So, I gather the total bill was a surprise? I feel like hair stylists often don’t communicate prices very well. I know that has happened to me a few times, even just getting a cut. I do think you should know what the total cost will be before you get started. I think you may just have to ask point blank, what will the total cost be if we do everything you suggest?

I have not gone to the owner of a salon in a looonnng time. But I did for several years through high school, college, and even past occasionally when I was at “home.” She put any tips she received into a jar and divided them amongst the stylists who worked for her. So, no, I did not tip her.

I have a new stylist now, but for years I went to a woman who owned a "solo stylist" salon very near my old workplace. Loved her, but never tipped her. She never seemed to have a problem with that, and I never felt obligated (or guilty). I was willing to pay $50 for what amounted to a very basic trim, and I didn't feel compelled to add anything on top of that.

I've been to high-end salons in the past where I was surprised by the final bill. There's almost an air of "if you have to ask how much everything is, you can't afford to even be in this chair" in those places. I understand that a stylist may not know the full extent of the process required until work gets underway, but I don't think it at all unreasonable to be consulted along the way, instead of ending up with a surprise bill at the end.

I go to the owner and still tip

but. it's less than 20%-or I'd go broke. Not much less though.

it's more a token of my appreciation-I am a long time clent, and I do get special price, cheaper than listed price would be

with my tip I basically pay the difference between everybody's price-and mine:) And obviously it's still less than if I'd pay a regular price plus tip.

so we both feel we're doing something special lol

so, he has a good feeling about giving me special price. I have a good feeling about giving him a tip. I add to that a smaller tip to whoever might help on that day, sometimes it's just a lady who washes hair, sometimes somebody helps with color then it's more money. Sometimes I'd simply say "you'll know how to distribute it". It's very casual there.

The owner of my salon does my hair. I always tip her 20% because I'd tip any hairdresser that amount if I like the job they do.

My stylist seems to move every 18-24 months and I follow her wherever she goes. I know she rents her space and she washes, cuts, and styles my hair. I don't color mine. I think her price for the above is very reasonable--$65. I add a 20% tip. That's a decent price for getting my hair cut and styled.

Darsaj, except that as an owner her price is much higher. And, her price is a range. Non-owners have a price say $95 for a haircut and this is what is printed online.

From what I understand when I asked while checking out is that the next one will be the same process, but after that, I will not need the glaze. Glaze in this salon is twice the amount of other local salons.

She really took the time to correct the previous color, when I wash it I will see how the cut works, I will see how the color lasts and then go from there.

I guess I am having difficulty tipping on top of an already high price.

I tip 15-20% to owner. I don’t know if fair or not to those clients who don’t tip, but I think I get preferential treatment, ie last minute booking (if I have an emergency), more thorough haircut, maybe a deep conditioner.

i would not worry about tipping this time but if you think this is “the one”, tip from here on. After all, this was like a first date and your prerogative to tip (kiss) or not.

Eld6161 that’s very natural to feel that way.

20% tip on a $10 service is $2

20% tip on a $300 service is $60, it sounds like so much to me.

I go to a one-chair place, and the owner does the cut. Sometimes there is another woman there to shampoo. I only go 2-3 times per year for what amounts to a basic trim, but she is good with my curly hair. She also does bangs for free at any time during the year.

I always thought you didn't tip the owner, but I tip her 20% for 1) the shampoo person and 2) the fact that I get my bangs trimmed every couple of months for free.

I have no problem with tipping 20 percent on top of a high bill. It's no different from tipping 20 percent at an expensive restaurant versus a moderately priced one- it comes with the territory.

Tipping the owner, is another story for me. I don't know what to do. I think both positions are justified. No tipping because that is customary and tipping because others do it and you want to express appreciation as well ensure excellent service.

If this becomes your regular hairdresser, maybe you could bring a gift from time to time instead of a tip? A little something for various holidays.

