When Kim Kardashian West unveiled her dramatic new do at Paris Fashion Week in March, brunettes the world over wondered: just how did she get her dark locks so light?

And with Lily Allen and Carol Vorderman recently taking the peroxide plunge too, salons have seen a spike in calls from would-be blondes.

"We've already had so many calls from people who are desperate to copy Kim's look, particularly darker brunettes who are looking for a complete colour overhaul, rather than blondes who just want to go a few shades lighter," says Marc Trinder, art team director at Charles Worthington Salons. "Kim seems to have inspired a newfound colour confidence in many women."

But despite regular root touch-ups (all captured on Instagram, of course), Kim reverted back to her usual ebony shade within three weeks.

Does that mean such high-maintenance hair is unsustainable, even for a millionaire who has her own 'glam squad' on hand?

"The lightening process from very dark to very light blonde is heavy and strenuous on the hair," warns Claire Bonney, senior technician at Radio Hair Salon. "It involves bleaching the hair, pushing it as light as it will go, possibly a double application, and of course, a much-needed toner to knock out any brassy tones."

DON'T DYE THIS AT HOME?

So is Kim's black-to-blonde bleach job achievable with an off-the-shelf dye?

"I would not recommend this as DIY, I have seen too many disasters," says Tracy Hayes, global head of technical training for Fudge Professional. "Always have this process done professionally, to keep your hair in the best possible shape."

If you have warm brown or ginger hair, you should avoid the peroxide too - unless you want to end up with orange locks.

"The red pigment is really hard to lift," says Nice'n Easy UK colour advisor Jonathan Long, but medium to dark brown hair can be lightened: "I would always recommend shifting a shade within one to three shades of your current hair colour."

If you are tempted by the DIY route, then the greasier your hair is, the better, as the oils will help protect your scalp.

Follow with a toner to avoid a brassy finish: "Lightened hair tends to pick up pollutants that can make the hair appear yellow in colour. In order to neutralise these tones, I would recommend using LIVE Toner Mousse Icy Platinum M01," advises Sian Hickson, Schwarzkopf Brand Manager.

Aftercare is crucial too.

"Use shampoos and conditioners specifically for either colour-treated hair or dry and damaged hair, and use a treatment once or twice a week," says Hickson. "Towel dry the hair before applying conditioner, as this will ensure that the conditioner penetrates further into the hair, and avoid using excessive heat on the hair, be it straighteners, wands or tongs."

DIY DYE BUYS:

:: Schwarzkopf LIVE Color XXL HD 00A Absolute Platinum Permanent Hair Dye, £5.49 (Boots.com)

:: Schwarzkopf Live Color XXl Toner Mousse Icy Platinum M01, £4.99 (www.tesco.com)

:: Blonde Sexy Hair Sulphate Free Bright Blonde Violet Shampoo, £9.95 (BeautyBay.com)

:: Fudge Clean Blonde Violet Toning Shampoo and Conditioner, from £10.75 each (Fudge salons and BeautyBay.com)

:: Fudge One Shot Treatment Spray, £8.75 (BeautyBay.com)

:: Charles Worthington Colour Enhancer Heat & UV Protecting Cream, £5.99(Boots.com)

:: Clairol Nice'N Easy ColourSeal Gloss Brilliant Blonde, 99p (Superdrug.com)

TIME TO GO PRO?

So your natural hair hue is too dark for at-home application, but what next? There's still a lot to consider before you book in for your big blonde makeover.

"This is a huge job and will need the eye and attention of a colour specialist. Getting an even result on previously coloured hair can be difficult, depending on the history of the hair," says Claire Bonney.

It's not cheap, either.

"I would say between £200 and £300 for the initial application, and £120 and £170 for the root application, depending on the salon - some high-end salons will be more expensive than this," Tracy Hayes estimates, and you're looking at touch-ups every six to eight weeks.

Looking after your locks post-peroxide is even more important when it's a pro job.

"The process is chemically drying on the hair, so using professional products at home is imperative, as you must feed the hair the protein and moisture it needs. Regular haircuts are important too," Bonney advises.

With that level of upkeep, no wonder Kim didn't keep her new colour for long.

But that's not to say you can't realise your own blonde ambition, Hayes says, "as long as you are prepared to spend the time and money to keep it looking good."

TRIED AND TESTED

:: Kate Whiting goes loopy for a new three-step curl-defining treatment.

"Curly hair is a real mixed blessing. Those who don't have it, want it, and those who do, hate it. Growing up with curls was a nightmare - until I discovered products to tame them, but eventually my hair stopped responding to them, so I'm always on a mission to find 'the one' miracle product to fight the frizz. Could Boucleme be the answer?

"Founded by Michele Scott-Lynch - who once constantly straightened her unruly hair, until she found the confidence to 'go curly' at 30 - the three-stage range is paraben and sulphate-free and uses only natural ingredients, such as coconut and argan oil, to help moisturise hair. The cleanser is not meant to lather up, and the silky conditioner is designed to be left in on thicker hair. The final product is a gel, which initially dries crisp, but when you gently scrunch your hair, it softens into beautifully defined curls. This is the curly revolution!"

5/5

:: Boucleme Curl Cleanser, £15; Curl Conditioner, £17; and Curl Defining Gel, £15 (www.boucleme.co.uk)

BUY IT NOW

Her nail hardeners are second to none, and now Sally Hansen has a shining new star in her talon-tastic line-up. Infused with real gold flecks, the 18K Gold Hardener, £7.95 from Tesco stores, instantly strengthens nails and locks in moisture - perfect if multiple gel manicures have left your talons thin and fragile.

BEAUTY BULLETIN

:: DELUXE DAY OUT

Beauty treatments are a popular present, but if you really want to impress, BuyaGift.com has launched the world's most expensive beauty gift. Including a bee venom facial, 24-carat gold body treatment, diamond manicure, VIP salon visit and IPL hair removal, plus an overnight stay in a 5-star hotel suite, the luxurious package can be yours - for just £100,000.

:: SUPER SUPPORT

From now until May 5, buy any P&G product at Superdrug and a donation will go to Marie Curie's Feel Super campaign (#feelsuper). P&G brands include Gillette, Pantene, Oral-B, Pampers, Venus and Tampax, so just by picking up some chemist essentials, you'll be helping support families affected by terminal illness.

STEAL OF THE WEEK

Bargain beauty site FragranceDirect.co.uk has a whole heap of lush lippies for less than half price at the moment. Our fave? It's got to be the L'Oreal Caresse, £2.99 (RRP £7.99), delivering smooth, subtle colour in gorgeous nearly-nude shades.