Roger The Barber

There is not a better barber out there. His attention to detail is unmatched. If you sheeple out there can’t handle a true and authentic character who expresses (right there on his website) that he is sensitive to fragrance then go to Fantastic Sam’s. He’s got a point. Artificial colors, preservatives, and synthetic fragrances are screwing all of us up and more people should be offended by them. I think it’s great he is serious about it. More people should be aware of the fact that fragrance is a pretty word for «petrochemical».
He will give you the best classic style men’s haircut out there. His intense attention to detail is rare and he takes deep pride in his work. If you are not satisfied, tell him. He will go above and beyond to make sure you leave happy. Also, the cuts look great for weeks.

Just recently visited Roger at the new location. I was thrilled with my experience and hair. The environment was very relaxing. He also recommended some fantastic products that I could buy locally. I got them and am thrilled. Whenever I visit boulder I make sure to see Roger.

Hit and miss. The first time I went to Roger it was great. He listened, gave me a killer cut and gave a killer neck shave. This last time i was truly disappointed. Dismissed my requests and made me feel like an idiot for asking about certain types of cuts. Won’t be going back nor will i recommend him to anyone else.

As others have said, Roger is a bit of an odd character. It seems that in many (perhaps most) cases, this merely comes off as harmless quirkiness. Also, he has great taste in music. For others, though, it can be more negative. Roger is extremely sensitive to «fragrances», and depending on your choices of shampoo/​conditioner, deodorant, laundry detergent, and other products, Roger may give you an earful. (At one point he leaned down to directly sniff my jeans, and then my armpit, to see if he could identify the source of something he was smelling.) Though many of his stories are very interesting and entertaining, he also makes a variety of odd and occasionally misogynistic comments; I have heard from others (though have not experienced myself) that he can also become insulting and/​or angry without much warning. Finally, the discomfort of all this is magnified by the space — it’s a small, windowless room, with just you and him.
All this said, he does give excellent haircuts in the old-​school style of a trained barber. He is not a stylist, so men looking for a modern/​youthful look may prefer others. Also, he takes his time with it; expect to spend at least a full hour here. Cost is $ 40 a cut.
All in all, given the density of excellent hairstylists in Boulder, I’d say Roger could probably be skipped.

A lot of the reviews I have read about Roger seem to be reviews in his old location that had no ventilation. His new spot is nice with lots of natural light and air, and it seems to me that Roger is much happier.
Getting a hair cut with Roger is an unique experience to say the least. He is very personable, lively, extremely detail orientated, and fun to be around. Being sensitive and wacky myself, I truly enjoy his company. But, I will say he is not for everyone.
He is always playing/​singing some interesting music I have never heard of and seems to enjoy explaining what he knows about the band, etc. He takes great care in only using natural, non-​fragrant products.

An hour of tonsorial mastery.
And excellent, if slightly old school, music.

I went to Roger for a few years when I worked on Pearl and, while being a little out there, the haircuts were worth it.
Recently though Roger has descended into some sort of madness. I like to think I ask for pretty straightforward haircuts, but last time it took almost an hour because Roger went on a tirade about my deodorant (I specifically didn’t wear any knowing I was going to see him) and was consistently going on about the «woman» next door who was «out to get him». The ranting and raving was borderline misogynistic and I will not be returning, period.
I can not recommend Roger to anyone until he solves the problem with his neighbor and lightens up about his «fragrance sensitivity».

Roger is an excellent barber. He spends more time on the haircut then you’ll get anywhere else. He has some days where he listens to your wishes, and some days where he’s kind of in his own world, but the haircut you get is always going to be top quality. Definitely a great old school barber experience too, with his knowledge of tons of random subjects, he always has something to talk about. I’ve been to many salons before, and this is definitely the best haircut I’ve gotten.
To the people who had him complain about fragrances:
Look, don’t go to Roger the barber wearing any kind of fragrance… he makes that pretty clear. This includes fragrances from laundry detergent, cologne, hair products, aftershave, deodorant, etc. Most people wear tons of petroleum based fragrances daily without even knowing it, and the research shows it’s extremely unhealthy, so it’s valid for him to require you not to wear fragrances, just like it’s valid for him to ask you not to smoke in his practice.

Awful experience. He was unwilling to discuss what I wanted for a haircut (nothing extreme), took almost two hours to cut my hair, he insulted me for the duration of the cut for being «too fragrant,» insulted my wife for buying our detergent (even though I’m the one who does laundry), and asked me not to return at the end due to my overwhelming «stink.» Oh, forgot to mention that he told me he was going to be suicidal that night due to the headache I had caused him! Worst haircut experience I’ve ever had. No, scratch that. One of the worst experiences I’ve ever had… ever.

I consistently went to Roger for a couple of years. He was an interesting guy, and gave good haircuts. However, after my last experience, I will not be returning.
We ran into one issue early on when I asked about getting an earlier haircut. He got upset and said I needed to be better about scheduling my time. It was a little off-​putting, but he apologized later and said he’d been a stressed, so I let it go.
And then there was my last cut. As others have mentioned in their reviews, Roger’s always been a little funny about fragrances. However, on my last visit he completely lost it. About a third of the way through the haircut he went on a bizarre, racist rant about fragrances and particular groups of people that use them. Insulted my wife for purchasing shampoo with fragrances, and chastised me for not purchasing my own products and banning my wife from using them. Throughout this he was shouting and swinging the scissors around in the air. At that point I just wanted to leave, but how do you walk out of a haircut?
It was almost too strange to believe, but if you look in the unrecommended reviews at the bottom of the page, you’ll see some similar stories.

