How Much Should You Tip Your Hairdresser?

When you need a mane makeover, you likely consider your hairdresser your saving grace for making sure your strands perfectly complement your beauty look. Whether you’re trying out a new haircut, fixing an at-home hair color gone wrong, or going in for a flawless blowout, most of us can agree that our hairdressers have been there for us through thick and thin—not to mention acting as an ear to listen about the latest drama going on in our lives! That being said, you may not know how to best show your stylist you value them, leading to the need to ask, “How much do you tip a hairdresser?” With all they do, it can be tricky to put a price on. Below, we’re sharing everything you need to know about tipping hairdressers, from tipping your actual stylist to tipping the assistant, so you can tip with confidence.

HOW MUCH DO YOU TIP A SALON ASSISTANT?

Oftentimes, we tend to be so focused on our actual stylist that we forget about the salon assistants that contribute to the ultimate #hairgoals outcome. Whether it's the shampoo girl washing your locks and executing a soothing scalp massage or an assistant making sure your stylist has all the equipment they need, everyone who works on your mane should be tipped. If you think your tip to your stylist is being distributed amongst all the people who worked on your hair in a similar fashion to hostesses and bussers being tipped out at a restaurant, this likely isn’t the case. Your best bet is to tip each individual separately. How much do you tip a salon assistant? It’s really up to your discretion and how much you enjoyed the experience (going back to that soothing scalp massage). Typically, around $10 is sufficient.

HOW MUCH DO YOU TIP A HAIRSTYLIST?

What about how much to tip a hairdresser? When it comes to your actual hairstylist, you’ll (of course) want to tip a little more. Think about it: They spend so much time making sure your locks are expertly cut and colored—not to mention many popular hair coloring techniques, like babylights, take hours of labor to apply—let alone develop, tone, and style! As a general rule of thumb, you should tip your hairdresser anywhere between 15 to 25 percent and up—depending on how satisfied you are with the experience. Tipping your hairdresser not only lets them know you’re happy with the outcome, but it’ll help form a relationship that’ll come in handy when you need to be squeezed in for a last-minute appointment. Showing your appreciation goes a long way!

WHAT IF YOUR HAIRDRESSER CUTS YOU A DEAL?

If you go to the same hairdresser every time, you might find that they start cutting you a deal or allow you to keep paying the same price even as their fees rise with inflation over time. If this is the case, remember not to tip based on the number you’re being charged. Instead, tip on their standard fee. You’ll still be getting a deal, but you’ll also be giving a fair tip.

HOW MUCH DO YOU TIP AS A HAIR MODEL?

What if you’re a hair model for a hair cutting, styling, or coloring service? If you’re volunteering your strands to an apprentice looking to gain experience, the rules are a little different—though not too much. While the individual doing your hair may not have the years of experience you’re used to, it’s important to keep in mind that they’re doing your hair for free to gain that experience—and likely won’t have a full-time income while doing so. If you’re satisfied with the outcome of your strands, tip them anywhere from 15 to 25 percent of what the bill would have come to. This holds especially true for those time-consuming highlighting techniques. After all, you’re getting the service done for free!

DO YOU HAVE TO TIP IF YOU AREN’T SATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOME?

If you go to the salon to get your hair done and end up with a hair horror story, you certainly don’t have to tip. So long as the results are not what was promised, the purpose of going to the salon is to leave with beautiful hair that you love! Rather than leave unsatisfied, let your stylist know right away about your disappointment so they can attempt to resolve any issues. If you’re happy with the outcome when all is said and done, you can tip based on your own discretion. 

Now that you know about hair tipping etiquette 101, learn the answer to another major question: How Often Can You Dye Your Hair?