For the past two years, salon owner and OCS Creative Ambassador Ryan Corbridge has been specialising in working with natural curls, waves and textured hair. In 2024, he took that passion one step further by opening The Earl of Curl, a curly-hair specialist salon in Highcliffe, Dorset.
Ryan’s mission is simple but powerful: to create a safe, welcoming space for people with curly hair — a space where clients are not only styled, but educated on how to care for their hair at home so they can get the very best out of their natural texture.
A Gap in the Industry
Ryan noticed a significant lack of curl-specialist salons across Dorset, Hampshire and Devon, leaving many people with textured hair feeling underserved or misunderstood. In a recent interview with BBC Radio Solent, Ryan shared findings from a survey revealing that 1 in 8 adults has naturally curly hair, yet only 23% feel confident wearing their hair in its natural state.
“Curl specialists don’t force curls onto hair that isn’t naturally curly or wavy,” Ryan explains. “It’s about working with natural texture, not manipulating it.”
Ryan goes on to explore why hair texture can change over time, the science behind curl patterns, and shares his top tips for helping curly-haired clients understand, care for and embrace their natural hair.
What Is a Curly Cut?
Curly cuts work very differently from traditional haircuts and typically require a two-hour appointment.
The process includes:
- Dry cutting first - to see where curls naturally sit and how tightness varies throughout the head.
- A detox and Wet Stretch Test consultation - to assess hair health and determine whether moisture or protein is needed.
- A targeted treatment to restore balance.
- Education - teaching clients how to care for and style their curls at home.
“You wouldn’t curl straight hair before cutting it,” Ryan explains. “So why wet curly hair, stretch it out, and cut a straight line?”
A Personal Approach to Every Curl
At The Earl of Curl, no two clients are the same. Ryan now works with over 700 clients, all with different curl patterns, waves and textures.
Curl specialists analyse:
- Hair type and curl pattern
- Texture and density
- Hair condition
- Moisture vs protein balance
This allows them to recommend the right treatments, products and at-home routines — empowering clients to style confidently between appointments.
“Working with natural texture rather than fighting against it helps clients learn to truly love their hair,” Ryan says.
The Science Behind Curls
Curly hair follicles are oval-shaped, which causes the hair to bend as it grows, creating curls. The deeper the oval, the tighter the curl pattern — which is why curls can vary so dramatically from person to person.
Why Hair Texture Changes
Hair texture isn’t fixed for life. From around the age of six, hair can begin to change, and many factors influence curl pattern, tightness and coarseness, including:
- Puberty and hormonal changes
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Illness and cancer treatment
- Hair loss, alopecia and medication
Because of this, Ryan takes a holistic approach — considering not just hair type, but also the stage of life a client is in.
Ryan’s Top Curl Tips
- Diffuse-Dry Appointment - If you're not confident committing to a full cut, book a hair analysis and diffuse-dry appointment initially so your stylist can get to know your hair's natural texture,
- Brushing Curly Hair - Never brush curly hair when dry as it disturbs the outer layer of the hair cuticle, breaks up curl clumps and creates fluff and frizz. Curly hair should be brushed when wet, so that curls are not dragged out.
- Analysis - Ask your stylist to determine whether your hair needs protein or moisture, then restore balance with the appropriate OCS treatment.
Ryan isn’t the only curl expert we work with. Find an OCS curl specialist in your area via our salon finder.
Listen to the full interview with Ryan on Instagram.
