Oh what a nice treat on your birthday weekend!

I have been to a number of salons in the Phila area as well as here in south central PA. My experience is that they work pretty much the same.

I don't (and don't think ever) get a wash before the color-- in fact, somewhere along the way, I heard that "just washed" hair doesn't take color as well. I am not sure if that is true.

How tips are handled varies-- but the receptionists are always happy to guide you. I think the envelopes are standard in higher end salons-- but what you do with them may vary.

I would expect a short consultation before she starts anything-- she'll want to know what you like, how you manage your hair at home, etc.

Enjoy the pampering-- I am sure you will look lovely!

I’ve had the same hair stylist for 25+ years and I dread the day she retires. It’s a small salon and she does at all - color, shampoo, cut, blow dry. We’ve shared so much over the years and have become good friends. She even offered to come to my home when I had my knees replaced. I like tipping one person too because I never know what to give the shampoo person.

When we were at our other place I visited a new shop and when I booked my appt I asked how they handle tips.

Oh Happy Birthday Weekend too!

Maire

A lot of salons around me rent chairs to the stylists. My last one of 10+ years and now my current one operate this way. I just add the tip to the cost of the services. I pay by Venmo

Yes, I guess I will ask when I check in. At my old salon it was color first, then wash (obviously) , cut and blow dry. At least if I am unhappy with the result today I can go running back to my old stylist since I had a good excuse to try a new person. I really dont like change. I figured I should find someone closer to home for the day when I no longer drive much, although I hope that’s a good ten years away, hopefully more.

Just the thought of changing stylists is super stressful for me, so I understand.

I'd been going to the same person for almost 20 years. I trusted her. It was a bit of a drive, but every 6-8 weeks was no big deal. Then she moved out of the area and it was time. I started going to a stylist my friend recommended. My friend and I are the same age and have similar hair so it was worth a try. I've now been going to this new person for almost 18 months. She's a really nice person and she listens, likes it when I bring in photos. I've decided to keep my hair short and layered (famous last words) and I'm very happy with my new stylist. There was a bit of an adjustment period, but everything's fine now.

I don't know her business relationship with the owner of the shop, but I pay via Square (I think) and add my tip in the transaction. It's very smooth and easy.

Oooo, pictures, good idea. I have some saved in Pinterest. I m not looking for a big change this time, just minor tweaks. I’m a whole lot less fussy than when i was younger. Also when I was younger it was more i,portant to me to appear that I knew what I was doing in salons, stores, airports, etc. Now I just ask and if I appear to be a rube, so what.

Good luck with the new salon. It can be kind of traumatic making that change. I changed salons a few years ago when I moved - left my stylist of 20+ years. It took me a couple years to find someone I liked at the new location. I tried two different stylists who just didn't know how to cut hair yet they charged a lot. I suffered with them for too long because I didn't know who would be better. I then saw a recommendation on NextDoor for someone who rented a chair at a salon that uses Vagaro software. She had a profile in the app and I liked the sound of her. The first time I saw her I knew she would be good because she took a lot of time asking me questions about what I wanted. It took a couple visits to get perfection but I couldn't be happier. Her haircuts are superb and when I used to get my hair colored she did an excellent job with that as well. I regularly get compliments from people I know and complete strangers and have recommended her to many people. The added bonus is her prices are extremely reasonable. I just write her a check with tip included. I use a check so she doesn't get the added fee for using a card.

I have been seeing the same stylist for 15+ years as well. Though to be honest I've been skipping the salon quite a bit during the pandemic and am way way overdue for a haircut. I have family members that use her as well and she asked them if I'd switched to a different stylist because it's been so long. Yikes.

At this salon, you pay at a desk before you leave. I think in the past I maybe had to ask them to add a tip to the bill, but I think more recently it's been a standard credit card receipt to sign where I can add a tip at that point.

I also saw the same stylist for almost 40 yr-- YIKES.. but she did move around so I went to numerous local salons with her. I also lived elsewhere in those 40 yr-- so while I did catch her when i was back in the area for visits, I also needed to attend other salons in MA, Philadelphia, etc.

SOMETIMES it is good to switch a stylist-- even if you maintain a connection to your current "old faithful". I'd look at this as an opportunity for some fresh ideas vs fearing a disaster. Sure, you may not be happy but try to go into it being open to a new person.

And to have someone close and local is definitely a bonus-- as one who unexpectedly needed to stop driving, it does help to have someone close. I still go to my DS (dear stylist.. for after 40 yr, she IS dear to me) .. but she is a longer/expensive uber drive away. I really should be looking for someone closer.

