We recommend tipping 15–20% of the facial price when an esthetician does the treatment.
Do you tip for a facial?
Yes, when the person who performs the facial is an esthetician at a spa or salon. Tip 15–20% of the service price. Tip on the facial, not on serums or other products you buy on the way out.
If a physician performs a medical procedure, we do not recommend a tip. If you cannot tell from the booking whether the person is an esthetician or a physician, ask before you add 15–20%. The answer decides whether this page applies.
Haircuts and other salon services are on Salon and spa tipping etiquette. The beauty hub is Beauty and salon tipping.
How much to tip for a facial
Use 15% for a straightforward facial. Use 20% when the treatment was longer or more involved than you booked, or when you asked for extra attention to a specific concern.
Longer sessions may warrant a slightly higher tip percentage
Quick presets
Tip Amount
$16.00
Total
$96.00
Effective tip
20%
The calculator starts at 20%, the top of our range. Set Service Type to Facial and leave Session Duration at 60 minutes, because the other durations change the percentage. Move the tip to 15% for the low end. The prices below are worked examples, not a spa's menu. The same tool is on the spa and massage tip calculator page.
| Service price | Tip at 15% | Tip at 20% |
|---|---|---|
| $80 | $12.00 | $16.00 |
| $110 | $16.50 | $22.00 |
| $150 | $22.50 | $30.00 |
An $80 facial at 20% is a $16 tip, which is what the calculator shows at its starting percentage on an $80 price. At 15% the tip is $12.
Discounts and add-ons
Tip on the price before a coupon. A facial listed at $150 and discounted to $120 still gets 15–20% of $150, which is $22.50 to $30.
A product you take home is not part of that base. Pay the product price. Do not tip on it.
Cash or card
Add the tip on the card receipt, or hand it to the esthetician in cash. One tip, not both. If the salon adds a line named gratuity before you see the bill, read it. If that line is already 15–20%, do not add the same tip again. If you cannot tell what the line is, or whether it goes to the esthetician, ask the salon.
If you are not happy with the result
Tell the esthetician before you leave, so they can fix what they can. We do not recommend tipping below 15% because of it.
The salon page for the rest of the visit is Salon and spa tipping etiquette.