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Best Hair Highlighting Kits of 2026

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Lisa Bechard

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Hair highlighting kits are an excellent way to add some dimension to your hair without having to make a trip to the salon. These kits come with everything you need to achieve a salon-quality look at home, including bleach, developer, and toner. With a range of shades available, you can choose to go for a subtle sun-kissed look, or opt for a more dramatic contrast. Some kits even come with specialized tools like caps and hooks to help you achieve the perfect placement. With easy-to-follow instructions, anyone can achieve beautiful, highlighted hair right at home.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Top 10 Hair Highlighting Kits

#TOP 1

Revlon Permanent Hair Color Highlighting Kit

  • REVLON
  • 7258744020
  • Blonde
  • 1 Count (8 Ounce)
Revlon Permanent Hair Color Highlighting Kit Cover

Revlon Color Effects Highlighting Kit, Permanent Hair Dye, For Balayage, Frosting, & Ombre Styling, Ammonia & Paraben Free, 20 Blonde, 8 Oz (Pack of 1)

Revlon Permanent Hair Color Highlighting Kit allows you to create salon-inspired, customizable highlights at home with its easy-to-use LightZones Cap and Hook. It offers two ways to highlight, and its Bond Restore Complex technology results in less damage while achieving subtle or dramatic highlights. The violet-pigmented conditioner boosts color and eliminates brassy tones. It comes in two shades and is ammonia-free and paraben-free.

9.9
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Multiple highlighting options
  • Easy-to-follow instructions
  • Natural-looking results
  • Conditioning formula
  • Good value

What We Don't Like

  • Hook may be tricky for fine hair
  • May cause orange tones on dark hair

What Customers Say

"I've used this brand since I was 18, and it’s always been my favorite. I love the adjustable cap and how you can choose how many highlights to add, from a few to a full head. Mixing the bleach is simple, and the kit comes with everything needed, including a handy spatula with a hook for pulling hair through the cap. It leaves my hair beautifully lightened and soft, without drying it out."

"As a beginner, I picked this kit to try highlighting at home. The instructions are clear, and the kit gave my medium brown hair a beautiful, natural coppery tone. The only challenge I had was pulling my fine hair through the cap, but with a little help, it worked out. My hair felt soft afterward, and the results looked professional."

"I used this kit to touch up my balayage roots for the first time. It blended my outgrowth well, and my hair felt conditioned and healthy after use. The cap is sturdy, and the product didn’t have a harsh smell. It’s a great, budget-friendly way to refresh highlights at home."

#TOP 2

L'Oreal Paris Frost and Design Cap Hair Highlights For Long Hair

L'Oreal Paris Frost and Design Cap Hair Highlights For Long Hair Cover

L'Oreal Paris Frost and Design Cap Hair Highlights For Long Hair, H85 Champagne, 1 kit

The L'Oreal Paris Frost and Design Cap Hair Highlights For Long Hair is a hair dye kit that helps you achieve professional looking highlights with its hi-precision pull-through cap. It comes with two hook options for bold or subtle highlights, making it customizable for your preference. The product is perfect for those with long hair that goes past their shoulders, and it includes a toning rinse to give your hair a shiny and extra shine finish. The kit also includes a non-drip formula, mixing tray, gloves, and overcap to ensure a no-mess application.

9.8
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Affordable price
  • Easy to use at home
  • Effective lightening and highlighting
  • Included purple/blue toner
  • Natural-looking results

What We Don't Like

  • Can be difficult solo
  • Toner is runny

What Customers Say

"As someone who's been getting professional highlights for years, I was nervous to try an at-home kit. But I was pleasantly surprised—the results were evenly distributed and the blonde looked beautiful. I did need some help with the back of my head, and my hair was pretty tangled after, but overall, it turned out great and the included toner really helped with gold tones."

"I picked this up for my daughter who wanted blonde highlights like mine, and honestly, for the price, it can't be beat. The kit was straightforward, and I was happy with how the color came out after about 33 minutes. It's a cost-effective way to get great results at home—I'd definitely buy it again."

"With my longer, reddish hair, most kits leave me brassy or orange, but this one actually worked and included a toner that reduced brassiness fast. It's a bit tricky to pull hair through the cap, so a helping hand is recommended, but the end result was natural and pretty. I'll absolutely use this again!"

