Baked goods, cashmere, keys to the yacht—the people we interviewed always welcome such thoughtfulness. "I think gifts are more special than money," says hairstylist Ted Gibson of Ted Gibson Salon in New York City. Spend about the same amount as you would on a monetary tip. (Need some ideas?
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.
If you can't afford to tip your hairdresser the usual 20 percent, remember that every little bit counts. Consider tipping 10 to 15 percent and saving up to give them a bigger tip around the holidays or a small gift for their birthday.
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.
Remember the golden rule: "You should tip 20 percent on the entire service cost, not per individual," says Schweitzer. So if your haircut and blow-dry cost $40 total, and your color was $60, your total service cost comes to $100. That means you should tip $20 divided between the colorist and stylist.
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.
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.
When you spend $100 on highlights, how much is expected? "The industry standard for gratuity is within the range of 18 percent to 22 percent for excellent service," says director of salon operations at Devachan Salon, Rebecca Matthews.
20 percent is the most common tipping percentage in the hair industry. Tipping anywhere from 20 to 25 percent is a great range for anyone who is a salon regular or just received a haircut they love. Tipping properly is a great way to strengthen the relationship with your stylist.
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.”
Using 20% as a tipping baseline, here's what you'd expect to pay for the tip: $20 haircut - $4 tip. $25 haircut - $5 tip. $30 haircut - $6 tip.
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.
“Tell your colorist in a calm way that you are unhappy with the end results. They will understand,” he assures. “Share the details of what you don't like about the color or cut, like the highlights are too chunky or the tone is too brassy.”
If you trust your stylist and she is educated and is giving you what you want, then why question it? “It's not rude to ask your stylist, but it's rude to tell her she's overpaid if you don't agree with a reasonable response.
Normally tips are 15-20%, 15% of 500 is $75, and 20% would be $100.
If you are getting a very expensive treatment, such as Great Lengths Hair Extensions, it is recommended to tip 10-20%, or for the technicians time spent on the service. It is your call.
“Under these federal regulations, carriers are permitted to accept a gift worth $20 or less from a customer per occasion, such as Christmas,” it states on the USPS website.
*Civil servants are not allowed to receive cash tips. But if you wish to recognize your mail carrier, the U.S. Postal Service asks that your gratuity not exceed $20 in cash value.
The Emily Post Institute has a big list of ranges you can check out. Like $10–$30 per garbage collector and $15–$80 each for doormen. Pick an amount based on what feels right for your neighborhood and building and how long and often you take advantage of the service.