Top stylist to the stars a real cut above

CERISE curls, violet neck and a bathroom like a scene from The Sopranos — home hair colouring is fraught with the kind of hazards designed to send the most determined DIYer fleeing to the salon with a paper bag over their head.

But, according to one expert, who can't understand all the hue and cry about hues and dyes, all it takes is a little know-how to avoid making messes of your tresses.

The appropriately named James Brown is the latest head honcho of hair care to become a celebrity stylist thanks to clients like Kate Moss, Nicole Kidman, Sarah Jessica Parker and Gwyneth Paltrow to name just some of the famous follicles through which he has run his fingers.