24/7

A DAY OF WORK/LIFE BALANCE FOR JORDANNA COBELLA, CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF COBELLA AND TREND FORECASTER @JORDANNACOBELLA

I GET UP AT… 6am-ish, 5am if travelling far to teach or host a seminar. I live in Hertfordshire so my commute to Cobella in Kensington is 90 minutes. It’s become my ‘me time’ – I either stare out the window, listen to a podcast, read a book or catch up with admin/social media.

MY WORK WARDROBE CONSISTS OF… Anything colourful. I love a ’70s print, layering and combining vintage pieces with new finds. I shop on Vinted and try to avoid buying new clothes.

MY JOB ENTAILS… Running my salon, running my column three days a week, being a colour and trends ambassador for Wella Professionals, delivering international seminars monthly, delivering online education as well as in-person classes for individual salon businesses.

I GOT HERE BY… Working my way through the industry and being mentored as part of initiatives like the FAME Team and grafting, grafting, grafting.

MY DAY CONSISTS OF… Anything from running a busy column, hosting a huge international hair show, delivering an intimate seminar to an admin day.

MY FAVOURITE WORK TOOL IS… My razor. I couldn’t live without it for quick texturising and volume. I also can’t live without my colour brushes.

MY DAILY FUEL IS… Coffee, I’m an addict. I also have a ridiculous appetite for fruit and chocolate. I’ve no balance in that respect!

MY SPOTIFY PLAYLIST INCLUDES… A true electric mix of George Michael and Jill Scott classics and South African house, a good chill-out playlist and most recently Afro beats.

I’M ALWAYS PLANNING… I’m never planning! I work so last-minute, I’m very hectic and chaotic as a person. I perform my best under pressure. I always plan and visualise what I want to achieve, but I’m never organised enough to put it in the diary.

WHEN I GET STRESSED I… Work harder or over-obsess with little details, which almost amounts to my version of meditation. I hyper-focus on one thing.

WHEN I GET STUCK I… Doodle, daydream, collaborate or talk it out. Two minds are always better than one.

THE HABIT I NEED TO BREAK IS… Being so last-minute!

THE MISTAKE I LEARNT THE MOST FROM… Managing people. The hairdressing industry is so unique and cannot be managed like a corporate operation. You must tap into what motivates people and how to manage a spectrum of personalities.

THE ADVICE I’M GLAD I IGNORED… Not to share my secrets. This is what has made me successful. Always share your knowledge.

MY BIGGEST INDULGENCE IS… A facial and a sports massage once a month.

I DECOMPRESS BY… Listening to music, doing a yoga class or walking my dogs.

AFTER WORK I… Leg it in an attempt to time the trains correctly, so my commute home isn’t longer than it needs to be!

HOT HITS

Spotify

Normally the first app to open, as I sleep with brown noise to help me sleep deeper.

Instagram

I have a lot of DMs to go through with hairdressing questions.

WhatsApp

To brief or to respond to one of Cobella’s many WhatsApp groups!