If you want a shorter modern cut, then Roger’s your man. I have straight stiff hair, and after 6 cuts with him, I’m a disciple. It’s been tough ever finding someone that could give me anything other than a buzz cut that looked good. Floyds sometimes came close, but was too inconsistent. With Roger, I get a short cut that’s flexible – I can actually mess it up with product and such and get different looks.
The whole experience is great, from the music to the conversation to the attention to detail. Be prepared to spend a full hour in the chair, you get your money’s worth. My last visit a few days ago, which prompted this review, ended with me saying «I thinks it’s still too long on the top.» Roger agreed and spent an extra 20 minutes (after a full hour) at the end of his Friday taking it down more and making sure it was perfect.
The whole scent thing can be tedious (I wash my clothes in unscented detergent for the visit and forgo deodorant), but I know what hell allergies can be and it’s not a lot to ask. He’s up-​front with it on his website, so you know what to expect going in.
The upshot: easily a $ 60 haircut for $ 35.

My husband had his hair cut by Roger today. I have never seen him this distraught after a haircut in our 15 years together. Apparently my husband was «overly laundered.» He gave my husband a lab coat to wear due to his use of fabric softener on his clothes. Roger continued to degrade my husband regarding his use of toxic chemicals. Roger went on an entire diatribe about how chemicals had brought him to suicide due to migraines. In addition, my husband tried to offer a picture of what he wanted for his cut in which Roger said,” Unless its a picture of you, I don’t want to see it.” It took him an hour and a half to cut his hair!!! He has short hair. At the end of the crappy service he then told my husband not to come back unless he changed his use of toxic chemicals. I would give grave caution to anyone going to get a cut from this man.

Roger did an excellent job cutting my hair. He was precise, patient, and skilled, and he gave me one of the best cuts I have ever had for a very reasonable price.
I highly recommend him to anyone looking for an amazing, affordable cut.

Roger is the best barber I’ve ever had. The only other person I’ve had cut my hair that comes close to Roger’s talent charged $ 60 per cut (Roger charges about half that). He takes his time to make everything perfect, and has an incredible eye for detail. He’s also a very interesting guy to talk with. If you like older music, Roger will have endless stories to tell and they’re all very interesting. If you’re a male looking for a modern, well-​done haircut, Roger’s your barber.

Roger knows what he is doing. He takes his time and wont stop until he thinks its perfect. My hair is difficult to work with, but he makes it look fantastic every time. Aside from getting a haircut, I am sure you will be entertained. The music he plays is always on point, and everything he says is hilarious.
After getting my hair cut by him a few times, I will go no where else in town.

My husband never looked better. Rogers’ technique, precision and cut is superb! I’ve never been unhappy when my handsome man returns home from having been styled by Roger!

I found Roger via Unilocal and decided to make an appointment after I checked out his business’s website. Definitely got a great haircut from an experienced barber for a reasonable price. My hair probably hasn’t looked better since I moved to Boulder!
Roger took his time, cut it right (he pretty much knew exactly what I wanted despite my inability to describe it), and was an interesting guy to chat with.
P. S. If you need more evidence that he’s the barber to see in this town, be sure to check out the other 27 four– and five-​star reviews that Unilocal has filtered out for some reason.

Roger is THE barber to use in Boulder. He doesn’t run a typical barber shop, and I mean that in a good way. Going there feels like an experience, not just getting your hair cut. Roger is very careful with his work, and will fix your hair to perfection. He is a pleasant person to be around, and his music will entertain you throughout the experience.
I will continue to use Roger as long as I am in Boulder!

Nothing is better. A haircut, neck shave and a shampoo with Prince playing in the background? Killer. Making this a bimonthly tradition.

After searching for a good place to get my hair cut here in town and struggling with the few places I tried, I found Roger about a year ago. Needless to say, he will do my haircuts from now on.
What could be so different about Roger, you ask? After all, assuming someone is competent at cutting hair, what set’s them apart?
First of all, let’s address the first issue: Roger is *more* than competent at cutting hair. It’s clear to me that he’s been doing this for a while, and his attention to detail is absolutely stellar. I’ve been to a lot of hair places in my life, from the lowest Great Clips to very high-​end salons, and I’ve never had someone pay as much attention to my hair as Roger does. He takes as much time as is needed to make sure you leave his shop looking great.
Once I was convinced of his competence, it came down to the rest of the experience. I always enjoy going to Roger for the extras that make my time there more than «just a haircut».
So in no particular order, here’s what I like most:
–Excellent music
–Good decoration (discussion-​inducing stuff)
–Great conversation & friendly demeanor
–Easy-​to-​make appointments (evenings and Saturdays = Awesome!)
–Fair pricing
–Razor neck shave
Anyway, I can’t recommend Roger enough. Give him a try, and you’ll agree… it’s a great experience. (and you don’t have to pay exorbitant prices to get it)
As I read back over this, it looks a little too positive, but I really have nothing bad to say about Roger or my experiences there. Truly, I remember calling him after my first cut and telling him that my wife and I were *very* happy with the cut. He’s just that good.