are you including a tip for your hairstylist in your budget

Are You Including a Tip For Your Hairstylist in Your Budget?

Tipping Backlash

I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten into a heated debate with someone over tipping for a service! So many people have different views on it. Some believe you should tip, some think you shouldn’t, and some will leave “advice tip!” But the truth of the matter is, honestly, tipping is essential, no matter what type of service you’re getting. But when you’re getting your hair styled at a salon, tipping is crucial! Although there are no signs posted stating customers need or should tip their stylist, they assume customer know. There’s a hidden world on tipping that many people aren’t aware of but have no worries, I’m here to discuss them! Continue reading below to find out why you should be tipping your hairstylist every time you get your hair done!

What is Tipping?

If the word tipping sounds foreign, you may be familiar with “gratuity” then. Both words have the same meaning. Tipping is when you provide additional money to whoever is serving you, on top of the original price. For example, if you get your hair done at a salon and it cost $55, you may want to pay a total of, say, $64 (rounding up) for the service. Now, I’m not here to teach math, just to shed some light on the world of tipping! Now, when some folks are scheduling their hair appointments, they don't always include a tip in their budget. Why do you ask? It’s either because they aren’t aware of the importance or they don’t want to. But we’re going to hope it’s because they don’t know they should. Tipping is essential because it’s a grand gesture that shows you appreciate the one who served you. Is it mandatory? Well, no, but it's always frowned upon when a customer doesn't give anything extra. Also, people who are in businesses that accept tips, often time go out of their way to provide excellent service. They typically have to give you a little more, than what’s expected, primarily because they need a tip. For some people, this is the part where they don’t agree. Some feel that it’s none of their business that a worker chooses a job, where most of their check comes from tips since they need suggestions. But if you look at the more significant scope, they wanted a profession where they believe if they go the extra mile for a customer, then the customer should appreciate that, and in return, tip.

The Importance of Tipping Your Hairstylist

Believe it or not, tipping can make or break a hairstylist! I know what you’re thinking, if they did a great job on your hair, you paid the $55 that’s due and walked out, what’s the problem? The problem is that hairstylist, who work in salons, have to pay a rental fee for their chair. Whoever owns that shop, is allowing the stylist to do hair there, for a monthly fee. On average, a hairstylist can pay anywhere from $400-$600 a month to the salon owner. However, depending on the owner, the location and many other factors, that number could be higher. So when you tip your stylist, part of that money goes in their pocket and the other part is put aside so they can pay their rental fee. Yes, I get it; it’s none of your business. But like I mentioned earlier, some people choose a profession where most of their earnings are tips because they do a little more than the everyday worker. When you’re sitting in that chair, that stylist has to make sure you look your very best. Many of them have spent years perfecting their craft so that they can wow their customers each time. So when you give that additional $8 to $10 tip, it shows just how much you appreciate them. Also, many hairstylists do a little more for their customers. They may offer to hang coats in a closet, provide drinks and even throw in an extra service without charge! So, as pure curiosity, their customers should honor all that their stylist does, and tip them accordingly.

What Happens if You Don’t Tip Your Stylist

Well, rumor has it that if you don’t tip your hair stylist, they will remember you! After doing some research, I found out that some salons keep a chart of information on each client. Similarly to how your Doctor holds a history of your medical records, well so does your hairstylist. They keep track of each service, specific conversation topics that were brought up and of course, if you tipped, and how much! Honestly, it’s a right thing stylist keep track because they most likely have so many customers, that it’s the only way to remember everyone. But when you book your next appointment, after you haven’t tipped from the last time, they aren’t happy. Some unnamed stylist has confessed and said they would intentionally cancel appointments, push them back or not give their best work, all because someone didn’t tip. I mean clearly, it’s serious business! So many stylists go out their way to provide excellent service to their awesome clients, and they deserve to get some appreciation after each service.

Hairstylist Need Their Return

Have you ever stopped to think about all the tools are products that are used to achieve that bomb styling you’re rocking? Well let me tell you, they were purchased and probably weren’t cheap. Hair stylists aren’t given a bucket of hair supplies, for free. They have spent their own money on great products to ensure they’re clients get the best experience. So a $20 flat iron may not produce the same effect compared to that $50 flat iron. Customers don’t realize that the reason they can fall in love with their hair is that the stylist had them in mind while they purchased terrific products. Therefore, when you think about tipping, think about all that is used to achieve the look you desire. Understand that tipping allows the hair stylist to see their return on those great products and tools.

