Growing up, we were taught the basic etiquette rules of  minding our manners and always to be polite by saying “please” and “thank you”.  As we entered adulthood more rules applied, such as turning off the cellphone ringer when entering a public establishment, not grooming yourself in public and being on time.  As a beauty insider, one rule I hear talked about often is the appropriate tipping of salon/spa staff.   Even as adults, there seems to be a lot of confusion about when to tip, who to tip and how much to tip.

Let’s face it, a good service ought to be recognized.  Just like a waiter/waitress, a manicurist, bikini waxer, hairstylist and their assistants are providing a service and they should be acknowledged for helping you to look beautiful.

• How much should you tip? The standard tip should be 15-20 percent of the cost of service.  For a $60 wash and style, that would be between $9-12.
• The average tip for a manicure is $5.  So even if  you paid $15 for a manicure or eyebrow waxing, you should still  tip $5, which is more than 20 percent.
• Do you tip other staff? Salon’s don’t divide tips, so make sure to tip the assistants separately.  Tip the shampoo assistant who shampooed your hair at least $5.
• Should you tip the owner? It’s not expected to tip the salon/spa owner, but most owners welcome gratuities.  Remember, if they are providing a service, it’s only appropriate to acknowledge them for the great service.
• What if you’re unhappy with the service? If you’re unhappy with the service, first express your concerns to the stylist so they can make adjustments.  If you’re still unhappy with the service, then you should speak to the manager or owner.  If you plan on returning to the salon, you should leave some sort of tip.  If you don’t tip the stylist, at least tip the assistant who helped.