Funky, even before my stylist moved I’d been thinking that I needed a fresh set of eyes for my hair instead of the same old, same old. I hope this new person ( a guy) has a new ” vision vision” but nothing too drastic. I lost so much hair due to stress when my mom was diving into dementia and it has finally grown back. Oh Oh, and thanks for remembering my birthday! New year, new me, but not too much.

If I'm having a good hair day, I try to take photos, esp. the sides and back (multiple mirrors required). I know my hair is capable of this, so it's often a more realistic idea of what I want. I always see hair that looks great on other people, but I gotta work with what I have.

Ded, I went through same as I needed a color/ stylist for when I'm in Florida.

I always show up with my hair freshly washed with just shampoo and styled. This reminds even even my usual stylist hair should look like.

Obviously for a new person they need to see what are you are comfortable with. I would not allow someone new to do anything different. If they can do my hair well as us, then I woukd trust them to mix things up a bit the next time ir so.

I would have cash available for the person who washes, if it is someone different. I once went to a place that had a separate person to blow dry. I really resented all of these tips.

They weren't great, so a good excuse move on.

I love how my stylist in Florida handles my appointments. You book online. Choose the services and the amount for the whole thing appears.

At the salon, when I'm ready to pay it's done at the computer and then also you can select what percentage tip.

No cash involved.

For you, I would be prepared with the right denimination of tips. They should have a price list on their website.

Good luck. You might like him better!

Also try not to talk while he is cutting.

At my salon, you can add the tip to the CC charge, then they give you the cash and then you get small envelopes which you address and deposit into a communal box, except for the hair washer who has a giant star shaped brioche tinat the coat check area where I put her envelope.

I tip hairdresser and colorist 20 percent of their charge and give the hairwashing woman $5 or $10 depending on my mood.

Last summer, I switched to a salon from a woman I'd been going to for 15 years who worked out of her home. Though I pay a heck of a lot more now, I like having a new/young person who is more up to date with products, etc. I can either tip her in cash (I hand directly to her) or add it to my credit card bill. She does the shampooing as well, so I only have one person to tip.

At my salon, they use the envelop w communal box method. My fave part of my salon is that they give you a scalp and neck massage when they wash your hair, and bring you iced tea, lemonade, water and white wine.

Mtn, just helped me remember what may influence the tip at my salon, the wine, of course! It used to just be coffee and tea, I bet the wine was super helpful.

In 2019 I had to relocate across the country for 5 months to help care for granddaughters. I found a hair stylist & worriedly went for appt., only to have probably the best haircuts I've ever had. I've never seen someone take so much time not only cutting, but blowing out my bob in sections. Such a happy surprise....she now has her own salon in that area. I have a great stylist here, too, but she was such a gift to me during a very challenging time!!

Okay, home from the salon and I am mostly happy. I usually find that the test of a good haircut is the first time you do it yourself. Going in my hair was much too blonde and washed out looking. So, he put lowlights in my hair, leaving my existing blonde as highlights. I kinda like it. I think the color is much more compatible with my complexion, as I was born a brunette. I am a little concerned about how my roots will look growing in. He cut it a little shorter than i wanted and added more layers.

The salon had a more casual vibe than my old place, which was a spa with massage , facials etc. Today there was an older clientele, some getting helmet head ’dos, but i presume thats what they want. There were lots of younger women there, too. My hair was blown out and left fairly loose. The guy who cut it was awfully chatty. Some conversation is nice, but not too much.

Tips were done by envelope, tossed into a box at checkout. I prefer that than the direct handoff. I will probably go back.

I also realized I need to have my neck lifted. Sigh.

And thanks for all your comments!

It's good to hear that it all worked out for you. So now dish -- do you have something planned for your birthday now that you have a glamorous hairdo? My side of the river is having heavy rain, high winds and another tornado watch.

Happy Birthday!

🎉🥳🎈🎂

Nope, no birthday plans other than requesting a strawberry shortcake ( Frasier) for my birthday cake. My son’s birthday is right after mine and I would rather wait and celebrate his, plus I do not enjoy a fuss or being the center of attention.

It was raining cats and dogs over here and more is predicted. Glad to be home where it is dry!

Happy birthday! I went to a new salon after my stylist was on maternity leave. The new person is particularlily gifted with coloring. She also cut my hair and gave me layers (I told her to do whatever she thought would look good.) I was so much happier with her. (But I still feel badly about ghosting my old one, which I didn't really do since we are fb friends and I can't help but like all the pix of her adorable baby.)

