How Much to Tip Your Hairdresser | Capital One (2024)

February 28, 2023 |4 min read

    Your hair is cut, colored and styled. You’re looking and feeling good. But unlike the shampoo head massage that kicked off your appointment, paying the bill and knowing who to tip and how much can be a little stressful.

    And even though tipping may not be required, hairdressers, stylists and barbers often count on tips. Learn more about how much to tip your hairdresser and how to figure it out.

    Key takeaways

    • Tipping is one way to show appreciation for your hairdresser’s time and effort.
    • A 20% tip is a common go-to.
    • How well the service went usually helps people decide if they want to tip a bit above or below that.

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    Tipping etiquette in a hair salon

    Many service workers—including hairdressers and barbers—depend on tips. So it’s considered good etiquette to tip them and any other professionals that helped you during your salon visit.

    And when it comes to figuring out how much to tip, it’ll usually depend on the overall cost of services you’re receiving. So going to a higher-end salon with higher prices may mean larger tips. And the number of services you’re receiving will affect the total bill, too, which is going to affect the total tip amount.

      Should you tip other salon workers too?

      Depending on the services you plan to receive, you may get help from multiple professionals during your salon visit. These could include shampoo assistants, colorists, manicurists or other beauty specialists. InStyle says if they helped, they should receive a tip too.

      Emily Post recommends tipping 15%-20% total to be split among all the people who helped you. And Consumer Reports recommends tipping the shampooist $2-$5 and tipping the hairdresser, barber, manicurist or masseuse 10%-20% of the service charge.

        Do you still need to tip when you get a bad haircut?

        According to Consumer Reports, you should tip at least 15% of the service fee, even if the service wasn’t the best. Consumer Reports also says to “never skip a tip.” But, it adds, if your service was really bad, speak to the manager.

        Ultimately, the decision about whether or not to tip is up to you.

          What if you can’t afford a tip?

          If you can’t afford a tip, you may want to consider postponing your salon visit until you can. And to help you be better prepared for your next hair appointment, it may help to find a budgeting method that works for you.

          • Envelope budgeting can be a clearcut way to see how much money you have available for certain categories, like groceries, entertainment and grooming costs.
          • The 50/30/20 method is another type of budgeting that uses a general guideline of setting aside 50% of your income for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings.
          • Zero-based budgeting is another idea, where you start from scratch and decide where you want every dollar of your income to go.

          How do you calculate how much to tip a hairdresser?

          Here are two examples to show you how you can calculate tips:

          • Method 1: If your haircut was $60 and you want to leave a 20% tip, you can calculate how much that would be by moving the decimal one space to the left (to get 10% of that number) and then doubling the number (to take it from 10% to 20%).
          • Method 2: To do the math on your phone’s calculator, try taking the cost of the haircut ($60) and multiplying it by 0.2, which represents 20%.

          How Much to Tip Your Hairdresser | Capital One (1)

          Is it OK to tip 15%?

          Most sources say to tip around 15%-20%, so a 15% tip is probably OK in most situations. And ultimately, it’s up to you how much you want to tip your hairdresser, stylist or barber.

          But if you’re debating whether to tip a smaller amount because you’re not happy with your service, you can also consider speaking to the manager.

          Tipping hairdressers in a nutshell

          Whether you’re going to a new hair salon for the first time or you have a long-standing relationship with your hairdresser, tipping is a part of the experience. And it lets your hairdresser, barber or stylist know that you appreciate their time and skills.

          Before your next salon visit, it might help to consider learning how to budget. This can help ensure you’ll be able to afford the cost of your salon services, plus any tips you’d like to thank your stylist with.

          How Much to Tip Your Hairdresser | Capital One (2024)

          FAQs

          How Much to Tip Your Hairdresser | Capital One? ›

          Tipping is one way to show appreciation for your hairdresser's time and effort. A 20% tip may be standard, but the percentage can vary. More complex jobs or a stylist that went above and beyond might merit a bigger tip. If service was poor, a little less might be appropriate.

          Is $10 a good tip for a hair stylist? ›

          Standard tip: A common recommendation is to tip around 20% of the total cost of the service. This is considered a standard tip for hairstylists. Consider the service: For specific services within a salon visit, such as shampooing or rinsing color, it is suggested to tip around $3 to $5 .

