It is still customary to tip hairdressers 20%, right?

[Kae]

Wasn't the $200 for 2 people. And 40%-45% is before taxes.

Kae

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I only use top professional hair stylists, so I tip 66%.

LMAO... NO way in H. E. Double Hockeysticks would I go there...Not worth the savings....ROFL

 

[MarkBarbieri]

LMAO... NO way in H. E. Double Hockeysticks would I go there...Not worth the savings....ROFL

I miss it. We moved too far away. I'm a non-prissy guy with short hair. I don't need much in the way of a haircut. This place was great. To keep the price low, they were fast. I could get in and out in under 10 minutes. They also didn't speak much English, so I didn't have to listen to inane barber chatter. Besides, they had "Top Professional Hair Stylists". How can you beat that?

 

[MinnieMe87]

Considering her cost for supplies was about $5-$10 dollars(not including booth rental), I'd say that is very generous.

My Hairdresser's supplies cost much more than that. (Yes I've asked her...we're close friends so she'll tell me those things..) She also owns the business, so any and all money she earns helps her keep things going. I tip because she's awesome at what she does and has never left me unhappy with my hair. She'll go above and beyond to make sure my hair is just the way I want it. THAT is what is worth the 20% tip.

 

[jaminmd]

Wasn't the $200 for 2 people. And 40%-45% is before taxes.

Kae

Yes, DD & I each got cut & highlighted for $200. I had a different (younger) stylist do DD's & when I left the tip, she had an odd expression on her face. That's why I asked if 20% was appropriate. I would have felt uncomfortable if I had undertipped. I always do 20% for my haircuts but haven't had a highlight since 2006, so I wasn't sure if the percentage expected had changed.

I've been shaving DH's head for years with clippers so it's no problem splurging on myself.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

Generally, I give $10 weather I'm just getting a $40-$50 cut, or cut, and highlights (which is about $170). Next time I get my hair done, which will be in mid December, I'm getting it dyed and (maybe) cut, and maybe highlighted. I'll see what it comes out to before I decide what to tip!

 

[merryweather20]

No offense, but it's like trying to compare a Mercedes to a Hundai and wondering if the cars are really that different. If a stylist is able to charge $200, it's because they are at the top of their field.

No one is forcing you to go to that level of stylist. If doing your hair at home works for you, great! I really mean that.

I go to one of the top stylists in NYC. She does such a fabulous job on my hair that I only have to get it cut like about 3 times a year. She knows how to cut according to the texture of my hair and the way my hair grows and naturally lays. Every time I've skimped and gone to someone cheaper, I live to regret it - almost right away. My hair never lays right.

Depending on how old you are, you may remember commercials back in the late 80's - 90's for Vidal Sassoon hair cuts & products. A model would turn her head back and forth and you'd see her hair swing back & forth around her head. Then she'd stop and you'd see the back of her head as the hair would magically fall naturally into place beautifully, without any stiff product to keep it in place or to helmet it in place. It was cut to the way the hair would naturally fall. That is Vidal Sassoon's signature hair cuts. Stylists come all over the world to study at his salon schools. Even seasoned cutters who've studied elsewhere. The cuts are worth every penny. My hairdresser is one of the top stylists at Vidal Sassoon. (It's one of my few splurges.)

Most stylists learned to cut on a mannequin's hair, where the synthetic hair is uniformly & symetrically sewn into the head. They also learn to cut according to generic techniques. That's why most people need so many styling products after their cut. To try to get the hair to look the way the hair was cut at the salon, rather than a cut that works with the hair you've got and the way it grows.

There are some haircuts that just will not work with my hair. I can't bring in a picture of someone with baby fine hair and can expect the same cut or style because my hair is not baby fine. My hairdresser will let me know that and will work with me to get a similar idea that I want, that will work with my hair, or will just tell me, that style is not going to work on me.

A $20 hairdresser will cut the style in the picture and then will use product to style the heck out of it to get that look in the chair. as soon as I wash it, it will never look that good again.

