Corina Bless is something like the good soul at Paul Mitchell. As Global Education Manager, she jets around the world, to spread the word about hair, train hairdressers and track down trends. Normally. But Corina Bless won’t let Corona stop her – and founds her own academy.
FACES: How did you make it to Global Education Manager at Paul Mitchell?
Corina Bless: I started as a hairdresser in Chur and fell in love with the products and the Paul Mitchell brand with its unique philosophy on my very first day in the salon. Because I was so fascinated by the company, I joined the Swiss Paul Mitchell Artistic Team, came into contact with the international team during numerous training sessions and probably made a positive impression. It had always been a dream of mine to work abroad, so when Germany asked me to work as a trainer, I accepted immediately. So I moved to our neighboring country and was soon working as a freelancer for Paul Mitchell Germany, Russia, Turkey and the Czech Republic. During this time, the American parent company became aware of me and wanted me as Global Education Manager – of course I said yes.
F: What exactly is your position at Paul Mitchell?
CB: I support our sales companies throughout Europe and Asia in various areas. My job is incredibly varied and no two days are the same. For example, I create training concepts, am responsible for new product launches and provide training and further education for the sales force and freelancers. Event management and social media are also part of my job.
F: In your job as Global Education Manager at Paul Mitchell, you travel a lot. Which product do you always take with you?
CB: The Dry Shampoo Foam from our luxury line Awapuhi Wild Ginger. Hair perfume, dry shampoo and styling product in one – what more could you want?
F: How did you envision your job in the past, and what is it actually like?
CB: Even as a child, I always dreamed of having a job that would allow me to be creative and travel around the world. It was clear from a very early age that he would become a hairdresser, as evidenced by the numerous shaven Barbies and dolls. I didn’t know the job of “Global Education Manager” before, so I can’t answer this question like that. But today I’m doing exactly what I wanted to do in the past: I can live out my creativity every day all over the world.
F: How much pressure is there in your industry?
CB : In our industry, pressure arises when we cling to our everyday habits and are resistant to new inspiration and change. Our customers are mostly and increasingly guided by what they see on social media. This makes it all the more important for us hairdressers to always be up-to-date. There is nothing worse than when customers know more than you as a specialist.
F: Who or how is the perfect hair model?
CB: It very much depends on whether it’s about color, styling or haircut. I personally love models with great charisma who feel at home on stage or in front of the camera. This is often even more important than the hair we work with.
F: How dependent are you on trends?
CB: Trends are a central theme: Paul Mitchell is launching products on the market that support the implementation of hair trends in the salon and at home. Take the “beautifully undone trend”, for example: with Invisiblewear, Paul Mitchell has created an entire line that enables undone styling in just a few simple steps. What’s more, customers and hairdressers are constantly asking me about trends – it’s just part of my job to keep up to date.
F: How do the countries you visit differ in terms of hair styling?
CB: In southern countries such as Italy, Greece, Portugal and Spain, a lot of emphasis is placed on classic blow-dry services. Nordic countries such as Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark, on the other hand, prefer beautiful, effortless undone looks. In Eastern and Central European countries, I encounter a mixture of both.
F: During Corona, you founded L’Atelier. Can you explain the concept behind it and how you got there?
CB: Before the virus came along, I flew an average of three times a week. The lockdown put an abrupt end to that and, like many others, I suddenly found myself working from home. Being “locked up” at home and no longer being allowed to do my hair was bad for me, because this work is also my hobby and I missed the balance. I started the “L’Atelier” project so that I wouldn’t go completely crazy and could still be creative. It combines many aspects of my work in one space: L’Atelier is first and foremost a training academy for hairdressers. I test products there, give training courses as webinars and livestreams – and hopefully soon again on site – and work on charity projects. After all, “giving back” is a big part of Paul Mitchell’s company philosophy. And last but not least, L’Atelier is also an exclusive hairdressing salon.
F: What are the challenges of only being able to guide other people online?
CB: It takes more concentration on both sides and there is little time to rest in between. This eliminates interactions with others that simply belong on the live stage. It is more strenuous. The lighting and internet connection often do not meet the requirements, which makes working more difficult. And there is no personal contact – it does make a difference whether you spend the day together “face to face” or are only connected online for a few hours.
F: What is the key to being a good instructor?
CB: Not to take yourself so seriously.
F: Why do you live in Chur?
CB: Because it is quite simply the most beautiful city in Switzerland. Any globetrotter can live in Zurich. (laughs)
F: Is there such a thing as a normal working day, and what does it look like?
CB: No, my job is extremely varied, and fortunately there is no such thing as everyday life in my life. In fact, every day is a new (working) day.
F: Can you tell us the trends for the new season?
CB: At the moment, we’re seeing naturally flowing colors on the one hand, but also the complete opposite: the striped look. In terms of cuts, the mullet (mullet) is being revived in a cool way and the shag bob is bang on trend. When it comes to styling, pretty undone looks are still the order of the day and curls, curls, curls.
F: Are there any new products that are particularly close to your heart right now?
CB: I am totally blown away by the Awapuhi Wild Ginger No Blowout HydroCream. It is the solution for hair that is difficult to air-dry and control.
F: What is the most underrated hair product?
CB: Shampoo! A good shampoo is half the battle. Regardless of whether you wash your hair every day or just once a week. You wouldn’t wash a Ferrari with soft soap, would you?
F: Which hair product does everyone need?
CB: I still think it’s a really good shampoo. My current favorite is the Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Cowash. It instantly conditions and soothes my unruly hair and smells simply wonderful.
F: Once and for all: daily hair washing, yes or no?
CB: No, that’s what dry shampoo is for.
F: Which hairstyle always works and which never works?
CB: A tight ponytail or freshly washed hair always works. A no-go is a half bun with patches of color at the roots.
F: The biggest styling mistake to avoid?
CB: Too little patience and too much airflow when blow-drying (it doesn’t go any faster, but rather longer). Better to turn up the heat to full and always use heat protection!
F: What do you struggle with in your own hair?
CB: Humidity! With my Singalese hair, I can’t sweat, otherwise my hairstyle quickly looks like a burst sofa cushion.
F: Your most important character trait?
CB: I am solution-oriented.
F: What do you miss about traveling?
CB: Simply everything, from the cappuccino to go at my favorite gate to the room service in hotels and my favorite people in the respective countries.
F: Your secret recipe against nervousness and stage fright?
CB: Not to think about it.
F: What is so fascinating about hair?
CB: Hair is the only piece of clothing you can’t take off.
F: What do you take inspiration from for a look?
CB: From the haute couture shows, but also from street style in big cities like London, Stockholm, Rome, Kiev, Frankfurt and so many more. Ever since I was a small child, I have been fascinated by fashion in all its facets. This in turn helps me to create the looks or shows.
F: When was the last time you were speechless?
CB: When I recently signed the rental contract for L’Atelier: A year ago, I didn’t even have an apartment and was living out of a suitcase. This decision left me speechless for a moment, because putting down roots is not normally my thing.
F: Do you have any rituals?
CB: I drink a liter of peppermint tea every morning when I get up, no matter what country I’m in. I simply can’t function without it.
F: Which tasks do you not like to do so much, and which ones do you have your heart set on?
CB: Running the household is still not easy for me because I’ve practically only lived in hotels for so long. My heart beats for everything that has to do with my work. And for shoes.
F: What is your superpower?
CB: As the unofficial successor to Indiana Jones, I have his superpower of going into every adventure and coming out of it in one piece. I can really adapt to any situation.
F: What is the purpose of wrinkles?
CB: They show that a life has been lived.
F: What gets better the older you get?
CB: My patience.
