First, the bottom line: How much should I tip my hairstylist during the holidays? The general rule is to double the 15 to 20 percent you usually give, says colorist Sharon Dorram-Krause of Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Uptown salon in New York City.
Who do you have to tip and how much should you be giving? Let's go over the rules: Tip the cost of one full visit to hairdressers, manicurists, personal trainers, and other people who provide personal services. So, if a haircut costs $50, and you normally give $10, give $50 this December.
Of course, you shouldn't feel obligated to give your hairstylist a gift, but if you have a very friendly relationship and know a lot about them, something extra that isn't overly-expensive is always a nice gesture.
One of the best Christmas gift ideas for a hairstylist or beauty professional is a hairdresser bag to keep all the essentials organized and in one place. This makes one of the best gift ideas for hairdressers just starting out.
Most of these experts suggest leaving 15% to 20%, depending on the service and your satisfaction. Going with 20% is nice for the stylist and you because that math is pretty simple. To find 20%, start by finding 10%, then double that amount.
"Tip 20 percent on the true total cost of the service, not the discounted cost," Schweitzer says. "The hairdresser did the same amount of work, so they deserve the same amount of tip."
20% of the Total Services
“It really depends on the service,” notes MCH Global hairstylist Daniel Kim. “Typically, I say 20% of the total for the services. If it's a free service, like bang trims and such, I would say $10 to $20 is pretty good.”
Hair stylist, manicurist, personal trainer, massage therapist: Cash or a gift card equivalent of one visit. Pet groomer: Cash equivalent of one service. Dog walker: Cash equivalent of one day (or one week's) service. Home health care: Check the corporate gift-giving policy.
“I would like to thank you for your wonderful work. It was a real pleasure and I love, love the hair style and the make up that you created for me! :) I have never looked so beautiful and it's all thanks to you. Also, you really helped me to relax and take the day easy.
If someone cleans your house only once or twice a month, consider tipping them about half the amount of one service. So, if you pay your cleaner $100 to come once a month, think about $50 to $100 as a holiday thank you. Regular cleaner: Up to one week's pay and/or a small gift.
In general, hairdressers prefer receiving their tips in cash, she adds, mainly because they'll get to keep more of it than they would with tips added to credit card payments.
You should tip 18% - 22% for good service and 25% for excellent service. A quality hair coloring requires a lot of skill and your hairdresser should feel appreciated for their hard work.
The minimum level of tip that most customers give their stylist is 10%, but some go as high as 25%. The majority of customers, however, take a middle ground and tip around 20% of the bill. These figures do vary, though, according to the type and location of the salon.
The usual gratuity for your stylist or colorist (yes, even if they are the owner) should be 15 to 20 percent of the service fee. And while assistants are sometimes tipped out by their stylists, it's still a nice gesture to pass a little something their way.
How Much Should You Tip Your Hairdresser? The short answer is 15% to 20% or more. If their service was reasonable, leave a 15% tip.
“Thank you so much for the wonderful work you do! I love my cut and color. And best of all, I know I can always depend on walking out of your salon feeling and looking my best!”
Call or text your old stylist and let him gently know that you'll be seeing his co-worker from now on. Reaching out first helps quell rumors and awkwardness around their work environment. Honesty, again, is the best policy.
$25 service = $5 tip. $50 service = $10 tip. $100 service = $20 tip. $150 service = $30 tip.
For the wait staff at sit-down restaurants, the tip should be 15 percent to 20 percent of the pretax bill. Tips are not necessary at fast-food restaurants.
Holiday tipping guidelines
Mail carriers - USPS workers are not permitted to accept cash or cash equivalents, per federal policy, but they can accept a gift valued at $20 or less.
You should tip 15% - 20% of the entire bill for good service.
Generally, you can tip a hairstylist and colorist just as you would a server in a restaurant. If the service is excellent, you might add a tip of 20 to 30 percent; if the service is good, 15 to 20 percent is a good range.