You ask the questions

(Such as: Nicky Clarke, how can you ask pounds 300 for a cut and blow- dry?)

Nicky Clarke, 41, is Britain's top celebrity hairstylist. He worked for Leonard of Mayfair and John Frieda before he set up the Nicky Clarke salon in 1991. His Mayfair salon was described by British Vogue as "London's finest" and has a three-month waiting list.

The Nicky Clarke fashion team has created styles at major fashion shows for Calvin Klein, Versace, Alexander McQueen and Jil Sander. It styles the hair for more shows during London Fashion Week than any other salon team. His celebrity clientele includes George Michael, Jemima Khan and the Duchess of York. He appears twice a week on ITV's This Morning programme.

Nicky Clarke's haircare and electrical products are widely available and have just won major consumer awards from Superdrug (Best Shampoo and Conditioner) and Boots (Best Salon Range).

He has recently written a book, entitled Hair Power (published by Partridge at pounds 14.99). He lives in north London.

I charge one pint of lager for cutting my friends' hair. Am I underselling myself and can you offer me any tips on becoming a trendy barber?

"Allen Salon", by e-mail

I guess it depends on how good the haircut is and how close a friend you are cutting, but it sounds as though you are underselling your services! Hairdressing tends to be very under-priced considering the skills and years of training involved. Being "trendy" is about lots of things, including where you work and staying in touch with what's going on. Being "trendy" isn't always the same as having a good business.

Do you think that it's a bit late to begin a career in hairdressing, doing an initial nine-month fast-track course, if you are in your thirties? Would you be able to go far?

Tracy James, London E17

The great thing about hairdressing is that, once you have the basic skills, you can work at any age. I know hairdressers who have continued working into their seventies and eighties! I would encourage you to get the best basic training you can. I was very fortunate to train with the legendary Leonard of Mayfair and, although styles change, the skills I learned have stayed with me.

You should try to work in a good quality salon where there is constant staff training. How far would you be able to go? Impossible to say, but I've seen people become successful salon owners within three years of finishing their training.

Do you have any unusual hobbies?

Helen Dearing, by e-mail

I ride a Harley-Davidson.

How and when did you discover your talent for hairdressing?

Liz Overton, Bristol

I became interested in hairdressing in my teens and experimented on myself, friends and family - with variable results! I suppose it was during my training at Leonard that I realised I could actually do this and enjoy it at the same time.

Are dark roots still "in"?

Diana Everly, Brixton, London

No.

Can I find a good hairdresser without risking what's left of my hair?

Mark Richards, Brighton

A really good hairdresser is technically and creatively skilful but also a great communicator. The art of consultation is really important. Finding a good hairdresser can be tricky. A recommendation from someone whose hair you admire is one easy method. Alternatively, you could try calling the Fellowship for British Hairdressing hotline (0171-278 7090), an independent organisation that represents the top 300 salons. Always insist on a consultation before you commit to a new style, and never say "do whatever you think" to a hairdresser!

Are you a natural blond?

Cheryl Dennis, by e-mail

I am naturally a "strawberry blond," although I do have my hair highlighted. Colour for men is a huge, hidden market. About 50 per cent of our male clients have colour. There are lots more men out there doing it than you would imagine!

If you started to go bald, would you wear a toupee?

Kelly Prince by e-mail

Thankfully, I don't think that's going to be a problem for me, but I have no objection in principle to a bit of cheating. Hair is a great confidence booster. Obviously, it would have to be a good, convincing toupee.

I think you do a fantastic job, but how do you justify charging pounds 300 for a cut and blow-dry?

Sally Turner, Milton Keynes

Like all good hairdressers I am concerned with offering value for money. The prices charged at the Nicky Clarke salon are set by the management team according to the forces of supply and demand. For example, it is possible to get a great haircut with a stylist from pounds 45. That's about average in central London. We have just introduced a pounds 500 "fast track" appointment system, for clients who want me to cut their hair immediately.

There is a really long waiting list for new appointments at pounds 300, and my regular clients are charged pounds 200. Sadly, even at these prices, I cannot keep up with the demand! I don't actually feel I have to "justify" my charges, when, thankfully, clients keep coming back to us.

Do you know any cures for baldness (that work!)?

Steve Fuller, by e-mail

I would be a very rich man if I did! Baldness can be slowed but not stopped. But I believe that all the research which is being done will find an answer of some kind in the near future.