#TOP 3

L'Oreal Paris Couleur Experte 2-Step Home Hair Color and Highlights Kit

L'Oreal Paris Couleur Experte 2-Step Home Hair Color and Highlights Kit Cover

L'Oreal Paris Couleur Experte 2-Step Home Hair Color and Highlights Kit, French Éclair

The L'Oreal Paris Couleur Experte 2-Step Home Hair Color and Highlights Kit in French Éclair allows you to achieve fast color and highlights at home with its dual-system hair coloring kit. The kit combines permanent base color and harmonizing highlights for quick and easy application in just 2 easy steps. With perfectly coordinated shades, this kit delivers a rich, elegant, salon-like look in just 30 minutes. L'Oreal offers an array of hair color products including temporary to permanent color, root touch-up, and more.

9.6
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Easy-to-follow instructions
  • Natural-looking color results
  • Effective highlighting kit
  • Gentle on hair
  • Long-lasting color

What We Don't Like

  • Highlight applicator could be improved
  • Occasional color fading

What Customers Say

"I've tried a lot of home hair coloring kits, and this is honestly one of the best I've ever used. The shade I picked, medium blonde (toasted coconut), turned out beautiful and natural, without any brassy tones. I was nervous to add highlights, but I'm so glad I did—they came out great and blended perfectly."

"This kit is fantastic for touch-ups and refreshing color as my hair grows out. My mom and I both use it regularly, and it always gives a really nice, natural look. It's getting tough to find in stores, though, so we buy it whenever we can."

"I loved how gentle the Eclair shade was on my hair, and the color looked great at first. However, I found the highlighting process a bit tricky—the applicators didn't fit well and the instructions were hard for me to follow, so the highlights came out uneven. Still, my hair was soft and not damaged after using it."

#TOP 4

Revlon Permanent Hair Color Effects Highlighting Kit

  • REVLON
  • 7258743060
  • Platinum
  • 1 Count (Pack of 1)
Revlon Permanent Hair Color Effects Highlighting Kit Cover

Revlon Color Effects Permanent Highlighting Kit, Ammonia & Paraben Free Hair Dye, 60 Platinum, 8 Oz (Pack of 1)

This highlighting kit is perfect for those with light blonde to medium brown hair who want to achieve platinum blonde at home. The super lightening powder can lift hair up to seven levels and is formulated with Bond Restore Complex for less hair damage. Additionally, the violet-pigmented conditioner helps to banish brassy tones, leaving hair with a lustrous shine. The best part? This permanent hair dye is ammonia-free and paraben-free.

9.5
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Easy application
  • Natural-looking highlights
  • Soft, shiny hair
  • Minimal odor
  • Affordable price

What We Don't Like

  • May need extra boxes for long hair
  • Hair can feel dry after use

What Customers Say

"This is hands down the best lightening kit I’ve ever tried! After years of coloring my hair, I finally found something that makes my hair feel softer and healthier. It lightened my dirty brown hair by about 5-7 shades in just 20 minutes and gave me natural, sun-kissed highlights. I love that I can layer it without damaging my hair, and the lack of strong smell is a huge bonus. I’m so happy with the results and the money I’m saving!"

"I was amazed by how soft and vibrant my hair felt after using this kit. The color turned out beautiful, and I’ll definitely purchase it again!"

"I have really long, thick hair, so I used two boxes, but could have used more for full coverage. The kit did a great job lightening my dark roots, but I did need a purple toner after to reduce yellowness. My hair felt a bit drier after, but overall, it’s a cost-effective way to reach a platinum shade, and I’m happy with the results."

#TOP 5

Madison Reed Light Works Balayage Kit

Madison Reed Light Works Balayage Kit Cover

Madison Reed Light Works Balayage Highlighting Kit, Creates Natural-Looking Warm Honey Highlights (Palmi - Blonde), Amonia Free, Cruelty Free, 2 Step Process That Lightens & Tones Hair

The Madison Reed Balayage Kit makes it simple for you to achieve beautiful, natural-looking highlights at home. The kit features a two-step process that first lightens your hair and then tones it to create soft, golden honey highlights, perfect for blonde to light brown hair. With a specially designed wishbone applicator and a mess-free formula, you can easily apply the product for a seamless finish. Enriched with nourishing ingredients like keratin and argan oil, this kit not only colors your hair but also leaves it feeling healthy and shiny.

