Paying/tipping for fringe trim? What's the etiquette?

[largeprintagathachristie]

My usual pattern with haircuts is to have a "full" haircut, then a free fringe trim in between the next "full" haircut. This is spaced out over a few months; I don't need and can't really afford to have my hair cut often.

The last time I had the fringe trim, things seemed to have changed. It was definitely awkward on leaving, and the stylist I think said something like, "on this occasion there'll be no charge."

I tip a tenner at the full haircut. In my head, that kind of covered the fringe trim. But then I'm only going in every few months, so does the stylist (though it's the same one and we chat) even remember me and the tip? And should I be tipping again at the fringe trim?

Prices keep rising at the salon; just checked and it's now £77 for a haircut. London zone 3. Swear it was sixy-something last year.

Also I'd really like two fringe trims between each haircut, but that does feel cheeky? Does anyone do that, and how do you deal?

My hair is unfortunately a doddle for the hairdresser; it's thinning, so it's just a blunt trim of the ends.

Trimming my fringe myself is also an option, but I have a really strong cowlick and it's a curtain-ish fringe, so not that easy.

Just looked up a hairdresser, also London Zone 3, that I used to use.

Fringe trims clearly laid out in the pricing structure on their website - £10.00.

It's always been my understanding that fringe trims are free provided you're going to your usual hairdresser! I'd be inclined to just ask, at least then you know. The £10 charge on the other salons site might be the charge for someone that hasn't been to that hairdresser before. They probably waive it for regulars

My hairdresser encourages me to come in for free fringe trims because he hates it when I do it myself!

Where in zone 3 are you OP?

Stop tipping for the haircut and tip at the fringe trim instead?

I bring my hairdresser a “treat” (bag of Percy Pigs, bar of chocolate or similar) when he trims my fringe. I’ve just looked on their website and it’s on as a bookable service and states free.

I don't pay anything for fringe trim I just thank them and tell them I'll see them next visit.

I tip £10 for a free fringe trim. My hairdresser is moving to a policy of having had to have had a haircut in the last six weeks to get a free fringe trim. Life is expensive for these businesses now (my price for a cut has also gone up massively in the past 3 years in zone 3).

I'm sort of Walthamstow/Leyton-ish

Yes, I was thinking this would be tactical.

I haven’t had a fringe for a few years but think I used to tip £5-10 but it was advertised as free. If you felt awkward I would stop tipping at your main appointment and give the money at the fringe trim instead.

Mine never charges for a fringe trim but I do normally tip a fiver. It's definitely not expected though. I'm up north though and only pay about 80 quid max (depends exactly what I have) for colour, cut and finish.

I do (a terrible job of) my fringe myself, mostly to avoid this awkwardness.
Just charge me how much you want me to pay and let's forget tips!

EXACTLY! My fringe is now ridiculously long and unflattering and I have to do something, but it feels easier to cut it, i.e. make a hash of it myself, rather than navigate the awkwardness. And I just don't need a full haircut, particularly a £77 one.

Thanks to all on this thread - you're giving me a way forward and keeping me from grabbing the nail scissors today. I was pretty close :)

Buy some hairdressing scissors and do it yourself, just take your time. I started cutting my hair during covid and save a fortune.

If I was just having 'a blunt trim of the ends' I'd resent resent paying £77 and look for a cheaper hairdresser anyway.

I think if you are a regular customer, then the fringe trim should be included as part of the service. I used to have it where the owner of the salon (not a hairdresser) wanted to charge but my hairdresser thought it ridiculous and embarrassing. I'd go when the owner wasn't there. I definitely side with her because not charging encourages loyalty. My hairdresser was even offering to trim my hairline at the back of my neck between main cuts and for free when I had it very short, but I have been going to her for a long time.

I get my haircut every 7 weeks. In between I go for a fringe trim, it’s free but I tip my hairdresser £5. About one third of the time she doesn’t accept it.
I have tried going for two fringe trims between cuts but I could tell my hairdresser wasn’t keen on this so now I book my next appointment and at the same time my fringe for 3.5 weeks time.
Do not do it yourself OP. Don’t tip or tip £5 or less when you get it cut and use the saving towards the fringe trim.
I use two self gripping rollers on my fringe each morning, this is particularly good as it gets long.

I feel I am pretty good at tipping compared to what I sometimes read on MN but if I do go for a fringe cut in-between I don't tip as it literally is so quick.

Can I ask those who say they tip 5 for a fringe trim how much they tip when they get their full cut?