Why is it customary to tip a hair stylist?

I have always tipped and was defending actions to a cheapskate at work. I did not have an answer for this though. Waiters and Waitresses serve you and commonly make less then minimum wage; therefore their lively hood is in the tips. Hair stylist have set prices which are usually fairly high priced anyway, so why do we tip them?Why is it customary to tip a hair stylist?
Most salons pocket those high prices you see, which is why stylists usually live off their tips like waiters/waitresses, or bartenders. We are also performing a service for you, therefore it is customary to tip your service provider. When my clients ask me what the proper amount is for a tip, I tell them 20% or more if you love it and would come back in a heartbeat, 10% if you think it's just okay, and 5% if you're just being nice. As for shampoo girls/guys a 2% tip is being very generous; usually the stylist will take care of their assistants so you don't have to. In my particular salon, we are on a commission based pay (50%), which means I only get 50% of what I made for that week. Example: I made $2,000 last week, but I'm only taking home $1,000 BEFORE taxes, which brings me to about a $700 paycheck. So yes, I need my tips or I can't pay my bills!Why is it customary to tip a hair stylist?
a lot of them work under the company or academy's name, and therefore aren't really pocketing the money.


a lot of them are also owners of their salons, which means that they have to work out things like rent, the materials they buy, paying wages to other people who work etc


it's an expensive business! and it's a specialized job.
You're right... i don't think there is a specific answer - but i tend to tip if they have done a really good job. If they have been friendly and done a good job then it doesn't have to be much, but a tip is generally polite.
maybe for the conversation and the work they do on your hair. it's a skill. you have to go to school for it. most of them are probably still paying off school loans.
Well if they do a good job on your hair then its just a kind way of saying thank you.
It's just a nice thing to do. If they made your hair look nice, then it's like a thank you gift (:


~Elaina