9.3
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Natural-looking balayage results
  • Easy-to-follow instructions
  • Soft, healthy-feeling hair
  • Saves money compared to salon
  • Included shampoo and conditioner

What We Don't Like

  • Unusual applicator tool
  • Potential for uneven application

What Customers Say

"As someone who wanted a softer, more natural look, I was really pleased with this balayage kit. The process took about an hour but was totally worth it—the results look low-maintenance and natural, much better than traditional highlights which can look striped."

"I had never tried coloring my hair at home before, but this kit was easy to use with clear instructions. My hair came out just like I hoped, and felt soft and healthy afterward. I would definitely recommend it, especially if you want to avoid the salon and save money."

"Although the kit worked well and left my hair feeling silky, I found the wishbone applicator difficult to use. Next time, I'll use a regular color brush, but overall, I was happy with the warm tones and the natural effect I achieved."

#TOP 6

Madison Reed Light Works Balayage Highlighting Kit

Madison Reed Light Works Balayage Highlighting Kit Cover

Madison Reed Light Works Balayage Highlighting Kit, Creates Natural-Looking Cool Vanilla Highlights (Sorrento - Blonde), Amonia Free, Cruelty Free, 2 Step Process That Lightens & Tones Hair

The Madison Reed Highlighting Kit is an easy-to-use at-home balayage kit that includes everything you need to create natural-looking highlights. The kit features a 2-step salon process that first lightens and then tones your hair, allowing you to refine the color to your liking. The Sorrento - Cool Vanilla shade works best for blonde to light brown hair, creating sandy highlights while reducing unwanted yellow or gold tones. The kit includes a precision wishbone balayage tool and clay-based cream formula that ensures a fool-proof, no-mess application. Plus, the kit is packed with hair-loving nutrients like Keratin, Argan Oil, and Ginseng Root Extract to protect and pamper your hair.

9.3
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Natural-looking balayage results
  • Easy-to-follow instructions
  • Soft and healthy hair feel
  • Includes shampoo and conditioner
  • Salon-quality results at home

What We Don't Like

  • Unusual applicator tool
  • Possible uneven application for beginners

What Customers Say

"As someone who wanted a more natural, low-maintenance look with softer transitions, I found this balayage kit really delivered. The process was a bit time-consuming, but the end result was worth it. It looks much softer than traditional highlights, and I love how it turned out."

"Even though it was my first time trying DIY highlights, I got surprisingly good results with this product. The kit left my hair feeling silky and healthy, and the instructions were clear, but I have to admit the wishbone applicator was a bit awkward to use."

"I've used this kit several times and always skip the applicator, applying with my fingers instead for better control. Every time, I'm impressed by how easy it is to achieve a natural look that grows out beautifully. This has become my go-to for at-home balayage."

#TOP 7

Bondbar Bonding Technology Lightener Kit

  • Bondbar
  • BD0081
  • Clear
  • 1 Count (Pack of 1)
Bondbar Bonding Technology Lightener Kit Cover

Bondbar Bonding Technology Lightener Highlighting Kit

The Bondbar Lightener Kit offers a complete set to help you lighten your hair safely and effectively. It comes with two powder packets and a developer, making it easy to mix and apply with the included brush and tray. The kit is designed to minimize hair damage and breakage, so your hair stays strong during the lightening process. Plus, it helps protect and nourish your hair bonds, keeping your hair healthy and hydrated. With this kit, you can highlight your hair while maintaining its strength and integrity.

9.1
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Complete lightening kit
  • Reduces hair damage
  • Protects hair bonds
  • Hydrates hair
  • Cruelty-free formula
#TOP 8

Tints of Nature 3-in-1 Lightener Kit

Tints of Nature 3-in-1 Lightener Kit Cover

Tints of Nature 3 in 1 Lightener Kit | A Natural, Vegan-Friendly Way for Home Hair Highlights and Brightening | Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Dye

Tints of Nature Lightener Kit is a specially formulated hair dye lightening kit that can lighten hair up to 7 shades. It is perfect for full head lightening, highlights, and balayage, and is made with natural and organic ingredients to gently nourish, condition, and protect your hair. The kit is ammonia-free, vegan-friendly, and cruelty-free. It also contains added wheat protein to strengthen your hair and leave it looking and feeling great without the damage of most common hair dyes. With Tints of Nature Lightener Kit, you can achieve a lighter tone of your favorite Tints of Nature Permanent or Semi-Permanent Hair Dye, making it a convenient and easy way to achieve the hair color you desire.