I tip a very expensive hairdresser 20 percent and was unhappy to learn most of his clients tipped additionally at Christmas! I don't like how scroogie that just made me sound, but honestly there is a lot of tipping to do and I still have a lot of sympathy for my younger self who had a very hard time keeping up with it all.

eld6161, I understand. Her price does seem pretty high, especially by comparison to what my owner/stylist charges. I paid that type of payment once at a salon and I never went back. There are plenty of talented stylists out there who would charge much less. Check out reviews on line (Yelp, etc) before you try another stylist and then maybe ask for a consultation first. That way there are no surprises.

Ok...so maybe you live in a pricier place than I do, but even so...300+ for a color and glaze?????? Call me cheap but no, I wouldn’t have tipped and I wouldn’t have felt guilty about it.

And this is why I embraced the gray. I'm too cheap to get locked into multi-process color--that looks great BTW--with my fast-growing hair. On the other hand, the other day at Whole Foods a very nice looking man in his 60s stopped me and said he really liked the color of my hair.

I think those countries who do not have a tipping culture have the right idea. I do tip my current stylist (20%), and I always tip restaurant servers, etc. That said, I think our culture of tipping is out of control when it becomes an expectation that additional $ will be applied on top of the cost of certain services that are already expensive to begin with. I'm with you, Lukki.

LOL Bunny, I have a gray streak and I am struggling with what to do and just the other day I had the same thing happen at Whole Foods too ;-)

I used to go to the owner of a salon and if anyone handed him a tip, he would say no-- I am the owner, I don't take tips. Try handing the tip directly to her and see if she takes it. She shouldn't. At the salon I go to now, I put the tips in a little white envelope and slide it into a slot with her name. I go to the salon every 6 -7 weeks for single process color, a cut and blow dry. It costs $128 every time I go. I tip $15 which is not anywhere near 20 percent. However, since I go so frequently for both cut and color, I think it is fair. I also give her a nice cash gift at Christmas, She still seems to like me!

So, I say no, don't tip the owner. The other stylists are either renting a chair or paying a percentage of the money they bring in. It's different for the owner.

Rita, I am starting to feel that tipping a server in a restaurant is different than a hair stylist. There are some servers that don't get minimum wage and rely on tips. The stylist gets a percentage and then a tip which is hers exclusively.

Bossy, I think you get where I am going with this. I think I will see what happens after the third visit when it will become just a cut and color and go from there.

I think I am just tired of being generous even before I know what the quality will be. It looks good now, but I won't know until I wash and blow dry it myself. And, then I will look to see how the cut and color hold up.

I like having a local place to go.

On my trips to countries where tipping is not customary, I have always gotten the “you cheapskate” look from service providers b/c I don’t tip. Those people know about US tipping custom so they purse their lips when they realize Im gonna do like the Romans when in Rome and not tip them. My tip has never been refused in the no tip countries, on the occasions when I tipped prior to knowing I didn’t have to.

But I digress...

Drat, eld, that makes perfect sense.

A hairdresser who gets you and your hair is worth their weight in gold, IMO. I tip my hairdresser, who is also the salon owner. She gives me a great mid length bob which works with my fine hair. Having been the recipient of a few bad cuts in my lifetime, I would not blink an eye at paying her double her current price if it came to it.

I made the move to her as a few friends are clients and I always admire their cut, color and highlights. My hair is full salt and pepper, maybe just a bit more salt than pepper at this point. I do muse from time to time that I might like to go back to coloring my hair and she encourages me to leave it as she thinks it is on trend and looks good on me. Prior stylists discouraged me from even thinking about letting my hair go natural, which always made me feel like they were looking at the added service revenue as opposed to what may look good on me or work for my lifestyle.

Not sure how my friends handle the tip situation with her, might be a fun conversation over a glass of wine.

Just to clarify, I tip the owner b/c she’s the one that does my hair. If her associate did my hair, she’d get the tip, not the owner. And since I’m from the school of tipping to show my appreciation for a job well done, (vs tipping b/c she may not make enough), I wouldn’t tip a single penny if my hair was messed up, not rectifiable and she gave me attitude.

