This was actually a Reader Question that I decided to turn into a question for everybody instead. Why? Because many of us aren't sure about the standard tipping rate in the beauty industry, or that there is such a thing to begin with. The best way to find out is to ask everyone and hopefully find a general guide for best practices in tipping in salons.

The tipping culture here in the Philippines is a bit weird. It's not like in Western countries where service personnel expect and even often demand a 10-20% tip, or in Japan where giving a tip is considered an insult. Here, there seem to be tiers in giving tips, depending on how swanky a place is. We tip very minimally in say, neighborhood salons, but tip more in high-end places. But it's unusual to tip the salon owner as we feel he or she might be insulted, or worse, that we didn't give enough.

Should we give tips, even though there is a service charge included in the price or even if the personnel already receive a salary?

In my opinion, giving a tip is a way for me to say thank you to the person I just spent an hour or two of my life with.

Last Thursday, I got a haircut at the newly-opened Louis Phillip Kee Salon in Burgos Circle. I've heard of so many good reviews so I decided to get my waaaay overdue cut there (P750 / senior stylist)!  

I didn't take pictures because they're still on their soft opening. The place is a bit crowded and smells like paint and smoke. I found it odd, the slight smoke odor, but apparently there was a small fire there a couple of weeks ago. Anyway! Ambiance and decor aside, I like the salon because I got a fabulous hair cut.

Not a lot of hair stylists understand curly hair, so I'm really glad that the lady from LPK (didn't get her name unfortunately) did my hair properly.

I'm not just looking for a new hairstyle whenever I go to a salon. I'm looking to chill in a well-decorated, quiet area, without having to worry if my hair will turn out right. That's why I prefer mid-range to high-end salons (and spas, too!). I can reasonably expect that their staff is well-trained and professional, and the place discreet and relaxing.

One of the newest salons in the metro is Hair Philosophie, which I visited last Thursday. It is located in Tordesillas St., Salcedo Village Makati, near Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. The place is classy and spacious, with a lot of natural light coming in through the glass walls. I felt so at home! It really is one of the best-looking salons I've visited in the past few years. See for yourself -

The entrance

Work area

Gorgeous right? The staff is courteous (of course, they know I'm visiting to review the salon) and professional.

Free services at a fab salon + cupcakes + beauty bloggers is always a recipe for WIN. When FAB Salon invited us to a beauty boot camp, we were so ready. 

Obvious ba? Lol.

FAB Salon is a relatively new salon in Newport Mall, Resorts World. It's owned by the same guy who is behind Bruno’s Barbers - but not to worry, FAB Salon is specifically for women and the staff are trained by none other than celebrity hairstylist Lourd Ramos. The staff also underwent a workshop on professionalism and ettiquette by Patty Betita. 

Even with the suave interiors and the mid-range to high-end products used on the clients, FAB Salon has attractive prices. A basic cut starts at P300, color at P1,300, and hair treatments from P800.