The summer vibes and feel good factor that comes with a fresh head of highlights will never not make us happy.
When it comes to creating the sun-kissed look at home, you can risk ending up a brassy mess if you don’t choose the best home highlight kit for you.
Whatever the season, highlights can be an easy way to add that ‘wow’ factor and create beautiful, multi dimensional color.
While visiting the salon should always be your go-to when it comes to highlighting techniques and colors that are customized just for you, at-home kits are now better than ever before. Offering up quick results with maximum convenience!
Here we’ll take you through the best home highlight kits available for 2023 so that you can get salon quality color without leaving the comfort of your own bathroom.
Let’s go!
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Table of Contents
- 1 TOP PICK!
- 2 L’Oreal Colorista Effects Bleach Lightening Kit
- 3 What are highlights?
- 4 Can you successfully highlight your hair at home?
- 5 Which is the best home highlight kit?
- 6 Best home highlight kits at a glance.
- 7 #1 Garnier Nutrisse Bleach Hair Dye.
- 8 #2 Schwarzkopf Live Intense Lightener
- 9 #3 Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Natural Looking Hair Dye, Light Ash Blonde.
- 10 #4 L’Oreal Colorista Effects Bleach Lightening Kit
- 11 #5 Wella Hair Streaking Kit Scandinavian Blonde
- 12 #6 Schwarzkopf Color Expert Omegaplex Hair Dye, Light Cool Blonde.
- 13 TOP PICK!
- 14 L’Oreal Colorista Effects Bleach Lightening Kit
- 15 A Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose the Right Highlight Kit for You
- 16 How long to highlights last?
- 17 How to make highlights last for longer.
- 18 Parting words
- 19 Author
TOP PICK!
L’Oreal Colorista Effects Bleach Lightening Kit
Best for: Extra lightening fast results.
We wanted to give our natural blonde hair a lift, and the results were a cool head of icy blond hints. It’s powerful stuff so keep a check on it in development time or you might go way too light. It dulled down after a couple of washes and is starting to look even more natural as time goes on. This is the best kit on the list for us.
Pros
- Lightens hair quickly and effectively
- Perfect for highlighting or going blonde
- Leaves a natural, cool look
Cons
- Can be too powerful if left on for too long
- Not suitable for dark hair
What are highlights?
Highlights are a hair lightening technique that adds lighter strands to a darker base hair color.
From the classic all-over bleaching to balayage, sombre and ombre, highlights have been all the rage in hair styling for the last few years – and show no signs of going out of fashion any time soon.
Not only are they a way frame your face, make your skin glow and your eye color pop, but they can also be as subtle or daring as you’d like!
Highlighting hair is a great way to add dimension and create movement that compliments any style – whether you’re trying to achieve a natural look or something more creative.
You can choose to go for a dramatic change with a full head of highlights, balayage highlights or even colored highlights, or a more subtle effect with a half head or partial highlights.
You can also have a go at lightening your hair the natural way. But if you want a lot of lift, it’s a highlighting kit all the way.
Check out the latest on-trend blonde highlights looks on our Pinterest board for ideas and inspiration.
Can you successfully highlight your hair at home?
Interested in highlighting your hair at home?
There are many ways to go about it. But can you successfully do the at-home process of this beauty trend? Without professional help from a salon or someone who knows what they’re doing?
Highlights are a tricky one.
The difference between salon and at-home highlighting treatments is that in a salon, your hairdresser will combine different dyes to create the color that best suits you.
In an at home highlighting kit, you get one color tube and a bottle of developer.
The guiding rule is to choose a just one shade lighter than your base color – the color your hair is now. If you want to go much lighter than this, it’s best to talk to your hairdresser or risk going brassy!
Which is the best home highlight kit?
Highlighting is a technique as much as a process. Thanks to uber lush looks like ombre and balayage, freestyle dye painting is fast becoming easier to do.
To DIY highlights at home, you’ll need to get yourself one of the kits from our list below that will do the job for you!