Which celebrities do your customers most want to look like? Do some people still ask for a Meg or a Rachel?

Keith Craven, Glasgow

The choppy, textured styles (the "Meg" or "Rachel") remain popular, but things move on very quickly. Smoother, straighter looks have been very popular this summer. We encourage clients to show us pictures of styles they like, but every haircut is tailored to suit the individual. Men's styles are currently very tailored and neat.

Why have you had your circa-1985 Jon Bon Jovi style for so long?

Colette Griffiths, Hayes, Middlesex

I originally grew longer hair because

I was constantly on the road working on photo-sessions and could never get my hair cut!

I suppose it has become a trademark, but now I drive the marketing people in the Nicky Clarke product company crazy because my hair keeps getting shorter and shorter. By many people's standards I suppose I still have long hair, but to me it's the shortest it has been for years!

Why are you always photographed in leather trousers? Do you sleep in them, too?

Hannah Hayward, Blackburn

The leather trousers have become another kind of trademark which started due to practical reasons (not to emulate Warren Beatty in the movie Shampoo, as people have suggested). Bits of hair stick to fabrics like glue, but they brush off leather like a dream! I rarely wear leather trousers now (and never sleep in them). But the image has really stuck to me.

My boyfriend's hair smells awful because he refuses to wash it. He says it cleans itself naturally. Is this true?

Louise English, Durham

Do you really want to hang around long enough to find out? I know the theory. In practice, I think we have moved on from being cavemen.

Which public figure, in your opinion, has the best hairstyle? And which has the worst?

Lindsay Davids, London EC1

I admire the way that Madonna makes use of her hairstyle to alter her public image so dramatically every time. Currently, I also love the smooth- looking Jennifer Lopez style. Generally, though, I suppose I hate hair that looks as though it is trying too hard.

Why is it that hairdressers always ask: "Are you going away anywhere this year?'

Ike Bryan, Southampton

I don't know, because I never do! However, there is a truth behind the cliche. It is amazing that some people are actually afraid to talk to their hairdresser about their hair, like it was some kind of mystery! Most hairdressers actually welcome a conversation with you about how best to maintain and style your hair. After all, it is the subject that we all know best.

What's your favourite object in your house?

Sally Roberson, Braintree, Essex

A photograph of my children.

What do you do with all the hair swept up in the salon? I heard it gets sold for mattress stuffing.

Julie Louis, by e-mail

That's a new one to me! Actually, we pay the council a small fortune to take it away with the rubbish.

Why is it that many hairdressers have such awful hairstyles?

Rachel Anderson, Wolverhampton

I suppose some hairdressers become obsessed with the latest styles and simply have to try out all the latest products on themselves.

Hairdressers use hair as a creative medium. However, it is true that they can sometimes express themselves in an extreme manner. And, I do agree that there can be a very fine line between the fashionable and the freaky.

When was the last time you washed someone's hair, instead of getting the Saturday girl to do it?

Betty St John, Bury

I gave up washing hair, other than my own, some time ago. Although, giving someone a proper shampoo is actually a great skill. We offer our clients a Shiatsu head massage to really relax them.

Do any of your celebrity clients fly you out to their beach-side hotels to touch up their roots?

Nathan McLeod, by e-mail

Sadly, due to time pressures, I don't get to go on many mad adventures like I used to - it is usually one of the stylists from the salon. We have done hair in some amazing places over the years. I remember, on one occasion being flown out to a palace in the middle of a desert.

What is the best place in the world for cocktails?

Matt Jennings, London SW1

I really love all of the old traditional hotel bars in London such as The Savoy, The Waldorf, The Ritz. But I'm keeping my absolute favourite a secret because not many people know about it!

Is your real name really Nicholas? If so, why do you prefer Nicky?

Nicholas E Grough, Swindon

I have always been known as Nicky. Although when I first started I was called Andrew because the salon already had one Nicky.

What would you say to a male client who insisted on having the old-style Bobby Charlton "wraparound"?

Sophie Chalmers, Oxford

"Why?"

Next Week

broadcaster and director ned sherrin, followed by boris johnson, editor of `the spectator'

Olympic rower

Send your questions to: You Ask The Questions, Features, The Independent, 1 Canada Square, London E14 5DL (fax: 0171-293 2182, or e-mail: yourquestions @independent.co.uk), by noon on Friday. The question we like best will win the sender a bottle of champagne