KOHORT Studio at 234 Bridge Road, Richmond is where to go for platinum blonde in Melbourne's inner east. Grace and Sheridan are our specialist blondists, and both do platinum the slow, honest way: staged lifts, bond builders through every bleach session, and a toner that lands exactly where you want it. You book the colourist directly, not the salon.

Platinum blonde is not just "very light hair"

There is a real gap between someone who does highlights and someone who genuinely specialises in platinum. Platinum means lifting your hair to a level 9 or 10, sometimes all over, sometimes with a root shadow to ease the maintenance, and then toning it so the result is cool, clean, and deliberate rather than yellow or orange from an incomplete lift. It is the highest-maintenance colour service on the menu, and it rewards clients who go in clear-eyed about what they are signing up for.

That is not a warning, it is just the truth. When it is done right and maintained properly, platinum is one of the most striking results a colourist can deliver. We see it every week here on Bridge Road.

What platinum looks like at KOHORT

Every platinum journey starts with a consult. Your colourist looks at your existing colour, length, and condition and maps out a realistic path. If you have never lightened before and have mid-back length hair, that is a different conversation from someone with a short, already-lifted crop wanting to push two shades cooler.

Before we go anywhere near bleach, we run L'Oreal Metal Detox on hair that has mineral build-up or hard-water history. Metal in the fibre reacts badly with bleach and is the most common cause of patchy, unpredictable lifts. Once we are clear of that, we work the lightener with Olaplex or K18 in the mix to keep the bond structure intact while we lift. Rushing platinum kills hair, so we take the time the result requires.

Toning is where platinum gets its character. Wella or Redken toners applied on a freshly lifted base let your colourist land you somewhere between icy silver, cool pearl, or that particular warm vanilla platinum that looks great in Melbourne summer light. It is not a one-size result.

Between appointments, your colourist will usually suggest a purple or blue shampoo at home and ask about a gloss or toner refresh at the six-week mark to keep the brassiness at bay. Platinum is high-upkeep, and a little maintenance goes a long way.

Platinum vs lived-in blonde: the honest difference

A lot of people come in asking for platinum when what they actually want is a bright, natural-looking blonde that is easy to stretch between appointments. Those are different services with different commitments.

Platinum is a high-maintenance result. You are aiming for very pale, very clean colour, and it shows every shadow and warm tone as it grows. Most platinum clients are back in the chair every six to ten weeks.

Lived-in blonde is hand-painted balayage or soft highlights with a root blend, designed to grow out naturally. You can often go four to six months between appointments and the grow-out looks intentional rather than overdue. Sheridan is KOHORT's lived-in colour specialist and can show you exactly how these results compare on different bases.

If you are not sure which one suits your hair, your lifestyle, and your budget, bring a few reference images and your colourist will give you a straight answer before you commit.

Getting to KOHORT from Richmond and the surrounding streets

We are right on Bridge Road, which is as central to Richmond as it gets. If you are coming from the Bridge Road end of Richmond, you can walk. Richmond Station and East Richmond Station both drop you close, and the trams run the length of Bridge Road. We regularly do platinum work for clients from Cremorne just south across Punt Road, from Burnley to the east, and from Abbotsford across the Victoria Street side. Most of the inner east is a straightforward trip.

Who does platinum at KOHORT

Grace works across natural blonde, vivids, and balayage, and is experienced with high-lift and platinum results on a range of bases. Sheridan is KOHORT's lived-in colour and blonde specialist and handles everything from soft dimensional blonde through to full platinum. Both of them take their time with a consult before any lightening starts. Read their pages, find the work that matches your goal, and book through the stylist directly. Or start on meet the team if you are not sure.

Platinum pricing and how long it takes

Platinum is one of the longer services on the menu, and the price reflects that. A first-time full platinum on longer hair, including consultation, bleach, toner, and bond treatment, starts from the mid-to-high $300s and can run higher depending on length, density, and how much work the hair needs before we can lift safely. Maintenance appointments tend to be shorter and more straightforward once you are there. Plan for three to five hours in the chair for a full transformation. Your colourist confirms pricing at the consult before anything starts. We take card, EFTPOS, and Afterpay.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go platinum in one session?

Sometimes, if your hair is already light or short and in good condition. More often, especially on dark or previously coloured hair, it is safer to stage it across two sessions so the hair stays in a condition you are happy with long-term. Your colourist will tell you honestly at the consult.

My hair is box-dyed brown. Can I go platinum?

You can, but it is a journey, not a single appointment. Box dye creates an uneven base that lifts differently from natural colour. We pre-treat with Metal Detox to stabilise the fibre, then lift in careful stages. It is very doable, it just needs honesty about the timeline.

How often do I need to maintain platinum?

Most platinum clients come back every six to ten weeks. Between full appointments, a toner or gloss refresh at around six weeks keeps the cool tones from turning warm. A purple or blue shampoo at home fills the gaps.

I live near Richmond Station. How do I get to 234 Bridge Road?

Richmond Station is a short walk from Bridge Road along Church Street. East Richmond Station is also close and drops you practically on the doorstep. Trams run along Bridge Road directly. Street parking is available on Bridge Road and the side streets for those driving from Cremorne or Burnley.

Is platinum the same as "white blonde" or "silver"?

They are related but not identical. Silver involves a deliberate cool grey tone applied over lifted hair. White blonde goes very pale with almost no warmth. Platinum sits in between, usually a level 9 to 10 with a clean, cool or slightly warm toner over the top. Your colourist will show you swatches and land you in the right zone for your complexion.

What is the difference between platinum and balayage?

Balayage is a hand-painted technique that blends colour through the mid-lengths and ends with a soft grow-out. Platinum is a full lift result, usually applied with foils or all-over bleach, aimed at maximum brightness from root to tip or close to it. Different services, different maintenance levels. Balayage is generally lower-upkeep.

Do I need a bond treatment with platinum?

We run one as standard. Olaplex or K18 goes through the lightener on every platinum service. Bleach breaks bonds; bond builders reconnect them mid-process so you come out with integrity intact rather than just very pale hair.

How do I book a platinum appointment at KOHORT?

Head to Grace's page or Sheridan's page, find the service that matches your goal, and book through their individual booking links. Each KOHORT stylist manages their own calendar.