look at home. I think you get the point.

People have no problem tipping a Server in a restaurant, so let's compare: Education: Server = none Stylist = on average 1700 hours, state board licensed, continuing education (all at the stylist's expense) Wages: Server = minimum wage Stylist = varies...but after you figure in the product and supply expenses that the stylist has to pay, most are making close to minimum wage. Service/Product Knowledge: Server = menu items, maybe a wine list Stylist = color theory, basic chemistry, design formulas (haircutting is technical), basic physiology, training on specific color lines and styling product lines. Physical Level of Job: Server = on feet all day, lifting, bending Stylist = on feet all day, lifting, bending, arms usually elevated at shoulder-level for long periods of time Customer Service: Server = deals with a number of people per shift. Stylist = deals with a number of people per shift...usually on an intimate level. Providing a custom service...listening skills are crucial. Responsibility Level: Server = Insures the correct order is place in a timely manner Stylist = Working on the human body with chemicals and sharp objects. Works to give the client exactly what they request or gives the client realistic expectations of service. Offers client product and styling knowledge so they can create the look at home. I think you get the point.

Many people don't realize that most stylists have to buy all of their own equipment, which is very expensive. Most salons also charge stylists for the color/chemicals they use for your service. If the stylist is commission, he/she is only getting a percentage of the cost of your service. So subtract the salon's cut of the charge, the cost of the products used, and the continuing cost of equipments and education...and the stylist is not making much money. A proper tip is 20% folks. Also, consider that your stylist has been on their feet all day with their arms in the air. Have a heart!

I am a hairstylist and Salon owner. I hear all of the time "Don't tip the owner." I always thought that was crazy. As the owner I charge the same as everyone else in the Salon and work just as hard if not harder. In today's world where the overhead is ridiculous and the public has grown to expect so much for so little, I think the owner should be tipped just the same as anyone else, in some cases more! Stylist, owners, nail techs and all other beauty professionals rely on you gratuity to help get through. If you're good to your stylist she will in return always take care of you in the case of hair emergencies, or a hot date that needs a hot style, early mid life crisis, and 15 to 20 % of your tab is much cheaper than a shrink, or divorce therapist.

I am a hairstylist and Salon owner. I hear all of the time "Don't tip the owner." I always thought that was crazy. As the owner I charge the same as everyone else in the Salon and work just as hard if not harder. In today's world where the overhead is ridiculous and the public has grown to expect so much for so little, I think the owner should be tipped just the same as anyone else, in some cases more! Stylist, owners, nail techs and all other beauty professionals rely on you gratuity to help get through. If you're good to your stylist she will in return always take care of you in the case of hair emergencies, or a hot date that needs a hot style, early mid life crisis, and 15 to 20 % of your tab is much cheaper than a shrink, or divorce therapist.

I'm a hairstylist and have rented my chair in a salon for the past 6 years. Yes, I set my own prices and have never charged more than what I myself would be willing to pay. That said, tips are a wonderful "thank you" from my clients, but referrals are even more wonderful. I know many stylists who would much prefer a great referral to a tip. There are many professionals who don't receive tips, but I imagine that they are also given benefits such as insurance, vacation time, sick time, etc. I don't have that privilege with my career. If I don't work one day, I don't get paid plain and simple. So to complain about tipping, especially if you're visiting a walk-in type salon sounds petty to me. Those stylists are working very hard without much praise and for many people who go there just for the cheap price but then expect a high-end salon look and complain when they don't get it. But for a stylist in an appointment only salon to complain about a $1-2 tip is also petty. A tip is a gratuity, a thank you so to speak. But as I said, referrals are an even better thank you and I absolutely love it when I have clients who may not tip throughout the year, but remember me at Christmas. Hair stylists physically touch their clients, we listen to your life stories, we deal professionally with your squirming screaming children, and a good hairstylist can boost your self esteem in under an hour with lasting effects. A tip, whether it be monetary, a heartfelt thank you, or a referral should be given. I have clients for whom I have given my services for free because I know they are going through a rough time financially. I have no problem with that and because I set my own prices I can do that for them. They get the same quality of work that my other clients get, but my reward, or tip, is knowing that I was able to make a difference in their lives that day. That said, if you're not happy with your stylist or are put off by your treatment if you don't tip them, maybe you should look at finding a new stylist.

I have spent lots of time in school also. I believe that if you feel like the person should receive a tip, then by all means leave them one. But don't leave one because you feel obligated to someone who went to school for a job. I did too, and I don't except tips. I am a nurse. How rude would it be if I expected everyone I helped to tip me? You do it because you like it, not because you're going to get a tip. You already make money off of a hair cut, a tip is just a perk.

