Holiday tipping for hairdresser - YouLookFab Forum

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Holiday tipping for hairdresser

Aquamarine

Veteran

I get really stressed this time of year with holiday tipping. I am struggling with how much to tip my hairdresser, in particular. I now see her monthly for color and every few months for a trim. I tip 20% each time, sometimes more if she has to do anything extra on my hair. I like her a lot and she is extremely nice and has become a friend (but I do not see her outside the salon). I’ve been her steady client for about 15 years now.

in the past I’ve doubled my tip for a Christmas gift and she’s been effusive in her thanks so I thought it was OK. Lately I’ve been reading that an appropriate tip is the cost of the service. That seems excessive to me. I live in a suburban area, if that info helps.

What do you all do? Have I been cheap?

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30 replies

Latest reply was from Laurie

Helena

Veteran

Oh my gosh, I've never heard of this sort of holiday tipping! I always tip 20% on hair services, but have never done a 'bonus' for the holidays (mind you, I don't generally go during the holidays). I think tipping the cost of the service is excessive (although if someone wants to do it, have fun!). I think if I had that money to spend, I'd rather put it towards a charity. That said, if you have a close relationship, it's nice to do something extra - the double-up you mentioned sounds very generous - or even a nice bottle of wine or something if that might be her thing?

I'm so curious what others will say and if I am totally out to lunch on this ...

The Cat

Veteran

Where in the world do you live, Aquamarine? (Not much info in your profile ...) If you tell the forum, you will increase the possibility of getting helpful advice.

Luckily, in my corner of the world (Scandinavia), tipping is hardly required anywhere. Most services and things are rather expensive anyway, though.

Style Fan

Veteran

I have known my hairstylist for almost 35 years. She goes the extra mile to accommodate me when I need to see her now that I live out of town. She did my hair for both of my weddings. Also, we get along very well. I don't know what I am going to do when she retires. No one cuts my hair as well as she does.
I am saying this because I really value her work so I tip very generously. She deserves it. I would give her extra at Christmas (maybe not the amount of the cut). I wouldn't do that for another stylist unless they were as good.

rachylou

Veteran

Um no, not unless extraordinary service was rendered... like they entertained your grandma and got a giraffe for you. Anything above 20% is sufficiently grateful.

JAileen

Veteran

I give a tip each time, and then put $20 in a Christmas card. She seems happy with it. From time to time I’ve also given her a handmade ornament.

kkards

Veteran

Yes at Xmas time I tip the amount of my service, and $10 for the shampoo/receptionist (it’s a small salon so thus person does double duty). I tip my manicure person the price of the service as well

Aquamarine

Veteran

Lots of different perspectives. So interesting.

kkards you must read the same “Holiday Tipping” articles I have read, LOL.

I live in the Northeastern U.S. and the cost of living is expensive here. Yet I know my hairdresser is not rich so I do tip her generously all the time. At the holidays, she does receive gifts of fudge, sweets, etc. and she seems thankful for all those gifts (we’re FB friends and she posts photos, thanking her clients). I choose to give her cash because I know she could use it. She does not drink so a bottle of wine is out of the question.

Kathie

Veteran

My haircuts are expensive, but I only go every 12-15 weeks, so 4x/year (stylist’s recommendation, due to the type of cut). I tip 20% as my standard, and double that, if I happen to get a cut in December. Urban area, mid-Atlantic of the US, have known my stylist for 5 years, and have followed her when she changed salons. She and her husband own a couple other successful businesses and invest in real estate, so it’s not as if I could ever tip an amount that would make a huge difference in her life. (I realize many stylists are not as financially fortunate.) For me, it’s the thought that counts, to do a little extra.

My kids’ trombone teacher is a different story. He’ll get close to double the cost of the lesson. But, he comes to our house, and is very patient with my kids.

Aquamarine

Veteran

I guess I feel that I am a loyal customer and she can depend on my payment/tip every 4 weeks without fail. If I were an occasional client, maybe I’d be moved to be more generous at the holidays, so I don’t understand the rational to give a cost-of-service tip. After all, were I to purchase a gift for her instead, I’d never spend that much.

kkards

Veteran

Aquamarine, yes, and i also know that for most of these services, that at least were i am, the prices have are not increasing yearly at the rate of inflation, and yet the service providers are buying food and health care where the costs are going up signficantly year after year.

Aquamarine

Veteran

The Cat, you are lucky. I often wish tipping weren’t expected and that workers were paid a living wage not dependent on tips to make up the shortfall. I know prices would then be higher but it seems fairer all around.

kkards

Veteran

aquamarine...tip what you are comfortable with. as you say, your a good customer, after all tipping is voluntary and personal.

Helena

Veteran

I agree Aqua - I think the wages should be fair and the tipping should be optional or un-necessary - I've heard the argument that without tips the service would not be good - but the tipping expectations in Toronto are generous and the service generally is not nearly as good as anywhere I've been in the US, so I don't know that this argument holds weight!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Hmm. I've been going to my stylist for 16 years. I tip him about 30% every time I visit, even though he owns the salon and I've heard you aren't supposed to tip salon owners. I gave him a little extra yesterday, and I tipped the shampoo girl double the usual tip as well.

taylor

Veteran

As a retired hair stylist and business owner, I can assure you that stylists don’t judge you on what you tip , or if you tip. I have found that some clients are incredibly generous regardless of their income level and others are more conservative with their money. It’s all good , don’t worry about it...your stylist likely doesn’t care. What does matter most to stylists...a loyal and happy client

Anonymous

That's good to know, Taylor. I tip 20% every time I go, and am a loyal, long-time client. I don't tip extra for the holidays, just try to be generous all year long. It seems to work fine for my stylist.

