Do You Tip Wedding Makeup and Hair Artists? A Practical Guide for Brides and Guests

Wedding day beauty services can cost hundreds-even over a thousand dollars. You’ve booked the perfect makeup artist and hairstylist, they showed up early, worked magic on your face and hair, and you looked like a dream. Now you’re wondering: do you tip wedding makeup and hair artists? The short answer? Yes, you should. But how much? And when? Let’s break it down.

Why Tipping Wedding Beauty Pros Makes Sense

Wedding makeup artists and hairstylists aren’t just doing your hair and makeup. They’re managing stress, adjusting to last-minute changes, traveling to your home or venue, carrying heavy kits, and often working 8-12 hours straight. They’re part of your wedding team, just like the photographer or florist. And unlike a salon visit where you pay a flat rate, wedding services are custom, high-pressure, and emotionally charged.

In New Zealand, tipping isn’t legally required-but it’s deeply expected in service industries where personal care is involved. Many bridal artists build their businesses around repeat clients and referrals. A thoughtful tip shows you noticed their effort. It also helps them cover costs like gas, equipment, and taxes that aren’t always baked into their quoted price.

How Much Should You Tip?

There’s no one-size-fits-all number, but most professionals expect 15-20% of the total service fee. Here’s what that looks like in real terms:

• If your makeup artist charged $250, a $35-$50 tip is standard.
• If your hairstylist charged $300, aim for $45-$60.
• If you booked both and paid $500 total, $75-$100 is a generous and appreciated amount.

Some brides give a flat $50-$100 regardless of cost. That’s fine if your budget allows. What matters most is that the tip reflects appreciation, not obligation.

Pro tip: If your artist is part of a larger team (like a salon with multiple stylists helping), consider giving each person a smaller tip-$20-$30 per person-instead of pooling it all to one person. Assistant stylists often do the heavy lifting: setting up, cleaning brushes, holding hair sections. They rarely get thanked.

When to Give the Tip

Timing matters. Don’t wait until the reception. Don’t hand it over in cash at the end of the day like you’re paying a taxi driver.

Best practice: Hand the tip to your artist right after they finish, when you’re looking in the mirror and still glowing. Say something simple: “Thank you so much-I’m so happy with how I look.” Then hand them an envelope with cash or a check. If you’re uncomfortable with cash, a digital transfer with a heartfelt note works too.

If you’re giving tips to multiple artists, do it individually. Don’t group them together. Personal recognition means more than a lump sum.

What If You Can’t Afford a Tip?

It’s okay. Not everyone has the budget. But don’t skip appreciation entirely.

If you’re tight on cash, write a handwritten thank-you note. Mention specific things they did: “Your touch-up skills saved me during the rain,” or “I’ve never had my hair hold up this long-I’m so grateful.”

Leave a glowing Google or Facebook review. Many bridal artists rely on online reviews more than ads. A five-star review with photos can be worth more than a $50 tip.

Refer them to friends. Say, “I’m telling three other brides about you.” That’s gold.

Do You Tip the Assistant or Second Artist?

Yes. Always.

Many salons send a lead artist and an assistant. The assistant might be the one who actually washed your hair, set your curls, or applied your false lashes. They’re often paid less and work longer hours. Giving them $20-$30 is thoughtful and fair.

Don’t assume the lead artist will pass on your tip. They might, but they might not. If you want the assistant to feel valued, tip them directly.

What About Bridesmaids or Family Members?

If your makeup artist or hairstylist also did your bridesmaids, mother, or grandmother, you should still tip them for each person they styled. Here’s how:

• For each additional person styled, add $15-$25 to the tip.
• If they did five bridesmaids on top of you, add $75-$125 to your original tip.

Some artists charge extra for extra people. If they did, you don’t need to tip more. But if it was included in the original quote, tipping extra is a kind gesture.

What If the Service Wasn’t Perfect?

You’re not stuck with a bad experience. If the artist was late, unprofessional, or the result was far below what was promised, you don’t owe them a tip.

But here’s the catch: If the result was okay but not amazing, still tip. Wedding days are chaotic. A slight smudge, a curl that fell, or a shade that didn’t match the dress might be due to lighting, humidity, or your own skin texture-not their skill.

Give the benefit of the doubt. If you’re unsure, tip the minimum (10%) and leave feedback privately. Say: “I appreciated your effort. Next time, I’d love to see a test run beforehand.” That’s fair.

Do You Tip for Trial Runs?

No. Trial runs are part of the service agreement. You’re paying for their time and expertise during the trial, so no extra tip is expected. But if they went above and beyond-stayed late, brought extra products, or gave you detailed aftercare advice-a small gift or note is a nice touch.

How to Present the Tip

Cash in an envelope is still the most common and preferred method. It’s immediate, private, and doesn’t require processing fees. But if you’re not comfortable with cash:

• Send a digital payment with a personal message: “Thank you for making me feel beautiful on my wedding day.”
• Include a small gift: a scented candle, a luxury lip balm, or a gift card to a coffee shop.
• Write a note inside the envelope. Say why you’re grateful.

Never tip in gift cards unless you know exactly what they like. A $50 coffee gift card means nothing if they don’t drink coffee.

What Other Wedding Vendors Get Tips?

You’re not alone wondering about this. Here’s a quick reference:

• Photographer: Not required, but a thank-you note or small gift is appreciated.
• Videographer: Same as photographer.
• Catering staff: 15-20% of the food bill is often added to the invoice. If not, tip the head server $50-$100.
• Florist: No tip needed. Their fee includes delivery and setup.
• Transportation (limo, shuttle): 15-20% of the fare.
• Officiant: Not expected unless they’re a professional. A donation to their charity is a nice alternative.

Beauty artists are one of the few vendors where tipping is both expected and meaningful.

Final Thought: It’s About Respect, Not Rules

Tipping isn’t about following a checklist. It’s about recognizing the human effort behind your perfect look. These artists don’t just apply makeup-they help you feel confident, calm, and radiant on one of the most important days of your life.

If you can afford it, tip. If you can’t, say thank you in a way that lasts longer than cash: a review, a referral, a note. Either way, don’t leave them wondering if you noticed their work.