Do you dream of hair that catches the light just perfectly, like sunshine trapped in your strands? Achieving those beautiful, natural-looking highlights at home can feel like a total guessing game. You see amazing results online, but when you open a box, the colors look scary, or the instructions seem super complicated. It’s frustrating when you want that salon glow but end up with stripes instead of subtle dimension!
Choosing the right highlighting kit is tough because there are so many brands, shades, and techniques. You worry about picking a color that clashes with your natural tone or accidentally bleaching your hair too much. No one wants brassy or uneven results after putting in the effort!
Don’t worry; we are here to clear up the confusion! This post breaks down exactly what you need to know. We will explore the best types of kits for beginners and explain how to pick a shade that flatters your skin tone perfectly. Get ready to ditch the guesswork and confidently create gorgeous, sun-kissed highlights right from your bathroom. Let’s dive into finding your ideal highlighting kit!
Top Highlighting Kit Recommendations
- SALON-INSPIRED HIGHLIGHTS: Create salon-worthy, customizable highlights at home with this all-in-one lightener kit. Use it for permanent highlighting, balayaging, frosting, and creating ombre hair
- 2 WAYS TO HIGHLIGHT: The easy-to-use LightZones Cap & Hook helps you create precise blonde highlights. Or skip the cap and paint on balayage streaks only where you want a lightening effect
- ANTI-BREAKAGE TECHNOLOGY: Bond Restore Complex technology causes less damage after achieving subtle or dramatic highlights
- BLONDE WITHOUT BRASS: Our violet-pigmented conditioner boosts color and banishes brassy tones
- CHOOSE YOUR SHADE: Pick between two sun-kissed ammonia-free and paraben-free shades. Honey for light brown, medium brown, and dark brown hair; Blonde for medium blonde, dark blonde, and light brown hair
- Frost and Design's hi-precision pull-through cap for perfectly placed, professional looking highlights
- Customize your look with two hook options for bold or subtle highlights, or mix it up, with a sun-kissed glow
- Create perfectly precise, even highlights on long hair, perfect for hair length that goes past shoulders
- Frost and Design includes toning rinse to finish, so hair is shiny not brassy, and infused with extra shine
- Designed for no mess application, the box includes special non-drip formula, mixing tray, gloves, and overcap
- Frost and Design's hi-precision pull-through cap for perfectly placed, professional looking highlights
- Customize your look with two hook options for bold or subtle highlights, or mix it up, with a sun-kissed glow
- Create perfectly precise, even highlights on long hair, perfect for hair length that goes past shoulders
- Frost and Design includes toning rinse to finish, so hair is shiny not brassy, and infused with extra shine
- Designed for no mess application, the box includes special non-drip formula, mixing tray, gloves, and overcap
- Fast Color And Highlights At Home: Couleur Experte is the only at-home dual-system hair coloring kit that combines permanent base color and harmonizing highlights in one box for quick and easy application
- 2 Easy Steps: Thanks to perfectly coordinated shades, you can achieve a rich, elegant, salon-like look in 2 easy steps for brilliant all-over color and precise, even highlights in just 30 minutes
- Ideal Hair Color: Discover your ideal hair color with our range of shades, products and formulas; Bold to subtle, temporary to permanent and dark to light; our hair dye delivers what you're looking for
- Discover Color: We make an array of hair color products including gray concealer, root touch-up, brush-on highlights, temporary, permanent and semi-permanent color, ombre color and hair color remover
- L'Oreal Paris: A leading total beauty care company based in Paris, France, we offer innovative products and unique expertise from beauty experts in makeup, skin care, hair care, styling and hair color
- FAST COLOR & HIGHLIGHTS AT HOME: Couleur Experte is the only at-home dual-system hair coloring kit that combines permanent base color & harmonizing highlights in one box for quick & easy application.
- 2 EASY STEPS: Thanks to perfectly coordinated shades, you can achieve a rich, elegant, salon-like look in 2 easy steps for brilliant all-over color and precise, even highlights in just 30 minutes!
- IDEAL HAIR COLOR: Discover your ideal hair color with our range of shades, products & formulas. Bold to subtle, temporary to permanent & dark to light; our hair dye delivers what you're looking for.
- DISCOVER COLOR: We make an array of hair color products including gray concealer, root touch-up, brush-on highlights, temporary, permanent & semi-permanent color, ombre color & hair color remover.
- L'OREAL PARIS: A leading total beauty care company based in Paris, France, we offer innovative products & unique expertise from beauty experts in makeup, skin care, hair care, styling & hair color.
- SALON-INSPIRED HIGHLIGHTS: Create salon-worthy, customizable highlights at home with this all-in-one lightener kit. Use it for permanent highlighting, balayaging, frosting, and creating ombre hair
- 2 WAYS TO HIGHLIGHT: The easy-to-use LightZones Cap & Hook helps you create precise blonde highlights. Or skip the cap and paint on balayage streaks only where you want a lightening effect
- ANTI-BREAKAGE TECHNOLOGY: Bond Restore Complex technology causes less damage after achieving subtle or dramatic highlights
- BLONDE WITHOUT BRASS: Our violet-pigmented conditioner boosts color and banishes brassy tones
- CHOOSE YOUR SHADE: Pick between two sun-kissed ammonia-free and paraben-free shades. Honey for light brown, medium brown, and dark brown hair; Blonde for medium blonde, dark blonde, and light brown hair
- PLATINUM AT HOME HAIR DYE: Convenient hair color kit for at-home use for those with naturally light blonde to medium brown hair
- LIFT YOUR COLOR SEVEN LEVELS: Luminous Platinum Powder, a super lightening powder, works on darker base shades and lightens hair up to seven levels
- LESS HAIR DAMAGE: Formulated with Bond Restore Complex, an anti-breakage technology that causes less hair damage after achieving blonde results
- BOOSTS BLONDE & BANISHES BRASS: Get beautiful blonde without a salon. The violet-pigmented conditioner banishes brassy tones
- AMMONIA & PARABEN FREE: Ammonia-free and paraben-free permanent hair formula leaves hair glowing with lustrous shine
- Hi-precision pull-through cap highlights
- Two hooks for bold or subtle highlights
- Create perfectly precise even highlights
- For shorter hair
The Ultimate Highlighting Kit Buying Guide
Want to add some bright streaks to your hair? A highlighting kit can help you achieve salon-quality results at home. Choosing the right kit makes all the difference. This guide walks you through what you need to know before you buy.