Best home highlight kits at a glance.
| Kit | Looks like | Best for | Buy it now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garnier Nutrisse Bleach Hair Dye. |   | Platinum blonde effects. | |
| Schwarzkopf Live Intense Lightener |   | Achieving medium-blonde shades like caramel blonde. | |
| Clairol Nice' n Easy Crème, Natural Looking Hair Dye, Light Ash Blonde. |   | Ashy tones. | |
| L'Oreal Colorista Effects Bleach Lightening Kit |  | Extra lightening fast results. | |
| Wella Hair Streaking Kit Scandinavian Blonde |   | Long lasting highlights | |
| Schwarzkopf Color Expert Omegaplex Hair Dye, Light Cool Blonde. |   | Cool tones and soft hair |
#1 Garnier Nutrisse Bleach Hair Dye.
Features & ingredients:
- Natural looking color, rich and long-lasting performance.
- Comes with Purple 4 oils conditioner to take the edge off any brassiness.
- Protects again hair dryness for up to 8 weeks.
Reviewers say:
“This makes my color come out a lovely pale creamy blonde, not at all brassy, and I love using the brush application.”
“I used this to touch up my dark roots after having blonde highlights done by my hairdresser. I am amazed how this product lifted my dark roots to the same blonde as my hair and no orange tones in it at all!”
Our experience:
We tried this on light blonde hair that had a few babylights that were starting to fade. We applied the mixture starting with our roots and worked it through to the ends.
We did only thin sections of the hair along the hairline and where the sun naturally lightens our hair for the most natural effect. On washing after 30 mins, it looked fab!
It had lifted our color a lot to almost platinum blonde. The conditioner smells divine and left out hair very soft too!
Best for: Platinum blondes
#2 Schwarzkopf Live Intense Lightener
Festures & ingredients:
- An intense lightener an oil booster
- Lightens your hair up to 9 shades.
- Guarantees less brassiness.
- Leaves hair soft and glossy.
- With a brightening Oil Booster for up to 9 levels of lift (yeah right).
Reviewers say:
“This definitely worked for me but the results are not the same as the color on the box! Be prepared to color twice if you want the color you can see on the box!”
“Better than others at lifting roots to match the rest of my highlighted hair. I’ve tried a lot of the other highlight kits and this is the one I would most recommend.”
“First time I’ve used this lightener and can honestly say it does the job. I just wanted to add a few highlights and this worked great. I was worried about my hair being frizzy and dry but it wasn’t. So happy.”
Our experience:
We’ll be honest, with this, our light brown hair did go quite yellow. But it did leave our hair feeling super soft.
Fortunately, we are always prepared at Coloured Hair Care HQ and had a purple toning shampoo handy to cancel out the brassiness and make the yellow disappear.
After this, the results were gorgeous caramel blonde hints that we love. If you want medium blonde tones and you have a good purple shampoo at the ready, this is the one for you.
Best for : Getting medium-blonde shades like caramel blonde.
#3 Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Natural Looking Hair Dye, Light Ash Blonde.
Features & ingredients:
- This is a cream that contains a blend of 3 salon tones and highlights in one.
- Uber conditioning – with conditioners built into every step
- Soft, shiny hair and long-lasting hair color performance
Reviewers say:
“Would I use it again? Yes I would! It was easy to apply, it’s covered my greys completely and no sign of brassiness at all.”
“Application is simple and the creme is thick so it doesn’t drip everywhere like some I’ve tried before. My hair feels so soft, I love it.”
“When applying it gave good coverage and it smelt better than other brands. My hair looks great shiny and well covered. I love the color.”
Our experience:
This is an ash blonde hair dye rather than a bleach lightener, so you’ll need to make sure that ashy tones are the right look for you. We used this on ash brown dyed hair to add a few babylights and it was a great color mix.
The cream is really easy to apply and the dye smelt better than most!
We left it on for longer to get the desired effect but there was no brassiness or yellowing to take care of. The conditioner that comes with it is quite generous and left enough for the next hair wash too.
Best for: Ashy tones.
#4 L’Oreal Colorista Effects Bleach Lightening Kit
Features & ingredients:
- This is a highlight kit to create bleach effects.
- It’s a gentle formula that lightens hair without brass or harshness.
- The after-care conditioning formula nourishes hair.
