How did it go?
Everyone who worked on your hair gets their own tip. The stylist and the colorist each get a percentage of their own part of the bill; the shampoo assistant gets a few dollars in cash, handed to them directly.
Quick reference, common hair service totals
| Service total | 15% tip | 20% tip ★ | 25% tip | Total (20%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $7.50 | $10 | $12.50 | $60 |
| $75 | $11.25 | $15 | $18.75 | $90 |
| $100 | $15 | $20 | $25 | $120 |
| $125 | $18.75 | $25 | $31.25 | $150 |
| $150 | $22.50 | $30 | $37.50 | $180 |
| $200 | $30 | $40 | $50 | $240 |
| $250 | $37.50 | $50 | $62.50 | $300 |
| $300 | $45 | $60 | $75 | $360 |
| $350 | $52.50 | $70 | $87.50 | $420 |
How much should you tip a hair stylist?
Tip your stylist 20%. A $100 haircut and blowout is $20. A $200 color and cut is $40. Budget salon or high-end, same percentage.
Stylists either rent their chair (often $400–800 a week out of pocket) or split their earnings with the salon. Tips are a big part of what they actually take home.
For cheap services, set a $5 floor. If 20% of a $25 trim comes out to $5, that's still the right number.
Color, cut or both: who gets what
- Color vs cut: Color work is significantly more technical and time-intensive than a trim. A full balayage or color correction can take 3–5 hours. Tip 20% minimum on color; consider 22–25% for complex or time-heavy services.
- Multiple people: If a colorist applied your color and a different stylist did the cut and blowout, tip each person separately based on their service portion, not one combined tip split by the salon.
- Shampoo assistant: Always tip the assistant who shampoos and conditions your hair $3–5 in cash, separately from your stylist tip. They earn very low wages and tips are essential.
- Salon owner: Tipping the owner is now standard practice. Tip 15–20%, same as any other stylist. The old convention of not tipping owners has largely disappeared.
- Service duration: A 30-minute trim and a 4-hour color correction both deserve 20%, but the longer session also involved more physical effort, creative problem-solving, and scheduling commitment from your stylist.
Hair salon tipping etiquette
When multiple people work on your hair, tip each person individually. Tip your colorist and stylist separately based on each person's service cost. Hand the cash to each of them directly. Leaving one tip at the front desk and hoping it gets split right is risky.
If you're a regular, tip every visit rather than saving it for a big holiday tip. Stylists remember consistent clients. That usually means better scheduling and more care when you actually need a last-minute appointment.
If something's wrong with your hair, say something before you leave. Most stylists will fix it for free. If they do, still tip: 10–15% if the fix was partial, your normal amount if they made it right. Walking out without tipping after they helped you isn't fair.