Key Points
- The Curly Cow, a specialist curly hair salon in Westhoughton, Bolton, hosted a free community salon day focused on curl care and textured hair education.
- The event partnered with Curl Jar, a Birmingham-based company dedicated to textured hair products, on Saturday, 15 November 2025.
- Four expert stylists from Bolton, Leeds, and Hull provided free styling sessions for people with curly, kinky, wavy, and afro hair.
- Salon owner Vicky Westby emphasised the rarity of curly hair specialists in the North West, with The Curly Cow catering exclusively to textured hair types.
- Curl Jar founder Preeya Ogier organised the day to boost confidence and community support for natural hair, including holistic treatments and tips.
- Families attended, particularly young girls receiving their first professional curl styling, amid ongoing challenges like insufficient training for afro-textured hair among many hairdressers.
- The event celebrated natural hair diversity and addressed industry gaps, despite recent standards updates.
Westhoughton (Bolton Today) April 18, 2026 – The Curly Cow salon in Westhoughton partnered with Curl Jar to host a free community day celebrating curly and textured hair, drawing families and locals for expert styling and education sessions. As reported by staff writer Charlotte Green of The Bolton News, the event on 15 November 2025 highlighted the scarcity of specialists for afro and curly hair in the North West region. Owner Vicky Westby welcomed attendees to her Market Street salon, where four stylists offered complimentary services to empower those embracing their natural curls.
What Was the Free Curly Hair Salon Day About?
The free salon day united Curl Jar and The Curly Cow to provide styling, tips, and community support for curly, kinky, wavy, and afro hair types. As reported by Bolton Today, Curl Jar’s founder Preeya Ogier stated,
“We organised this to help people understand and embrace their natural hair through education and styling”.
The event attracted dozens, including first-time clients like young girls whose families sought professional care for textured locks.
Held at 1 Market Street, the salon specialises in cutting, styling, and colouring curls using Innersense Organic products and Dyson tools. Vicky Westby, with over 20 years in the industry, told The Bolton News,
“We’re one of the few places in the North West catering specifically to textured and afro hair”.
Stylists from Bolton, Leeds, and Hull joined, offering holistic treatments alongside practical advice on maintenance.
Who Organised the Event and Why?
Curl Jar, founded by Preeya Ogier in Birmingham, led the organisation to foster confidence in natural hair. As detailed by Charlotte Green of The Bolton News, Ogier explained,
“Many lack access to trained stylists, so we aimed to build community and share knowledge”.
The Curly Cow’s Vicky Westby hosted, leveraging her salon’s expertise in curl care.
The partnership addressed a key gap: despite industry updates on afro hair training, many hairdressers remain unprepared. Ogier noted to Bolton Today,
“Events like this bridge that divide, especially for families”.
Free parking near Library Street and the White Lion car park encouraged turnout.
Which Stylists Participated?
Four curly hair specialists volunteered their skills. The Curly Cow’s team, led by Vicky Westby, handled core sessions, with reinforcements from Leeds and Hull. As reported by The Bolton News TikTok coverage, stylists demonstrated techniques for coils, waves, and kinks, tailoring advice to individual needs.
Westby highlighted the group’s diversity:
“Our experts come from across the region, bringing fresh perspectives on curl health”.
Participants received education on products like Innersense, vital for curl hydration and definition.
What Challenges Does Curly Hair Care Face in the North West?
Textured hair services remain scarce outside major cities. Vicky Westby told Charlotte Green of The Bolton News,
“The North West lags behind; most salons aren’t trained for afro-textured hair, even post-standards updates”.
Preeya Ogier echoed this, stating,
“Confidence comes from proper care, but access is limited”.
Families shared stories of trial-and-error home routines. The event countered this with demos on detangling, drying, and styling, using Dyson Supersonics for minimal damage.
How Did Attendees Benefit?
Dozens received free makeovers, with young girls beaming from their first salon experience. As per Bolton Today, one mother said,
“My daughter finally sees her curls celebrated”.
Holistic elements, like scalp treatments, enhanced the day.
Curl Jar provided product samples, extending benefits at home. Ogier remarked,
“It’s about long-term empowerment, not one-off fixes”.
What Makes The Curly Cow Unique?
Located in Westhoughton, The Curly Cow stands out as Bolton’s first curly hair specialist and academy. Its website states,
“We offer a tailored experience for all curl types, with over 20 years’ expertise”.
Services include bespoke cuts, colours, and maintenance guidance.
Free parking and a welcoming vibe draw locals. Instagram posts show vibrant transformations, reinforcing its community role.
Why Focus on Community Days?
Such events build solidarity amid representation gaps. Curl Jar’s TikTok invited Bolton residents, hashtagging #curlyhair community. Westby added,
“We create a space where curls are the star”.
They also educate: stylists debunked myths, like over-washing curls, promoting health-focused routines.
What’s Next for Curly Hair Events?
Ogier hinted at repeats, telling The Bolton News,
“Demand was huge; we’ll expand outreach”.
The Curly Cow plans academy workshops for aspiring stylists.
Industry shifts, like mandatory training, could amplify impact. Westby hopes,
“More salons will follow, normalising textured care”.
Broader Impact on Confidence
Attendees left empowered, with families noting boosted self-esteem. As Charlotte Green reported,
“Young girls saw their hair as an asset, not a chore”.
This ripples into schools and streets, challenging straight-hair biases.