Reviewers say:
“I’ve used many different bleaches and hair dyes so I was a bit unsure about using yet another new one. I had so many colors of blue in my hair! But using this bleach my hair went to a fabulous bleach blonde!”
“My hair was previously dyed a dark silver-grey so I didn’t know what to expect. I followed the instructions too apply it and within minutes, I could already see it turning a perfect light blonde! “
“I love this bleach for highlighting my hair! I normally have balayage lights done at my hairdressers but my ends had started to go brassy. I used this and then toned afterwards and it looked like I’d had it done in salon again!”
Our experience:
L’Oreal are bossing home hair dyeing with the Colorista range. We’d already tried some of their other awesome washout hair colors so we were excited to find out what this bleach could do.
We wanted to give our natural blonde hair a lift, and the results were a cool head of icy blond hints. It’s powerful stuff so keep a check on it in development time or you might go way too light.
It dulled down after a couple of washes and is starting to look even more natural as time goes on.
Best for: Extra lightening fast results.
Features & ingredients:
- A reliable home highlighting kit.
- Use it to achieve an all-over sun-kissed look or to create specific highlights around the hairline, crown or fringe.
- Professional-looking results with the minimum of fuss
- The finished look can be as subtle or as bold as you want.
Reviewers say:
“Best home highlight dye I’ve used by far. My hair comes out bright blonde and I’m always happy with the results. So many other kits I’ve tried come out orange. This is a product I trust.”
“I truly love this! I have light brown hair with a bit of grey, and this gives me light natural blonde highlights. The result is as good as any salon.”
“Just hope they never stop making this! It saves me a fortune!”
Our experience:
This one comes with a cap! And easy to follow instructions. It can be a bit fiddly to apply but the results are well worth it.
We tried it on dark blonde hair to add a few streaks at our crown. The color comes out a lovely creamy light blonde with no warm tones or brassiness to be seen. This one is the best for lasting color.
Best for: Long lasting highlights.
#6 Schwarzkopf Color Expert Omegaplex Hair Dye, Light Cool Blonde.
Features & ingredients:
- Permanent Lightener with rich, long lasting color.
- Up to 3 levels of lift.
- Anti-Breakage Technology.
- Contains hyaluronic acid that moisturises your hair.
- Protects hair from damage during and after coloring.
Reviewers say:
“I have thick hair so used 2 packets and the result was lovely! No orange, a little bluish but I know that fades quickly and I liked this toned version of blonde.”
“This has a great conditioning mask and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has been ‘going blonde’ for years like me (my original hair color is dark blonde but now lots of grey) It dealt with my roots perfectly.”
“I have tried nearly every blonde hair dye there is to give myself highlights at home and Color Expert 9 lightener is the best. No flat orange tint. Came out shiny golden color. And great condition!”
Our experience:
We tried this one out on light brown hair to add highlights from root to tip. We roped in a friend to help and applied the dye using foils to accelerate the color.
The results were fantastic, we could feel it working straight away. It has lifted our hair a couple of levels to a cool, blonde shade.
What we love best about Color Expert is the purple toner and conditioning treatments. This left our hair soft and silky with no warm tones.
Best for: Cool tones and soft hair.
TOP PICK!
L’Oreal Colorista Effects Bleach Lightening Kit
Best for: Extra lightening fast results.
We wanted to give our natural blonde hair a lift, and the results were a cool head of icy blond hints. It’s powerful stuff so keep a check on it in development time or you might go way too light.
It dulled down after a couple of washes and is starting to look even more natural as time goes on. This is the best on the list for us.
A Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose the Right Highlight Kit for You
Are you considering adding some highlights to your hair to spruce up your look?
With so many different highlight kits available, it can be tough to figure out which one to choose.
Should you go with a balayage or ombre kit? What works best for your hair type and texture? How will the final color look?
These are all important questions to consider before taking the plunge. Here’s our expert advice to help you find the perfect kit for you.
Hair type and texture
Before diving in and committing to a highlight kit, it’s important to factor in your hair type and texture.
Different kits may perform differently on various hair types.
