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If you tip your hairdresser...

41 replies

cranberryhaddock · 27/03/2026 10:58

...do you tip their junior/whoever washes your hair if not the hairdresser, as well?

I always tip my hairdresser a fiver but I'm never sure what to do if someone else has washed my hair. Tipping £2.50 feels vaguely insulting (not necessarily a junior, at the salon I currently go to) but I can't afford to raise my tips. How do other people get around this?

OP posts:
RollOnSunshine · 27/03/2026 11:18

How do I get around it?

By not doing it.

cramptramp · 27/03/2026 11:19

Just tip what you can afford. A junior will be pleased to get anything.

madcatters · 27/03/2026 11:21

I would far rather tip the junior than the hairdresser.

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TMFF · 27/03/2026 11:21

I don't tip the hairdresser because I only have a wet cut that takes about 15 mins max.

But if it's washed by a junior/apprentice I normally give them £2 before leaving.

Many years ago I used to wash hair in a hairdressers and the tips used to really add up.

Ilovecheeseyah · 27/03/2026 11:21

I don’t and I feel bad

JustAnotherDayWorkingAtHome · 27/03/2026 11:24

I am sat in hairdresser just contemplating this. I don’t tip as you can’t add to card and I never have cash. But I just saw a woman paying and tipping. I feel bad. Not even sure what is right amount.

cranberryhaddock · 27/03/2026 11:39

Oops, it looks like I've set off a guilt wave... glad it's not just me though. 😄

The lady who sometimes washes my hair is an older lady who's also a fully trained hairdresser, that's partly why it feels a bit odd just bunging her a couple of quid. This time I'm thinking of adding x amount on to my payment and telling the hairdresser (who is the salon owner) to split it between herself and the other lady however she wants, but it feels a bit like passing the buck... I'm probably overthinking it though.

OP posts:
Plantainpusher · 27/03/2026 11:43

Could you ask of there's a tip box for the junior washer and put some money in that?

PawMaw · 27/03/2026 11:46

cranberryhaddock · 27/03/2026 11:39

Oops, it looks like I've set off a guilt wave... glad it's not just me though. 😄

The lady who sometimes washes my hair is an older lady who's also a fully trained hairdresser, that's partly why it feels a bit odd just bunging her a couple of quid. This time I'm thinking of adding x amount on to my payment and telling the hairdresser (who is the salon owner) to split it between herself and the other lady however she wants, but it feels a bit like passing the buck... I'm probably overthinking it though.

This is exactly what I done last week, paid by card then handed the hair dresser £10 and just said that was for her and the junior. She said she would spilt it and give the girl £5

TalulahJP · 27/03/2026 11:48

i always just add roughly 10% to the bill if im happy with the service and round it to the nearest pound. i presume they pool and split the tips.

CatrionaBalfour · 27/03/2026 11:48

I don't tip the hairdresser. They set the prices, I pay them. That's it.

Myoldbear · 27/03/2026 11:51

I just ask my hairdresser to add on X amount 'for the box' which they distribute as they want.

The Salon's very friendly and well run, so I know it will be fair.

CharlotteAlexander · 27/03/2026 12:10

I only tip at Christmas, but if I was to tip, I would tip both the hairdresser and the person who washes

Edenmum2 · 27/03/2026 12:18

JustAnotherDayWorkingAtHome · 27/03/2026 11:24

I am sat in hairdresser just contemplating this. I don’t tip as you can’t add to card and I never have cash. But I just saw a woman paying and tipping. I feel bad. Not even sure what is right amount.

i always just add to card

CatrionaBalfour · 27/03/2026 12:21

Edenmum2 · 27/03/2026 12:18

i always just add to card

What amount?

Fupoffyagrasshole · 27/03/2026 12:22

I’m paying 70£ for a hair cut now I’m not tipping on top of that ! They should be paying their staff properly if they making that per customer per hour

CatrionaBalfour · 27/03/2026 12:23

Fupoffyagrasshole · 27/03/2026 12:22

I’m paying 70£ for a hair cut now I’m not tipping on top of that ! They should be paying their staff properly if they making that per customer per hour

Edited

That's what I think - I pay £85 for a cut.

TheDameHelenShiteingMirren · 27/03/2026 12:24

Oops, it looks like I've set off a guilt wave

I'm going to ask for one of them the next time I'm making an appointment 💇

Edenmum2 · 27/03/2026 12:27

CatrionaBalfour · 27/03/2026 12:21

What amount?

10% ish usually

JadeSeahorse · 27/03/2026 12:29

DH and I both go together - we're oldies now 😁 -
to the same unisex hairdresser in the village. It
Is run just by the owner who has become a good friend over the years. We both have a dry cut every 7-8 weeks and she is extremely reasonable price wise so we just round it up to the next £10.

MadisonAvenue · 27/03/2026 12:30

I’m now paying £30 for a dry cut which takes 15 minutes at the most so I no longer tip.
I do take my hairdresser a bottle of wine at Christmas though.

Buscobel · 27/03/2026 13:36

My hairdresser owns the business. He’s about to buy a brand new car. He has expensive tastes in clothes, bags and home furnishings. I’m already funding those, so I don’t offer anything else.

StormyLandCloud · 27/03/2026 14:03

It depends on what they do, yesterday I barely had anyone help my hairdresser with my cut and colour so I just tipped her £10, but during a keratin treatment I’ll tip the junior £5 as they have a definite job with this hair treatment

heavensentyou · 27/03/2026 14:05

Fupoffyagrasshole · 27/03/2026 12:22

I’m paying 70£ for a hair cut now I’m not tipping on top of that ! They should be paying their staff properly if they making that per customer per hour

Edited

Same. I pay around £80 every time I go.

Thats £80 for an hours work (often less than that). I am not giving them extra 🤣

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 27/03/2026 14:05

I don’t as they earn well don’t they?