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For many women, visiting the beauty salon regularly an important part of their beauty routine. Whether you're prepping for a big event or simply keeping up your everyday look, you probably rely on a professional for cuts, coloring, blowouts and more. But when it comes to tipping, you could still feel intimidated or unsure of yourself, even if you've been visiting the same salon for years – and that anxiety is only amplified when you visit a new or different stylist for the first time. Everybody knows that tipping is required, but few actually understand these "unwritten rules" of the beauty biz. Here's a helpful primer on how to tip at salons:
- First, find out when the salon has a no-tipping policy. They may be rare, but they do exist, and you do not want to commit a faux pas simply by offering cash to your stylist! If such a policy is in place, it should say on the beauty salon's website; when it doubt, you can ask at the front desk. However, if the salon is not immediately forthcoming with the information, it's a safe bet that tipping is required.
- The standard rate for tipping your stylist is in the 15 to 20% range, before tax is added. While you do not want to go below 15%, you can go higher than 20 if he or she did an exceptional work, or if the procedure took a particular long time.
- As far as who you should tip, the stylist always comes first. You do not want to leave the salon without slipping them a little something extra! You do not need to tip the receptionist or the person who brings you a drink. However, both the shampoo person and the person who blow dries your hair should be tipped; generally, you can expect to give around $ 5 to the showerer and $ 10 to the blow dryer.
- If tip envelopes are provided, they should be used. Write your name and the name of the intended recipient on the outside, but never the dollar amount of the tip contained within. If no envelopes are provided, you do not need to bring your own; cash alone should be fine.
- The tip can be either left at the front desk (make sure to tell the receptionist who the recipient is) or handed directly to the recipient.
- Tipping the owner can be a bit iffy; while it's customary to at least offer a tip as you would for any other stylist, many owners refuse tips under any circumstances. To avoid any confusion, ask the receptionist wherever or not the owner accepts tips ahead of time.
- Holiday bonuses are usually welcome, but may not be necessary. It all depends on your level of familiarity with your stylist. If you do choose to give him or her something extra for the holidays, cash is always welcome, although a thoughtful gift tailored to their interests is also acceptable.