9.1
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Easy to use at home
  • Gentle on hair
  • No harsh smell
  • Natural-looking highlights
  • Works on dark roots

What We Don't Like

  • Conditioner amount may be insufficient
  • May dry hair slightly

What Customers Say

"I switched from bleach to this gentler product and couldn't be happier. My dark roots lifted beautifully and my hair felt healthy afterward. The box came with everything I needed, and I'll definitely use this instead of harsh bleach from now on."

"After trying other ammonia-free options, I found this kit lightened my dark brown roots to a lovely blond in just 20 minutes. The luxurious shampoo included was a nice bonus, and there was no damage or breakage at all."

"I’ve used this several times for highlights and really like the soft, natural results. The only thing is, the conditioner in the kit doesn't quite cover my long hair, so I add my own for extra moisture. Still, it’s so much better than typical bleaching!"

#TOP 9

Ptwola Hair Coloring Board and Brush Kit

  • Ptwola
  • 791132_1+Paddle Highlight Boards
  • Black
  • 1 Count (Pack of 2)
Ptwola Hair Coloring Board and Brush Kit Cover

Ptwola 2 PCS Hair Coloring Board Balayage Highlighting Board and Brush Kit Balayage Boards with Teeth Hair Highlighting Paddle Kit for Hairstylists Dye Tools Salon Dying Accessories

The Ptwola Hair Highlight Kit is designed with high-quality, lightweight plastic that makes it durable and simple to clean, so you can use it over and over without hassle. Its unique tooth design helps you spread color evenly, giving your hair a smooth and natural look no matter your hair type. The board and brush are sized perfectly for precise application, making it easy to handle whether you’re a professional stylist or doing your own hair at home. Plus, the set is straightforward to use—just place your hair on the board, straighten it, and apply color smoothly for even results every time.

9.1
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Durable lightweight material
  • Even color distribution
  • Precise size for application
  • Easy to clean and reuse
#TOP 10

Streax Ultralights Hair Highlighting Kit

  • Streax
  • 7107
  • Soft Blonde
  • 1 Count (Pack of 1)
Streax Ultralights Hair Highlighting Kit Cover

Streax Hair Highlighting Kit – Soft Blonde Shade – 75 g / 2.65 oz – Complete At-Home Highlight Kit with Developer, Colourant, Conditioner, Brush & Gloves

The Streax Ultralights Hair Highlighting Kit is an easy-to-use hair highlighting kit that enables long-lasting highlights at home. The kit is enriched with argan oil and walnut oil, which provide improved shine and smoothness to your hair. The item comes in powder form and contains 2.10 fl Oz (60gr.) of product. The package includes 1 highlighting kit, making hair highlighting an effortless task.

8.9
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Vivid color payoff
  • Affordable at-home results
  • Quick application process
  • Minimal hair damage

What We Don't Like

  • Possible uneven color
  • Slight hair frizziness

What Customers Say

"I found the color results really vibrant, but you need to make sure someone else applies it for you, because the color sets fast and can end up patchy if not done quickly. Washing it out in under 45 minutes worked best for me."

"The color payoff was excellent, just what I wanted, but I did notice my hair felt frizzier than usual afterward."

"I tried this on my ends and got a beautiful transformation at a budget-friendly price. I experimented with both brown and golden-orange shades, and the results were great. Just remember to regularly oil or spa your hair, especially if you go lighter, to keep it from looking rough."