I have spent lots of time in school also. I believe that if you feel like the person should receive a tip, then by all means leave them one. But don't leave one because you feel obligated to someone who went to school for a job. I did too, and I don't except tips. I am a nurse. How rude would it be if I expected everyone I helped to tip me? You do it because you like it, not because you're going to get a tip. You already make money off of a hair cut, a tip is just a perk.

I am a hairstylist. I went to school for 2000 hours, and have put in close to that in continuing education classes. Unlike a waiter, who has no schooling in their field, I feel that we deserve our commission in addition to a nice tip. Standard is 15-20%, but this can vary, and it should. A haircut in my salon costs $35 including a blow dry and style, and takes about 30-45 minutes. A manicure is $15 and takes about the same amount of time. Even if you tip 20% of $15 this is $3 on top of the 6 or 7 in commission for the manicure. That's $10. A manicure takes the same amount of time as a haircut. Please don't insult your nail technician- give them $5. 2 or 3 dollars is an insult after you just spent almost an hour working on them. I once had a customer get a full leg and bikini wax. It was a full bikini wax (including all the hair removed from the front and back), she was bragging to me the whole time about how much money she makes and just moved into a million dollar house. Her bill came to about $110 for her waxing. She tipped me $5. That's not even 10%, and after all the trouble I went through (and the area I was working in), I would have expected more for my time. Also remember, it's those who take of me, that I take care of in return. I know the customers who I will stay late for, come in early for, squeeze in when they call last minute, and spend the extra time on, and go the extra mile for. Always take care of the people who make your food, and are in charge of your appearance if you don't want to eat spit, and if you care about what you look like.

I go to what I consider a nice salon, where my stylist rents her chair- when I pay, she quotes the price and has me write a check directly to her. I don't know if she sets her price, or if it is dictated by the owner of the salon, so maybe I should find that out. When I leave, I set an appointment for 8 weeks in the future, and always keep that appointment, I show up on time and give her freedom to cut my hair in a style that she thinks would suit me- I don't make demands or complain about a cut that may not have been my favorite. I refer friends to her-- I assume that she knows that I am a happy customer by these acts. If I wasn't happy, I would find another stylist. I do not tip, because I'm assuming that the price she quotes is the price she wants for her service. I will thank her with a gift at Christmastime- probably a modest gift certificate. I'd like to hear from you stylists out there if I am off base in my approach here? Am I sending a message that I am cheap, dissatisfied, or ignorant?

You may think that hair stylist make all of this money for services that you receive, well guess what, in most cases this isn't true. You get a base pay of anywhere from 5.15 to 6.00 per hour (here in Virgina), or a commission of 40-45%. That is not that much, trust me! You figure that out even if you do make com. off of a 10 dollar service your stylist is only making 4-4.50, that's nothing, and that's before taxes. Take out taxes, and you have maybe 3.75 or something close to that. Now I want you to picture that maybe your stylist is a single mom, or even just single period, and I also want you to remember that gas is 3 dollars a gallon, your hairstylist may be at poverty level seriously you don't ever know. Not all of us feel ethical charging 60 to 100 dollars for a haircut, I have been cutting hair for 6 years and I personally feel that spending that much on a hair cut is a rip off. I am struggling to pay bills that I have and I live off of my tips. It makes me angry to look through these comments and see that some of you people think that hairstylist are not deserving of your tip, that stylist just may remember how you treated them the next time you come in. And remember that we have bills too, and that you should always show your appreciation to your stylist and tip accordingly. It's expensive for us to go to school to be a cosmetologist, and cost of living is high now. And for those of you that are licensed or salon owners, how dare you say that we don't need tips. You may be doing 50 dollar hair cuts now (shame on you) but you had to start somewhere, and if you try to say that you haven't lived off of your tips before then I will call out your lie. At first, no one makes money in hair, it takes years to build a client book. So stop putting down your fellow stylists by saying that we don't deserve tips.

You may think that hair stylist make all of this money for services that you receive, well guess what, in most cases this isn't true. You get a base pay of anywhere from 5.15 to 6.00 per hour (here in Virgina), or a commission of 40-45%. That is not that much, trust me! You figure that out even if you do make com. off of a 10 dollar service your stylist is only making 4-4.50, that's nothing, and that's before taxes. Take out taxes, and you have maybe 3.75 or something close to that. Now I want you to picture that maybe your stylist is a single mom, or even just single period, and I also want you to remember that gas is 3 dollars a gallon, your hairstylist may be at poverty level seriously you don't ever know. Not all of us feel ethical charging 60 to 100 dollars for a haircut, I have been cutting hair for 6 years and I personally feel that spending that much on a hair cut is a rip off. I am struggling to pay bills that I have and I live off of my tips. It makes me angry to look through these comments and see that some of you people think that hairstylist are not deserving of your tip, that stylist just may remember how you treated them the next time you come in. And remember that we have bills too, and that you should always show your appreciation to your stylist and tip accordingly. It's expensive for us to go to school to be a cosmetologist, and cost of living is high now. And for those of you that are licensed or salon owners, how dare you say that we don't need tips. You may be doing 50 dollar hair cuts now (shame on you) but you had to start somewhere, and if you try to say that you haven't lived off of your tips before then I will call out your lie. At first, no one makes money in hair, it takes years to build a client book. So stop putting down your fellow stylists by saying that we don't deserve tips.

