Save for a short stint in 2009 as an all-over light caramel blonde babe and a playful phase this year with wild wigs, Kim hasn’t changed much about her long and layered, middle part style in the many years she’s been in the spotlight. But a quick trip to the Andy LeCompte Salon in Los Angeles this past weekend brought about some bright changes for the reality starlet and client hair inspiration.

In a “light” mood, Kim got the star treatment from Joico Celebrity Colorist George Papanikolas to transform her raven locks to a softer, mixed-browns hue, inspired by another red carpet star’s mixed shade.

“Kim wanted a glossy, fashionable look,” says Papanikolas. “We were inspired by the fashionable brunette shade recently seen on Lea Michele—it’s multi-dimensional and glossy, which is the hottest trend for brunettes.”

Do your clients request styles like Kim’s? Papanikolas shared how he created her new caramel and milk chocolate accents with Joice products:

1. Papanikolas first softened Kim’s darkest brown with Joico Vero K-PAK Base Breaker, lightening the hair one level without warmth.

2. Next, he placed balayage highlights around Kim’s face and on the ends with Joico VeroLights Crème Lightener.

3. Finally, he created a rich chocolate gloss, with Joico Vero K-PAK Chrome equal parts N6 + N8, blending the shades.

4. For aftercare, Papanikolas recommended Kim use Joico K-PAK Color Therapy Shampoo to prevent fading and Joico K-PAK RevitaLuxe Bio-Advanced Restorative Treatment for conditioning. “Tone-on-tone is the most sophisticated new look for brunettes, and it’s important to protect color to maintain its richness,” he said.

More of the finished look:

What do you think of Kim’s new look? Would you like to try it out on a client? Tell us on MODERN’s Facebook page.