Bowral’s Curl Expert Is Quietly Making Waves

To all our beautiful curly-haired friends, we know the struggle is real.

It’s a battlefield out there trying to find the right products, a treatment that actually works, or a stylist who truly gets how to navigate the twists and turns of each and every [stubborn] strand – because let’s face it, we know that curls have a mind of their own.

So when we heard about Carolyn Polglaise Hairdressing and her newly launched curly hair service, we took our curls [and all our hopes] straight to her salon at Annesley Bowral. We left feeling understood and genuinely excited about this game-changing offering.

With over 40 years in the industry, Carolyn has built a reputation in the Highlands for her one-on-one salon experience and warm, thoughtful approach. She’s calm, knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about helping clients love their hair.

We recently sat down to chat with Carolyn about her brand new curly hair system that’s already changing lives [and curls] across the region.

1. You’ve been doing hair for over 40 years, what keeps it exciting for you after all this time?

Hairdressing is ever changing with new styles, new products and new learning opportunities are always knocking on my salon door. So there’s never time to get bored!

I get excited about catching up with my regular clients – much can happen during the six or so weeks between visits, so the chat’s are never dull. I also love meeting new clients and helping them achieve their hair goals.

2. And that passion is clearly still going strong, what brought you to open your own salon here in the Highlands?

I had a salon in Sydney before moving to the Highlands nearly 25 years ago with my young family. Once we were settled, and I’d had “just one more baby”, I opened a small salon space at home. Over the years, that little setup moved and evolved with me. From house to house, into salon spaces, and now, finally, it’s found its perfect home at the beautiful Annesley Bowral.

3. It sounds like a beautiful space. Tell us a bit about your salon. Give us the tour… 

Honestly, I get a bit emotional thinking about it. The space came along at a time when I really needed a change, and I couldn’t have landed anywhere better. It’s small and private – no background noise or distractions, which is really important to me, and something so many clients comment on. It’s peaceful. A place where you can just sit quietly and relax.

I also have the luxury of working alone, so each appointment is one-on-one. There’s fresh air, natural light, and the most beautiful views across Bowral to the Gib. We literally get to watch the seasons change while doing your hair.

4. Sounds like a pretty special place to be indulged. What sort of services do you offer at the salon?

I’m a bit old school! Back in the day, we had to know how to do it all! So yes, I still offer everything you’d expect in a salon: colours, cuts, styling, and I do it all myself, from shampooing your hair and making your coffee, right through to sweeping the floor after you leave. And of course, I’ve recently added a range of specialised curly hair services to my menu, and I’m absolutely loving it. It’s so rewarding to see people embrace their natural texture and leave the salon feeling confident and beautiful.

My clients range from babies to the wise and beautiful older ladies of the Highlands, and everyone in between. Over the years, I’ve built lasting relationships with so many families. Some of the little ones I used to pop in a highchair for a trim are now teenagers or young adults and I still get a kick out of reminding them of that. I’ve even had the joy of attending a few of their weddings.

5. And now you’ve added a specialist curly hair service into the mix. What made you decide to go down that path?

There are so many people with glorious curly hair who love how it looks when they leave the salon. But who simply have no idea how to manage it at home. When the “Curly Girl” method started gaining traction, I decided to dive in and learn this new approach to cutting, hydrating, and styling curls. It’s completely different to classic cutting.

As part of the service, I teach my clients how to care for their curls so they can get great results at home too. It’s been such an interesting and positive journey for me and my clients are loving the results.

6. It’s such a different approach, isn’t it? Why do curly girls need something more tailored when it comes to haircare?

I’ve been hairdressing for decades and even I didn’t know about this until recently, that’s how different it is. I’d been doing curly hair all that time without issue, but this method is something else entirely.

Seeing a curly hair specialist really does make a difference! We’re trained to cut, style, and recommend products tailored to the unique needs of curly hair, which is very different to straight hair. This approach helps avoid common curly hair pitfalls like uneven cuts, frizz and dryness, it’s about ensuring curls are enhanced and styled to their full potential. With the right training and the right products used properly, in the right order, the difference is incredible. And I really felt the Southern Highlands needed a specialised service like this.

