- Standard tip: 20% of the total service cost is the general rule—go up to 22–25% for long color sessions or last-minute appointments.
- Cash or card: Cash tips are always appreciated, but some salons accept Venmo/Zelle or add gratuity via card—check before your visit.
- Assistants & holidays: Tip assistants $5–$10 if they help with washing or treatments, and consider a little extra (around 30%) during the holidays to show appreciation.
There’s no better feeling than sitting in the salon chair, admiring your fresh short haircut, voluminous blowout, or new hair color, ready to take on the world as your hairstylist snaps a few photos of their fabulous work. But then it’s time to pay, and you realize you have no idea how much to tip.
I get it—the math can be confusing, and it brings up a whole wave of questions: Is it rude not to tip my hairdresser? Do I tip based on the time spent or the price of the service? And how much is too much?
No need to fret, especially if you’re reading this mid-trim or while getting your hair washed. I spoke with hairdressers for their professional recommendations on tipping your stylist, and broke down every question you might have, below. Keep reading for everything from how much to give, whether you should use cash, and answers to all the other burning questions that might (but shouldn’t!) stress you out as they remove the cape.
How much should you tip a hairdresser?
"Generally, you should tip a hairdresser 20 percent if you’re happy with all aspects of your service," says Chicago-based hairstylist Leigh Hardges. So, whether you get a basic trim, an updo for a special occasion, or a major color change, 20 percent is a good rule of thumb for everything. Here’s a simple guide:
- $50 service = $10 tip
- $100 service = $20 tip
- $150 service = $30 tip
- $200 service = $40 tip
- $300 service = $60 tip
When it comes to hair color, however, it’s nice to keep in mind how many hours you spend at the salon. Hardges says in general, salons will charge accordingly if it's a longer service, so the 20 percent rule should suffice. But, if your hairstylist is spending more than three hours straight painting your strands or dyeing your hair, you should consider tipping closer to 22 or 25 percent—especially if you're obsessed with the end result.
And although 20 percent is generally a good guideline, you might consider tipping a bit more if you’re a client who can be particular (no shame, we know you want your hair to look perfect). Hardges says if you know you're a client who can be especially specific, or if you're running late or asked to get squeezed in at the last minute, it’s considerate to tip slightly more than 20 percent for the inconveniences.
What if you can’t afford to tip your hairdresser?
If you can’t afford to tip your hairdresser, you should look into salons that charge less, or wait until you have enough money to tip properly. Tipping is customary at salons, so it helps to think of your total cost as the service price plus the tip. This way, you can budget more accurately before your appointment.
"Leaving a tip is pretty standard to show appreciation for the effort and level of skill for the service provided," explains NYC-based hairstylist Tory Wells. "I understand that certain services can be expensive, especially when the tip itself is close to $100, but hair is a luxury service."
We tip hairdressers as a way to show how much you appreciate their skills, but also the relationship and their time. Your hairstylist does more than simply style your hair. They go out of their way to make you feel comfortable, offer you a drink, sanitize the station, and potentially act as a makeshift therapist, depending on your relationship.
If you have a long-standing relationship with your hairdresser and your financial situation has changed, be open with them. When/if you can afford to tip more in the future, do so.
Should I tip a hairdresser even if I don’t like my hair?
You should still leave a tip, even if you don’t like your hair (granted tipping is, of course, not mandatory). Think of 20 percent as the marker of a great service, so you could tip 15 percent if you weren’t totally pleased. Ideally, though, tell your hairstylist before you check out what you don’t like about your cut or color so they can try to fix whatever you don’t like.
Similar to servers and workers in the restaurant industry, a lot of stylists and colorists make the majority of their living off of gratuities from clients, so it's important to keep that in mind when booking your appointment. “Ask yourself if you would still tip if you didn’t like a meal, but the service was great?" explains Wells. "If you’re unhappy with the end result but the hairdresser was kind and willing to make adjustments, I think they still deserve a thank you for the effort they put in.”
Do you tip when they fix your hair?
You generally don’t have to tip if you’re returning to fix a mistake. If you, as the client, have to go out of your way to come back for the hairdresser to correct something that should have been done during your original appointment, tipping isn’t necessary. Hardges says, “When I am fixing a mistake I made, I don't expect a tip and will in most cases refuse it.”
Should I tip my hairdresser in cash?
You don't have to tip in cash, but not all salons accept credit/debit cards for gratuity, so it’s always smart to make sure you have some cash before your appointment (or call ahead and ask). If you're tipping with cash, either hand your money directly to your hairdresser or write their name on one of the tiny envelopes at the front desk and drop it in there. Also an option: Tipping your stylist via Venmo or Zelle, if the salon allows it.
Do you tip a hairdresser’s assistant?
You should also try to tip a hairdresser’s assistant if they shampooed, conditioned, or applied your gloss or glaze. Wells explains, “It’s up to the hairstylist to share tips with their assistants, but if the assistant helped out a lot with your service, I think it’s polite to show your appreciation by leaving them a tip.”
"You can ask the receptionist how tips are divided to make sure the assistants are getting a cut, or you could tip them $5 to $10 (depending on your service) individually," says Hardges. Think about it: They had a part in the end result of your new ‘do, so they deserve a lil appreciation for their time too.
Do you tip hair salon owners?
Yes, you should still tip the salon owner 20 percent if they were your specific hairstylist for the appointment (just because they’re the owner doesn’t mean they don’t deserve and won’t appreciate a tip for their services). A lot of times, the salon owner will actually divvy up the tip and give it to their assistants.
What is the proper amount to tip your hairdresser for the holidays?
It's not necessary to tip your hairdresser for the holidays, but if you see them every single month, it’s a super nice gesture to throw them an extra tip—say, 30 percent instead of 20 percent—for the holidays (kinda like a lil' thank-you for an entire year’s worth of services). Stylists don’t expect or require a holiday tip, of course, but it never hurts to throw a little extra love their way during the holidays.
Final thoughts:
Whenever you see a hairstylist and love the results, aim to leave a tip of around 20 percent. Is it required? Not exactly. But it’s a meaningful way to show appreciation for all the work they put into keeping your hair healthy, shiny, and perfectly styled. After all, they’re the reason your hair stays fresh, trimmed, and free of brassiness. And that, my friends, is priceless.
Meet the experts:
- Leigh Hardges is a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, IL. She is an expert in haircutting, especially type 3 and type 4 hair.
- Tory Wells is an Australian-born, New York City-based hairstylist. She specializes in editorial and celebrity hair coloring and styling.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan where she writes about all things involving haircare—from the best shampoos to color trends. She's tried just about every hair salon service out there, so she has tons of experience when it comes to tipping her hairdressers the proper amount. She also spoke with professional stylists for their insight.
Siena Gagliano is a former associate editor at Cosmopolitan and has four years of experience writing about beauty. She’s an expert at researching and writing beauty stories, like the cutest hair clips and the best cream blushes. She is an expert when it comes to knowing how much to tip a hairdresser thanks to working at a hair salon for years. She also consults the industry’s top hair stylists for up-to-date information.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
