A longtime reader (Yes, this is my fourth post... Whatever.) messaged me with some questions about salon etiquette – who to tip and when, and how to make sure you get the haircut you’re looking for. So, for that reader, and for anyone else who might be wondering, I’ve put together this handy-dandy compendium of salon and spa tips.

Speaking of tips: Most folks would agree that you should tip a barber, hairstylist, manicurist, massage therapist or aesthetician between 15% and 20%, and to slip the shampoo person, if applicable, a few bucks as well. I’ve heard it said that there is no need to tip a salon or spa owner, but I’ll tell you what my tattoo artist told me: Service business owners don’t get paychecks and tips are more than welcome. I’ll tell you something else: Service jobs are difficult, specialized and frequently disdained, and if someone is literally kneeling at my feet sanding off my scary winter calluses and transforming my tootsies into something fit for the general public, I am going to thank them with a fat stack of bills as well as grateful words, owner or no owner.

The other thing about being a thoughtful tipper is that it makes people love you just a little more. Give a little extra, get a little extra. There will be some time down the road where you snag a hot date and need an emergency vag wax or high-and-tight, and if you’ve greased the wheel with a history of excellent monetary thank-yous, your salon person will go the extra mile to squeeze you into the appointment book. It doesn’t hurt to give the receptionist a wee token of something in cases like these.

Most salons and spas have little envelopes at the front desk for you to fill with green paper gratitude after your hot-ification services; if they don’t, just hand it to the relevant party or leave it somewhere obvious at their station.

Getting the hair you want, much like getting the love you want (if you will), is a 50/50 proposition. You have to communicate clearly, and the stylist has to hear what you say, and vice-versa. Pictures help. Realistic expectations of what your hair will and won’t do help. I recommend not wandering into a random salon and hoping for the best, but rather stopping cute strangers on the street with a hair type and texture similar to yours and asking them where they get their hair so fab and then, you know, going there. Oh! Also, one extremely random but relevant item – while getting your dome done, sit with your legs uncrossed in order to avoid risking post-styling asymmetry.


A few other miscellaneous tidbits of courtesy:

1. Be on time. Be a few minutes early, even. A relaxed pace means you can more fully enjoy being pampered and not risk getting accidentally punctured with that freaky zit-popping tool by a harried facialist trying to keep the schedule on track. Many day spas have hot tubs where you can hang out while you wait for your honey-mud body masque rubdown. Besides, you don’t want to miss out on that delicious cucumber water, do you?

2. If you have to last-minute cancel, pay the cancellation fee and add a tip to show your commitment to keeping an appointment next time.

3. Wash relevant body parts. How much would you bet that an unbathed client is the #1 massage therapist complaint? Well, that and tennis elbow. Just, um, think of the children.

4. Turn off the cell phone. Controversial? Yes! I am probably the last person in America who feels like a total tool taking personal calls in public. So, before you jump on me: grain of salt, people.

Stay beautiful,
--Chaia