It’s common in any service industry to say, “Tipping is not a city in China!” Gratuity is a very large part of the income for a barber or stylist. It also shows that you value this person’s service and the relationship between the two of you.
Much like a restaurant server who has regular customers, a barber orstylistmay often perform at a higher level for clients who tip well. But what are the customary rules for how much to tip your barber or stylist?
Generally speaking, for good service, you should tip 15 to 20 percent of the entire bill. Tip more for exceptional service or less for what you consider to be inadequate service.
Tipping is your way of saying “job well done,” so tip more if the person performing the service has gone above and beyond what is expected. If you don’t feel like you can tip well, it may be time tofire your barber or stylist, but if you like them and enjoy their service, tip as much as you can afford.
If someone works on you other than your barber or stylist (such as a shampoo person or shoe-shine person), give them a few dollars as well.
Tipping During the Holidays
During theholidays, it is generally acceptable to tip the normal cost of a visit. For example, if you normally pay $30 for a haircut, then you should tip them $30 before the holiday. It’s a nice way to say “thank you” for a year’s worth of great hair.
If you have a close relationship with your barber or stylist, you might also include a small personal gift that reflects his or her interests as well as a monetary gift.
When to Tip More
While it’s a subjective judgment, good service is when the barber or stylist listens carefully, has a pleasant attitude, and takes the amount of time necessary to give a great cut.
An exceptional barber or stylist will be engaging, entertaining, quick to offer suggestions on how to better wear your hair, and keep an immaculate work area. Tip more for exceptional service.
When to Tip Less
Barbers and stylists should receive less gratuity if their area is not clean, if they don’t listen well, or they rush through your haircut. Also, if they talk on the phone while performing your service, that’s simply rude and cause for less of a tip.
Of course, a bad haircut should also result in a lower tip. That said, if your barber or stylist is guilty of any of these offenses, find a new person to cut your hair.
Tipping the Owner
For many years, it was considered inappropriate totip the owner of a shop or salonwho also styled and cut your hair. But it’s done more and more, and most owners say that while they don’t expect tips, they always appreciate them. If you’d like to leave a tip for the owner but aren’t sure you should, take your cue from the receptionist when you pay your bill. If she asks if you’d like to leave a tip, that’s a signal that you may.
Why Tipping Really Matters
When you tip your barber or stylist well, it does not go unnoticed. It speaks volumes about how you appreciate their work.
Barbers know who theirgreat tippers are and will almost always go the extra mile to make sure customers know they’re appreciated. And tips just don’t have to be about money. Bring your stylist lunch or a coffee at your next appointment.
FAQs
On average, it is appropriate to tip your barber 20–25% of the entire service. It is very bad manners to not tip, the barber will think something is wrong with their work. If the service cost more than the quoted price, it's acceptable to drop the tip down to, but no lower than 15%.
How much do you tip an expensive barber? ›
Generally speaking, for good service, you should tip 15 to 20 percent of the entire bill. Tip more for exceptional service or less for what you consider to be inadequate service. Tipping is your way of saying “job well done,” so tip more if the person performing the service has gone above and beyond what is expected.
Is $10 a good tip for a hair stylist? ›
“$10 to $20 is generous,” Rivera said. “Most people will do $5.” Others said people should leave a similar tip to what they would leave at a restaurant. “I would say around 20% is fine,” said Adam Quintero, owner of Up Hair in the Castro.
How much do you tip for a $30 haircut? ›
For a $30 haircut, it is customary to tip your barber between 15-20% of the total service cost, which includes any additional services like coloring, styling, beard trims, or shaves. If the service was exceptional, you were late, the barber traveled to you, or during festive seasons, consider tipping 20% or more.
How much do you tip for a $40 haircut? ›
General Tipping Guidelines
The recommended tipping standard for barbers is 15-20% of the total cost of the haircut. This means that if your cut costs $40, you should tip between $6-$8. Of course, tipping is always at your discretion. Feel free to tip more or less, depending on those considerations above.
Is $50 a good tip for a hair stylist? ›
20 percent to 25 percent:
20 percent is the most common tipping percentage in the hair industry. Tipping anywhere from 20 to 25 percent is a great range for anyone who is a salon regular or just received a haircut they love. Tipping properly is a great way to strengthen the relationship with your stylist.
Is a $5 tip good for a haircut? ›
If she does a simple dry cut (a haircut without washing or shampooing first), she says that a $5-$10 tip is a great tip. That service takes her anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes, but rounding up to an hour would be the best thing to do. Certified Master Extension Specialist Kendra Ward agrees.
Is it rude not to tip a barber? ›
On average, it is appropriate to tip your barber 20–25% of the entire service. It is very bad manners to not tip, the barber will think something is wrong with their work.
Is $10 a good tip for a $50 haircut? ›
Here's a simple guide if quick math also isn't your strong suit: $25 service = $5 tip. $50 service = $10 tip. $100 service = $20 tip.
What is a good tip for a $60 haircut? ›
So, if your haircut costs $60.00, find 10% by moving the decimal one digit to the left. Ten percent of $60 is $6. Then double that $6 to arrive at your 20% tip: $12.
Remember the golden rule: "You should tip 20% on the entire service cost, not per individual," says Schweitzer. So if your haircut and blow-dry cost $40 total, and your color was $60, your total service cost comes to $100. That means you should tip $20 divided between the colorist and stylist.
Do you tip a barber if he owns the shop? ›
Only skip the tip if your barber is correcting an error from a previous appointment. Tip the owner of the shop the same 15-20% you'd offer a regular barber if they're the one cutting your hair.
Is 2 dollars a good tip for haircut? ›
Standard tip: A common recommendation is to tip around 20% of the total cost of the service. This is considered a standard tip for hairstylists. Consider the service: For specific services within a salon visit, such as shampooing or rinsing color, it is suggested to tip around $3 to $5 .
How much do you tip a barber for a $35 haircut? ›
RSM 1. I tip minimum 10. Often 20.
Is $10 a good tip for a barber? ›
Like any service, the quality of the haircut, trim or wax they provide carries the most weight on the tip amount. If you're happy with the job your barber did and feel they provided good service, a more generous tip of 20% - 25% is in order. If you feel you didn't get great service, you might tip 15% -18%.
Is 30 too much for a haircut? ›
Is 30 dollars expensive for a haircut? At $30, haircuts from chain salons and barbers are fairly standard.
What is a good tip for a $100 haircut? ›
Remember the golden rule: "You should tip 20% on the entire service cost, not per individual," says Schweitzer. So if your haircut and blow-dry cost $40 total, and your color was $60, your total service cost comes to $100. That means you should tip $20 divided between the colorist and stylist.
How much do you tip for a $300 haircut? ›
Generally, you should tip a hairdresser 20 percent if you're happy with all aspects of your service, says Hodges.
How much do you tip for a $200 hairstyle? ›
How Much to Tip Hairdresser or Barber: Standard Gratuity
| Total Bill | Industry Standard: 20% | Above and Beyond Service or Holiday Tip: 25% |
|---|
| $100 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| $150 | $30.00 | $37.50 |
| $200 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| $250 | $50.00 | $62.50 |
3 more rowsMar 14, 2024
So, if your haircut costs $60.00, find 10% by moving the decimal one digit to the left. Ten percent of $60 is $6. Then double that $6 to arrive at your 20% tip: $12.
