Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Do you tip when you go to the hair salon?

39 replies

SerenityNowAKABleh · 18/12/2009 10:53

I've been wondering about this, as generally I don't (been going to the same salon for years) and last time I went the hair-washy guy looked disappointed in me. I worry about some kind of planned revenge.

Is it normal to?

OP posts:
Tizzyjacko · 18/12/2009 10:54

Nope.

BunnyLebowski · 18/12/2009 10:54

No they're fecking expensive enough!

feedthegoat · 18/12/2009 10:55

I have someone come to my house to cut my hair. I always give her a little extra.

vjg13 · 18/12/2009 10:56

Yes, I round it up by about 10% but less on a big highlight bill.

miche8 · 18/12/2009 11:01

i've started going to an expensive salon so no i no longer tip, i pay nearly £50 for just a cut and dry. They do free fringe trims, so i'm wondering should i tip when i have that done?

SerenityNowAKABleh · 18/12/2009 11:05

I've seen other people tip. But then, I was thinking about it afterwards - I think on some days my stylist cuts about 7/8 people's hair. If each gives him or his assistant £7/8 then they are getting up to another £300 a week. I then considered switching careers.

OP posts:
TillyMintSpy · 18/12/2009 11:14

Yes - about 15% to round it up to a fiver.

That is because I think my hairdresser does a good job, and they are not a fancy expensive place.

sh77 · 18/12/2009 11:17

Never. Already too expensive.

brimfull · 18/12/2009 11:51

Occasionally I do if I am feeling flush and have a fiver handy in my purse.
I don't feel obliged to , but do sometimes feel a twinge of guilt at not tipping the shampoo girl .

LynetteScavo · 18/12/2009 11:54

Never for me.

Usually for DCs

Pineapplechunks · 18/12/2009 11:55

Yes I do. I've been going to the same hairdresser for 15 years and he does a lovely job but is very reasonably priced so I think he deserves a little extra to know I appreciate him.

DecorHate · 18/12/2009 11:57

Maybe if I'm in just before Christmas but otherwise, no. Especially now when my haircut costs more than I earn in a day!

expatinscotland · 18/12/2009 11:57

No. Because I cut my hair myself.

Too expensive for women's cuts, even trims.

Bettymum · 18/12/2009 11:59

I always give my hairdresser a fiver, and the girl that does my colour a fiver. I've been going to the hairdresser for about 6 years and the colour girl for about 3. I don't know if they share it out with the hairwash girls - but often they do the hairwash themselves.

Earlybird · 18/12/2009 12:36

Imo, if you can't 'afford' to tip the hairdresser because it is too expensive, you need to go to a cheaper salon.

Tipping is part of their income - just as it is for waiters/waitresses in restaurants.

The only exception is if your hair is done by the salon owner.

jeep · 18/12/2009 12:37

yes usually a fiver but i don't go to a poncey salon

DuffyMoon · 18/12/2009 12:42

no....they earn more than me

expatinscotland · 18/12/2009 12:42

'Tipping is part of their income - just as it is for waiters/waitresses in restaurants.'

In the UK, that's not always the case.

In Scotland, there was a proposal to make it more like the US wrt wait staff, pay them under min wage with the difference to be made up in tips, but it failed.

LouHasSixWhiteBoomers · 18/12/2009 12:43

I had never heard of tipping the hairdresser until I moved to England. Never done it. The hairwash girl/boy is an apprentice. He/She is meant to be on crap wages, all apprentices are.

expatinscotland · 18/12/2009 12:43

but, then again, i don't go to salons and only go to restaurants that don't have wait staff.

SleighBelleDameSansMerci · 18/12/2009 12:53

I'm going against the grain here but I get my hair coloured every time I go so I give £10 to the colourist and £10 to the stylist. When I had one person do both I gave her £20. When I lived in London I did used to go to a very good salon with prices set accordingly and it started there. I live in Yorkshire now and although I pay less for my hair, I still tip the same amount. Now thinking I'm a bit stupid although I get excellent service!!!

lynniep · 18/12/2009 12:58

No I never add it to a card payment but if theres a tip box I may drop a coupe of quid in.

TheGoatofChristmasPast · 18/12/2009 12:59

i do, but only because she is v. good and her prices are v. reasonable.

NorkyButNice · 18/12/2009 13:13

Yes, every time.

If I have change I give a couple of quid to the hairwasher, then a fiver to the stylist.

I don't think it has to be a percentage of the total cost - I always tip the same whether I've spent 30 quid on a blow dry or 60 quid on a cut etc.

mrsshackleton · 18/12/2009 14:16

I usually give a tenner to the stylist and a fiver to the hairwasher, that's less than 10 per cent as my hair places are v swanky central London establishments but I think it's blimmign enough. Only if I have the right change on me, though, so sometimes no tips. I reckon it keeps everyone sweet