In an age when celebrities get so much for free, both goods and services, the etiquette of paying and tipping is clearly being rewritten.  Since the very presence of a star at a salon can instantly create a paparazzi frenzy, some celebrities feel that that’s all the tipping they need to do. The deal basically being, “well, you tipped off everybody I was here to tout your biz, so, there’s your tip.”

The system has definitely created a few monsters. But of course, angels remain.  Beauty Undercover asked some of Hollywood’s most talented manicurists, hair stylists, massage therapists and estheticians, who tips big and who doesn’t?  

Beauty Undercover wondered when Britney Spears shaved her head a few years back in that Los Angeles establishment, how much money did she leave behind?  So we called Esther’s Hair Salon in the San Fernando Valley at once. The receptionist asked the owner, surprisingly named Esther, who, hard at work, tossed off, “I don’t remember,” before remembering, “She shaved her own hair.” Good point. 

But wait, just because she performed the scalping herself, Britney still hijacked the salon, that’s gotta call for something….”So did she even pay?”, we pushed further.  An understandably exasperated Esther, mid-cut, got on the phone to silence us, “She didn’t tip me, but her bodyguard gave me something.”  (More on stingy stars and super stars after the jump.)

“Half of the celebrites don’t know how to tip,” explained one source.  “Paris and Nicky Hilton’s people called for a service and asked if appointments were available,” the beauty expert continued. “When I said yes, they said, ‘We’d like you to do it as a gratis service.”’  

Victoria Beckham loves her treatments but according to one source in the beauty business she allegedly expects it for free, which surprised us as she seems to have such good manners otherwise, but this behavior isn’t exactly what you’d call posh.  Ever the lady, we’re told Lindsay Lohan wants free product and on at least one trip to the beauty salon “didn’t even tip the shampoo and blow dry person,” alleged one beauty guru.  At another place she reportedly, “Left without paying.” Actress Katie Cassidy from the recently canceled Melrose Place allegedly want her beauty treatments “for free and then doesn’t even tip,” sputtered a disgruntled beautician.

Happily, we then learned there were still plenty stars who are quite generous with tips well over 30-percent:  Renee Zellweger is known across town as a fantastic client and tipper.  “Jessica Alba always leaves 30-percent,”gushed one grateful esthetician.  The Honor Roll continued: Nicole Kidman is always quite generous with her tips, as is Kirstie Alley and Kim Kardashian.

And we close on the ultimate Angel of Tippers, a Charlie’s angel, Drew Barrymore, who, like Charlie, will call and summon, bringing estheticians to her house. One house call cost $200 and Drew tipped close to $100, well worth her provider’s time and effort.  So there you have it, Drew Barrymore has proven what Hollywood Royalty’s true tipping policy should be: when you’ve got more–and you’re asking for more–give more!

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