7. Can you walk us through what actually happens during a curly hair session?

I offer three types of services:

1. 1. Curly Hair Hydration & Styling: This includes a deep cleanse, hydration service and styling, so you leave with fresh, soft, bouncy, beautiful curls [minus the crunchy 80s look!]
   2. Curly Hair Cut, Hydration & Style: This cut is done in a completely different way to classic hairdressing. Hair is cut dry, based on your unique curl type and growth patterns, with a focus on enhancing your natural texture. Rather than forcing your curls into shape, it’s all about working with them, and letting the curls do the talking.
   3. Curly Hair Introductory Package: This includes the full Curly Hair Cut, Hydration & Style service plus a take-home pack of five products chosen to suit your specific curl type. It’s about helping you maintain the look at home with the right products and routine.

8. Why is the take-home product pack such a key part of the full service?

Most curly girls want to be able to successfully manage their hair at home, and the right product choice makes a huge difference in how well that can be achieved. Curly-specific products leave out the sulphates and all the nasties, instead, you’ll find curl creams, hydrating conditioners, and a range of gels designed to bring out the best in your hair.

Anyone’s welcome to book a curly session just to try it out or prep for a special occasion, but if you’re a curly girl wanting to recreate the look at home, you really do need to be using the right products. That’s why I’ve included a starter pack of sample-size products in the full service package, so clients can try them first and see what works before they commit to purchasing the full-size versions.

Side note from the writer: As a fellow curly-haired girl, the amount of stuff I’ve bought over the years is terrifying. So this feels like a service and trial opp I’ll be signing up for soon. Thanks, Carolyn!

9. Is this service suitable for all kinds of curls [from waves to tighter textures]?

Absolutely! Anyone from those with just a soft wave to tighter curls and natural Afro textures can benefit from this technique. Hair texture can change over time due to factors like hormones, health or age, so even if you’ve had straight hair most of your life, you might discover new texture that can be embraced with the right approach.

10. So, you know we’ve gotta ask! What do you love most about working and living in the Highlands?

I really do love it here, absolutely zero complaints!

It’s the distinctive four seasons and watching them play out in all their glory each year. It’s the great shopping strips, always offering something interesting and unique. We’ve got a fantastic food and arts scene… but most of all, it’s the people. It’s a special place, and I feel so lucky to be part of this community and that my kids have had the kind of life they’ve had growing up here.

I’ve made the most wonderful friendships with lovely people, and many of my closest friends today were once strangers who walked into my salon.

What a treat to have this specialist service in the Highlands!

If you’re curls are behaving badly or if they’re overdue for a little hair love, Carolyn’s your gal.

Book an appointment at her beautiful salon and step into a world of hair happiness.

You [and your curls!] will be so glad you did.

*****

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

This article features friends and advertisers of The Fold Media.

We strongly believe in the businesses and information we share with you on The Fold and we fully endorse the content we create and share.

We’re excited to share the amazing stories and adventures of our local businesses, and it is our sincere hope is that it helps create more awareness for these local businesses, helps keep them top of mind when locals and visitors next need their products or service, and most of all, contributes to creating a strong and thriving local community and economy.

We are so grateful to the local businesses who choose to work with The Fold Media. Without their belief and support in what we do, we wouldn’t be able to keep doing what it is that we love to do. Which is to create and share information about people, places and businesses in our wonderful region. We want to help everyone #LoveLivingLocal and make the most of this wonderful place we are lucky enough to call home.

And to you, our readers? We want to say a big THANK YOU to you. Firstly for taking the time to read this article, but also for supporting local businesses in general, as well as our sponsors who help make The Fold Media possible.

Together, let’s continue to support our local business community, in turn supporting their team, and our wonderful community overall. So let’s all choose local, whenever we possibly can.