Instead, my hair goes out beautifully. So I end up getting two styles out of it. Shorter, right after she's cut it. And then I can let it grow out a couple inches and it still looks fabulous. Other people end up getting their hair cut sooner as it grows in shabbily. And they spend a lot on styling products. So money-wise, it probably works out the same.

I don't think of my stylist as being overpaid. She's experienced and has earned her level of pay. She fits me in at the last minute when shoe doesn't have to. I'm not one of her celebrity clients. But she treats me like one. I wouldn't think to tip her $10 because that's like putting cheap hub caps on a Mercedes.

Just because someone charges alot doesn't mean they're any good. Both times I've had friends with hair trouble its because the friend went to one of these $200 a cut places, and these were major problems where they had messed up with the dye and they had hair that was pink and blue. Once my grandmother fixed it for them, and another I took the girl to Supercuts. For the second one the fee for colour stripping the hair and all the fix-it work came to $27, my friend actually had the nerve to take it into the Fancy Schmancy place and ask for a reimbursement

 

[wilderness01]

Do you all tip if the person is the owner? My last cut, color and literally 6 foils in my head for highlights was $160. I was there for 1 hour and 45 minutes. I did not tip since she is the owner. I always tip at least 20% when I have gone to a stylist that doesn't own the business.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

BTW she tipped 20% not 40%, so the tip was $40 and not $80.

They were referring to this post by Kate on page one. "
Alot Stylists are not doing booth rental, they are lucky if they bring 40 to 45% after shop costs. 20% is a very nice tip." Sorry I don't know how to multi-quote. That's where the 40% came from.

Personally I think the OP was being extremely generous as well, especially in this economy.

 

[Tina]

I'm glad this thread was started because I'm wondering if I'm being cheap. Here is my situation:

I have my hair done by a woman recommended by my trainer at the gym (her best friend). She used to work in a local salon for about 10 years, but quit when she had her 2nd child. She now does hair out of her house, but not as a regular business. She did pick up a 2nd-hand professional chair and placed it in front of an antique vanity, but that's as close as it comes to a salon. She washes my hair in her kitchen sink. She only does one or two appointments per week.

She charges me $130 for a 2-color foil and a cut. I used to pay $90 + $20 tip at my old salon (great small town salon, but drive was too far). Since this is not a salon and its in her home (and the fact that its $40 more than my previous stylist), I don't tip at all. Am I wrong not to tip? I'm usually in her home for about 90 minutes on a Saturday. Her husband watches the kids while she works on my hair, but her (oh-so-cute!) toddler always wanders in to put little clips in her hair and whatnot. So its not exactly a professional atmosphere, but a very laid back and pleasant one. What are your thoughts?

 

[ajk912]

I can't agree more! A cut and highlights at my salon costs $230, and sometimes I end up tipping 4 people, depending upon who washes my hair, who glazes my hair. My colorist doesn't do cuts anymore. If I go out to eat at a diner, I expect to tip less than a 5 star restaurant. When it comes to hair, you have to wear it every day, and I'd rather know that I'm going to get great highlights (which look good for at least 4 months) and a great cut.

So $230 plus tip for 4 people? Wow. That seems like a lot of money to me. Even if it lasts 4 months..I am thinking, at the end of the year that's about a thousand dollars for a hairstyle. That's about half of a Disney vacation, or three new Coach purses..or one heck fo a shopping spree for a new wardrobe. Or a couple pairs of really nice shoes. I think in funny terms, I know.

DEFINITELY not saying it's wrong, I am just flabbergasted at the price of a hairstyle. It's just hair. But we all spend our money on different things, I know!

 

[wdwfan16]

So $230 plus tip for 4 people? Wow. That seems like a lot of money to me. Even if it lasts 4 months..I am thinking, at the end of the year that's about a thousand dollars for a hairstyle. That's about half of a Disney vacation, or three new Coach purses..or one heck fo a shopping spree for a new wardrobe. Or a couple pairs of really nice shoes. I think in funny terms, I know.

