What Happened When a Woman Refused to Tip on a $350 Haircut? Stylist's Reactions Explained

Tipping the person who cuts your hair may seem obvious enough, but a response to a viral video this week suggests that there’s still confusion about gratuity on beauty services.

On Sunday, Justice, a TikToker who goes by the username @antidietpilot, posted Regarding her choice not to leave a tip for the $350 hair braiding session she had lately. The hairstylist crafted petite, knotless braids ending with a French curl, which required over seven hours of work.

Although Justice was pleased with the outcome — referring to the stylist as "the best braider" she had ever encountered — she decided against leaving a tip due to certain circumstances.

She doesn't need to travel for work, and she isn't covering any operational costs since she operates from her house," Justice stated in the video, which currently boasts more than 5.1 million views. "In my opinion, this is quite a valuable benefit. Can you imagine how many individuals earn approximately $40 per hour?

Justice mentioned she felt somewhat anxious about her stylist's reaction regarding her lack of tip, yet she remains unwaveringly unrepentant about her choice.

"A lot of folks believe that tipping is a way to express gratitude, whereas I think saying 'thank you' is the proper way to show appreciation," she stated.

"Showing gratitude involves adhering to people’s policies, making sure you arrive punctually for your appointments, allowing them to photograph their work afterward, and sharing this with your friends or social media followers," she mentioned additionally.

Not everybody was on board with this idea. Those supporting tips often cited the lengthy duration of the session as justification.

"One lady mentioned, 'It’s perfectly acceptable not to leave a tip for fast food or Starbucks, but after 7.5 hours? I would always leave a gratuity,'" she stated.

Many commentators concurred with Justice’s viewpoint. Given that inflation is already causing prices to rise, numerous people expressed their opinion that the practice of tipping has become excessive and unmanageable for them.

One person commented, 'The full amount will go to her. Tips are not necessary.'

“Completely agree,” added another woman. “[Whether they’re braiding hair or doing makeup], these professionals certainly earn what they deserve. The tipping system here can be quite absurd at times.”

For richer or poorer, tipping continues to be the Wild West: Over 70% of Americans think that the requirement to tip has become more prevalent over the past half-decade, as per a study. The 2023 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, but few know what to do when a tablet with a tipping options is handed to them. Only about a third said it’s “extremely” or “very easy” to know if tipping is necessary and if so, how much to include.

Hairstylists have varying opinions

The whole conversation on “tipflation” And what’s a fair gratuity overlooked an essential perspective: The thoughts of the hairstylists themselves. How do they view tip-weary customers such as the one featured in the TikTok video?

"As for the video, I don't hold her responsible," he stated. Collin Martin ,a hairstylist based in Englewood, Florida, and an instructor in the hair care industry.

He mentioned that he clearly values clients who tip, but he doesn't consider it a necessity. He admitted that he would struggle if he started expecting tips regularly.

To rely partly on someone else’s emotional reaction for my earnings is... does finishing the sentence really matter?" he shared with HuffPost. "Since I stopped counting on this, I've become a far more content hairstylist.

Martin stated that rather than depending on tips, he likes to "simply charge what I'm worth."

“Knowing your value is the most important part of being a hairdresser,” he added.

John Mosley, A barber and men's grooming specialist from Dallas, Texas, concurred. "There isn't an issue if a customer chooses not to leave a tip," he stated.

Currently, Mosley’s roster of clients features artists like Kendrick Lamar and Eminem. However, when he first started his career as a barber, his clientele wasn't always affluent. Despite this, many still gave tips.

Mosley stated that customers at your neighborhood barbershop get the sense that they're backing the establishment and assisting in compensating for potential losses due to lower pricing.

J. Clark Walker , a barber and studio owner at Major Studios in Salt Lake City, Utah, believed the TikToker made some good observations. However, he suspected that her hairstylist was quite shocked not to receive a tip after working for seven hours on their feet. "For high-quality services, especially when you have the means, I believe you should always consider leaving something as a tip," he commented.

He has serviced excellent clients who don't leave tips, others who consistently fail to do so, and many more who simply overlook tipping altogether. "However, it's quite evident when a customer leaves a generous tip," he stated. "You definitely recall those big-hearted tippers."

Tamara Necole Is a professional specializing in wigs and weave applications. Working at an upscale full-service hair salon in Culver City, California, her range of services costs between $175 and $850.

She doesn't take it personally when people don't leave tips, but she sometimes wonders if they might be somewhat dissatisfied with her service. "Whenever they come back, I see it as a chance to enhance their experience," she explained to HuffPost.

Many people were not as tolerant of the TikToker and her habit of not leaving tips.

"I believe the woman featured in the video is the most undesirable kind of client," he stated. Hamuidah Anderson , a stylist based in San Diego, California, with expertise in hair extensions, offering services priced between $85 and $675.

Anderson commented, "She may not have respect for those in the beauty sector, but I'm sure she'd be more courteous at a dining establishment where the check amounts to $400. It's quite a lengthy period to spend grooming another person's hair."

Anderson said to HuffPost that she likely wouldn't have further interactions with the client. "I would either block her or refer her to someone less experienced."

If the gratuity is already added to the bill, should you still leave a tip?

Given the rising prices of products and running a business (namely, rent and other overhead costs), many stylists now include a tip to their service charge.

This might reduce the discomfort for people concerned with giving the "correct" amount, yet it could still offend others, according to what was stated. Nycole Jones a hairstylist and proprietor of Yara Luxe Hair Perfume, an upscale salon located in Miami, Florida.

"Some customers might value the ease of avoiding individual tip calculations, whereas others could favor the option to adjust their gratuity according to the level of service they experience," she explained.

What about the situation where the hairstylist is the owner of the salon?

Some wonder Does the tipping amount—or whether tipping is necessary—depend on whether the stylist works for themselves and keeps all earnings, as opposed to being employed at a salon where they have to share profits?

I genuinely believe that shouldn't be taken into consideration," Jones stated. " tipping is an expression of gratitude for the service rendered, irrespective of whether the stylist is employed or not.

Ultimately, the amount one chooses to tip should reflect their satisfaction with the service received and the expertise demonstrated by the stylist, she said

Walker, the barber in Salt Lake City, doesn’t think ownership should matter, either.

He asked, 'Do people check if the bartender also owns the bar before deciding how much to tip?' He added, 'If unsure, I'd suggest giving 20% if you're able to.' The piece initially surfaced on HuffPost.