Beauty is not just in the eyes of the beholder but also in the hands of the tipper. Over the months I’ve worked at Oaxaca Margarita Bar as a server, I’ve noticed a trend in tips based on how I do my hair.
While the idea that hair makes or breaks the tip may seem far-fetched, the pattern is hard to ignore. There are nights that I’ve walked out with 21% or higher in tips even when the kitchen was slow or customers weren’t the nicest.
More often than not, those were the nights my hair was styled in a specific way. Whether it made me seem more competent, more approachable or more deserving of the 20%, it mattered. So, here is my ranking of some of my serving hairstyles – based solely on how much money I made in tips.
- Pigtails
I hate these with a burning passion.
I know everyone online gets tipped more with pigtails, but the one time I tried it I ended up with barely any tips. The concept of looking like a kid makes me uncomfortable, and pigtails don’t look good on me. I think pigtails makes me look less put together, and so do my tables. I will never be doing these again.
- Low ponytail
Veryyyy boring but sometimes it’s what I need.
This one, though looks good, doesn’t do so well with my tables. My hair tends to be long, so a lot of times I find my ponytail falling out or just getting in the way. I swear this hairstyle brings me bad luck. I had a table once tell me I forgot something (I didn’t), and they ended up leaving without their food. Overall, I don’t get massive tips, but I don’t get zero. The hairstyle isn’t very practical, and it hurts my head and bank account.
- Claw Clip
I have an abundance of claw clips that I need to give away.
This look depends usually on the claw clip, but it’s a pretty baseline hairstyle, so I make baseline tips. People don’t comment on it and leave an average 15%-20%. I like that I can be versatile with the looks, too. Plus, often I look newer to the job, so people are nicer to me. It’s a fairly neutral look, not flashy but basic. I can’t go wrong with this, but sometimes the claw clip pulls my hair too far back, and not only hurts but makes my forehead look bigger – giving the illusion I’m bald.
- Messy bun (high or low)
I usually do this look a minute before my shift in my car.
I don’t think this look gives the impression that I’m put together, but I do think it gives the vibe that I’m working hard and don’t care what my hair looks like. And for some strange reason, people love it. On average, I make around $150 in tips, which is nice, considering I put zero effort into the look. There is some unspoken knowledge with the customers that I’m trying my best to get through the shift on my singular can of whatever energy drink, and the tips usually reflect that. Maybe my exhaustion makes me look trustworthy and relatable.
- Slick-back ponytail with two braids tied in a bow
The bow makes this look.
Though this look doesn’t make me as much in tips as No.1, it still gets me a handful of 20% tips. This look is simple but far from boring. Grown adults and children alike enjoy the bow and love the two braids in the ponytail. With this hairstyle I make around $200, sometimes less. The hairstyle is also super easy to do and fun for little kids– and if they’re happy, their parents will tip more.
- Slicked back half-up, half-down with natural curly hair
Hair might be half down, but tips are always up.
Sleek and sophisticated, this hairstyle is my go-to most days. I usually use my natural curls with it for some volume, but it looks just as good with straight hair. Every time I do this hairstyle, I walk out of my shift with $200 or more in hand. Once I even made $300. This look is very classy and fairly easy to do, and it’s especially nice if my hair is greasy. By far, this hairstyle gives me the most tips. It’s simple but cute, and customers seem to love it.