I think 50% is a bit greedy. However, if they're providing and washing towels, buying the creams, oils etc and you have a ready supply of clients that you don't have to go out and find yourself. It does seem a good way to start off and get the experience.
I have a friend who's a beauty therapist who has to give 50% of her takings which is really steep as she has to buy all the goods and do her own advertising which in turn advertises for the hairdressers she works for.
I work in a hotel and give 30% of what I take. I have to provide all my own stuff and do my own advertising however, as it is a hotel I get clients on speck coming in for a treatment, plus there's a leisure club attached to the hotel. The only thing is I'm relying on the beauty therapists to plug my treatments as their leaflet goes into the hotel rooms whereas mine can't bit unfair but not much I can do about it apart from going and shoving them under the doors all 130 of them.... now there's a thought!!
Cheers
Cath