Sephora vs Ulta Tipping: What’s the Right Amount?

People often wonder if they should tip at Sephora or Ulta, and if the amount should be the same as at a regular salon. The truth is, tipping at these stores is easy once you know the basics. Whether you’re getting a quick makeup touch‑up, a full hair color, or a personalized skincare consult, a small tip shows appreciation and can build a good relationship with the staff.

Typical Services and Suggested Tips

Most beauty services at Sephora and Ulta fall into three groups: product advice, makeup application, and salon treatments like hair color or keratin smoothing. For a quick product recommendation, a $1‑$2 tip is enough. If you get a professional makeup application, aim for $5‑$10 depending on the time spent. Hair color is where most people get confused – the guide "How Much Should You Tip for a $100 Hair Color?" recommends 15‑20% of the service cost, so a $100 color would be $15‑$20.

Skincare consultations are usually shorter, so a $3‑$5 tip works well. If a technician spends extra time explaining ingredients or demonstrates a routine, add a few more dollars. The key is to match the tip to the effort and knowledge shared.

How to Tip at Sephora vs Ulta

Sephora staff are often beauty advisors who focus on product matching. They usually don’t have a tip jar, but you can hand cash or add a tip to the card payment when you check out. Ulta, on the other hand, combines a retail store with full‑service salons. In the salon area you’ll often see a tip jar or a prompt on the payment screen. If you’re unsure, ask the stylist or advisor if they accept tips.

Both stores are fine with rounding up the total. For a $45 haircut at Ulta, rounding up to $50 is a simple way to tip about 10%. If you’re paying by card, you can type in the tipped amount before authorizing. Cash is still the quickest way to make sure the tip goes directly to the person who helped you.

Quick cheat sheet:

Product advice: $1‑$2
Makeup application: $5‑$10
Hair color (up to $150): 15‑20% ($22‑$30 for $150)
Skincare consult: $3‑$5

Remember, you don’t have to tip every single time, but a small amount when the service feels extra helps staff know they did a good job. Keep a few dollars handy, and you’ll never be stuck guessing again.