Lookin’ Sharp

Hair and beard tips from Local Barber of Fort Worth owner Johnathon Razo.

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It was like it was “destined to happen,” Johnathon Razo says of his barbershop, Local Barber of Fort Worth.

His grandfather once had a barbershop downtown in the Sundance Courtyard. He opened that shop in 1987 — the year Razo was born. Years later, Razo would have his own dream to open a barbershop by the time he turned 30. He turned 30 last October, and two months later, the Local Barber pop-up opened in Sundance Square before moving to its permanent spot in Sundance Courtyard in January — right next door to where his grandfather’s original shop used to be.

The shop caught on pretty quickly. In the June issue of Fort Worth Magazine, readers named Local Barber the Best Men’s Barbershop in the city. And Razo’s just enjoying the ride. 

“We have a great spot here. It’s a great job too,” he says. “I wouldn’t pick any other job in the world but this.” 

What He Uses

Prospectors Coal Mine Pomade. For hair, Razo uses a matte clay pomade from California-based company Prospectors, which he says “smells like a fresh-peeled orange.” When it comes to summer hair, he recommends going for a “dry” look: “You shouldn’t use a wet-looking product because in the summertime, it looks too shiny, and you already get sweaty, so you want to make sure your hair is looking natural. That’s what’s in right now — a drier, matte look.”  

The Beard Place Beard Oil: Barber Shoppe. For the beard, Razo uses beard oil from The Beard Place out of Grand Prairie. “It’s different because it’s not the traditional beard oil — everybody’s doing these woodsy smells — [The Beard Place] is more of a cologne base. I’m not really a cologne guy, so whenever I get a product that smells good, you kill two birds with one stone.”   

18.21 Man Made Wash. A shampoo, conditioner and body wash all in one. 

How He Does It: Johnathon’s Tips

Don’t spend more than 10 minutes on your hair. “People are busy these days, and they shouldn’t have to spend more than that,” Razo says. 

Have your barber show you how to achieve the same look at home. Razo says his barbers work clients through blow-drying, combing and styling techniques before they leave the shop. 

Ditch the comb. “If you want to have a wave or texture to your hair, I wouldn’t use a comb at all; just use your hands. Bunch your hair up and blow dry it.”