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Dedicated November 2015

Hair Stylist/Makeup Artist Gratuities

Kasey, on July 23, 2015 at 3:53 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 0 6

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I am hiring separate hair and makeup artists to come to our hotel on the morning of the wedding for the bridal party. The hair stylist charges $80/bridesmaid and $100 for me. The makeup artist charges $120/bridesmaid and $180 for me. I will be paying mileage charges and parking fees for both. Each vendor is self employed (not working as part of a salon/agency). I've received conflicting advice concerning gratuities. Opinions have ranged from "no gratuity is required as they are in business for themselves and receiving the full amount charged" to "20% of the total service."

(I generally tip 20% in a salon setting.)

Obviously I don't want to be stingy, but I also don't know if $300 in gratuities would be excessive? What would you recommend?

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6 Comments

Latest activity by Niki, on July 24, 2015 at 6:26 PM

VIP September 2015
Danielle · on July 23, 2015 at 4:07 PM
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I would say if they are self employed you do not have to tip.
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Master July 2015
annakay511 · on July 23, 2015 at 5:22 PM
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Honestly, I've always heard tip the HS and MUA. Both ours our in business for themselves but we'll be tipping. It wouldn't hurt just to ask if tip is included in their price!
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VIP January 2016
NoMore · on July 23, 2015 at 5:35 PM
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I would tip the 20%. Especially if the service is great.
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VIP August 2016
Courtney CtoS · on July 23, 2015 at 8:43 PM
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In this case, I probably wouldn't tip the full 20%, if at all. They're self employed so all the money goes to their pocket. Tipping is for people who don't get the full amount that you pay them (i.e. they operate out of a salon).
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Super October 2015
Diana · on July 23, 2015 at 8:48 PM
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My MUA has in her contract a suggested tip stated in the contract. Pretty much all my vendors except the venue work for themselves. I'm not sure how I feel about not tipping anyone working for themselves. I'm going to be owing a lot of tips.
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Master June 2016
Niki · on July 24, 2015 at 6:26 PM
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I'm a MUA/Hairstylist, and am almost always tipped for wedding services (around 20% - sometimes slightly less, sometimes slightly more), and thus structure my pricing with this in mind. Its very standard in this area, and most stylists and MUAs here would probably be a bit offended and wonder what they did wrong if they weren't tipped for on-location wedding services.

The idea that you don't tip a self-employed stylist is honestly a pretty outdated one. Most stylists you encounter nowadays are legally self employed via booth rentals, but tips are still standard in the industry and most pricing structures are based off the assumption that tips will generally be given.

Keep in mind, a tip isn't some sort of consolation prize for someone you feel is under paid or not getting a big enough chunk of commission off your service - its simply an extra "thank you" for a job you feel was well done.

With that said though - I'm in the DC/MD/VA area and your MUA's pricing is a good $50 above what I charge for a bride's makeup (and I use airbrush), so she may be setting her prices without assuming a tip will be given. The hairstylist's pricing seems to suggest she is generally tipped, however.
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