DEFINITELY not saying it's wrong, I am just flabbergasted at the price of a hairstyle. It's just hair. But we all spend our money on different things, I know!

$230 + 20% tip for a 1 year is $828 for 4 people to get haircuts. That is $207/person/year or $17.50/month. I don't see it as extravagant. My Disney vacation cost way more than $17.50/month for haircuts (even when all 4 have enough hair to cut. )

I don't see how any of the 1st bold is a better way to spend money than the haircut. All are about appearance.

Second bold - but a coach purse is just a purse, why spend that kind of money.

I am not a hairstylist and I have never bought a coach purse.

 

[Kae]

I've been shaving DH's head for years with clippers so it's no problem splurging on myself.

I hope he has been tipping you as nice as you tip

Kae

 

[IDoDis]

Do you all tip if the person is the owner? My last cut, color and literally 6 foils in my head for highlights was $160. I was there for 1 hour and 45 minutes. I did not tip since she is the owner. I always tip at least 20% when I have gone to a stylist that doesn't own the business.

I'm glad this thread was started because I'm wondering if I'm being cheap. Here is my situation:

I have my hair done by a woman recommended by my trainer at the gym (her best friend). She used to work in a local salon for about 10 years, but quit when she had her 2nd child. She now does hair out of her house, but not as a regular business. She did pick up a 2nd-hand professional chair and placed it in front of an antique vanity, but that's as close as it comes to a salon. She washes my hair in her kitchen sink. She only does one or two appointments per week.

She charges me $130 for a 2-color foil and a cut. I used to pay $90 + $20 tip at my old salon (great small town salon, but drive was too far). Since this is not a salon and its in her home (and the fact that its $40 more than my previous stylist), I don't tip at all. Am I wrong not to tip? I'm usually in her home for about 90 minutes on a Saturday. Her husband watches the kids while she works on my hair, but her (oh-so-cute!) toddler always wanders in to put little clips in her hair and whatnot. So its not exactly a professional atmosphere, but a very laid back and pleasant one. What are your thoughts?

I've often wondered about this myself. I have a friend who used to be in an expensive salon years ago, but after having kids, opened a salon in her garage. There's a section with a larger mirror, a hair-washing sink, salon chair, etc... She has it all painted and decorated really cute so it looks like a salon.

Her cuts are $20 and she does a fabulous job. All of my close friends go to her and whenever I'm there, I always seem to run into someone else I've known in the past. She's very popular and books up quickly so I always make my appointments well in advance.

I tip her around $3 each time. Then I started talking to some of the others who go to her and many of them said they don't tip since she sets her own prices and doesn't have a booth rental for overhead. If she wanted $25 $30, $40 a cut, she could charge that so why the tip? Now that I've been tipping her all these years, I can't just stop. Some other friends do tip her (more than I do), but many don't.

Recently she asked for her clients to start paying in cash (instead of a check -- she doesn't take credit cards). Knowing me, I rarely carry cash, but I do get $20 here & there from the store check-out machines after paying for merchandise. I wonder if taking only cash is going to affect the tips she does get. I know there may be times I won't have any extra bills in my purse for a tip if she only wants cash.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I'm glad this thread was started because I'm wondering if I'm being cheap. Here is my situation:

I have my hair done by a woman recommended by my trainer at the gym (her best friend). She used to work in a local salon for about 10 years, but quit when she had her 2nd child. She now does hair out of her house, but not as a regular business. She did pick up a 2nd-hand professional chair and placed it in front of an antique vanity, but that's as close as it comes to a salon. She washes my hair in her kitchen sink. She only does one or two appointments per week.

She charges me $130 for a 2-color foil and a cut. I used to pay $90 + $20 tip at my old salon (great small town salon, but drive was too far). Since this is not a salon and its in her home (and the fact that its $40 more than my previous stylist), I don't tip at all. Am I wrong not to tip? I'm usually in her home for about 90 minutes on a Saturday. Her husband watches the kids while she works on my hair, but her (oh-so-cute!) toddler always wanders in to put little clips in her hair and whatnot. So its not exactly a professional atmosphere, but a very laid back and pleasant one. What are your thoughts?

