Pedro Rosario is a famed celebrity barber who works with many of Hollywood’s hottest stars. We caught up with him to talk about his career and tips on how to keep yourself looking good during winter.
The Knockturnal: When did you decide that you wanted to be a barber?
Pedro Rosario: It all started when I was in high school. I noticed the barber made a tiny mistake on my hair and instead of going back and being fussy, I decided to fix it myself with an old pair of rusty-dusty clippers with black wire tape. I always had an eye for barbering as a child, so I picked it up relatively fast just by observing. I practiced on myself a lot then recruited my younger brother as my first model. Over time, I cut most of the gentlemen I knew and a few brave long-haired ladies.
The Knockturnal: What got you started in the barbershop business?
Pedro Rosario: Cutting hair is something I did for fun, but I didn’t take it seriously enough for it to be a career choice. Originally, I was a mortgage loan officer for 11 years and when the economy tanked in 2008, I saw it was soon time for a change. I wasn’t passionate about my career choice in finance and wanted to do something that was fun, creative, and kept me intimately connected with people. So I got trained and worked on mastering my craft in some of the hottest barbershops in New York City.
The Knockturnal: Do you often have people you know ask you for advice on grooming?
Pedro Rosario: There are a few that ask for my advice on occasion, but I often volunteer tips when I don’t like what I see. My favorite so far has been my dad who has thinning hair and wants to try everything under the sun to get it back. I told him he spent too much time using those hair dryers in the salons from the 1980s.
The Knockturnal: Do you have any preferred hairstyles for your customers?
Pedro Rosario: My preferred hairstyles for clients are often simple, but stylish. My favorites are those that give off an effortless and manageable look but are not too perfect and structured. For this type of style, I prefer to use AXE Texture Cream to achieve a natural feel with a medium hold.
The Knockturnal: What grooming tips do you have for people with long hair?
Pedro Rosario: My best tip I could give is to get trims every few months, as this will keep the hair ends healthy and maintain the shape of the style. I also recommend not washing your hair with shampoo as often. This will keep the hair naturally moisturized because of the natural oils your scalp creates.
The Knockturnal: Which celebrities have hired you for special events?
Pedro Rosario: I’ve styled numerous celebs including Vic Mensa, Eddie Huang, NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe, and many more, in addition to creating looks at ComicCon and New York Men’s Fashion Week. Last year, I worked on a really fun event for AXE where I styled Stranger Things’, Gaten Matarazzo. As part of AXE’s #AXEpressYourself social initiative, I traveled to Pittsburgh at West Mifflin Area High School, where we set up a mobile grooming truck and Gaten and I distributed samples of hair styling products to teens the day before their prom to help them ace that major moment with style. We also hosted one lucky student on the truck for a private, VIP styling session. It was so fun to team up with Gaten, while also helping to boost kids’ confidence and show them there’s not just one way to be attractive.
The Knockturnal: With December coming up quickly, what are your grooming tips for winter?
Pedro Rosario: For the winter season, I always tell my clients to invest in a rich body lotion, facial moisturizer, and a light winter scent. The cold winter air dries out our skin, so it’s important to moisturize day and night to avoid chaffing and cracked skin. As for fragrances, AXE’s all-new Wild Bamboo Body Spray is one of my personal favorites. It’s made with essential oils and gives quite the sophisticated scent. As we prepare for a more intimate holiday season, this subtle fragrance will make sure to not overwhelm your family but still keep you smelling and feeling fresh all day.
The Knockturnal: What are your best tips for people with beards?
Pedro Rosario: A solid face wash regimen is the first step to keep up with your beard, whether you just have scruff or have a medium-to-long bushy beard. Make sure to scrub underneath properly to remove dead skin. I also recommend keeping your beard moisturized, especially when we’re wearing masks all the time nowadays. Beard oil, conditioner, or balm will do the trick! Regular trimming of the beard lines on the cheeks, neck, and mustache is also ideal.
The Knockturnal: How has the pandemic affected your work?
Pedro Rosario: I’m fortunate that this crazy time has been a game-changer for my business in a very positive way. I am a partner in a startup that offers premium haircuts anytime, anywhere in the comfort and safety of your home.
The Knockturnal: Do you have any new clients set up for December?
Pedro Rosario: I don’t cut hair as often anymore due to my limited availability, as most of my time is spent recruiting and managing my team for my business. I do have a loyal clientele that books me every few weeks, so that will definitely keep me busy for the remainder of the year!