          What is the correct amount to tip a hairdresser? ›

          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.

          Is $20 dollars a good tip for hairdresser? ›

          Remember the golden rule: "You should tip 20% 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.

          Is $5 a good tip for a hairdresser? ›

          So whether you get a basic trim, a blowout, or a major color change (like the super-trendy blue hair you've been saving on IG), 20 percent is a rule of thumb. Here's a simple guide if quick math also isn't your strong suit: $25 service = $5 tip. $50 service = $10 tip.

          Is a $5 tip good for a $20 haircut? ›

          Sure, $5 tip on $20 haircut is 25%, especially if that's what you'd give him/her for the same haircut if you didn't have a coupon.

          Is a $5 tip good for a $30 haircut? ›

          Generally speaking, for good service, you should tip 15 to 20 percent of the entire bill. Tip more for exceptional service or less for what you consider to be inadequate service. Tipping is your way of saying “job well done,” so tip more if the person performing the service has gone above and beyond what is expected.

          Is it rude to not tip a hairdresser? ›

          Do you still need to tip when you get a bad haircut? Consumer Reports also says to “never skip a tip.” But ultimately, it's up to you how much you want to tip your hairdresser, stylist or barber. Remember to think about the work that went into your appointment and the kind of service you received.

          Do I tip my hairdresser if he is the owner? ›

          My overall point is that it is not your job to scrutinize this person's business model and decide what her profit margin should be. If you choose to continue to patronize this business, yes – it is now considered standard to tip the person who cuts your hair, even if that person owns the business.

          How much should you tip for a pedicure? ›

          Length and complexity of service: Did you get a basic pedicure or add on extra treatments? Between 15-20% is OK for the basics. For more complex or detailed services like nail art or a full set of acrylics, 20-25% is appropriate. Location: Tipping norms may vary depending on the location and local culture.

          Is a $30 haircut expensive? ›

          So, let's get started with the topic “How much does a haircut cost at a barbershop?”. The average cost of a men's haircut in the US is $30, according to beardoholic, but it can vary widely based on things like location, experience level and services provided.

          Is $10 a good tip for a $20 haircut? ›

          “$10 to $20 is generous,” Rivera said. “Most people will do $5.” Others said people should leave a similar tip to what they would leave at a restaurant. “I would say around 20% is fine,” said Adam Quintero, owner of Up Hair in the Castro.

          Why is a hairdresser so expensive? ›

          Salons often use high-quality, professional-grade products that are more expensive than the ones you might find in a supermarket. These products are designed to be gentle on the hair, offer better results, and are often ethically sourced and produced. The use of such products is factored into the haircut prices.

          Is $5 a good tip for a $15 haircut? ›

          Although tipping is optional, it's always great to show your appreciation for great service with 15–20% of the total cost of the hair service. If your haircut costs a total of $25 but you have a $5 off coupon which means you pay $20 then you should tip on the total amount of the haircut before the discount.

          Is $55 a lot for a haircut? ›

          Average haircut price

          The average cost of a haircut is $15 to $75, depending on the location, salon type, and the stylist's experience. Your hair's length and texture may also affect the haircut price. The average price for a women's haircut is $45 to $75, while men's haircut prices range from $25 to $50.

          Do you tip shampoo girl separately? ›

          Tip everyone separately. In big salons, give at least $3 to $5 to the hair washer.

          How much should I tip for a $10 haircut? ›

          A normal tipping recommendation for a $10 haircut is 15% to 20%. If you feel that you received great service, you might tip more.

          How much should I tip for a $20 haircut? ›

          Depending on who you ask, you might receive a slightly different answer, but according to High End Barber Shop in New Jersey, the general guideline for tipping a barber is to leave between 15-20%. This can vary depending on how satisfied the client is with their service, but that's the general ballpark to aim for.

          Is $10 a good top? ›

          It can be good practice to tip between $2 and $10, according to Daniel Post Senning, spokesperson for the Emily Post Institute, an organization that specializes in etiquette.

          How much to tip $30 for a haircut? ›

          Should you tip 20% on a $30 haircut? For good service, it's customary to tip your barber 20% for a $30 haircut. The final amount you'd expect to pay is $36. Don't Overspend!

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