Are you supposed to tip your hair and makeup stylist(s) on your wedding day?

Yes! A million times yes.

If you’re planning ahead (good) and making sure you have enough cash (double-good) for the big day, listen up! Here’s exactly how much to tip for wedding hair and makeup.

Bride-to-be, Anna, writes us with this question:

“Hi Emmaline! I’m wondering how much you are supposed to tip for hair and makeup services for my wedding. The hairstylist and makeup artist are coming to my hotel suite to do hair and makeup for me and my mom, four bridesmaids, and flower girl. Please let me know how much I need to provide as a tip. Thank you!”

Hi Anna! Great question: tipping for hair and makeup is a necessary cost and one that is great to estimate ahead of time (so there are no surprises). First, let’s talk about why you tip for hair and makeup.

Why should I tip for makeup hair and makeup?

Tipping is a way to show your gratitude for a job well done. In service industries, many vendors rely on this as a part of their income. If you are happy with the service, the general average for a tip on wedding hair and makeup is 15% to 20% of the total bill.

Remember: where would you be without their amazing services?! Be sure to tip well if he or she does a good job.

How to Figure Out a Tip

To figure yours out, simply add up the cost of the total services for makeup — including any travel fees — and multiply that sum by 15 to 20 percent, depending on what you wish to give as a gratuity.

Next, do the same for your total services for hair. Don’t forget the travel fees and any extra costs.

If you’re covering the cost of hair and/or makeup for bridesmaids or your moms, be sure to work the tip into the total amount you’re paying so there are no surprises later.

Should you tip with a credit card or cash?

It is best to give cash. Some travel hair stylists or makeup artists have the ability to charge your credit card, but cash is always king. Bring plenty of it for tipping vendors on your wedding day.

What if I don’t like my hair or makeup?

Don’t automatically skip a service vendor on a tip if you’re unhappy with your hair or makeup. Instead, it is best to voice your concerns immediately and see if he or she can help to correct the issue.

It is much better to work out a problem than to skip tipping your makeup or hairstylist.

It is a good idea to schedule a hair and makeup trial weeks or months before the wedding so you avoid any day-of surprises.

Check your contract before tipping

And lastly, check a contract you may have signed with the salon before you figure out the gratituity. Depending on how many people in your party are getting services done, some gratiuties are already figured into the total bill so you can avoid paying twice.

I hope it helps!

xo
Emma