Whenever you visit a nail salon and get your nails done by an esthetician, you may often get awkward thinking about how much you should tip for your manicure. Love it or hate it, tipping is so deeply rooted in American culture.
So to help you with your ultimate tipping decision for a manicure, I am here with this guide that is aimed at solving this problem for you. Let’s know in detail!
What Does Manicure Refer to?
It is referred to as a cosmetic beauty treatment A manicure is a cosmetic beauty treatment for your fingernails which are shaped then painted using nail polish. You can see basically five stages of a professional manicure – nail cutting and shaping, cutting the cuticles, buffing, nail painting, and hand massage.
Should You Tip for a Manicure?
Let us discuss the first question that comes to your mind – if you should tip for a manicure, even for the basic one. The answer is, in one word, Yes!
Julie Kandalec, doing celebrity manicures in New York City and the founder of the Masterclass Nail Academy says, “The tip should be part of the final price that a client expects to pay.” “For example, if your service costs $50, you should see it as costing $60.”
This statement demonstrates that your manicures deserve to be tipped the way you would at any spa treatment or hair salon. Moreover, apart from being good etiquette, tipping for a manicure also will help you foster a good relationship with your nail esthetician.
Is $5 a Good Tip for Manicure?
A $5 tip for a manicure is considered a generous tip and is above the standard tip amount of 15-20% of the service cost. However, whether or not it is enough depends on several factors.
The cost of the manicure is an important consideration. If the cost of the service was low, a $5 tip may be a substantial amount and appreciated by the service provider. If the cost was high, a $5 tip may be seen as less generous.
The quality of the service is another important factor. If the service was exceptional, you may want to consider leaving a larger tip as a way to show your appreciation. If the service was subpar, you may choose to leave a smaller tip or not tip at all.
How Much Do You Tip for $35 Nails?
A common practice for tipping on nail services is to leave a tip of 15-20% of the total service cost. For a $35 nail service, a standard tip would range from $5.25 to $7.
However, the amount you choose to tip can depend on some factors such as the quality of the service and your own financial situation. If you received exceptional service, you may want to consider leaving a higher tip as a way to show your appreciation. It’s also important to consider local norms for tipping. In some areas, a tip in the range of 15-20% may be standard, while in other areas it may be higher or lower.
How Much Should You Tip for a $50 Manicure?
When it comes to tipping for a manicure, the amount you choose to tip is usually based on the cost of the service and your personal satisfaction with the service received. As a general guideline, a standard tip for a manicure service is between 15-20% of the total cost.
For a $50 manicure, this would mean a tip of $7.50 to $10.00. However, if you received exceptional service, you may choose to tip more. On the other hand, if you were not completely satisfied with the service, you may choose to tip less or not at all. It’s important to keep in mind that tips are a way to show appreciation for good service and are usually given directly to the nail technician.
How Much do You Tip for a $40 Gel Manicure?
Tipping for personal services such as a gel manicure is a matter of personal preference and financial ability. However, it is common to tip 15-20% of the total cost of the service as a sign of appreciation for the work done. For a $40 gel manicure, a tip of $6 to $8 would be appropriate.
You may choose to round up or down depending on your satisfaction with the service and your personal financial capability. If the service was exceptional, you may choose to tip more, while if it was not up to your standards, you may choose to tip less or not tip at all.
Tipping is not only a way to show gratitude, but it also helps to support the livelihoods of service professionals who often rely on tips as a significant portion of their income. It is important to remember that a tip is a personal gesture and should reflect your personal experience.
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In the USA, nail technicians do not bring home a lot of money. According to the data of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average earning of a manicurist and pedicurist is likely $14.65 per hour. So if you are paying more than this amount for your service, why not tip them generously?
An Overview of the Five Standard Manicure Services
Now that you know tipping for manicures is a must, let us take a look at the five standard types of manicure services to get to know how much you tip for them in the later part.
Basic Manicure:
A basic manicure, being a minimal process, usually takes 10 to 25 minutes to get completed. In this traditional manicure service, your nails are basically trimmed, shaped and buffed at first. Then cuticle oil is applied and cuticles are managed too. You are expected to enjoy a relaxing hand massage in after the process. In the end, standard nail polish is applied according to your choice.
Acrylic Overlay:
An acrylic overlay is considered a popular manicure service all over the world. In this process, the manicurist will apply “acrylic powder” and “monomer liquid” over your real nails to provide a long-lasting and hard nail on the surface. In the end, the nail artist turns your nails into acrylic overlay nails after washing your hands and nails thoroughly. The entire process takes around 20 to 35 minutes to complete and is likely to stay around 2-4 weeks.