I'm from the country where such tipping is not customary

and-my hairdresser, he's from the same country:)

that's why it's so casual. We're sharing culture. You think in some other salon I'd exclaim upon seeing the first bill "oh wow..sorry I forgot to check your prices..I thought yours would be the same as in this NYC place that recommended you!" and they'd say "oh. you know, for you-let's make it cheaper" and put it in the computer so everybody who's manning the desk would know I have my own price?

(and yes I didn't check the prices, for real. stupid, I know. I just moved from NY to here. I had their number. Made an appointment. didn't cross my mind to make sure prices are the same.)

That's how I know this tip is most likely given to others too. I know the drill.

yes it's a high end salon-but it's very home like to me.

And yes he's a darn good stylist. It's about 40 min for him just working on my highlights. (and my hair is very short). And he always does it himself.

Was it some different place, less familiar, more uptight, "official" feeling-I'm not sure what I'd do.

Also. Upon arriving to US I had so little idea about how things here are regarding tipping-which are very different-and was scolded by friends and all that-and I really just didn't know. We don't leave tip for taxi drivers, or hairdressers, or manicurists..Not that I even had manicures(except for my wedding) until I got here. It's (or was) very here- thing..after two or three years here, I just started feeling different. From everybody else. Like I'm naked. Everybody got their nails done, and mine were ..exposed? lol

We do tip waiters. Our usual tip in restaraunts it's 10%, unless you want to give more

In short . I felt so guilty with me not knowing the rules at first, that I tend to tip generously. Since then. Still repenting for my sins))

with waiters even more so-I worked as a waitress myself when in school..I know what a difference a tip can make.

It is common here for each stylist to rent their station, so to my mind, they are all owners. I tip 20% plus a card or treat for my stylist's birthday and at Christmas.

I have gone to various salon owners since high school. I have never tipped them. The first one wouldn’t accept tips. The others, including my current hairdresser, do accept tips but they haven’t ever made me feel less for not tipping. Everyone understands the conundrum and understands that either option is acceptable. I do pay more to see the owner and I am assuming they are charging what they need to stay in business. I do give a considerable cash Christmas gift.

I always tip 20 percent when I go out for a meal but I never spend $128 on my share of a dinner out. If I tip my hairdresser 20 percent that is a $25.60 tip, so then the total comes to $153.60 every six weeks. If I only went three or four times a year, then that would be okay but since I go eight times a year, it's getting to be a lot of money.

Owner or not , a shampoo and cut is $35.00 in my area( most places) I tip $10.00. That is what I feel good about, (and can afford) that is more than most do, if I had her color my hair that is 65, and I would add another 10 , so I would pay $120 or so.

I also divide my tip between the stylist and the woman who applies the color and washes my hair.. if I tip $15, for example, I would give $10 to the stylist and $5 to the assistant. Is that what you do?

My cut, color is done by an owner, but she rents space. She's less expensive than other salons and I'm very happy with her. I give her a 20% tip.

The owner of my salon works there, but the other stylists rent chairs, so I think of them as self employed. I stopped coloring a few years ago, so it’s just wash, cut, blow dry. I always tip 20% and give a cash gift at holiday time. My current stylist is very reasonable, and she does a better job than I’ve had at some of the expensive area salons.

20% every time, every place, every state. I have gone to high end places here and in Europe and low end places her and there too. 20%. And of course a Christmas gift, not cash, a decoration and small beauty stuff. If I find a great stylist I hang on for dear life. I have found one here, finally. Actually two, a young guy who does an excellent glacé on my silver and a woman who does the most excellent bob. She also does a keratin treatment.when the kinks get out of (my) control.

Ded, in this salon the owner did both my color and my cut. I did tip the assistant who shampooed my hair and applied the glaze.