Since she is doing your hair in her home I don't think it's necessary to tip.

 

[Chernabog#1fan]

$230 + 20% tip for a 1 year is $828 for 4 people to get haircuts. That is $207/person/year or $17.50/month. I don't see it as extravagant. My Disney vacation cost way more than $17.50/month for haircuts (even when all 4 have enough hair to cut. )

I don't see how any of the 1st bold is a better way to spend money than the haircut. All are about appearance.

Second bold - but a coach purse is just a purse, why spend that kind of money.

I am not a hairstylist and I have never bought a coach purse.

The poster actually stated that it is $230 a haircut plus she tips 4 people, not that the cost is for 4 people to get their hair done.

 

[mjkacmom]

So $230 plus tip for 4 people? Wow. That seems like a lot of money to me. Even if it lasts 4 months..I am thinking, at the end of the year that's about a thousand dollars for a hairstyle. That's about half of a Disney vacation, or three new Coach purses..or one heck fo a shopping spree for a new wardrobe. Or a couple pairs of really nice shoes. I think in funny terms, I know.

DEFINITELY not saying it's wrong, I am just flabbergasted at the price of a hairstyle. It's just hair. But we all spend our money on different things, I know!

A lot of salons here cost between $50 - $70 a cut. I've been carrying the same Coach wristlet for 2 years, and I'm not into purses. Since we're a family of 7, no $2000 WDW vacation for us, anyway! I keep it shoulder length, and layered, to get more wear out of it. My mom keeps hers short, so she has to get it cut every 4 - 6 weeks, $70 a pop!

 

[Buckalew11]

$230 + 20% tip for a 1 year is $828 for 4 people to get haircuts. That is $207/person/year or $17.50/month. I don't see it as extravagant. My Disney vacation cost way more than $17.50/month for haircuts (even when all 4 have enough hair to cut. )

I don't see how any of the 1st bold is a better way to spend money than the haircut. All are about appearance.

Second bold - but a coach purse is just a purse, why spend that kind of money.

I am not a hairstylist and I have never bought a coach purse.

The poster actually stated that it is $230 a haircut plus she tips 4 people, not that the cost is for 4 people to get their hair done.

That was services for one person plus about 4 tips. colorist, cutter, shampoo person, blow-out person. That type thing.

I've often wondered about this myself. I have a friend who used to be in an expensive salon years ago, but after having kids, opened a salon in her garage. There's a section with a larger mirror, a hair-washing sink, salon chair, etc... She has it all painted and decorated really cute so it looks like a salon.

Her cuts are $20 and she does a fabulous job. All of my close friends go to her and whenever I'm there, I always seem to run into someone else I've known in the past. She's very popular and books up quickly so I always make my appointments well in advance.

I tip her around $3 each time. Then I started talking to some of the others who go to her and many of them said they don't tip since she sets her own prices and doesn't have a booth rental for overhead. If she wanted $25 $30, $40 a cut, she could charge that so why the tip? Now that I've been tipping her all these years, I can't just stop. Some other friends do tip her (more than I do), but many don't.

Recently she asked for her clients to start paying in cash (instead of a check -- she doesn't take credit cards). Knowing me, I rarely carry cash, but I do get $20 here & there from the store check-out machines after paying for merchandise. I wonder if taking only cash is going to affect the tips she does get. I know there may be times I won't have any extra bills in my purse for a tip if she only wants cash.

I suspect she wants cash because she's going to pocket it. Unless there would be another reason to ask to be paid in cash?
If I were you, I'd just keep doing it the way you were doing it. Obviously she is worth the extra couple dollars to you so I doubt I'd take that $ away from her now. $20.00 is a steal of a deal if she is giving a good haircut.
It is really, really hard to find good hairdressers. That's the reason I work alone and didn't open a shop and hire stylists. They are hard to come by and so much ego and drama that it isn't funny!!

And salon products aren't as costly as some of you all think they are. But knowing how to use them is why things cost so much!