Why You Should Tip Your Shampoo Girl

Okay, now that we have any understanding of why you should tip your hairstylist, let's discuss the shampoo girl! Honestly, that poor girl barely get’s any love in the salon, and it’s not right! Now, am I guilty of not tipping the shampoo girl? Yes! My hand gets raised, high! But it’s just as essential to tip her than it is to tip your stylist. It’s super rare if you find a hairstylist who will wash your hair before they begin styling it. It’s also rare if your stylist even blow-dries your hair! All of that preparation work comes from the shampoo girl. The shampoo person has a vital role in the salon. It’s their job to prep the client for their style session. If the client reaches the stylist with tangled hair, then something went wrong. Also, if a client decides they want their hair deep conditioned then it’s the shampoo girl who provides that service. They are mainly forgotten because once that client stands up and looks in the mirror and gets excited about their hair, they remember all that it took to accomplish it. Now I don’t think you need to go overboard and tip the shampoo girl the same amount as the stylist, but passing them an extra $2 to $3 wouldn’t hurt. A lot of them are in training to become a hairstylist so they work behind the scenes to learn what they can while practicing how to be professional and perfect their craft.

How to Tip Properly

You may be wondering, okay, I’ll start tipping but how much should it be? Well generally, it’s best to tip 15%, which is minimum. Remember, it’s 15% of whatever your original amount is. So the next time you are about to book your hair appointment, make sure to factor that dollar amount into the price, so you don’t think of it as something extra. You should think of it as something mandatory because you now understand how important it is to tip your stylist. Also, the tip amount may vary depending on the relationship you have with your hairstylist. Therefore, if you’re a new client and it’s your first appointment, you may want to keep it simple and stick to 15%. However, if your stylist knows everything about you and they have been styling your hair for years, it would be best to give more than 15%. A longtime client should speak volumes to the stylist and client! On the client's end, they should be grateful they have someone who performs a great job on their hair every time. As well as the stylist, a longtime client should make them go above and beyond.

Bigger Event, Bigger Tip

Yes, you read that correctly! The bigger your event is, the bigger your tip should be. For example, if you are getting married and you hire a stylist to come out and do your hair and most likely everyone in the bridal party, then your tip needs to be way more than 15%. When you are attending a significant function such as a wedding, it’s best to look at the entire situation. A stylist is doing your hair for a once and a lifetime event. Also, the bride will have to take photos all of that day, and the style and appearance of their hair will need to be amazing. You would want to say thank you to your stylist for adding to your special day.

Other Tipping Options

Okay, maybe you’re someone who can’t tip in a monetary form, that’s okay! There are other ways to tip your hairstylist that they will still greatly appreciate.

Leave a Review

Now a day, no matter where you go, your server is always asking you to please leave a review on their site. Although, many people, even myself at times, forget to fill out the survey. But it’s essential to leave a comment because it does nothing but improve that stylist's reputation. So when someone is on the Internet searching for their next stylist, they can spend time reading excellent reviews, which will help in their decision. Writing a review on a hair stylist doesn’t take a long time either. So if you take just a couple minutes to write an excellent review, it will do more than you will ever realize.

Referrals

Nothing says thank you to a hair stylist than more clients! If you aren’t able to leave a monetary tip for your hairstylist, please know that spreading the word about their services is just as beneficial. Also, most hair salons have a referral program that will also benefit the client if another customer gets their hair styled. Sometimes a client can receive a discount off of services or even get a style of their choice done for free. A stylist wouldn’t care so much that you didn’t tip if they can add a returning client to their contact list! Shoot, plus, that client may even tip more than the previous client if they were able to afford the extra fee. Nonetheless, spread the word about your stylist whether you tip or not!

You Get a Tip, and You Also Get a Tip

So, will you begin to add a tip in your budget the next time you make a hair appointment? Well, I sure hope so! It’s 2018, which means it’s time we start showing appreciation to those who go above and beyond for us. Yes, that includes our favorite hairstylist. They have spent years perfecting a craft that helps women all over the world look their best. They do whatever they can to make sure you look like the photo you brought in, too! Not to mention most of them are also therapist! They sit there enduring your life dramas while styling your hair. Whatever they do for you, it’s important to know they deserve a thank you, in some form. Hairstylists work in one of the most robust industries, and we as customers sometimes forget that. Do you tip your hairstylist every time they style your hair? If so, let me know below how much!
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