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Original poster

Home hairdresser etiquette

63 replies

catmania · 20/01/2023 15:30

I really hate going to the hairdressers so am thinking of opting for a home hairdresser to give me a wet cut. I know when you go to a salon its the done thing to give a tip to the stylist but do you tip a home stylist ?

OP posts:
avamiah · 20/01/2023 22:16

OldTinHat · 20/01/2023 21:50

My home hairdresser was more expensive than a salon even before a tip. I'm back at a salon and, with the tip, costs the same as a home visit and without the hair to sweep up!

I have had my hairdresser from the salon come to my home to do my mums hair when she wasn’t to well as getting her hair done always made her feel better.
However I used to wash her hair before she came and brushed up afterwards and still gave a tip .😶
I was just grateful that she came to the house and made my mum feel good as you can’t put a price on that.

Krakenes · 20/01/2023 23:58

Mushroo · 20/01/2023 19:49

I don’t know anyone who does tip their hairdresser! I think it’s a generational thing

Possibly, don’t think my parents tipped!

2bazookas · 21/01/2023 00:51

Fprince · 20/01/2023 19:26

It's not normal to tip hairdressers in the salon or at home in the UK.

It certainly is normal. I always tip mine because he's good.

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Furries · 21/01/2023 05:01

I wouldn’t tip a home hairdresser.

It would be my energy bills (water, heating, electricity etc). But I’d definitely provide refreshments, biscuits etc. if it was an evening appointment then I’d offer a sandwich/light meal (ie while colour was taking). And I’d always buy a small gift for Christmas.

Hollyhocksauce · 21/01/2023 05:35

Have you considered cooking her a steak?

Furries · 21/01/2023 05:46

Hollyhocksauce · 21/01/2023 05:35

Have you considered cooking her a steak?

🤣🤣 - that thread was comedy gold

Original poster
catmania · 21/01/2023 07:59

Thanks for the advice everyone. Seems to be 50/50 on tipping or not tipping.

OP posts:
watchingpullimgepisode6 · 21/01/2023 08:44

Hollyhocksauce · 21/01/2023 05:35

Have you considered cooking her a steak?

Haaaaa brilliant

MaitlandGirl · 21/01/2023 09:02

I always provide tea and cake to my hairdresser while the colour takes and round up to the nearest $10 note.

The tea and cake is because I’m a feeder and fill awkward silences with food! Rounding up to the nearest $10 makes it an approx 10% tip which I’m happy with.

I love my hairdresser and would do pretty much anything to keep her.

HallieHufflepuff · 21/01/2023 09:05

@Fprince Thank you! I was worried for a moment.
I used to tip (Give £30, you can keep the extra £5) but it's been going up and up so now it's over £30 I just pay the price asked.

I do give a tip at Christmas though.

Itsbeginingtolookalotlikechristma · 21/01/2023 09:13

I visit my hairdresser every week for a blow dry and every ninth week I have lowlights and a cut.
I don't tip, but for Christmas and her birthday I spend £50 and £25 respectively on her.

mondaytosunday · 21/01/2023 09:19

Ive always tipped at a salon, giving a quid or two to the washer and 10% to stylist. If the owner is styling you don't tip.
But someone coming to your home is (most likely) working for themselves and has no overheads (other than transport). They don't wash your hair, so they don't provide shampoo or conditioner. They don't clean up after either! Anyone I've used charges similar to the salon. So no tip.
As for the argument 'you don't tip the cashier at Tesco'. They are not providing a personal service up of 45 min to hour or more.
Though there are interesting anomalies to my reasoning. I have a self employed personal trainer, and as such I don't tip her. But what if she worked for a gym? She is providing a personal service. They do not pocket the amount extra I am paying. But I wouldn't tip them either. (Though I guess I'd use a PT at least a couple times a week, and I only use a hairdresser once every two or three months). So I'll fall back on convention: tip the hairdressers in a salon, but not a self employed one who comes to your home.

SantaOnFanta · 21/01/2023 09:29

I'm always nervous to tip after tipping one and her facial expression went from smiley to extremely pissed off. I never understood as the tip wasn't small. I was so cross by her ungrateful reaction! So I stopped tipping her and the service got worse and I left.

I had a cut recently and was £38, I gave her £40 cash and said to keep the change.

SpeckledlyHen · 21/01/2023 09:35

Fprince · 20/01/2023 19:26

It's not normal to tip hairdressers in the salon or at home in the UK.

I’m guessing you don’t live in the UK as it’s entirely normal to tip hairdressers here

WrendaleCountryDogs · 21/01/2023 09:40

I have never tipped my hair dresser. She runs the salon alone so the money I pay her is hers alone.

LabradorEyes · 21/01/2023 14:32

I never tip my hairdresser. I pay £95 for a cut. That's more than enough, I think

purplecorkheart · 21/01/2023 14:45

My stylist has given up working in a salon and now works from home. I always tip and normally bring a small gift. Their prices are very reasonable and they are probably one of the nicest people I know.

purplecorkheart · 21/01/2023 14:49

For having a hairdresser at home make sure your have clear surface to lay out their tools and easy access to sockets. Have the area they will be working with out trip hazards and keep pets from jumping on them. Offer tea/coffee/water but don't be offended if they bring there own.

Fprince · 21/01/2023 16:17

purplecorkheart · 21/01/2023 14:45

My stylist has given up working in a salon and now works from home. I always tip and normally bring a small gift. Their prices are very reasonable and they are probably one of the nicest people I know.

Bring a small gift as well as a tip! This is madness!

Headabovetheparakeet · 21/01/2023 16:22

@purplecorkheart

What kind of gift?

pocketvenuss · 21/01/2023 17:48

Fprince · 20/01/2023 19:26

It's not normal to tip hairdressers in the salon or at home in the UK.

Er yes it is. Salon defo at least 10%. Home I'm not so sure. They keep it all so a tip is a bit pointless. In a salon they only make a % of the price. The rest goes to the salon owner

pocketvenuss · 21/01/2023 17:49

Greensleevevssnotnose · 20/01/2023 21:54

I tip my hairdresser £20 at Christmas and a fiver every visit. The lady who does extensions at my home I don't tip.

Why?

ClockingTime · 21/01/2023 17:53

I've always tipped my hairdresser.
I've never had a home hairdresser, but I probably would tip if I did.

Feelsweird · 21/01/2023 18:00

I never tip a hairdresser because it is extraordinarily expensive to start with and I only ever need a teeny trim (max 30 mins from walking in and out including the compulsory painful blow-dry), min £60 for the 'pleasure' - I hate having my hair 'done'

purplecorkheart · 21/01/2023 18:00

Headabovetheparakeet · 21/01/2023 16:22

@purplecorkheart

What kind of gift?

They are a massive fan of candles so something like that. They also love their garden and I have a relative who has a very established garden who are happy for me to take cuttings from plants. Sometimes it might be some cakes from a coffee shop near my work that do fab cakes but sell out quickly.

My stylist is lovely and is happy to see me after work or before work so I don't have to use my day off.