I used the same stylist for 30+ years years, but he died 😢. Found someone else, but after 2-3 years she decided to change careers 😕. She referred me to someone and I’ve been with her now for 4-5 years? It is working out fine but there‘s something wrong with her mirror. My face is so saggy and wrinkled and old 😳😫.

I was thinking about trying to lose a few pounds but seeing my thinning (and not in a good way) face reminded me of the expression about having to choose between your face or your fanny. I can’t take the chance that any weight change won’t be reflected negatively in my face.

The good news is I won’t have to change my eating habits 🍕🍰. The bad news is the face isn’t going to get any firmer, smoother, or younger. 👵🏻👶🏼 I’ll just ask her to turn the chair away from the mirror next time. Out of sight is out of mind.

The tip envelope sounds so strange. That must be a regional thing. I’ve been to at least ten different high end and ine average salon and have never seen that. What is the rationale for that method? is it anonymous so the stylist can’t tell who’s cheap and who isn’t? My current stylist is so reasonable and so good that I leave her huge tips included on my check.

I always write a note and sign my name; i think most do. Never iccurred to me. Envelopes seem nicer. DH pays everyone in an envelope.

happy birthday Dedtired girl! 😘

I am on the other side of the country from Mtn., it's always been an envelope. In Dallas and NYC it's been and envelope too, not sure about DC, though I have never handed a stylist money personally.

I too write a note. Everyone puts their name on the envelope.

Obviously I've been in Australia too long. I completely forgot that Americans and Canadians tip their hairdressers. It's just not a "thing" here. Mind you, the cost of a haircut probably here makes up the difference.

Jmm, since my previous two salons have been British, I thought I would compare prices and see if you were right about the tip discounting the price.

Vidal Sassoon London's top stylist is £170. Vidal Sassoon's top NYC or SF (closed now) stylist is $250.

It's a close call. The £ 170 turns to $214. Tip would be 20 percent, so it's almost even.

I used London's top person regionally, not their head of all stylists worldwide, who is available in London and commands a higher premium.

I've been going to the same stylist for about 10 years after trying a couple of other hairdressers. I like her work very much and we chat and exchange information, but she's not too chatty which I appreciate. Sometimes I just like to zone out and be in my own thoughts during this time. There are people who do the shampoos at the salon, and they do a lovely scalp massage. I feel pretty mellow when I leave!

I wrote the stylists name on the envelope and my name. I tipped the shampoo person directly. Hmm Hmm, i wonder if im supposed to write out an envelope for her. I also wonderif my stylist gets my entire tip or if things are divvied up.

As for tipping, I wish it would go away. Just charge what the service is worth.

I've never had multiple people involved in my hair. One person shampoos, cuts, styles. No coloring. I just add the tip in the app (20%) and that's it.

My stylist is chatty, in a good way. We tend to see the world through the same lens. Sometimes I wish she'd talk a little less because it tends to slow her down. But a happy stylist is better with hair imho.

But ded, how does your hair look???

Here, I guess it depends on the salon. There’s one I’ve gone to, they ahve envelopes. But mine is smaller, I tip directly to the stylist (ive beein seeing her for 18 years!) and the shampooer when I have her shampoo my hair. Usually I arrive wet. Sometimes there’s no shampoo girl and my stylist has washed my hair.

When I lived in Dallas I finally found a stylist I loved. For a short time he had a shampoo gal who, ooh la la, really made the experience. (I’m just a cut-and-blow-dry client, so I don’t ask for much lol) One day, she was gone and my stylist washed my hair. He said they were in a budget crunch. I said, she was worth the budget!

I’ve been hoping for before and after pics, Ded!

I have been going to my stylist for maybe 5 years now. I love her but she is very scattered and is often running late (fortunately she usually texts me in advance to let me know). The last time I left a stylist (after several years) I sent her a card with a note saying basically ”it’s not you, it’s me.” I alway feel bad when I ditch a stylist for someone new.

Anyway, I pay with a credit card and there are options on the screen for adding a tip, which is very easy. Where I get my nails done, tipping is cash only, so I always have to make sure I have the right configuration of cash…I know, my life is difficult. 😜

I desperately need a hair intervention, it's been over two years of complete neglect. But finding someone good has been a challenge, even before the pandemic. I used to visit my old stylist when I would go with hubs to visit family back in the Lehigh Valley. She was that good. But I don't go with him anymore. There are a lot of options here, but not necessarily good ones. Not everyone can cut or color your hair in a style that is low maintenance and still looks good when you get home and do it yourself. They want you to keep coming back as often as possible!