Hairdressers- teach me how to tip

[Nishky]

This is something I always find awkward, I am quite socially awkward anyway but for some reason this reduces me to total panic and I don't do it at all, but then feel bad about it.

I have changed my hairdresser recently- I had it cut a few weeks ago and love it. Today I had it coloured by someone different and someone else, I think a trainee, blowdryed it. I love it and wanted to tip, but became all panicked and didn't.

So questions

1. How much
2. How to hand it over
3. I intend to stay with this salon - would it be odd to start tipping having not done it on first visit
4. I left a book there so have to go back this week to collect it, could I say 'oh I was so excited by my hair I forgot to leave my tip' and do it then. Or is that just odd and I should leave it until next time.

Zoiks. I pay £250 for my cut and colour and tip the young girl who washes my hair £20... nothing for my stylist, I think she's earning enough

Everyone tips differently- some clients chase after me once they've paid and hand £1-5 with thanks. Some try to add to card bill which we can't accept so give change or say they'll pop back another time. Some round up and say keep the change, some give it to the receptionists who put it aside. There's not really one way to do it or a set amount. The only time I feel awkward is if I feel the tip is too much and get into a cringey to and fro of "are you sure?" "Did you mean to give this much?" "Do you want me to change this for something smaller?!".
Or if someone doesn't have change and apologises profusely for not tipping. I don't always take my own bill so not always sure who's tipped anyway. I know the majority of my clients don't and it makes NO DIFFERENCE! Some have followed me from when I use to charge a fiver whilst training and are coming now regularly paying £55 and upwards. I think that's the biggest compliment for me.

Oh actually, a couple of times someone has just left a pound/two pound at my cutting station discreetly. I notice when sweeping and unsure if it's a tip or not and feel guilty I can't say thanks if it is a tip.

Thanks for responding MoBro- nice to get insight from the hairdresser''s perspective

just don't do it! just pay the price

That is what I do
i CBA with propping up shoddy wage schemes