How much do you tip a shampoo girl?

[maggiew]

Even though I am trying to save money for our Disney trip, I went to a fancy salon to have my hair cut yesterday. My hair has been ruined the past 3 times I got it cut at a Great Clips cheap place. (Hair 1 inch different lengths across back. "Layers" in my hair to the point that people were asking what happened to my hair. etc.)

So I bit the bullet and went to a place where my hair cut was $55. I really like the cut and she did a great job. But, she also had a shampoo girl. I had no idea what to tip her?? I asked at the front desk when I paid what is typical and she said, "Whatever you feel appropriate." Thanks. So I gave her $4. Also, do you tip when she is done shampooing or at the end? I gave it at the end when I paid my bill. They just put all the charges (tips and all) on my Disney card. The shampoo was really great. It was really like a mini massage!!

Also, how much do you tip the hairdresser? I gave her $10. Is that in normal range???

Thanks,
Maggie

 

[pearlieq]

The shampoo girl usually gets $2-3 and the stylist gets 15-20% depending on how satisfied I am with the cut and the experience. I do it all at the end as well so I can charge it. My salon provides little envelopes for the sylists. It sounds like you were on track!

I will say, for in between trims/maintenance I've had great luck at Hair Cuttery salon--they do a really good job with the routine stuff and it's a lot cheaper than paying the stylist! If Great Clips is the WalMart of hair cuts, Hair Cuttery's kind of like Target, if you get what I mean.

 

[blondimom]

I usually give around $3.00 or the shampoo girl. I never charge the tips, though-I want to make sure they get their tips on hand-same with the stylist.

 

[geetey]

I go to the same salon for all of my cuts and highlights. Sometimes my stylist washes my hair, sometimes she doesn't (she cuts/trims someone else while I am under the dryer/getting washed). Since the person (another stylist without a customer) shampooing my hair doesn't 'do' anything special, I do not tip them seperately. For all I know they take turns shampooing for each other. I do leave a 20% tip and the salon does not provide any envelopes for each person. I certainly don't feel like I am being cheap or stingy.

 

[maggiew]

I think this girl was a dedicated shampoo girl. She was definitely not a stylist. She was a high school senior. We talked about going her going to college next fall, etc.

Maggie

 

[punkin]

Maybe I'm cheap. I only tipped $5 for the stylist and $2 for the shampoo girl. The cut and color I got was $49. It was a new sylist recomended by a friend.

 

[TLC371]

When I go to the salon, I usually will get my brows waxed and my hair cut on the same appointment. It's $40 for the hair cut, $12 for the brow wax. I'll tip my hair stylist $5, the brow girl $3 and the girl that shampoos my hair $2. My hair stylist and the girl who does my brows both know I'm pretty broke, and they said not to bother tipping them at all, they just want to make sure they keep me as a customer. So I tip what I can and they both understand.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I tip the shampoo girl $2, $3 if she puts the dye on.

I tip my stylist $5.

 

[spoon2003]

Cut is $45, stylist get $7 and shampoo get $3.

 

[Goofyta]

Since my stylist is the salon owner I don't tip him, but I do tip his shampoo girl, I give her $5.

 

[BostonTink85]

I tip about 20% for the stylist and a few bucks for the washer.

 

[patsal]

My stylist does everything so I just tip her 20%. However, I posed the question to my mom, a stylist, and she said $2 is customary for shampoo girl and 15-20% for all other services--if the person waxing your brows is not your stylist and the brow wax is like $12.00 giving 2-3 is customary so long as you are happy with the results.

 

[LoveWDW]

I heard also that you didn't tip the stylist if she was the owner, but I asked my stylist/owner, assuming that he'd say that no don't tip, but he indicated that a tip would be appropriate. I try to tip about 20%, but I only gave the shampoo girl a dollar, having read this thread, I'll up it to $2.

 

[mcgrawfan]

This is such a great thread. I have had the same question myself. I tip the stylist $10 or so and the shampoo girl $2. My salon has a drawer with cubbies for all of the employees and just puts their tip in the drawer. I think tipping is so uncomfortable. I am glad to just do it at the end of the services and not give it directly to the person.

 

[InstImpres]

Sounds like I am wrong in my time theory. My stylist can give me a cut in 15 minutes or charge the same and do a cut and fancey blow out and spend 30-40 minutes or a color and spend 45 minutes. I factor in how many "slots" I use up in the appointment book not the cost of the service. 15 minutes is 15 minutes to me.'

...and yes before you ask, though I usually tip 20% at a restuarant I will look at what we ordered, My DD and I have gotten out of Ruby Tuesdays for $15 and I feel $3 is adequate since we were there for an hour and they refilled the drinks many times.

Tipping is sooooooooooo subjective

 

[lila]

Please note, I am in NYC. Generally, I tip 20% for the stylist. $5 for the assistant (not always a girl), and $5 for the brow tweeze artist. At the end of the day, I want to tip these people well - my appearance is pretty important.

The assistant is definitely the biggest variable. I consistantly see the other 2 members of the staff, but I rarely have the same assistant twice as it's the highest turnover position at my salon. The assistants generally does the prep, the shampoo, sometimes pulls color thru, and offers drinks to me. If the assistant has little interaction or only shampoos me, sometimes I'll just tip $3. I usually won't chase them down if they have gone out to lunch, but if they are there, and they have done a good job and paid attention to me, I won't stiff them.

Sometimes I can't help but wonder why the assistant isn't tipped out by the stylist like a busboy is. I often feel as if the total tip I leave for hair services should be equal to 20% including the assistant, but I hate reducing my stylist's tip. Any stylists out there with an opinion?

 

[jdm]

Does anyone know for sure that the shampoo people aren't tipped out by the stylist? I go to a salon where the stylist does it all so I haven't been faced with this. I always tip 15 - 20% and usually a flat $20 for a highlight and cut which usually runs about $80.

I'm a server in a restaurant and it's our responsibility to tip out the people who assist us. I too wonder why it's not done that way in a salon, or is it?

Jenn

 

[maggiew]

The assistants generally does the prep, the shampoo, sometimes pulls color thru, and offers drinks to me. If the assistant has little interaction or only shampoos me, sometimes I'll just tip $3. I usually won't chase them down if they have gone out to lunch, but if they are there, and they have done a good job and paid attention to me, I won't stiff them.

OOOh. I am glad you brought this up. This is something else I wanted to ask. The assistant asked me twice if I wanted something to drink. Once when she greeted me and then once when she escorted me to the stylist where I waited for our consultation before my shampoo.

Do they charge you for the drink or are they just talking about a glass of water?? I do not want a cocktail, but I could have used a little water. But I was afraid they would bring out some $6 fancy water from France or something and I just am not willing to pay that much for a drink.

Maggie

 

[CheapMom]

My salon has coffee, tea, iced tea and water that they offer for free. They also have bottled juices, chai (sp), lates, espresso... that are available for a charge.

 

[we're all mad here]

My salon does not accept tips. A ladies haircut is $30 - $100 depending on the stylists level plus you get a mini facial and a scalp, arm and hand massage. Sooo relaing!