Tipping my hair stylist

[Anonymous]

Ok, I just got my hair cut and the fact that Christmas is a few weeks away slipped my mind until I got to the salon. I have been seeing this stylist for about 6 months and I like her. The haircut was $60, I tipped her $30, and the shampoo gal (who is different every time) $5. I didn't have any more cash on me (I paid for the cut on a cc) so I couldn't give her more then. Honestly we are not flush this holiday season and even the $60 haircut is a bit of an extravagance for me. It's just about the only way I regularly spend money on myself though so I've kept it (and I feel so much better when I regularly get my hair cut). Anyway my question is, should I send her more money (in a card)? Should I get her a gift card and if so, for how much? I kind of feel like just tipping a little more probably wasn't enough, but I also don't have much more to give (usually tip $20 for the haircut).

WDYT?

[Anonymous]

Nothing, that's great. You tip 33% on a hair cut each and every time?

[Anonymous]

OP here: I always give her a $20. I know it's more than 20% or whatever, but she does a good job, and...I don't know I just do.

[Anonymous]

I say give what you can comfortably. Maybe next year you can give a little more if so inclined and able to do so financially.

[Anonymous]

OP, start tipping her $12, which is 20% and what is normal, and you might feel more flush next year.

Meanwhile, $30 is a lovely holiday tip.

[Anonymous]

I agree - the highest I would ever go on a tip is 20%, and that's if I only really like it. IMHO, you've been way too generous and I would't stress at all about giving more for the holidays. Sometimes I think that when people tip so generously, the recipient assumes you're loaded so they think it's no big deal.

[Anonymous]

Does everyone tip their hairstylist for the holidays? Is that expected?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does everyone tip their hairstylist for the holidays? Is that expected?

If I go in December, I tip. If not, I don't worry about it.

[Anonymous]

Don't go higher than 20% on a tip, OP. Then you strap yourself for the holidays. I think you answered your own question.

[Anonymous]

OP here: Yeah, maybe tipping higher than 20% all the time makes me feel like I should give more at the holidays, but I'm glad to see that people feel like the $30 is generous enough! I have always tended to tip on the high side although I am not careless or loose with my money otherwise. Maybe it's a holdover from all those years waiting tables.