If you have thin or fine hair, you may want to consider opting for a lightening kit that’s free of ammonia and bleach, which can cause hair breakage. A gentle formula can still help brighten and add dimension to your hair without damaging it.
If you have thick coarse hair, you may benefit from a kit with stronger lightening agents that can penetrate through the hair shaft and provide brighter results.
Desired color
Another important consideration to make when selecting a highlight kit is determining the color you’re looking to achieve. This also depends on your natural hair color.
If you have dark hair, you may want to start with a lighter brown ombre before jumping into platinum blonde straight away.
If you’re unsure about which color is right for you, consult a hairstylist to get a professional’s advice on what would work best for you.
Lifestyle
The next factor to consider is your lifestyle.
Are you someone who’s always running around and doesn’t have a lot of time to dedicate to hair care? If so, you may want to choose a kit that requires little maintenance.
Also, it’s essential to consider how often you want to go back to your stylist to maintain your new highlights and root touch-ups.
This will help you decide how frequently you need to update your color and what type of maintenance your new highlights will need.
Strand test
One of the best ways to determine if a highlight kit will work for you is by doing a strand test.
This is mainly recommended for those who have never highlighted their hair before.
Simply take a small section of hair and apply the highlight kit to see how well it lightens and if it causes any damage.
Doing this will help you check whether the kit suits your hair type and also ensure you won’t end up with any nasty surprises!
How long to highlights last?
Deciding exactly how long your highlights will last depends on a few different things.
While foil highlights usually require a touch-up every six to eight weeks, if done well, the blonde color can last for months!
On average, highlights can last anywhere from two to four months, depending on how quickly your hair grows and how well you take care of it.
Of course, keep in mind that lighter colors will typically fade more quickly than darker shades.
Proper hair care is key — use shampoo specifically for highlighted or bleached hair and get regular trims to keep split ends away.
It also helps to use a purple shampoo once in a while to maintain the ashy tonality of your highlights and keep unwanted orange and yellow tones away.
They can also help darken highlights that have turned out too bright!
How to make highlights last for longer.
There are plenty of ways to make your highlights last and maintain that fresh-from-the-salon look for longer. Here are some tips and tricks for preserving your newly-acquired highlights to keep them looking great for weeks, if not months!
Use Color-Protecting Shampoo
One of the easiest ways to extend the life of your highlights is to use shampoo that’s specially formulated for color-treated hair.
Look for products with light, moisturizing formulas that won’t strip your hair of its natural oils.
Avoid shampoos with harsh detergents like sulfates, which can fade color quickly.
Instead, opt for color-safe shampoos that contain UV protectants and antioxidants to keep hair healthy and vibrant.
Avoid Hot Tools
Heat styling tools can be particularly damaging to colored hair, as they can cause the color molecules to break down and fade more quickly.
If you must use hot tools, be sure to apply a heat protectant spray or serum to your hair beforehand.
Protect Your Hair From the Sun
Exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause color to fade and oxidize, leaving your highlights looking brassy and dull.
To shield your hair from the sun’s harmful rays, wear a hat or scarf when spending time outdoors.
If you’re heading to the beach or pool, apply a leave-in conditioner or hair oil containing UV protection to help protect your strands from the sun’s rays.
Deep Condition Regularly
Deep conditioning treatments are an excellent way to help repair and protect your color-treated hair.
Look for treatments with ingredients like keratin or amino acids, which help to reinforce the structure of your hair, making it stronger and more resilient.
Use a deep conditioning treatment once a week to help prevent your highlights from becoming brittle and weak.
Touch Up Your Roots
If you’re looking to extend the life of your highlights, frequent touch-ups to your roots can help to keep your color looking fresh and vibrant for longer.
Schedule regular appointments with your stylist to touch up your roots and give your mane a trim to maintain the overall health and appearance of your hair.
Parting words
Highlights are a great way to feel good about yourself and your hair.
To avoid looking like you’ve been electrocuted, make sure you use the right product for your hair type!
Whether you want a subtle change or bold summer highlights, there is always going to be the perfect kit out there with all of the tools needed to create that sun-kissed look at home. Happy highlighting 🙂
