4 Proven Ways To Increase Your Tips
by Cara Kapler
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Let’s face it: tipping isn’t guaranteed in the beauty industry, but there are smart strategies to increase the likelihood (and boost your income). Ready to elevate your client experience? Here are the 4 proven ways to increase your tips:
1️⃣ Set the Vibe with Confidence:
Clients reflect your energy, so start their appointment off strong! Greet them warmly, make eye contact, and show genuine excitement about their visit. Walk them to your station with a confident smile, and set a positive tone right away. When clients feel valued and cared for, tipping becomes a natural way for them to show their appreciation.
2️⃣ Build Genuine Connections:
Take the time to truly know your clients. Ask thoughtful questions, remember details about their lives, and share a little about yourself when it feels right. Over time, they’ll feel more like friends than clients.
If the connection is strong and comfortable, a warm hug goodbye or a friendly squeeze on the shoulder can create a moment of genuine human connection. It’s the same magic hairstylists build with their long-term clients. Close each appointment with a heartfelt, "It was so lovely seeing you today—I can’t wait to see you next time!" These small touches make your clients crave their time with you and deepen their appreciation.
3️⃣ Make Tipping Easy and Stress-Free:
Equip your payment processor, like Square*, with a tipping option (e.g., 10%, 15%, 20%), but keep it low-pressure. Say something like:
"This machine gives you an option to tip, but theres no pressure—it’s completely up to you!" Say it with a smile and give them a gentle touch on the arm as you say it. It shows you're genuine! This approach removes the awkwardness, and clients often respond with, "Of course I’m tipping—you’re amazing!" Sometimes clients don’t even realize tipping is an option, so this small change makes a huge difference.
Cara added square for her clients convenience and noticed her tips we're on average an additional $30 per client! That makes a huge difference each month and it's so easy to use - they literally tap their card on your phone!
*Cara is sharing a referral code with Square that gifts you free payment processing on your first $1,000 in transactions! We may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Rest assured, we only recommend products we genuinely use and love!
4️⃣ Create “Wow” Moments:
Reveal their finished look with enthusiasm. Hand them the mirror and say something like, "Oh my gosh, look at these lashes—aren’t they gorgeous?" Your confidence in your work helps them see the value in what you’ve created. Seeing your pride makes them feel special and encourages them to show their gratitude.
At the end of the day, increasing your tips is all about connection and care. When you pour into your clients with genuine energy and exceptional service, you’ll see that reflected—not just in their gratitude, but in your bank account too. Your clients are the heartbeat of your business, and these small gestures will keep them coming back, raving about you, and tipping generously.
👉 Now it’s your turn to try these out. Let us know which tip works best for you!
All our love,
Lash Line. xo