KELLY STEWART, senior stylist, Charlie Taylor salon, St Andrews

This town is small but hairdressers get so many different clients. I’ve worked all over the world and I get as much diversity here as I did travelling. Young people; old people; regulars who want the same old fringe as always; arty students just back from Thailand who want something funky; blonde, posh girls who’ve had their highlights redone every month for years. You can normally tell what someone’s going to want from what they’re wearing. The fashionable ones often want you to modernise. It’s the novelty I love.

Clients are so open, they just love to tell me about their personal lives. I’ve been a hairdresser since I was 16 - I’m 30 now - and I’ve heard it all. I get asked for advice on husbands, boys, holidays. Once a client started slagging off someone who just happened to be sitting in the salon just behind her. She had her foils in and didn’t notice. She started to say “God, so-and-so’s just a right . . .” and I cut in immediately with, “Oh yes dear, would you like another cup of coffee?” Sometimes it feels like quite a lot of responsibility. I like that side of it, though - trying to be a friend and a professional at the same time.

It’s wonderful getting something right. You start and finish a job yourself, which is so satisfying. And when someone’s happy with what you’ve done, they leave taller and straighter. You can see it, and so can everyone else.

CHARLES WORTHINGTON, celebrity stylist

You’re as much a therapist as a tradesman. Clients do come in and tell you all their problems - “I’m going to leave my partner” and stuff like that, because they know you won’t tell anyone else. Sometimes, they’ll even ask my advice, and it’s really hard to sit on the fence. You don’t want to be responsible for someone’s marriage breakdown! It can be quite stressful. But I love that I can be an ear for someone who might not have anyone else.

Being diplomatic can be a challenge. I’ve had some tough cookies in the salon, but it’s when you see the ones that come in all po-faced and grumpy and you think “I’m going to make you leave here with a great, big smile on your face.” A lot of celebrities can be difficult - understandably because their image is their job. Sometimes they’re aggressive - they try to test you. But you convince them you’re a professional, get them chatting and suddenly they become pussycats like anyone else.

I’ve got a real talent for looking at someone and seeing what will suit them. You’ve got to listen to what the customer says, but honestly, sometimes people don’t know what will suit them. They also often don’t understand hairdressing jargon, so you’ve got to be a translator, too - explain what “choppy texture” is and so on. It’s tough.

But hairdressing is all about the feel-good factor and endless possibilities. I can do the salon, the Oscars, my TV spot on This Morning, but the most satisfying part has always been giving makeovers to people who aren’t used to it. It’s so rewarding making someone’s day.

DEBBIE WINTER, Freelance hairdresser

Clients like to share their lives with you and it’s great being given their confidence. You have to earn it by being patient and trustworthy (passing on info is a big nono) but once you do, it’s so rewarding. Women like to tell you all the juicy gossip about their relationships and other people’s. They often ask for advice but I’ve learnt never to get involved. It can sometimes be a little disillusioning - you do hear so many problems. Personally I never talk to the hairdresser when I get my own hair cut - I like the quiet time - and I’d respect that too if a client didn’t want to talk at all.

Men don’t tend to share in the same way - I think they prefer to try to make me laugh instead, which is fine by me. I’m not actually supposed to be an entertainer.

Occasionally you get customers who change their mind halfway through, which can be a bit trying. But the challenge is the fun thing. Even if you find someone who’s got nits, it’s interesting trying to be diplomatic about it. “Excuse me,” I say, “you seem to have some little visitors”, and then bustle them off as quickly as possible.

I love the novelty. Every day is different. Hairdressing keeps you young because you have to keep up with all the latest trends fashion-wise and you’re constantly being exposed to new things.

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