First Lady Nails Patchogue (2025)

FAQs

How much do you tip the nail lady? ›

How Much Should You Tip? Much like at restaurants and hair salons, the industry standard for tipping at the nail salon ranges around 15 to 20 percent, and it is generally recommended that if you've received extra services or specialty designs, a minimum of 20 percent is appreciated.

The first US nail salon was opened in Manhattan in 1878 by a woman called Mary Cobb. Her $1.25 buff and shine manicures set her up as a successful female entrepreneur- a girl boss even!

NAIL CARE WAS BORN

The first nail salon dedicated to nail care was opened in 1878 in New York City. Founder Mary Cobb learned about nails in France, and then brought it over here, adding her tweaks to the process.

Cobb (May 1852 – January 30, 1902) was the first known American manicurist and introduced modern nail manicuring to Britain and the United States.

The standard tipping amount: How much to tip at a nail salon

Generally, the usual tipping amount for any service is 15-20% of the total cost, although 20% is more common.

The tip amount you give at a nail salon isn't just an arbitrary number. It's a reflection of your satisfaction with the service, and it contributes significantly to the income of your nail technician. Generally, 15-20% of the total cost is considered standard for tipping in this industry.

By the end of the 1980s, over 125,000 Vietnamese refugees had settled in the United States, and word had spread among the close-knit community that nail salons were a viable business to earn a stable income and become self-sufficient.

A manicure in which the moon, or lunula, is painted a contrasting color to the rest of the nail or simply left bare. The original moon manicure was worn by screen stars back in the '20s.

According to the UCLA report, approximately 80 percent of nail salon workers are female; about 75 percent are of Asian descent, with Vietnam as the most common place of birth; 65 percent of the workforce is between 16 and 44 years old; and nearly 50 percent do not speak English or have limited English proficiency.

Nathalie Kay “Tippi” Hedren, an American actress, animal rights activist and former fashion model, was born on January 19, 1930. Hedren was instrumental in helping Vietnamese immigrants in California get started in the nail industry.

What was the average cost of a manicure in the 1970s? ›

In the 1970s, the local nail salon would have been hard to find. The average cost of a manicure was $60, making it too expensive for the average person. However, today a manicure or pedicure can be found for as little as $15 in most areas.

The Chinese are often credited with creating the first “nail polish”, in 3,000 BC. Women soaked their nails in a combination of egg whites, gelatine, beeswax and dyes from flower petals; roses and orchids were the most popular. The result was shiny nails tinted reddish pink.

If the total for your manicure was $50, tipping $10 is a good tip since it's 20% of the total.

To express proper appreciation, consider tipping within the 15% to 20% range based on the total service cost. $5 may be on the lower side for a nail salon service. Consider tipping within the 15% to 20% range for proper acknowledgment.

It's customary to tip 10% to 20% for nail salon services. Lauren Schwahn is a writer at NerdWallet who covers credit scoring, debt, budgeting and money-saving strategies.

As a rule of thumb, a tip of 15-20% of the total bill is considered standard in the industry.