“ When I am fixing a mistake I made, I don't expect a tip and will in most cases refuse the tip,” Hardges says. If you as the client have to go out of your way and back to the salon to fix something that should have been done during the original appointment, Hardges says tipping isn’t necessary. The whole idea of tipping based on inconvenience works both ways. Also an option (especially during COVID times): Tipping your stylist via Venmo or PayPal. If you're tipping with cash, either hand your $ directly to your hairdresser or write their name on one of those tiny envelopes at the front desk and drop it in there. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve forgotten cash and had to make an extra trip back to the salon to pay my stylist-it’s not fun, y’all. You don't have to, but not all salons accept credit/debit cards for gratuity, so it’s always smart to stop at the ATM before your appointment (0r call ahead and ask).
Hardges says if you know you can be particularly specific, or are constantly running late, or ask to get squeezed in last minute, or rescheduled your appointment within 24 hours of the original time, it’s recommended to tip slightly more for the inconveniences (hey, it's still a business!) when your stylist accommodates you. But IMO, if your hairstylist is spending more than three hours adding highlights, bleaching your strands, or dyeing your hair, you should consider tipping closer to 22 or 25 percent-especially if you love the end result.Īnd although 20 percent is generally a good guideline, you might consider tipping a bit more if you’re a client who can be a little-for lack of a better word-needy. Hardges says, generally, salons will charge accordingly if it's a longer service, so the 20 percent rule should suffice. When it comes to hair color, though, it’s always nice to keep in mind how many hours you spent at the salon. If they’re not, Hardges says it’s common to tip them $5 to $10, depending on your service. And remember: Salon assistants (rather than your actual hairstylist) usually shampoo and condition your hair and/or apply your gloss or glaze, so ask the receptionist how tips are divided to make sure the assistants are getting a cut.
If your hair color service is $100? A $20 tip is standard. That means if your haircut cost $60, your tip should probably be $12 or more. That said, Hardges says that the general rule of thumb when it comes to tipping your hairdresser is at least 20 percent if you're pleased with all aspects of your service-whether you got a major haircut, a basic trim, or a blowout. While tips are absolutely encouraged, they aren’t exactly mandatory. First things first: Tips are 100 percent up to your own discretion.