Gel Manicure:
The elementary process for a gel manicure is the same as the basic manicure. However, in an additional process, your nails will be kept under UV or LED light for some time to make the manicure long-lasting. It generally lasts for two to four weeks.
French Manicure:
In this manicure, the manicurist puts the white polish at the edge of your nails. It lasts up to two to three weeks. The rest of the primary steps remain the same as the basic steps of other manicures.
Hot Stone Manicure:
Hot stone manicure is widely considered one of the most expensive manicures. It takes around 40 to 50 minutes to complete the entire session. In this process, the manicurist uses hot stones and eminence organic products. It works as a therapy since hot stones help to expand blood vessels, which raises blood flow throughout the body.
How Much Should You Tip for A Manicure?
Be it a basic manicure or the hot stone one, according to the president & owner of Mannersmith and an etiquette consultant Jodi R.R. Smith, you definitely should tip 15% to 20% for your service at a nail salon. She also asserts that you can tip more than this industry-standard range if you are supremely pleased with the service, or you may tip less if you are disappointed.
According to some statements of the nail salon service providers, it can be best to tip 20% or more so that the nail artists do not feel underappreciated. However, it is always best to make your decision based on your wise judgment. But you should also keep in mind that if you receive an amazing service from your manicurists, please don’t hesitate to tip what you feel they really deserve.
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After all, showing them your appreciation can make them go above and beyond for you every time.
Now let us take a look at a summarized table of the costs of the standard manicure services and their minimum tipping amount.
| Standard Manicure Types | Cost Range of Standard Manicure Services | Minimum Tipping Amount (Starting from 15%) |
| Basic Manicure | $15-$20 | $2.25-$3 |
| Acrylic Overlay | $25 – $55 | $3.75- $8.25 |
| Gel Manicure | $35-$60 | $5.25-$9 |
| French Manicure | $30-$40 | $4.5-$6 |
| Hot Stone Manicure | $40- 50 | $6-$7.5 |
It should be kept in mind that the above picture is just given based on the average pricing policies for standard manicure services. The cost along with the tipping amount can vary as per the different location.
Some Things to Consider While Tipping for A Manicure
While getting the manicure service, you should always consider some facts that will help you in practicing tipping like a pro!
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Gel Nails Requires A Bit More
While you can justify a tip for the standard services up to 20%, when you get gel nails, it warrants a nicer tip. The reason behind this is that getting gel nails takes longer and requires additional skills from the nail technician. Try to consider at least 25% for this service if you are truly happy with the outcome.
Tip More for Lower Costs
A low-cost treatment usually means a smaller tip if we consider the percentage. With a manicure service, even though the service person is probably earning less, they still have to do the same amount of work required for the treatment.
Therefore, it is ideal to make your tip adjusted to such an amount that it can resemble the tipping amount of a medium-priced manicure or pedicure.
Tip in Cash!
It is always a great practice to tip in cash to your service provider. To make sure the tipping goes straight to the hands of your manicurist, consider carrying some cash in hand even if you have to pay the bill with a card.
Give Some Presents to Your Manicurists for Festivals
A nice way to show your appreciation to your manicurist is to bring them a small gift around the holiday season when most of us get our nails done for the festive look. Chocolates, a box of donuts, or a flower bouquet can go a long way in this regard.
When Can You Avoid Giving Tips to Your Manicurist?
You may be in some situations when you can avoid giving tips to your manicurists. Some of those special situations have been presented as follows –
If you find any nail salon having a banner on the front door saying “Any kind of tipping Gesture is Prohibited”
When you get your nails done by a senior artist
If you feel you have received a below-average service than expected
When you feel that your manicurist is being rude to you
If you find that your bill has been prepared with an amount mentioning “gratuity” in it which eventually refers to the tipping amount
So typically in the cases above, you can safely avoid tipping your manicurist.
Is It Rude Not To Tip Nail Salon?
Tipping at a nail salon is a common practice in the USA, but it is not a requirement. Whether or not you choose to tip is ultimately your personal preference. If you receive good service, tipping is a way to show appreciation and gratitude to the staff who provided you with the service.
However, not tipping at a nail salon may be perceived as rude by some workers, as they often rely on tips as a significant part of their income. If you feel uncomfortable not tipping, consider leaving a smaller amount or simply thanking the worker for their service. It’s important to treat them with kindness and respect, regardless of whether or not you choose to tip.
Final Take
Tipping your manicurist can be an area of uncertainty in general. However, now that you know the ins and outs of tipping guidelines for a manicure, you can certainly tip your manicurist with the genuine amount they deserve. How much you are tipping is totally up to you, however, you should also consider the quality of the service you have received.
