How to Tip for Summer Beauty Treatments

Follow these standard tipping practices when getting beauty treatments this summer.

Now that summer is in full swing, people are going to be spending more money on beauty treatments. Pedicures, bikini waxes, spray tans, and other services that involve a beauty technician should be tipped. But how much should you tip? What if you are unhappy with the service they provided, do you stiff them a tip like when you get a bad server at a restaurant? Here are some general guidelines you should follow when tipping for beauty treatments this summer.

You can think of beauty services just like you would with restaurant service. If you are unhappy with the service you received, it is acceptable to tip less. Just make sure you have the right expectations of how the service should be done.

Spray Tanning

This is a fairly new service that is getting more popular as the risk of skin cancer from tanning beds has increased. This is a service you should be giving a tip for and generally 20 percent is standard.

Managing your Expectations

• Your expectations should be that the technician makes you feel comfortable, since you will be pretty much naked.
• Your tan should look even, with your hands and feet lighter than the rest of your body.
• Spray tanning will not eliminate tan lines, or cellulite.
• Don’t get a spray tan if you are sun burned or have peeling skin.

Waxing

Getting waxed, especially your bikini line, can be uncomfortable. Letting a complete stranger see you in that vulnerable position can be difficult, but the technician should help you feel more comfortable. Generally, a 15-20 percent tip is expected for a waxing.

Managing your Expectations

• Waxing does hurt, but it shouldn’t be an unbearable pain.
• The person giving you the waxing should be wearing gloves.
• If you want a Brazilian, you are going to have to be more comfortable than most people.
• It is recommended to leave the tip in an envelope at the front desk for your beauty tech.

Hair Services

With this usually being the most emotional service, the guidelines can be a little vague. Standard tipping practices are generally 15-20 percent, but regulars will often give their hair stylist more.

Managing your Expectations

• Especially if you have never been to a specific salon before, make sure you discuss exactly what style you want. You and your stylist should get on the same page about your wants fairly quickly.
• It is not okay to be satisfied with a bad haircut.
• If they splash you or the water is too hot/cold during the shampoo you should express your unhappiness.
• Don’t get mad because you have to wait a while for your turn or there is a delay in your appointment. It happens.

Manicures and Pedicures

You should be leaving a 20 percent tip for nail services, especially for manicures because the price is so low. Most salons will leave your hands and feet looking gorgeous, but that’s not to say that some people don’t leave with a few cuts and scratches. Is that unacceptable or expected?

Managing your Expectations

• If the salon seems less than sanitary, ask about what kind of sterilizing equipment they use. Hospital grade, or autoclaves, are best for metal instruments, while pumice stones should be sterilized in a special liquid bath.
• Many nail technicians are immigrants, so don’t assume they are giving you attitude or not listening. Sometimes the language barrier can cause misunderstandings.
• A little bit of bleeding can happen, but if you feel like they are being too aggressive tell them.

Beauty Treatments you can do at Home

Here are some beauty tips that you can do at home.

Everyone wants to look their best, but sometimes it is hard to get that salon manicured look at home. There are some home beauty treatments you can do on a budget that will keep you looking gorgeous. Try some of these home beauty tips if you can’t make it to the salon.

Beauty Tip #1 – Sugaring

This Arabian treatment involves using sugar cooked a few other ingredients to make an all-natural wax for removing unwanted body hair. The great thing about this recipe is that you can make a batch, use what you need, and then store the rest in a plastic container in the fridge until you need it again.

Beauty Tip #2 – Threading

Using twisted lengths of thread to remove body hair has become a popular method in India and the Middle East, and now the United States. It is typically used on facial hair around the chin, upper lip, and eyebrows. This method of hair removal is popular because it allows you to go longer between removal sessions than traditional tweezing. While many salons are starting to practice this method, with a little practice you can do it yourself at home. Look up some instructional videos online and having a friend help can make things much easier.

Beauty Tip #3 – Dry Brushing

Using a dry brush against your skin will both exfoliate and stimulate circulation. The trick is to use a medium bristle body brush with natural bristles. You can purchase a bath-style brush with a removable wooden handle and strap on the back of the brush and it will work great.

Beauty Tip #4 – Hot Oil

Your hair takes quite a bit of abuse every day. A good hot oil treatment will help your hair stay healthy. When you want to give your hair a little boost, put some oil (could even be oil you use for cooking) in a measuring cup and heat it in the microwave or in a sauce pan before application. Once the oil is warm (don’t make it scorching hot), apply it to damp hair and work every strand. Once you are done rinse your hair and shampoo it.

Airbrush Makeup is great for girls to use when getting Senior Portraits done. No more retouching makeup in-between outfit changes!