Bernardine Bennie Reports Back on the Global Creative Awards: From Milan with Love - My Goldwell

2025 Global Creative Awards National Gold Winner Bernadine Bennie Shares Her Fantastic Experience

Thanks to Twincare International this past month, I had the absolute honour of representing South Africa at the Goldwell ColorSphere Awards in Milan, Italy — and let me tell you, it was an experience like no other!

An International Creative Competitive Extravaganza

On Day 1, I competed alongside incredible stylists from 39 countries, each one bringing their own unique flair, artistry, and culture to the stage. It was both humbling and electrifying to see the level of talent gathered in one place. I came home with my creative tank completely refilled — inspired by the passion, precision, and innovation that exists globally within our industry.

Education: from chemistry to fast high-fashion to AI in the salon

After the competition, the following two days were dedicated to education, and Goldwell made sure our brains were just as dazzled as our eyes.

We dove into the latest cutting and colouring trends, exploring fresh, editorial looks that redefine how we approach texture and tone. I particularly loved the sessions on artistic freehand watercolour painting using Goldwell Elumen — a technique that treats colour as an art form, not just a formula. It completely changes how you see hair as a canvas.

We also had a styling masterclass that focused on creating fast, high-fashion looks — because let’s be honest, we all need a few go-to “five-minute runway” tricks up our sleeves!

We then shifted gears into the chemistry of colour - a reminder that great artistry is built on great understanding. We unpacked everything from hair chemistry and safe chemical usage to modern techniques that preserve the health and integrity of the hair.

But one of the most thought-provoking parts of the seminar was on AI in the salon space. We discussed how AI will never replace the hands and heart of a hairdresser, but it can become a powerful assistant in our consultations and marketing. Imagine having an extra brain that helps analyze trends, suggest colors, or even improve your social media reach — in seconds!

AI shouldn’t intimidate us — it should inspire us. If used right, it can help us personalize every client experience, making our creative process more informed and intentional than ever before.

Bringing Milan Style Home!

When I came home, I was bursting to share everything I’d learned, so this week, I hosted a ColorSphere seminar with Twincare International, teaching all the new techniques, trends, and insights from Italy. It felt amazing to bring a little piece of Milan back home to our local stylists.

Milan’s 2025 ColorSphere Experience of Artistry and Life

☕ Life Lessons from Italy: Beyond the Hairbrush

While the ColorSphere event filled my creative cup, Italy filled my soul cup.

One of the biggest lessons I brought home had nothing to do with scissors or foils — it was about pace. In South Africa, especially in our salon culture, we live in constant hustle mode. It’s one client after another, barely stopping to breathe, eat, or even feel.

But in Italy, there’s a gentle rhythm to everything. People slow down. They savour. They connect. I realized that maybe it’s time we, too, blend less rush and more hush into our workdays.

❤ Quality over Quantity

It might mean seeing one or two fewer clients a day but giving more of yourself to each.

Sometimes a small price adjustment can help balance that out — because what we gain in connection and quality far outweighs what we lose in speed. We owe it to ourselves (and our clients) to make our careers sustainable, soulful, and joy-filled.

🥛 The Milk Rule (and Why I Now Drink Espresso!)

Fun fact: In Italy, you’ll never get a cappuccino after 12 PM. Why? Because they believe milk slows digestion — so after lunch, it’s espresso only! I’ve since adopted this rule, and surprisingly, it’s made a noticeable difference in how I feel during the day.

🍷 The “Aperitivo” Tradition

Every evening before dinner, Italians gather for aperitivo — a drink, a snack, and a heartfelt chat with the people they love. It’s not about indulgence, it’s about connection.

I thought, how beautiful would it be if we hairdressers did the same? If we made a habit of reconnecting, decompressing, and sharing life with our loved ones after a long day in the salon?

When our cups are full, we pour better.

And perhaps that’s the greatest lesson Milan gave me — that artistry thrives best in a well-balanced life.

In Closing

The Goldwell ColorSphere experience reminded me that our industry is constantly evolving — not just in how we colour hair, but in how we colour life.

Let’s keep creating, learning, and connecting — one brushstroke, one conversation, and one espresso at a time