These days, getting your nails done involves
much more than just choosing the ideal shade.
You can personalize your manicure to create a
professional look that is difficult to achieve when doing it yourself, even if
you're paying attention to these common at-home manicure mistakes.
You can choose from a variety of different
manicure types depending on how long you want it to last and which style you
prefer. There's also nail salon protocol to adhere to, which includes tipping.
Here are some polite nail salon norms, things
to think about while tipping, and how much to tip a nail technician.
Do we
tip at nail salons?
"Yes, without a doubt," responds
Julie Kandalec, a well-known New York City manicurist and the creator of
Masterclass Nail Academy. "The tip should be part of the final price that
a client expects to pay," she states. "For example, if your service
costs $50, you should see it as costing $60."
Although 20% is the typical tip in a manicure
salon, Kandalec notes that the industry standard minimum tip is 15%. This is
comparable to what is anticipated when leaving a gratuity for a massage or spa
treatment, or at a hair salon.
Remember that even if you paid for your
treatment using a Groupon or other discount, you should still figure out how
much to tip the manicurist using the total cost of the services you received.
How
much is appropriate to tip?
The industry norm for tipping at nail salons
is often between 15 and 20 percent, just as at restaurants and hair salons.
It's generally advised that if you've gotten extra services or specialized
designs, at least 20 percent is appreciated.
Furthermore, you may express your gratitude
by leaving a tip that corresponds with the extra effort that the person puts
in. Although manicure salon fees might vary, a decent general guideline is 15
to 20 percent.
🔘 Related: How Much Should You Tip Your Tattoo Artist?
Tipping
Etiquette in Nail Salons
Although it's not required, tipping in cash
is generally appreciated by nail technicians. It might be kind to extend the
offer and make arrangements to tip in cash if you frequently see the same
manicurist.
Please proceed politely if you are not
pleased with your results for whatever reason. At the nail salon, communication
is crucial, so before you start, be sure to express your preferences for the
color, shape, and style of manicure you desire.
Furthermore, it is preferable to discuss any
issues you find during the meeting rather than waiting until afterward,
especially if you discover something is incorrect or not to your taste.
This allows the technician to adjust or
correct any problems that come up during the session.
Tipping is always expected for a finished job
according to etiquette, therefore it's advisable to try to come to an agreement
that benefits everyone before thinking about choosing not to tip.
It goes without saying that you should never
be late for an appointment and that you should not talk on the phone while at
the manicure salon out of consideration for other patrons.
What
Would Happen If I Just Polished My Nails?
Your tip should reflect the quality of work
and not simply the product you bought for, regardless of whether you went in
for a fast paint job or a complete set of acrylic nails with festive
embellishments.
"I like to think of it as compensating
the artist for their time," adds Kandalec. "Give more for a more
specialized or detailed service: A 17 to 18 percent tip for a manicure, and 20
to 25 percent tip for a new set with nail art."
Whatever you have accomplished, a tip is a
gesture as much as a portion of the nail artist's total payment. When figuring
out how much to tip at the manicure salon, bear that in mind. Even in cases
where the work was straightforward, the money is still valued and required.
"I always leave a tip of at least $5," claims Kandalec.
Additional
tips to consider at a nail salon
Here are some more suggestions about tipping
at manicure salons from our experts to help you avoid committing etiquette faux
pas:
- Don't tip less than $5, please. Rounding up the tip to $5 if you're only
receiving a $20 nail polish color swap is something to think about.
- Consider basing your gratuity on the standard fee for the service if you
are using a gift card, coupon, or discount certificate.
- Give your regular nail tech a tip around the holidays that is about equal
to what you would normally tip at a salon appointment. Place the cash and a
kind message in an envelope.
- In addition to paying your nail technician cash, if you're a satisfied
customer, think about providing a positive internet review. For a salon, this
might have the same significance and value as cash tips.
If you
use a given service, should you tip more?
Not every nail salon needs the same quantity
of labor. For instance, how much should you tip an acrylic nail technician?
What is your tip for gel nails, by the way? A
typical manicure is not quite as complex as those procedures. Our experts
recommend leaving a gratuity of at least 25% in the following situations:
- If the condition of your nails is really harsh.
- If you receive any extras, such as a lengthier hand massage or nail art
created by hand.
- Should you be receiving a whole set of acrylic, gel, dip, or other types of
"nails" made from the beginning (although touch-ups and fill-ins can
still be tipped at the standard rate).
How
much should be tipped for a pedicure?
Toes and fingers require the same care when
it comes to their nails. Wilson thinks that means you should tip between
fifteen and twenty percent; that's how you tip for a pedicure, too. If money is
tight, try these simple steps for the perfect do-it-yourself pedicure at home.
Is it
OK to tip with cash?
Pay with cash whenever you can, giving it
straight to your nail technician. According to Moore, doing this guarantees
that the worker receives the entire gratuity and prevents salon owners from
withholding payment.
Does a nail shop proprietor deserve a
gratuity? Unless the owner is the one performing the job, this is not required.
Help the salon owner by recommending the salon to others and leaving a positive
online review.
If
you're not happy with your nails, should you tip?
If you've ever worked for tips, you know that
at the conclusion of the shift, cash is typically the greatest option because
it goes directly into your pocket. This also applies to your manicurist.
"Tips received through the credit card
company may require a week or two to get into our hands and are subject to
credit card fees, too," Kandalec explains.
You put cash on the table or in the check
holder with your receipt when you tip at a restaurant. The selection is a
little different at a nail salon.
"The majority of salons have
wallets at the reception desk when you pay, and I've seen lock boxes which you
can slip them into," Kandalec explains. "To go one step further, I'll
grin and say, 'I left you a little gift at the front desk,' to my technician as
I say goodbye, just to let them know it's there. I assure you that I much
appreciate the mention."
Kandalec continues, "Just leave the bill
partially tucked under a towel at their station if your technician works for
themselves and there is no front desk staff to leave money with."
Tipping
in the United States and Abroad
Kandalec notes that tipping is not just
unusual but also potentially disrespectful in other nations. We are aware that
American workers in a variety of industries depend on tips.
It is not unusual to come across signs
encouraging patrons to leave tips in manicure salons located in popular U.S.
tourist areas.
🔘 Red More: Benefits of mobile tipping for the hospitality industry
Conclusion
If you are often short on cash but yet like
to recognize the waiter's hard work, don't panic.
To simply keep track of tips, use our
electronic tipping software for servers for cashless tipping. You will gain
from the simplicity of a digital tipping app.
You may tip using this tip software that
takes different payment methods besides cash. The good news is that this
electronic tipping tool works on cell phones running any operating system,
including Android and iPhone.