I am a hair stylist and I don't own my own shop, I work for a chain.Tipping is not out dated, I live off of my tips, just like wait staff. I think if you stylist has exceptional customer service then you should tip well. For example, a twelve dollar haircut with an awesome stylist should be a five dollar tip easy, if you have a bad experience but your hair cut is still good then 2 dollars is good, if you have a bad hair cut, don't pay for it or tip. If you are getting color or something like that, no matter if your hair is short or long, you should always tip 10 or more at the very least. It can be quite difficult at times and it does take a certain skill or art to master something like color.

I am a hair stylist and I don't own my own shop, I work for a chain.Tipping is not out dated, I live off of my tips, just like wait staff. I think if you stylist has exceptional customer service then you should tip well. For example, a twelve dollar haircut with an awesome stylist should be a five dollar tip easy, if you have a bad experience but your hair cut is still good then 2 dollars is good, if you have a bad hair cut, don't pay for it or tip. If you are getting color or something like that, no matter if your hair is short or long, you should always tip 10 or more at the very least. It can be quite difficult at times and it does take a certain skill or art to master something like color.

A tip is a way of saying thank you! When you eat out at a restaurant and you receive excellent service you offer an excellent tip, 20- 25%, why should it be any different with a stylist. If you receive excellent service and would not consider going to anyone else other than your current stylist, why not show your appreciation!

I can understand if you are paying $50 or more for a simple hair cut that you seem to think that that a tip is unnecessary. But once you realize that for just one pair of good hair cutting scissors it will cost at least $300, then a stylist has to get them sharpened ever few months another $100, if you're lucky. Then, you never go and get your hair cut without a style. A hair drier could be $50-$200 or more, then curling irons of all sizes another $1000+ and a good straightener $250+ and thats not even getting to the products they use on your hair. Now, yes, if they are charging $150 for a blunt cut, no shampoo or style, then I don't say tip more then $5 or $10. But if you are from a smaller city where a hair cut with shampoo and style is $28 for ladies, then throw in an extra few dollars. The price of a service isn't to say that you are happy with it, and usually it's not even to pay for the time it takes. The money goes toward all those extras that you as a customer take for granted. That cup of coffee or spritz of hair spray. A tip is meant to say "wow I really enjoyed my time here." It's not a bribe or anything. Also, I would like to say that tipping is also very nice for manicurists or nail techs or anyone else in the spa business. It really does make us happy to see that you appreciated the service. Maybe when I go into work tomorrow and work for 2.5 hours on a service that is only costing the client $30 then maybe they could throw in an extra $5 as a thank you. Oh, and if you are making the person stay late, or come in one their day off, then it's best if you tip closer to $10 or $15 or more. That way they won't feel like it was a waste of time.

One thing no one has mentioned is that although some stylists may be well paid, most salons do not offer medical coverage, vacation pay, paid maternity leave, lunch breaks or bonuses. Almost any other occupation does. Therefore, even a seemingly "well paid" hairstylist isn't making as much as it seems- try buying your own medical insurance policy. Almost any beginner entry-level job covers medical and some kind of vacation pay after a certain period.

First off, I always tip 15%. I used to tip 20% but there was no difference in the service. I read someone's comment about stylists listening to clients' problems all day long. I'm an attorney, so I'm the one always giving valuable advice and nobody tips me. Suggestion to all stylists: if you consider yourself a professional then don't expect a tip, and please don't make a habit of canceling set appointments because your are sick again (so immature and common in this industry).

First off, I always tip 15%. I used to tip 20% but there was no difference in the service. I read someone's comment about stylists listening to clients' problems all day long. I'm an attorney, so I'm the one always giving valuable advice and nobody tips me. Suggestion to all stylists: if you consider yourself a professional then don't expect a tip, and please don't make a habit of canceling set appointments because your are sick again (so immature and common in this industry).

I own a hair salon and find it insulting when someone offers to tip me. I charge more for my experience and want my clients to enjoy their visit without worrying what to tip. They pay enough already. Tipping in a salon is becoming outdated. Stylists today make so much more than years ago when tipping was necessary. It's time to stop this unprofessional act and charge what you are worth. If you do leave a tip, make sure you do it on a credit card, the money has to be claimed for taxes.