The Bearded Barber is Foxton's appointment-only barbershop, bringing modern barbering and a professional, relaxed atmosphere to 2 Whyte Street in the heart of the Horowhenua. Run by Chris, a fully qualified barber and registered member of New Zealand Hair & Barber, the shop promises exceptional grooming services with a twist — and no crowds, no queues, and no hassle.
Chris's path to the chair is an interesting one. Originally from Wellington, he built a career in photography before deciding to pursue his true passion for barbering. That trained eye for detail shows in his work, and he now calls the Horowhenua home, living locally with his partner and their two kids while serving clients from Foxton, Levin and beyond.
The service list covers everything a modern barber shop should: sharp haircuts built on the latest techniques, clean fades, full restyles, beard trims paired with a relaxing hot towel service, and a quick 5–10 minute colour service for natural grey blending. Alongside the chair work, The Bearded Barber stocks at-home beard and hair care products and cologne — including the 1922 by J.M. Keune range — so clients can keep their look fresh between visits. Five-star Google reviews praise the friendly service, the comfortable salon, and cuts that keep earning compliments long after you leave the chair.
On Whyte Street in Foxton, in a shop shared with ember & ash and directly across the road from the New World carpark, The Bearded Barber has quietly become one of the Horowhenua's most talked-about grooming spots. The premise is simple: modern barbering, done properly, in a relaxed and professional setting — and always by appointment, so there are no crowds and no waiting around.
The man behind the chair is Chris, a fully qualified barber and a registered member of New Zealand Hair & Barber. His route to barbering was anything but conventional. Originally from Wellington, Chris spent years working in photography before deciding to follow his real passion — barbering. That background shows in his work: there is a detail-obsessed quality to his cuts, and reviews repeatedly mention how he listens to what clients want and checks in on how they feel about the cut as it progresses.
Today Chris is based in the Horowhenua, where he lives with his partner and their two kids, and his shop has become a genuine local fixture, drawing five-star Google reviews from as far afield as Levin. One client raved about a fantastic haircut and beard, another walked out with a cut so good it earned compliments for days.
The service list covers the full modern barbering repertoire. Haircuts are the core of the business — sharp, current cuts built on the latest barbering techniques — and fades are a particular strength, with the shop's social feed full of clean, precise blends. For clients after a bigger change, the restyle service offers a complete re-think of a look, with dramatic before-and-after transformations regularly shared online.
Beard work is where the experience earns its name. A beard trim at The Bearded Barber comes with a relaxing hot towel service, turning a routine tidy-up into a small ritual. There is also a quick colour offering: a five-to-ten minute service designed for the natural blending of grey hair, ideal for clients who want to soften the years without a full salon visit.
What sets the shop apart is the format. Everything runs by appointment only — booked online, in a slot that fits your schedule — which is exactly what the shop means when it promises a hassle-free haircut. You arrive at your time, take the chair, and get the barber's full attention. Customers consistently describe the atmosphere as relaxed, friendly and professional, and more than one review notes how comfortable the salon is.
For those with busy weekdays, Thursday is the late night, with the chair running until 7pm. Weekend mornings are covered too, with Saturday and Sunday sessions from 10am to 2pm.
Grooming does not stop at the door. The Bearded Barber stocks at-home beard and hair care products and cologne, including the 1922 by J.M. Keune range, available through the online store — a handy way to keep a fresh cut and a conditioned beard looking sharp between visits.
The shop sits at 2 Whyte Street, Foxton — about 35 minutes from Palmerston North and just 15 minutes from Levin, making it an easy trip for anyone in the wider Horowhenua. Doors open Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, with the Thursday late night running to 7pm, and weekend sessions Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm. On-location or private bookings can be arranged by email.
Whether you are due a fade, a full restyle or a hot towel beard trim, The Bearded Barber offers something Foxton did not have before: premium grooming, a modern touch, and a chair that is ready when you are.