Exactly How Much to Tip at the Nail Salon, According to Real Manicurists

You're just about to leave the nail salon. You have a fresh manicure with trendy bow details—and a burning question: How much should you tip your nail tech? To find out, we tapped the pros. Ahead, learn from industry insiders why tipping is crucial, how much to tip, and what to do if you're unhappy with the service.

Is Tipping Required?

The short answer is that you should always tip your nail tech—it's an expected standard and something customers should factor into the total anticipated cost before booking an appointment. It's considered very poor etiquette to receive a service without tipping. Like you, we've saved hundreds of photos of nail design ideas to inspire our next nail appointment, many of which require a lot of time and attention to detail. "It’s a huge misconception that doing nails is easy. It’s not," Lee tells Byrdie.

Nail art takes a steady hand, patience, and skill. And Lee says that in a world full of technology, the art of nail services has new hurdles: "Nail techs often have to do them while clients are on their phones, working on their laptops, and constantly moving, amongst other things." Not to mention, nail techs are often in uncomfortable positions for long periods of time, putting pressure on their backs and eyes to create the perfect manicure. For that reason, tipping is expected in the nail salon and should be viewed as a requirement.

How Much to Tip Your Nail Tech

The standard tip should always be 20%, according to The Laq Kab owner Lawren Lee. But if you feel your nail tech deserves more, you should tip more. So what should you consider when tipping your go-to nail tech?

When to Tip Extra

Lee says customer service, expertise, education, and environment should be on your list, while celebrity manicurist Jin Soon Choi adds another factor: quality of work. "The biggest consideration when tipping should be the quality of the work, regardless of the time spent, because some clients want to luxuriate and others prefer to get the job done expediently," she tells us. If your manicurist squeezes you in at the last minute or goes out of their way to perfect an intricate design, these are scenarios where you might consider tipping extra.

Can You Tip Less Than 20%?

20% is the standard, and unless there is an extenuating circumstance, you shoulnd't tip less than that. If you're just getting a basic polish, it's still nice (and frankly, expected) to tip. "Tipping around 20% or more is still a good practice to show appreciation for the service," even if it seems basic, Correa says.

What to Do If You're Unhappy with the Service

Expressing your dissatisfaction with any service is tough. However, speaking up is the only way to get your desired result. "Sometimes clients are scared to express when they dislike something, and they end up with nails that they don’t like," Lee shares. But she advises that speaking up immediately is the best practice. "The moment you are not happy, you should let the nail tech know and be clear about your concerns [and] give them an opportunity to fix it before docking a tip."

Additionally, Choi says setting expectations before the service begins is also helpful. "It's best to make clear upfront the nature of the work you would like. Think: how short your nails should be, what shape, if you are pressed for time, et cetera. And if you're still unsatisfied after you've spoken up, she says to be honest about why you're not tipping after your service. "If you are unhappy with the work and you don't want to tip, it's best to explain why, so the technician can improve their work."

Tipping Etiquette

Cash is king in most places—including in the tip jar. "Cash tips are often preferred as they go directly to the service provider without any intermediary processes," says Marcela Correa, founder and CEO of Medi Pedi NYC. "This ensures that the full amount is received by the individual who provided the service, maximizing their appreciation."

In terms of how to present the tip, "it can be handed directly to the service provider or left in a designated tipping jar in an envelope with their name and the client's name," Correa says. "If you're unsure, you can always ask the service provider what their preferred method is." 

Do You Tip the Owner?

"In the case where the service provider is the owner of the establishment, it's not necessary to tip them directly," says Correa. "Instead, showing appreciation through other means, such as writing a positive review online, is often appreciated. Owners may explicitly state that they do not accept tips and prefer other forms of feedback or support." Of course, opinions may vary from owner to owner, so don't hesitate to ask!

The Final Takeaway

Nail techs work hard to create looks that we love, so they should be compensated accordingly. Because of this, tipping is a nonnegotiable, especially in this economy. If you find yourself not wanting to tip because you're unhappy with your nails, having a conversation with your nail tech is the best way to create a path to leaving the salon happy.