Kim Kardashian platinum blonde moments have become some of the most talked-about hair transformations in recent years. From her Met Gala debut to her ongoing experiments with icy, bright blonde shades, Kim has proven that platinum isn’t just a colour, it’s a statement of bold reinvention.
The good news? You don’t need a celebrity colourist or a salon budget to recreate this striking look. With the right products and technique, achieving that head-turning platinum blonde is absolutely possible from your own bathroom. At Smart Beauty, we specialise in helping you colour your hair safely at home using vegan, cruelty-free formulas enriched with plex technology to protect your strands throughout the process.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know, from assessing your starting shade to maintaining that fresh, salon-worthy brightness. Whether you’re going platinum for the first time or refreshing an existing blonde, you’re in the right place.
What Kim’s platinum blonde actually looks like
Kim Kardashian platinum blonde isn’t your typical warm or golden blonde. This shade sits firmly in the ultra-light, icy category, with a level 10 or higher brightness that reflects almost white under natural light. You’ll notice it has virtually no warmth, which means the colour leans towards cool, silvery tones rather than yellow or gold.
The tone and brightness level
The defining feature of Kim’s platinum look is its extreme lightness paired with cool undertones. This means your hair needs to be lifted to the palest possible yellow base before toning, typically reaching a level 10 or 11. At this stage, your hair should look like the inside of a banana peel, not orange or brassy. The cooler the base, the better your toner will work to achieve that signature icy finish.
True platinum blonde requires lifting your natural pigment almost entirely, which is why proper preparation and quality bleach matter so much.
When you look at Kim’s platinum transformations, you’ll see hair that appears almost white with a hint of silver reflection. The colour stays consistent from root to tip, without any visible bands of warmth or darker patches. This requires precise application and thorough saturation during both the lightening and toning stages.
What makes it different from other blondes
Standard blonde shades often retain golden, honey, or beige undertones that add warmth and dimension. Platinum actively removes those warm tones, replacing them with neutral to cool silver pigments. You’re aiming for a shade that looks almost grey-toned rather than yellow-toned when held against white paper. This distinction separates platinum from blonde, and it’s the exact effect that makes Kim’s hair transformations so striking and memorable.
Prep and patch testing before you bleach
Jumping straight into bleaching without proper preparation increases your risk of damage, breakage, and allergic reactions. Before you even think about lifting your hair to achieve that kim kardashian platinum blonde shade, you need to conduct two critical safety checks: a patch test for product sensitivity and a thorough assessment of your hair’s current condition.
Test for allergic reactions first
Apply a small amount of your chosen bleach mixture to a discreet area of skin, typically behind your ear or on your inner elbow, at least 48 hours before your planned colour session. Leave the product on for the time specified in the instructions, then rinse thoroughly. Watch for redness, itching, swelling, or burning during this period.
Even if you’ve bleached your hair before, your skin sensitivity can change over time, so never skip this step.
If you notice any adverse reaction, do not proceed with the bleach application. Your safety always comes before achieving any hair colour, no matter how stunning the end result might look.
Assess your current hair condition
Check whether your hair feels dry, brittle, or stretchy when wet. Healthy hair should snap back into place when gently stretched, whilst damaged hair breaks easily or remains elongated. Avoid bleaching if your hair shows significant damage, and focus on strengthening treatments for at least two weeks before attempting any lightening process.
Step 1. Lift safely with bleach at home
Getting that kim kardashian platinum blonde shade starts with lifting your natural pigment to the palest yellow base possible. You need a high-quality bleach powder mixed with the correct developer strength, typically 20 or 30 volume depending on your starting colour. Work in a well-ventilated space and protect your clothing with an old towel or cape before you begin.
Mix your bleach correctly
Combine your bleach powder and developer in a non-metal bowl using a 1:2 ratio (one part powder to two parts developer). The mixture should resemble thick double cream, not runny or clumpy. Use it immediately after mixing, as bleach loses potency once activated.
Never leave mixed bleach sitting for more than 10 minutes before application, as it weakens rapidly and becomes less effective.
Apply section by section
Divide your hair into four equal quadrants and clip each section away. Start at the back, working upwards from mid-lengths to ends first, then apply to roots last (they process faster due to scalp heat). Use a brush to saturate each strand thoroughly, keeping the product at least half a centimetre away from your scalp to prevent burns. Check your hair every 10 minutes, looking for that pale yellow base rather than orange.
Step 2. Tone to icy platinum and reduce brass
Once your hair reaches that pale yellow base, you need a purple or silver toner to neutralise any remaining warmth and achieve the cool, icy finish that defines kim kardashian platinum blonde. Toner deposits cool pigments onto your pre-lightened hair, transforming yellow into white-blonde or silver. This step separates decent blonde from true platinum.
Choose the right toner shade
Select a toner labelled T18, silver, or platinum for the coolest results. These formulas contain concentrated violet and blue pigments that cancel out yellow and orange tones. Mix your toner with 10 or 20 volume developer (check the product instructions) in equal parts, creating a consistency similar to single cream.
The lighter your base colour before toning, the better your final platinum result will be.
Apply toner evenly and quickly
Work fast, as toner processes within 5 to 20 minutes depending on the formula. Saturate your hair thoroughly from roots to ends, ensuring every strand gets covered. Check the colour every five minutes by wiping a small section clean with a damp cloth. Rinse immediately once you see the bright, silvery tone you want, then condition deeply to close the cuticle and lock in your new platinum shade.
Step 3. Maintain shine, strength, and root regrowth
Achieving kim kardashian platinum blonde is only half the battle. You need a proper maintenance routine to keep your colour looking fresh, bright, and healthy between bleach sessions. Platinum fades faster than darker blondes because it has less pigment depth, and your natural roots will start showing within two to four weeks depending on your growth rate.
Use purple shampoo and conditioner weekly
Wash your hair with purple shampoo twice a week to neutralise yellow tones as they reappear. Leave the product on for three to five minutes before rinsing, allowing the violet pigments to deposit onto your strands. Alternate with a moisturising shampoo designed for colour-treated hair to prevent dryness.
Regular purple shampoo keeps your platinum looking salon-fresh without needing constant toner reapplication.
Apply a deep conditioning mask once a week to restore moisture and strengthen your hair structure. Focus on mid-lengths and ends, which take the most damage during bleaching.
Plan your root touch-up schedule
Book your root touch-ups every four to six weeks to maintain an even colour from scalp to ends. Apply bleach only to new growth, overlapping slightly onto previously lightened hair. This targeted approach prevents unnecessary damage whilst keeping your platinum looking seamless and professional.
Your platinum plan from here
You now have the complete roadmap to achieve that kim kardashian platinum blonde look safely from your bathroom. Start with your patch test at least 48 hours before bleaching, lift your hair to that pale yellow base, tone it to icy perfection, and maintain your brightness with weekly purple shampoo sessions. Your maintenance routine matters just as much as your initial transformation.
Remember that platinum is a commitment, not a one-time colour. Plan your root touch-ups every four to six weeks and invest in proper aftercare products to keep your hair strong and shiny between sessions. Your hair health should never be sacrificed for any colour, no matter how stunning.
Ready to start your platinum transformation? Browse our complete lightening and toning system for vegan, cruelty-free formulas designed specifically for safe home bleaching. Each product contains plex technology to protect your strands throughout the lifting process, giving you professional results without the salon price tag.