Celebrity Barber Chaz Hazlitt Shares Grooming Secrets for Stars like Machine Gun Kelly
Chaz Hazlitt isn't your average barber - and, in fact, has been central to redefining what it means to be a barber in today’s world. With over 16 years in the industry, he's worked his way up from local shops to become a sought-after celebrity groomer, cutting hair for stars like Machine Gun Kelly. But his passion goes beyond just fades and designs – Chaz is a big believer in the power of a good grooming routine.
We caught up with Chaz to chat about his career journey, his favorite products, and why he thinks Jaxon Lane is a game-changer for men's skincare.
Chaz at his barbershop, Stache Barbershop (Courtesy of Chaz Hazlitt, @ceehazthebarber)
Q: How did you get your start in the barbering industry?
A: When I was 16 in New Jersey, I had begun dabbling in the art world. I also loved basketball, and I was inspired by the Knicks player Anthony Mason, who always had cool designs in his hair. That first gave me the idea that hair could be a medium for art.
From that day, Chaz started begging his friends to let him cut their hair - using scissors from the local convenience store as the tool of his trade. He kept it up for the next few years until one day, the owner of a nearby barbershop noticed Chaz, now 18, showing off his friend’s new haircut. When the owner offered him a job, Chaz at first assumed it would just be a good way to make money. But it didn’t take long for Chaz to realize that cutting hair could be his new art form - a skill he wanted to develop and make into a career.
From shop floor to A-List clientele
As he honed his craft at the barbershop, Chaz started to notice one glaring problem - and an opportunity. Men would come to the barbershop to get a shave and a fade, but couldn’t get their hair cut there, too. Instead, they had to head to their wives’ salons to get their hair trimmed with shears afterwards. Chaz seized the opportunity to learn the ropes at a nearby salon, so that he could offer his customers both services and work towards his new vision: providing men’s styling AND trimming, both in a place comfortable for a male customer and with products and services tailored to men.
(Courtesy of Chaz Hazlitt, @ceehazthebarber)
Chaz: “Barber” was almost a dirty word back then - so I thought, why not create the ‘barber stylist,’ and redefine the services available to men?
In 2001, Chaz opened his own barbershop in Union, New Jersey, fusing the worlds of barbering and salons, and offering hot towel shaves while introducing his clients to high-quality products.
Not long after opening his shop, Chaz pivoted towards another one of his great loves: record labels. As he started touring with different music companies, he spotted another opportunity to nurture his passion and skillset in a new field. He realized that high-quality makeup, skincare and grooming for artists shooting music videos were both incredibly important, and underrepresented. From there, Chaz decided to make himself the artist: he began shooting music video-style barbering videos and how-tos.
Q: How did your how-to videos take off?
A: I put a true emphasis on barber culture, and shared what I know about how to look and feel your best right as the barber industry was starting to take off. I also had the opportunity to work with Curtis Smith and his Xotics brand, focused on natural beauty products for men, which was a shared passion area for us. We would create our own barbers show - and even barber battles! - and we traveled all over the country teaching people how to barber.
(Courtesy of Chaz Hazlitt, @ceehazthebarber)
Chaz soon rounded out his services to provide grooming alongside barbering, inspired in part by his mother’s time working for Clinique.
Q: Do you see an evolution in men’s skincare since you got started in the industry?
Chaz: Absolutely. Now is a great time for men’s skincare. 20 years ago, it was definitely looked down upon as a man to take care of your skin. Now, men aren’t afraid to use skincare products any more, and they’re more excited to take care of themselves, with the right tools. There are more great brands like Jaxon Lane that are tailored to men and their skincare needs.
Chaz has now been working with celebrities as a full-service barber, groomer and skincare expert for the past two decades - a life that’s full of travel and new experiences.
Q: How do you balance being a full-time groomer with your other responsibilities?
A: I’m lucky to have a great business partner who primarily holds down our shop while I’m on the road. I still pinch myself when I think about the celebrities I’ve gotten to work with.
After getting noticed at a big hair show in Atlanta, Chaz started getting client referrals. One day, he got a call to cut hair for a relatively unknown-at-the-time artist called Machine Gun Kelly.
Chaz: When we sat down together, I was able to help him transition to a new hair style that he was excited about, which was very cool. Then, two weeks later, Machine Gun Kelly called me back and asked me to cut his hair for his formal record label deal announcement on MTV.
(Courtesy of Chaz Hazlitt, @ceehazthebarber)
Through to today, almost 13 years later, Chaz has remained MGK’s go-to groomer when in NYC in a supportive mutual relationship that’s blossomed from the early days of MGK’s first videos to his current fame and continual magazine features, interviews and more. Chaz calls Machine Gun Kelly “one of the realest guys I’ve ever met,” and looks back on the opportunity to build on that first relationship into today’s success with gratitude and pride.
Machine Gun Kelly, styled by Chaz (Courtesy of Chaz Hazlitt, @ceehazthebarber)
Building the barber culture - and using the right products
Chaz is a big advocate for using the right tools for the job. When it comes to skincare, he emphasizes the importance of ditching the harsh drugstore products and opting for high-quality, natural options.
Q: What are the most important considerations for men when it comes to grooming?
A: Luckily, the days of using cheap products, and alcohols and lotions that do more damage than good, are over. That’s why brands like Jaxon Lane are so important - creating and providing high quality products tailored to men.
Chaz’s favorite products
Here are some of Chaz's secrets to a great cut and post-cut hair:
- Xotics Rescue Spray Aftershave: “I use this product to control bumps after shaving.”
- Sweet Jamila Xotics Hair & Body Glaze: “I love using high-quality, natural products for hair care - if I need more of a clay-based product, I like STMNT Grooming Goods.”
Great hair looks better with great skin. Here are Chaz’s go-to skincare picks for his clients and himself!
- Jaxon Lane Relax & Repair: “I love that there isn’t a heavy scent, and it doesn’t burn on your skin after you apply it. I use it myself and I’ve already been able to see a difference in my skin.”
- Jaxon Lane Shake & Wake: “This is another Jaxon Lane favorite of mine that smells amazing. The way it goes from dry powder to foaming cleanser is so cool - I think it could viral on TikTok.”
- Jaxon Lane Bro Mask & Eye Gels: “I use this duo on my customers in the barber shop. They love the way they look and feel after.”
What’s next for Chaz and the industry?
Q: What trends are you noticing lately?
A: I see a big uptick in men incorporating skincare when they’re traveling - because they can find products now that are for them, they’re not just stealing their wife’s shampoo or something. So I love that the Jaxon Lane line is all travel friendly.
Chaz Hazlitt's journey is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and a passion for the craft. He's not just a barber; he's an artist, a mentor, and a trendsetter. As the grooming industry continues to evolve, Chaz remains at the forefront of innovation. He sees a future where men's grooming is as essential as women's, with a focus on natural, effective products and personalized services. That’s a goal we can definitely get behind.