Help! Hair salon etiquette? Toni & Guy

[tanyev]

So I'm a complete rube who has never gotten my hair cut any place more expensive than Supercuts. And in between hair cuts I do my own bang trims with wildly varying degrees of success. I finally decided I'm ready to do something a little more sophisticated, and I wanted to go to a good place.

I walked in to a T&G in my nearby mall to make an appointment, and after first asking the price (yikes!), I bit the bullet and made an appointment. It turns out the person who will be cutting my hair is the salon manager. I asked the receptionist if it was customary to tip him and she said, "You don't have to, but you can." OK, thanks for clouding up the issue further.

So do I tip? How much? 10%? 15%? The cut is going to be around $60. And when? Give it to him, or when I pay the bill? Aaaargh! This is why I've never done this kind of thing before. Scary!

Any hints from people more experienced in this area will be greatly appreciated. Also any opinions pro/con of Toni & Guy. Any ideas on how to tell him what I want so I don't walk out of there looking unrecognizable. Thanks!

[Lilyhoney]

1. Actually,

This guy named Al used to cut my hair and I loved it. First of all he adored me. When I first came in to see him, he looked me over closely, and said "this is what i'd like to do." He had a vision. I let him run with that. It was exactly what I needed.

I always felt beautiful when I left his salon.

When the cutter needs to be told what to do, it scares me. Because they don't have a vision of what suits me.

You can go in for a consultation and take it from there.

Different salons have different prosesses for payment. So if you can see what other people are doing, it will help.

Tip in cash if at all possible.

Pay attention to how they are cutting and styling your hair so you can repeat on your own. I cut my hair all of the time now.

Post us a before and after picture.

If you don't feel comfortable with what is going on with the cutting of your hair, don't hesitate to stop him.

:hi:

[jmm]

3. Their visions for me always seems to include

high maintence styles and colors I don't want to go for. Even if it would look great it just ain't me. I like it when they give me an honest opinion but in the end I feel going in with a strong vision of what one wants for themself can help prevent some disasters.

[tanyev]

6. Yeah, that's what I'm scared of.

I am low maintenance. I want my hairstyle to work better, but I don't want something drastically different. Hair color will be the next challenge. It's time to start hiding the gray, but again, I like my natural hair color. I don't want to change it, I just want to cover up the gray for a few more years.

[tjdee]

2. This is a problem I have, too. I believe the tip rate is 15%--and when you

give it varies from salon to salon. I've been to places where I give it to the stylist after I look at it and say "Great" or whatever....been to places where I pay the receptionist, they ask me if I want to tip, and they add it on to the price.

I hate going to salons. I have never found a person who does what the first reply said, who has a vision, etc. And I don't care enough about my hair to search out this one wonderful stylist, LOL. But every now and then I wish I had a good hairstyle.

[Lilyhoney]

11. I got lucky when I found Al.

I have'nt been able to find anyone like him since. I have tried several people and am disappointed almost every time. So, I cut my own hair most of the time.

I moved away from Al 6 years ago. My hair has'nt been the same since.

I did find a woman who has done my hair a couple of times and I really liked it. Her salon is a block away and she is affordable. But she is a bush lovin republican and I will not go back to her because of this reason.

[blondeatlast]

4. I think the "don't tip the manager" rule applies only if the manager

owns the salon. In the case of a chain, that rule wouldn't apply.

Tip the person after the cut.

As to Toni&Guy, I once got a cut there and it was just okay. I go to a slightly upscale local salon now ($40 cut for women) and I love it. She really listens and can tell me what can improve my standard "Uma" cut--yes, I have Uma's "Truth About Cats and Dogs" cut!

[tanyev]

8. I tried to do some internet research for area salons, but that was a bust.

I couldn't find any salon that published a list of services WITH their prices. I'm sure that's by design. I've only been at my current job a couple months and I don't really feel comfortable asking the women there where they get their hair cut. Most of them have pretty no-nonsense 'dos anyway. I thought about the Regis salon in the same mall, but the haircut chairs are lined up in a big window right on the mall walkway. That creeps me out. And the JCPenney salon always stinks to high heaven when I walk by. It's a dilemma.

[Bunny]

5. When you are paying, hand him or the cashier $70. They'll know

what to do. That's just over a 15% tip, which is appropriate, unless the stylist creates something absolutely stunning. In which case, put a couple extra bucks in the total.

[tanyev]

9. I was thinking of paying with a credit card and just adding a tip

on there and letting them sort it all out, but a couple posts have already recommended tipping w/cash.

[Bunny]

10. You can pay with a credit card, and when you sign the slip, add

a ten dollar bill and hand it back to the stylist or the cashier. I don't think there's anything actually wrong with adding the tip to the credit card, but the stylist may just prefer cash.

[jmm]

7. Tips can vary greatly

especially considering that you often deal with multiple people. Although keep in mind that most of the time when you go to a place where one person washes your hair, another dyes it, another cuts it, etc they do have agreements to share their tips. Give what you feel is best depending on how happy you are. I use to go to one place about twice a year where I'd tip $35 on a $75 bill but they would also give me stuff such as bottle of Sebastian's conditioner to take home which I doubt they'd do if I didn't tip well.

[Scooter24]

12. You shouldn't worry too much...

I get my hair cut at Toni&Guy (Dallas Galleria) about once a month. Love the place. :)

My cut normally runs $75-$80, and I simply pay with a $100 bill and let the stylist keep the change. I would say $10-$15 tip is about average for most cuts under $100. After the cut, the stylist will walk with you up to the receptionist up front, that's when it's a good time to tip.

It's a great experience to go there. They'll offer you something to drink while and a scalp massage while you are getting your hair washed. When the stylist asks you how do you want the cut, first ask him/her for their opinion, then make any changes from there. Most of them have a good eye so their knowledge could be useful if you're looking for a completely new style.

Cons? It can be a bit noisy and the stylists sometimes aren't very talkative and seem kinda stuck on themselves. But generally it's a great place to go to. Have fun :)

[tanyev]

13. Very reassuring. Thank you.

My internet research did turn up quite a few mentions of the T&G scalp massage. Looking forward to that! :thumbsup:

[NNadir]

14. Give him your life savings, and promise him that you'll earn more money

to give him later.

We live in a vain culture after all.

As for styling, ask him to shave your head bald if you are a man, ask for a buzz cut it you are a woman. If you are a woman and get the buzzcut, ask him if he can use a razor to shave a transitory image of Dick Cheney on the peak of your head.

These sorts of ideas set trends.

[SOteric]

15. The Gene Juarez Studio where I have my trims,

and all complicated hair maintenance done will allow you to tip on a credit card, but they'll hand you the tip monies you specified and you place them in a small envelope (provided by the salon). You just write your stylist's name on the envelope and drop it in a little slot.

If you're happy with the job that the manager does, then yes, do tip. If you don't care for the style, his manner or any other issues, please be polite but assertive and let him know. Most stylists don't want you to leave unhappy with a hair style or any other salon provided service. If you're unhappy and you've told him and he does nothing to improve your opinion of the cut/service, - then don't tip him. If you've told him and he's tried to please rework things a bit, let your tip be commensurate with your pleasure.

Customarily, I'll tip a hairstylist about 17 - 20% (Yes, I know it's friggin' pricey) of their fee, I'll tip a manicurist, makeup artist, or other service attendant about 10 - 15% of their fee.

Hope that helps.

[tanyev]

16. Yes, that is helpful. Thank you to everyone who replied.

I now feel prepared to deal with anything that may happen on Wednesday.