How much to tip hair stylist?

[whimsicalmoon]

I've booked an appointment at quite a fancy salon in London for a couple of weeks' time. I've been having some hair issues and I need to start taking better care of it. The thing is, it's way way more expensive than what I'd usually spend. The cut and colour are going to come out at nearly £300! I'm justifying the expense as a worthwhile cost that could save further hassle down the road from going to somewhere cheap. The last place I went ruined my hair.

I imagine I'll be expected to tip on top of that, and it's stressing me out, as 1) I can't really afford to and 2) I have no idea how much is appropriate. The last time I went to an upscale place, they asked for 20% on the machine, which just felt mad. Would leaving an extra £10-15 look stingy? Would it be better not to tip at all? Is tipping mandatory?

I do a rough 10% but only if I like them and intend to go back!

And when I was younger snd poorer I did not tip

I think £10 is ok. I usually tip £5. Not everyone tips, even at high-end places.

Would you do so even if 10% would mean £30? I'm wondering whether people are still expected to tip percentages even on very high amounts.

I always give mine £5 (it goes to the junior mostly , and she seems to love me still). My hairdresser is cheap, I've seen us 3 girls to in for cuts and cut/colour for me for £60, absolute madness.

If you can't afford it don't go.

A new hairstyle with a new hairstylist is always going to be a bit of a gamble. If you are going to do it make sure you are very clear about what you don't want as well as what you want. Also I'm sure you've seen this persons work on social media but I find that all stylists have a certain look or style that they achieve so make sure you're happy with that. Eg. Every stylist at the salon I go to is dark brunette or black haired. Therefore although I find them brilliant, I wouldn't recommend them to a blond haired friend.

I can afford the haircut. I'm not sure I can afford a £30-60 tip on top, if that's what's expected.

I pay £75 for a cut and don't tip. I'm there for 1.5 hours max so feel like they're on a pretty good hourly rate!

Must admit I’ve never thought of tipping my hairdresser on a percentage basis. I always tip £5 and more at Christmas. My salon isn’t as expensive as yours though, I pay £140 for a balayage every three months and £48 for roots and a trim in between.

Is the person who's cutting different than the person who's colouring? If so I'd give them £10 each. If it's the same person doing everything give them £20

That's the thing...this is a 2-hour appointment and I'm paying £300. I don't make £150 an hour! £300 is several days' wage for me. I'm wondering if prices are high like this, if the tip is included.

Also, what's the etiquette if there's no tip option on the card machine? Are you supposed to tip in cash?

I think £10 is fine, the tip is on the basis that the hairdresser isn't making a good wage, at that cost I sincerely hope they are.

I pay about £65 for highlights and a cut. No way would I pay over £100 never mind nearly £300. I maybe put a couple of £ in the tip tin for the girl who washes my hair but don't tip the stylist (she is the owner of the salon)

I wouldn't tip after paying that price

I wouldn’t pay any tip. You’ve paid a reasonable (more than reasonable) amount. You don’t need to top it up.

Just pay the price of the cut and colour.

Don't tip if you can't afford it. Perhaps leave a great review on socials instead if you like your style? That's probably worth a lot more.

if you want to tip £5-£10 is absolutely ok! If you don’t, like others have said you’ve paid a lot for the service so shouldn’t feel bad. It isn’t compulsory to tip, I have been a hairdresser since I left college and not everyone tips, lots of people tip a few quid and everything is always appreciated.

My hairdresser charges £170 for a trim. I don’t tip her, but predominantly because it’s her own solo business. If she was an employee, I’d tip 30%.

My hairdresser works for herself and seems to jump from renting chairs from places to places . She also washes my hair .
So call me stingy but I don't tip her anything .
She also has lots of exotic holidays which I wouldn't be able to afford so
my few ££ of a tip isn't missed.

Quoting myself as I meant 20%, not 30.

£0. Wild to be paying an extra tip on any service in the UK tbh

I pay £300+ every few months for cut & colour (balayage). I don’t tip as I think it’s expensive enough already and I don’t know anyone else who does either.
Maybe if I was paying under £100 I would consider giving an extra £10/£20

Are you working with the salon owner, OP? If so the highly proper thing is not to tip. Although if there is a shampoo girl, IME she will be very appreciative of £5.

Otherwise you can do what you like, judging from the mixture of opinions on this thread.

I go to an expensive salon and I feel I'm paying more than enough for it. However I do sometimes tip €5. I assume they are on a good wage as they should be.

So my normal woman is £75 for a cut and I give her £10 if she also washes it. I once had it coloured (at a different place never again) and it was £200 - I gave her £20. I think 10% roughly (round up or down depending) is absolutely fine, though in your case I think £20 would do.

I don’t tip. I don’t get tipped (or even paid a decent wage - thanks NHS) for doing my job, why should they get tipped for doing the job they’re paid to do ?