MsMary

Veteran

If your stylist is happy and you're happy, I think you are doing just fine!

nemosmom

Veteran

Oh goodness, I don't give special holiday tips to my hairdresser either! (Should I??!) I also don't tip our mailman, delivery guys, or garbage man (my MIL does, and mentioned this at Thanksgiving - I had never heard of such a thing!) I hate that wages aren't fair enough to provide decent living for everyone

Aquamarine

Veteran

Thanks for all the different opinions. Good to know there’s no “standard” despite what the various articles I’ve read suggest.

Taylor, I’m so glad you weighed in and gave your perspective. Thank you! I do think my hairdresser appreciates her clients and her clients appreciate her...she is very kind and really does try to keep them happy. I feel better and think I will continue being a good tipper year-round (with extra too if the situation warrants it), and then double her tip at the holidays. That still seems fair to me.

I also give my favorite shampoo girl a good holiday tip, but have been told by my hairdresser that the salon’s policy is that the girls’ tips come out of the hairdressers’ tips (much like busboys get whatever the waiters and waitresses give them at the end of the night, depending on how well the busboys did—one of my sons was a busboy at a swanky restaurant for couple of summers during high school and this was the policy, at least around here).

Aquamarine

Veteran

nemosmom, I don’t really give a holiday tip to someone I don’t know. I don’t talk with the garbage men, I don’t know my mail person (I think postal regulations prohibit it, anyway). I do tip the newspaper delivery person, even though it’s an adult in a car now, instead of a kid on a bike, because my brother delivered papers as a kid and the tips were important to him. Plus our delivery guy leaves an envelope with the papers around the holidays, as a hint .

When my kids were younger, I’d give holiday gifts to teachers, music instructors, bus drivers...it was exhausting and expensive frankly but expected around here.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is fascinating and helpful -- thank you!

So glad Taylor weighed in. I get a strong sense that different expectations apply in different areas but overall a happy and loyal client is the goal.

Here, if you pay by card, as I do, there is an option here for either 15, 18, or 20% (or of course, nothing, or another amount) and I usually give 18% -- but that is after taxes so it probably amounts to 20% of the actual service charge. And I go every 4-6 weeks. And my stylist seems delighted by that. (I also give her great reviews and hand out her card all over the place because I get asked a lot who does my hair.)

But typically, I only give an extra holiday tip if I happen to visit in the weeks right before or after the holiday (which this year, I won't). Really that is just because I don't think about the holidays until they are literally upon me. I'm a bit clueless like that...

I LOVE my stylist. I want to do well by her! Maybe I need to drop by with something extra....hmmmm.

taylor

Veteran

Glad that helped Aquamarine, remember , a tip is a gift, it isn’t necessary, but is appreciated. A special gift at Christmas is beautiful, but NOT required by any means. I have gotten everything from a case of wine, gift cards, plate full of cookies, fudge , and just BIG hugs .

Also I had plenty of clients who didn’t celebrate Christmas , but were so gracious to wish me a Merry Christmas....I loved and appreciated it all. So just Relax ...we’re just like you....no expectations, no judgement:)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Taylor, it’s good to have your input, thanks!

I think my stylist only charges me as a single process for hair color every time even when I have a more complicated color session done. I’ve noticed he always tells the cashier the amount for me, and the price chart on their website looks like my services should cost more. I may be one of his longest-running clients!

taylor

Veteran

Janet, loyalty has its perks. It’s really difficult to raise prices on long term, loyal clients. Your stylist clearly values you!

Aquamarine

Veteran

Janet, same here. I only get charged for single-process even if I get highlights or toner added. She’s corrected the receptionist when I am charged more. She really does not price gouge at all.

Thanks again for your viewpoint, Taylor. So helpful.

Gigi

Veteran

I'm grateful for Taylor's response. I tip my hairdresser because she does a really good job, but I don't have much money, so I can't be overly generous. My cuts are expensive too ($80 for a special curly cut). So I just give what I can.

I have never heard of tipping the cost of the service. That seems excessive to me (Upper Midwest U.S.).

taylor

Veteran

Gigi, I can assure you that your stylist understands that. Everyone has different financial responsibilities.
PLEASE, and I cannot stress this enough, do not feel compelled to tip if you can’t afford it, It does not affect how we feel about you. We are just happy to have you come back. 80 dollars for a haircut is a lot of money for most people. And color is a whole different price category .. believe me ...we get it. ❤️

kellygirl

Veteran

Thanks, Taylor! Tipping stresses me out. I'm so glad to have your input. I asked a friend of mine who was a former stylist about this and she said something similar.

cindysmith

Veteran

I gave Jade some Mexican vanilla and a pair of pants from the clothing store down the sidewalk for her Christmas. I tip 20% or MORE every time, which I think is more than fair since she isn't charging me DFW rates for her skills (which are on par with any high dollar stylists in the metroplex). She got a little flustered when I paid for the pants because she just told me to have the SA hold them for her, but I just told her to shut up and let me do what I wanted to do LOL. The pants and the vanilla totalled about 1/3 of my usual service (my service fees are never cheap because my extensions and color take major time).

Don't know if any of that helps or not

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