The G-List is TheUrbanDaily.com’s annual celebration of 40 influential men from various walks of life who define what it means to be a trendsetter with style in their field.
Name: Dashawn Watson
From: New Jersey
Occupation: Barber
Affiliations: The Shop
When it comes to his barber skills, New Jersey native Dashawn Watson uses one word to describe his talent: “Nice.” Having spent the last eight years as a professional groomer, Dashawn knows what his clients want and need when they walk through the door. Now working at The Shop in Englewood, New Jersey, where a variety of high-profile clients come to get their shape ups and shaves, Dashawn comes in contact with some of the county’s famous residents on a daily basis.
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So barbers are as popular these days as some of the artists. Do you use your real name or do you have like a barber name?
Nah, I use my real name. They just call me Day.
How did you get your start in the business?
Actually, I started cutting when I was 15, cutting my man’s and everybody’s hair. Then word of mouth got around, and when Johnny opened the shop, he hired me.
What is it that makes you good at what you do, or as you describe it, “Nice?”
I mean, just being into it and knowing what person needs what cut. Everybody doesn’t look the same. Knowing what they want and what they don’t want when they come in the door.
You guys get a number of celebs at The Shop, from Fabolous to Joe Budden. There must be some interesting conversation going down in there. What do your clients talk about while they’re in the chair?
I mean, it depends on the client. They talk about whatever they’re into, whether they’re a celeb or not. Depending on what they do, from sports to music, the topics can be about anything. If they’re in the industry, they talk about that. It’s like what they’re into. A guy who is not in the music industry, one of my clients that works for a Fortune 500 company, said he was going to just stop working. He had enough money to stop working, and I think that’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard recently.
So let me get into your business a little. What’s the best tip you’ve gotten recently?
$150. You have to realize that whether they are celebs or regular people, they got bills just like I got bills. Today might be a good day, and they might give you 50 dollars for a $10 cut. Either way, for me, the relationship is bigger than the money. I would rather keep the relationship going than worry about the money.
Who are some of the clients you’ve cut?
Charlie Murphy, Royce Da 5’9, DJ Envy. DJ Suss One. I have a couple of low-key celebrities that [are] known, a few guys from Canada, [who are] not out.
So let’s get technical. I’ve had some folks on The G-List tell me they do not use razors. As a professional, what do you have to say about that?
As far as the razors go, some people prefer it because it puts a sharp line and gives a cleaner shave, but a lot of Black men can’t use the razor due to the way their hair grows back. On the other hand, a lot of White men prefer not to use clippers and only use scissors. For African American[s], the scissors are used in a different manner. I might use the scissors just to smooth the cut out or to trim a bit. As far as longer hair, they may not want clippers, but a very light trim. Clippers might take too much off especially if they’re looking for a Justin Bieber cut. It depends on the client.
Are there any skin products you recommend?
It depends. If you get a close, clean shave, you want to use any product that won’t clog up your pores but will clean your face at the same time, but not over dry your face.
Is there any celebrity out there who’d you like to be able to work on?
Yeah, um, let’s see. Probably Jamie Foxx. Because his joint be twisted. Not to talk crazy about his personal barber, but as a barber you see people and see how their cut is and you know what you can do, and you be like damn, I could do better.
The G-List is TheUrbanDaily.com’s annual celebration of 40 influential men from various walks of life who define what it means to be a trendsetter with style in their field.
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