Louise, yes, I understand what you are saying, but with add-ons, the tip would have been $60.00. And, I really wasn't sure about the result.

I am still on the fence with this. This salon also charges double the amount that other similar ranked salons charge for the glaze. The glaze is something I used to do with each color, but will probably on do at this price at this place.

Basically, if I do cut, color and glaze, my bill will be $300. All things considered, this price is at least $50 more than the previous places where I included the 20% tip.

I think I am leaning toward Christmas gift if I stay with this salon. Once you start tipping, it sets a precedent. Both owners introduced themselves as owners when I walked in.

I once went to a salon and didn't realize that the woman cutting my hair was the owner. She never introduced herself as such and did not refuse when I gave her that first tip.

I think I am having a hard time justifying tipping at these high-end salons when it involves the owner.

I have a housekeeper who comes 2X a month. I don't tip her, I give her a Christmas gift. Why is this different than regularly scheduled hair appointments? I am talking only about the salons where service starts at $100 per and go up from there.

I've no idea whether has to do with tipping, just my subjective spontaneous thoughts

I was cleaning houses too in my youth(interesting how all these random jobs enrich one's experience), I know what a hard labor it is, and I forgive my cleaning lady driving me nuts with coming whenever she pleases, etc, because she's a nice person and a good cleaning lady and we grew attached. And of course I give her/her helpers Christmas gift and Easter gift

yet a great stylist-it's a level or artistry there. it's rarer. I embarrassed myself once by kissing a hand of my previous hair stylist in NYC(the one who recommended the current salon)...I don't know what I was thinking, I was just so happy and grateful to him I took his hand and kissed it. He looked very touched but very overwhelmed. The public was slightly puzzled))

I like my cleaning lady but I'm not kissing her hand when overcame by emotion)) Her hands have less of this magic power of transformation.

I had several great stylists in my life-I lost them only when either they moved or I moved away, and life taught me to ask for their reference on the next stylist wherever I go, in within their powers of course to give me that info.

In NYC I had to take a train and then subway to get to my stylist

Here, it's an hour drive without traffic and minimum two hours with. It's very tiresome to even to go there, to that salon of theirs.

Yet I go(much rarer than I should, because far away, and to save money), and I tip, and as you already know- I sometimes do silly things like kissing a stylist's hand in public))

It's not like I'm crazy to tip, of course, it's a lot of money. And they're much more affluent folks, these salon owners, than I could ever be. Like, they don't need this tip to survive. At all. Not on this top of the mountain they were able to get to.

But they're special kind of artists. That's how it is. Great stylist-whole different level. It's a very hard and often ungrateful job that takes years and passion to master and there's huge talent involved, in their case, a talent I was lucky to meet and am not about to loose until it depends on me

It's customarily to tip here-okay then I'll tip

It's not customarily to kiss one's hand)) especially-not for a woman to kiss a man's hand. In public. lol.

I'm just chanelling my appreciation in a culture-appropriate way)))

I think you should go with your gut- “I think I am leaning toward Christmas gift if I stay with this salon. Once you start tipping, it sets a precedent. Both owners introduced themselves as owners when I walked in.”

Out of curiosity, I googled tipping salon owners. Interesting thing after reading several pages of answers is they all say it’s an antiquated practice that should be done away with but no one gives a good reason why. The best reason was they are performing a service. Very true but most are, as in my case, charging significantly more for the service. I will stick with no tip/yes to Christmas cash gift.

I should have added that I tip regardless of the cost and regardless of ownership. When I needed my color corrected here it cost well over $300 +20% tip. Now that all of that has been taken care of I am going to a place much closer to where I live, with a slightly lower cost and I do my usual 20%. The way I see it, if I can't afford that 20% I likely can't afford that stylist/colorist. I save to get there at least a couple of times a year.

Louise, my thread is about tipping the owners. And, I seriously doubt that a stylist (not even an owner) would turn away a customer who doesn't tip.