How much do you tip for wedding makeup?

Always tip your vendors.

Yes- but how much? If the aggregated service fee is $1000, tipping 20% means $200 on tip alone. Is that really a rule of thumb?

We are already paying premium on top of salon prices for wedding day service.

Yes, that is actually the rule of thumb. It's a lot of money when you put it like that, but alternately, if they were doing a bunch of smaller services for separate people over the timeframe they're working with you, that's how much they'd get tipped.

Yes, That sounds like a normal amount.

Everyone is going to tell you 15-20% but tip what you can. I've done hair for 12 years. I understand that the prices are higher for special occasions than a hair cut. I'm always thankfully when I get any tip regardless of the amount. I have been doing clients for years that tip nothing. It comes with the industry. Tip what you can.

Thanks everyone for your quick response!

My makeup artist doesn't work for a professional salon but owns her own business as a wedding makeup artist. She limits the time working on me on the day of for the price and for any touch on its an additional few hundred dollars.

I am not ruling out tipping because of budget and I will definitely tip if I receive extra service. I'm just confused given I'm already paying so much money for her service as listed in contract and a bit uncomfortable to be held up to the expectation of 20% tip.

I thought the rule was if they are the owner, then no tip...? If she owns her business then she makes the price and gets the money.... If I would tip, in this situation I would tip at a lower amount

Also, why would you choose a makeup artist that is so far above the average? Does her style, experience justify the price?

Technically, from what I understand, you don't tip if they are the business owner. So far my make-up artist has been super sweet and helpful, so I probably will still give her something. But it won't be any fixed amount. Just what I is right on the day. I hate this x% expectation thing.

Think about it this way...We come to you, we use our tools (which require washing, sanitizing, and reconditioning after every use), we use our products (which need replacing every so often), we usually stick around to do touch ups after your pictures if you do them before hand, and we are providing a service that you can't or don't want to do yourself. That said...tipping is really something we do too much of in this country. You should tip anyone that goes above and beyond and gives you exceptional service. Usually I get a tip between 15-20% but I consider myself very good at my job. I always have extra things in my kit like bobby pins/safety pins etc and have been able to solve lots of little issues for brides. I don't do hair (just make up) but in a pinch I've been able to fix minor things for brides/maids. It's a matter of service. Tip should be appropriate to what you feel you received. If I showed up hungover from the night before, didn't talk much, and just did what I wanted without consulting with you or your bridesmaids, I wouldn't expect a tip. Anyway...that's my $.02

I don't know why you're trying to justify not tipping her because she charges more than average. There is a reason she charges more, she may be better, she may have more experience. Just because she charges more doesn't mean she doesn't deserve a tip. If you can't afford it you should have picked a less expensive artist.

I tipped my mua 15% of the services excluding the travel fee

Yes, you always tip your beauty vendors. Always!

To some extent, I agree with Heather, but I feel that it's fair to tip 15-20% on the amount before all the service charges (travel, early morning).

Tipping etiquette says do not tip the owner of a business. They are already getting all of your money. Not like someone who works for them that only gets a fraction of what you're charged (that's normally why you tip- to give them a little something extra).

^ I read somewhere while you normally don't tip business owners but hair and makeup artists are the exceptions.

Thanks for the post, i'm glad i read it!!!