Few celebrities have transformed their look as dramatically and frequently as Kylie Jenner. From her natural dark brunette roots to the iconic "King Kylie" era of bold blues and pinks, her Kylie Jenner hair colour choices have inspired millions to experiment with their own shades. Whether she’s rocking jet black lengths or surprising fans with platinum blonde, each transformation sets social media ablaze.
The good news? You don’t need a celebrity stylist or salon budget to recreate these looks. With the right products and a bit of guidance, achieving Kylie-worthy hair at home is entirely possible, and it doesn’t have to compromise your hair’s health or your values. Smart Beauty’s vegan, cruelty-free formulas with plex technology make bold colour transformations gentler on your strands while delivering vibrant, long-lasting results.
Ready to channel your inner Kylie? Here are five of her most iconic hair colour eras and exactly how to recreate them safely from the comfort of your bathroom.
1. Jet black glossy brunette
Kylie’s signature jet black glossy brunette became her most recognisable look for years, often paired with sleek, straight styling that highlighted the mirror-like shine. This classic shade gives you instant drama without the commitment of platinum or pastels, and it works beautifully on nearly every skin tone.
What this era looks like
This Kylie Jenner hair colour sits at level 1 to 2 on the hair colour spectrum, delivering a rich, true black with brown undertones that catches light beautifully. You’ll notice the finish looks glossy rather than flat or matte, with dimension created through healthy shine rather than highlights. The colour appears consistent from root to tip, giving a polished, intentional finish that frames your face.
Start from Kylie’s natural hair colour
Kylie’s natural hair sits around a medium brown (level 5 to 6), which means going jet black requires depositing pigment rather than lifting. If you’re starting from a similar base, you’ll find the process straightforward and less damaging than bleaching. Those with lighter hair may see more dramatic results, while naturally dark hair will gain depth and richness.
How to get jet black at home safely
Choose a permanent black dye with plex technology to protect your hair structure during the colour deposit. Apply the formula evenly from roots to ends, working in sections to ensure full saturation without missed spots. Leave the dye on for the recommended time, then rinse thoroughly with cool water to seal the cuticle and lock in shine.
Black dye builds up quickly, so if you’re unsure, start with a demi-permanent formula for your first attempt.
How to keep black hair shiny, not flat
Glossy black relies on smooth, closed cuticles that reflect light consistently. Use a colour-depositing conditioner weekly to refresh the depth between dyes, and finish your wash routine with a cold water rinse to boost shine. Avoid over-washing, which strips natural oils and dulls the finish.
Common mistakes to avoid
Skipping a strand test leads to unexpected green or purple undertones on previously coloured hair. Never apply black over uneven lightened sections, as it will grab differently and create patches. Resist the urge to overlap applications at the roots, which causes buildup and an unnatural, heavy finish near your scalp.
2. King Kylie teal dip dye
The "King Kylie" era of 2015 marked one of the most daring Kylie Jenner hair colour transformations, with vivid teal tips that became instantly iconic. This rebellious look proved you could blend edgy colour with everyday wearability, keeping your natural roots while adding a pop of electric blue-green at the ends.
What this era looks like
This era features vibrant teal ends on dark brunette or black hair, creating striking contrast without touching your natural base. The colour typically starts mid-length or lower, with the intensity increasing towards the tips. You’ll see a blue-green hybrid shade that catches light beautifully and photographs brilliantly under any lighting.
Choose teal placement: tips, ombré, or money piece
Decide whether you want just the tips dipped (the easiest and least commitment), a gradual ombré blend (more artistic but harder to execute evenly), or face-framing money pieces (great for first-timers who want impact without full coverage). Tips work best if you’re testing the waters, while money pieces give you visible colour even when your hair is up.
How to get teal on dark hair at home safely
You must pre-lighten dark sections to at least a pale yellow before applying teal. Use a bleach kit with plex technology, working on small sections and checking every five minutes. Once lifted, rinse thoroughly, dry completely, then apply your teal dye for the recommended processing time.
Never apply fashion colours directly over dark hair, as they simply won’t show.
How to prevent teal from turning green or patchy
Avoid chlorine and hard water minerals, which shift teal towards murky green tones. Apply a leave-in treatment before swimming and use a chelating shampoo monthly to remove buildup. Ensure your base is lifted evenly before applying colour, as uneven bleaching creates patchy results.
How to maintain teal between dyes
Refresh your teal weekly with a colour-depositing conditioner mixed with a small amount of direct dye. Wash in cool water only and limit shampooing to twice weekly. Store a small amount of your original teal formula to top up faded ends between full applications.
3. Cotton candy pink
Kylie shocked fans when she debuted bubble gum pink hair in 2016, a playful departure from her usual dark locks. This Kylie Jenner hair colour era showed that pastels could look sophisticated rather than juvenile when executed with the right tone and maintenance routine.
What this era looks like
The cotton candy pink sits somewhere between baby pink and rose gold, with cool undertones that prevent the shade from looking too warm or orange. You’ll notice the colour appears soft and dimensional rather than flat or neon, creating an ethereal finish that photographs beautifully in natural light.
