I get my hair cut at a local day spa. Many of the stylists have an 'assistant' - someone who is learning the job for a 9mth. period before they become stylists. (This is my understanding) The assistant comes and gets you, offers a drink, washes your hair, does any face waxing if you want it, and does a conditioning therapy if you want it.

Today, there was a new assistant. She washed my hair and also did a conditioning treatment that I requested. This is about $12 more.

When I checked out today and told them what I wanted added to my bill for my stylist's tip, they asked me if I wanted it divided up between the assistant and the stylist or not. I've never been asked that before and there's always been an assistant so that's nothing new.

It took me off guard. I was like "I have no idea!" and felt weird about it. The receptionist said that's what everyone says. I didn't know what to do. I really don't think the assistant needs a tip for washing my hair???? I just quickly made a decision to only tip my stylist, but what do you think?

If the assistant had done eyebrow/lip waxing for me, then I definitely would have, but for washing...I don't see it happening from me. I don't have that done at that particular location anyway. Thoughts??

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 02:40 pm:

If someone other than my stylist does the shampoo, I tip $1. You're right, they are usually there to learn, as part of their education/training, and I don't see a "big" tip for that, but $1 feels right to me.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 03:31 pm:

$1 was the first thing that came to mind, too. I guess I'll do that the next time.

By Colette on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 03:51 pm:

Yes, you do tip the assistant as well. I've worked at several salons and it's always done that way. Also if you go to the owner of the salon, tip the assistant but not the owner. It's considered bad form for owners to accept tips.

By Amecmom on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 04:23 pm:

I always give a couple of dollars to the girl who washes my hair.
Ame

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 07:02 pm:

I guess I'm waaayyy out of the loop! I never even thought of giving the assistant a tip until she asked me about it today. Oh well. I give my stylist a healthy tip but after thinking about it, I really don't see that the assistant needs $1 to wash my hair! I guess I'm a tight wad.

Honestly, if one deserved a tip it was the last assistant. She gae the best scalp massages. This assistant was not good at all compared to her. I should have been tipping the last one!

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 07:37 pm:

My beauty shop only has 4 women who work there, and they wash everyone's hair themselves. I have never gone to a shop, where one person washed your hair and another person cut it. I'm even farther out of the loop.

By Tripletmom on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 07:52 pm:

I have never paid the girls who wash my hair.I always just tip my stylist.I think most hair salons are over priced to begin with.I love my stylist so I would never change places but I think I pay enough for hair,eyebrows and her tip.

By Breann on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 08:22 pm:

I don't tip the hair washer girl. She is there as an intern, basically. Once she has "paid her dues", so to speak, she will be promoted to stylist and will then receive the benefits that stylists receive (tips, gifts, etc.).

By Hol on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 10:42 pm:

I, too, have worked in several salons and around here, one dollar is the standard tip for the shampoo person. In some shops, it is the policy that the stylist tips his/her assistant out of what they get.

There is no rule that says that students/interns shouldn't be tippped. When I was in cosmetology school, we had a "clinic" where people came to get their hair done at a very reasonable price. The students always worked under the direction of an instructor. Many people would ask if they were allowed to tip their student stylist, and the school manager would say "Of course".

There is no hard and fast rule. A tip is a "thank you" if you feel that you got good service. It is essentially a "gift". For the recipient, it isn't something that you can count on, so when you get it, it is appreciated. I, too, value my stylist. She LISTENS and only does what I want her to do, or just makes suggestions. Some stylists do what THEY want, no matter what you tell them. Therefore, I tip her well.

Salons are expensive, but what you are paying for is the stylist's skill and expertise. And the overhead in a salon is tremendous. A lot of stylists complain that they only get 50% of the service fee, but out of the other 50%, the salon owner has to buy the products, pay the overhead, and pay payroll and workers comp taxes for their staff. At 50% commission, the owner has to charge a lot so that her stylists make any money.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 10:56 pm:

My haircuts are $40. Breann- Ditto! I feel the same way, only you said it better!

By Annie2 on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 11:23 pm:

The only person I tip is my hairstylist. If she wants to share her tips amoung the staff, that is up to the salon. Just like in a restaurant; I tip the waiter not the bus-boy.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 08:35 pm:

$40 for a haircut? ouch! I think mine are about $20 and I need to go again. I keep my hair short, but it just keeps on growing@

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 09:07 pm:

I pay $95 for cut, color, and lowlights, but my friend does everything herself, no assistant to wash hair or anything. I've never had an assistant wash my hair, even at some really upscale salons, it's always been the stylist from start to finish. I tip my stylist about 25%.

By Luvn29 on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 10:50 pm:

So Crystal, you pay the $95 and then another $20-25 for a tip?

I, too, have never had anyone other than the stylist wash, cut, and style my hair.

By Crystal915 on Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 12:52 am:

Yes, I paid $120 total last week, for on the $95 bill.