Key Features to Look For
A good highlighting kit offers control and predictable results. Look closely at these features:
1. Applicator Type and Control
- Foil vs. Cap System: Foil systems give you more control over where you place the highlights. Cap systems are easier for beginners but offer less precision. Choose based on your skill level.
- Brush Quality: A sturdy, dense brush helps you apply the lightener evenly. Flimsy brushes can lead to messy, uneven streaks.
2. Developer Strength (Volume)
The developer lifts the color from your hair. Developers are measured in volume:
- 10 Volume: Gentle lift, good for subtle changes or previously lightened hair.
- 20 Volume: The most common choice for noticeable highlights. It lifts 1–2 levels.
- 30 or 40 Volume: Strong lift. Use these only if your hair is very dark or if you need significant lightening. Stronger volumes increase the risk of damage.
3. Included Toning/Glazing Solution
After lifting, your hair might look yellow or brassy. The best kits include a toner or glaze. This step neutralizes unwanted warm tones, giving you a natural blonde or ashier result.
Important Materials and Ingredients
The materials in your kit affect both the process and the health of your hair.
Lightening Powder/Cream
The powder lifts the color. Look for powders that mix smoothly into a creamy consistency. Some advanced formulas include bond-protecting ingredients. These ingredients help shield the hair structure during the chemical process.
Conditioning Agents
High-quality kits include conditioning treatments or masks. These are essential for replenishing moisture lost during the lightening process. Always check the ingredients list for things like keratin or natural oils.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one kit better than another? It often comes down to precision and hair health protection.
Quality Boosters
- Clear Instructions: Excellent instructions, complete with diagrams, greatly improve the user experience.
- Accurate Color Chart: Kits that clearly show the expected result based on your starting color tend to be more reliable.
- Pre-Measured Components: Kits where the developer and lightener are pre-measured ensure the correct mixing ratio, which is crucial for safety and color results.
Quality Reducers
- Harsh Smells: A very strong chemical smell often means the formula is overly aggressive and might dry out your hair.
- Inconsistent Powder: If the powder clumps or doesn’t dissolve well, you cannot apply it evenly.
User Experience and Use Cases
Consider how you plan to use the kit.
Beginner Users
If you are new to highlighting, choose a kit designed for “all-over” or “chunky” highlights using a cap system. These are easier to manage. Always start with a lower volume developer (20 max).
Advanced Users (Balayage or Foiling)
If you want a natural, blended look (like balayage), you need a kit that allows for freehand application. Look for a cream-based lightener that resists drying out quickly. You will need separate foils for this technique.
Maintenance
Remember that highlights require maintenance. A kit that lightens gently leaves you with softer regrowth lines, making touch-ups less harsh.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Highlighting Kits
Q: Can I use a highlighting kit on previously colored hair?
A: It is generally not recommended. Box kits are designed to lift natural color. Using them on dyed hair can cause unpredictable, often orange, results. Consult a professional if your hair is already colored.
Q: How long do I leave the lightener on my hair?
A: Processing time varies based on your desired lightness and the developer volume used. Always check the kit instructions. Never leave it on longer than the maximum time suggested, usually 45 minutes.
Q: Will a highlighting kit work on dark brown hair?
A: Yes, but you will need a strong developer (20 or 30 volume) and patience. You might need two separate applications to reach a light blonde shade safely. Multiple light applications are better than one intense one.
Q: What is “brassiness” and how do I fix it?
A: Brassiness means your hair looks yellow or orange after lightening. This happens because natural red and yellow pigments are the last to lift. Use the toner provided in the kit, or purchase a purple/blue shampoo to neutralize these warm tones.
Q: Do I have to use the gloves included in the kit?
A: Yes. The lightener and developer can irritate or burn your skin. Always wear the protective gloves provided during application and rinsing.
Q: What is the difference between highlights and lowlights?
A: Highlights are lighter strands added to your natural color. Lowlights are darker strands added to create depth and dimension.
Q: Can I highlight my own hair if I have highlights already?
A: Yes, you can touch up your roots. Apply the product only to the new growth (the uncolored root area). Do not overlap the lightener onto the already highlighted hair, as this causes breakage.
Q: How do I choose the right shade of blonde?
A: Choose a shade that is only 2–3 levels lighter than your natural base color for the safest at-home results. If you want platinum, see a stylist.
Q: Are highlighting kits damaging to my hair?
A: Any chemical lightening process causes some level of dryness. Quality kits include conditioning agents to lessen the damage. Proper technique and deep conditioning afterward minimize negative effects.
Q: When should I wash my hair after highlighting?
A: Wait at least 24 to 48 hours before shampooing after highlighting. This allows the cuticle to close and helps the toner set properly. Use sulfate-free shampoo when you do wash.