Decide your pink: pastel vs hot pink
Pastel pink requires lifting to the palest blonde base and delivers that signature candy floss look, while hot pink shows up on lighter yellow tones and gives you more vibrancy. Consider your natural undertones and lifestyle when choosing, as pastels fade faster but look softer, whereas bright pinks last longer but demand more confidence.
How to get pink at home safely
Pre-lighten your hair to pale blonde (level 9 to 10) using a plex-enriched bleach, working in small sections. After rinsing and drying completely, apply your pink dye evenly from roots to ends, processing for the full recommended time to ensure maximum colour deposit.
Pink fades quickly, so always apply to freshly washed, product-free hair for best adhesion.
How to fade pink gracefully
Wash with cool water and sulphate-free shampoo to extend your colour between applications. Allow pink to gradually soften into peachy tones rather than stripping it harshly, which damages your hair structure. Refresh faded areas with a colour-depositing treatment every few washes.
How to avoid uneven lift and banding
Apply bleach with consistent saturation and timing across all sections, checking progress regularly. Never overlap previously lightened hair during root touch-ups, as this creates visible demarcation lines. Use a toner after bleaching to neutralise any yellow patches before applying pink.
4. Warm bronde balayage
By 2018, Kylie embraced a softer, more natural aesthetic with warm bronde balayage, blending brown and blonde tones for a sun-kissed finish. This Kylie Jenner hair colour era proved that subtle dimension could feel just as transformative as bold fashion shades, offering versatility for both casual and polished looks.
What this era looks like
The warm bronde features ribbons of honey and caramel woven through a medium brown base, concentrated around your face and through the mid-lengths. You’ll notice the colour appears hand-painted rather than striped, creating natural-looking depth that mimics how the sun would naturally lighten your hair. The overall effect feels warm, dimensional, and effortlessly lived-in.
Pick your bronde tone: honey, caramel, or beige
Honey bronde delivers golden warmth that suits warmer skin tones, while caramel adds richer, amber-toned highlights for deeper contrast. Beige bronde leans cooler with ash undertones, perfect if you want dimension without excessive warmth. Consider your natural base colour when choosing, as honey shows up beautifully on lighter browns while caramel creates stunning contrast on darker hair.
How to get a balayage look at home safely
Focus your lightener on face-framing pieces and the top layer of your hair, applying in vertical sections rather than horizontal stripes. Use a plex-enriched bleach and feather the product from mid-length downwards, avoiding harsh lines at your roots.
Apply less product near your roots and more towards your ends for the most natural gradient.
How to tone bronde so it stays flattering
After lifting, apply a warm-toned toner in shades like honey or golden blonde to neutralise any orange or brassy notes. Process for the recommended time, checking every few minutes to ensure you achieve your desired warmth level without going too cool or ashy.
How to keep highlights healthy and glossy
Use a purple or blue shampoo sparingly, as over-toning removes the warm dimension you’ve created. Apply a nourishing hair mask weekly to replenish moisture in lightened sections, and finish your routine with a heat protectant before styling to prevent dryness and breakage.
5. Rich chestnut and auburn
Kylie’s return to warmer brunette tones in recent years showcases how rich, dimensional browns can feel fresh and elevated. This Kylie Jenner hair colour era blends chocolate bases with auburn and copper highlights, creating depth that catches light beautifully without looking flat or one-dimensional.
What this era looks like
You’ll notice warm undertones throughout the mid-lengths and ends, with deeper chestnut roots that create natural contrast. The colour appears multidimensional rather than solid, featuring ribbons of cinnamon and copper that add movement and interest. This look photographs warmly in all lighting and suits a wide range of skin tones.
Choose your undertone: chestnut, cinnamon, or copper
Chestnut leans towards cooler, chocolate-based browns with subtle red undertones, while cinnamon brings spicy, amber warmth that feels cosy. Copper delivers vibrant red-orange tones for maximum impact. Your natural base determines which shows up best, with lighter browns taking copper beautifully while darker hair benefits from cinnamon highlights.
How to go warmer at home safely
Apply a warm brown permanent dye to your base, then add highlights using a lighter shade with copper or auburn tones. Work in thin sections and blend thoroughly to avoid harsh lines.
Always perform a strand test when shifting from cool to warm tones.
How to stop warm tones from going brassy
Use a sulphate-free shampoo formulated for colour-treated hair and avoid excessive heat styling. Apply a green-toned colour depositing treatment monthly to neutralise unwanted orange without removing your intended warmth.
How to maintain dimension and depth
Refresh your highlights every eight weeks while leaving your base darker for natural contrast. Apply glossing treatments between colour appointments to enhance shine and prevent fading from sun exposure.
Your next colour move
Recreating iconic Kylie Jenner hair colour transformations at home no longer means compromising your hair health or your values. Each of these five eras proves you can achieve bold, beautiful results using vegan, cruelty-free formulas that protect your strands while delivering the vibrancy you want.
Start with the era that excites you most, whether that’s the drama of jet black, the playfulness of cotton candy pink, or the warmth of rich auburn tones. Your bathroom can become your creative studio when you have the right products and guidance.
Ready to transform your look? Browse our bold colour collection to find the shades that speak to your style. With plex technology built into every formula, you’ll achieve expressive, head-turning colour while keeping your hair strong, shiny, and healthy throughout the journey.