Wedding tipping at hair and make-up trial session???

[calidaisy]

my trial session for make-up and hair is coming up in weeks and i was wondering if i was suppose to tip the hairdresser and the make-up artist.
the salon that i''m trying out is charging $100 EACH for hair and make-up (80% of what they charge for the actual wedding).

part of me wonders why i should tip anyone when i''m paying $200 just to have a "test drive" ... while the other part of me wonders if the etiquette requires that i tip them at trial session the way i should in the actual session.

what is expected/ required in hair and make-up trial sessions?

 

[Mchllmarsh]

Ok i come from the other side of this question. I''m a hairdresser. I suggest you tip. A trial run for hair and make up from experience is a bit more difficult then the actual wedding day, because your working out all of the kinks. Its just a little stressful, making sure you client walks out satisfied. Granted its expensive, but its not an easy job... making people happy. Good luck!

 

[calidaisy]

thanks, mchllmarsh!
i didn''t know that the trial session was more stressful than the actual session.

however, is it customary to tip? or are you really just suggesting?

in general, i''m the kind of person who tips regardless of how much i like/ don''t like the work. and i will have no problem tipping the trial run if i like the work.

but in the event that i don''t like the hair and/or make-up and am left to find someone else (which means i have to spend another couple hundred dollars in a trial run) ... i can see myself feeling upset at spending extra $3-40 in tipping.

thus, i hate sounding cheap but should i still tip/ does the etquette REQUIRE that i tip for the trial session even if i''m not happy with the work???

 

[surfgirl]

I always tip, however, I think what they''re charging you for the trial is a ridiculous amount. Maybe you should look elsewhere?

 

[swingirl]

Where are you located? It might be regional but the prices seem high, especially for make-up. But tipping is customary in that industry.

 

[calidaisy]

thanks, surf and swing!
i''m in los angeles.
i interviewed 3 places and this was actually the cheapest (among the ones friends recommended).

for weddings, one lady quoted me $200 for make-up alone/ $100 for trial session.
while the other was also closer to $400 for hair & make-up.

the place i''m trying out is charging $250 for hair & make-up + $50 extra because they have to open earlier to cater to my morning wedding.

i don''t mind paying $$ for the actual wedding ... but having to pay $200 + $40 tip for a trial session just seems too much on my current economic state.

 

[Sha]

Wow, those prices are high. Personally, I wouldn't tip on top of that amount - I understand that’s it’s customary but I don’t really see why it’s necessary, especially since the actual service price is already so high. I don’t think you should feel guilty about it either if you don’t or can’t afford to tip. That’s the thing I hate about tipping – and that’s why I’m glad tipping isn’t a cultural practice where I come from (we don’t tip hairdressers- just pay the actual service fee). I understand that it helps service providers bring in some extra cash, but I think it often becomes burdensome when customers have to figure out who expects a little extra, and then feel like they ‘have to’ tip, and they ‘have to’ give a certain amount otherwise it looks ‘bad’. I find some service providers have an attitude and look at you funny if you don’t give the standard amount, which is unfair. What if that’s all the cash you have at the moment? And what if it’s all you can afford?

I don't think anybody should feel obligated to tip a service provider if they can't afford it. After all, your financial situation is important, too - not just theirs.

 

[zoebartlett]

I think it''s very good to tip them since they''ll be providing a service to you (trial or not). The price does seem high but as you said, it''s in LA, and I just assume everything is so much more expensive there. I don''t think you need to tip an exorbitant amount -- just do whatever you feel comfortable with. I usually tip 20% (or occasionlly 15% if I''m strapped for cash).

 

[Mchllmarsh]

I have to agree that is kinda high. I work in Costa Mesa, Ca. and I am lower in cost. The other thing I might suggest is that if you dont like it, before completly cutting out the hairdresser, try to work with them a little more. Also mention that you dont feel like they did a good job, and that you want them to redo it... this is just some advise, just incase! Anyways good luck again.

 

[doodle]

i would definitely tip, partially because it''s the polite thing to do, and partially because they''re providing a service. also, keep in mind that in many cases, the salon gets more of what you pay than the hairdresser does, but the tip is generally theirs to keep. one of my best friends is a hairdresser, and the salon where she works gets almost all of the money she charges, so tips are her main source of money! just my .02!