Hair Highlighting Kits Comparison Table

#TOP 1 Revlon Permanent Hair Color Highlighting Kit Cover

Revlon Permanent Hair Color Highlighting Kit

#TOP 2 L'Oreal Paris Frost and Design Cap Hair Highlights For Long Hair Cover

L'Oreal Paris Frost and Design Cap Hair Highlights For Long Hair

#TOP 3 L'Oreal Paris Couleur Experte 2-Step Home Hair Color and Highlights Kit Cover

L'Oreal Paris Couleur Experte 2-Step Home Hair Color and Highlights Kit

#TOP 4 Revlon Permanent Hair Color Effects Highlighting Kit Cover

Revlon Permanent Hair Color Effects Highlighting Kit

#TOP 5 Madison Reed Light Works Balayage Kit Cover

Madison Reed Light Works Balayage Kit

#TOP 6 Madison Reed Light Works Balayage Highlighting Kit Cover

Madison Reed Light Works Balayage Highlighting Kit

#TOP 7 Bondbar Bonding Technology Lightener Kit Cover

Bondbar Bonding Technology Lightener Kit

#TOP 8 Tints of Nature 3-in-1 Lightener Kit Cover

Tints of Nature 3-in-1 Lightener Kit

#TOP 9 Ptwola Hair Coloring Board and Brush Kit Cover

Ptwola Hair Coloring Board and Brush Kit

#TOP 10 Streax Ultralights Hair Highlighting Kit Cover

Streax Ultralights Hair Highlighting Kit

Brand REVLON L'Oreal Paris L'Oreal Paris REVLON Madison Reed Madison Reed Bondbar Tints of Nature Ptwola Streax
Color Blonde Champagne 6.1 Light Ash Brown/French Eclair Platinum Warm Honey ( Palmi - Blonde) Cool Vanilla (Sorrento - Blonde) Clear - Black Soft Blonde
Package Information Box en_US Box Box Box Box Box - Bag Bottle
Item Form - Liquid Cream Powder, Cream, Oil, Shampoo, Conditioner Cream Cream Cream Cream Board Powder
Product Benefits - Hair Coloring Brightening Damage Repair All-in-one kit contains everything you need for at-home balayage highlights with ammonia-free formula. No harsh ingredients: 100% ammonia-free, PPD-free, resorcinol-free, paraben-free, pthalates-free, SLS-free, gluten-free, titanium-dioxide-free. Leaping bunny certified: cruelty-free. All-in-one kit contains everything you need for at-home balayage highlights with ammonia-free formula. No harsh ingredients: 100% ammonia-free, PPD-free, resorcinol-free, paraben-free, pthalates-free, SLS-free, gluten-free, titanium-dioxide-free. Leaping bunny certified: cruelty-free. Bonding Nourishing - Smoothening
FTB Score
9.9
9.8
9.6
9.5
9.3
9.3
9.1
9.1
9.1
8.9
Where to Buy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best way to highlight your hair at home?

To highlight your hair at home, start by thoroughly brushing and de-tangling your hair. Then, secure the highlighting cap over your head and pull the sections you want to highlight through the holes. Mix your color or lightener with the developer as per the instructions and apply the highlights from the bottom-up, front to back for best results.

2. Do at home highlighting kits work?

Yes, at-home highlighting kits can be effective. For natural-looking results, it is recommended to stay within two shades of your natural hair color. By choosing a shade that is two shades lighter or darker, you can achieve highlights that stand out without obvious regrowth.

3. Do highlight kits come with toner?

Yes, most highlight kits come with a toner or semi-permanent color kit. These kits are designed to deposit tone on the newly lightened sections of hair, completing the two-step process of lightening and toning.

4. How can I highlight my hair at home like a professional?

For professional-looking DIY hair highlights, use a proper highlighting kit, foils, or a cap. Choose the right shade of highlight product and apply it to thin sections of hair to avoid noticeable lines. Make sure to apply the color evenly before wrapping the hair in foils.

5. What are the most natural looking highlights?

To achieve the most natural-looking highlights, it is recommended to stay within two shades of your base color at the root area. Keeping the contrast soft and blended, the ends should be no more than four shades lighter than the base color.

6. What are 3 methods of highlighting hair?

Three popular methods of highlighting hair are balayage, ombre and sombre, and babylights. Balayage involves hand-painting the highlights for a natural, sun-kissed look. Ombre and sombre create a gradient effect from dark roots to light ends. Babylights are very fine, delicate highlights that mimic the natural highlights seen in children's hair.

7. What do salons use for highlights?

Salons often use the traditional foiling technique for highlights. This involves lightening strands of hair from the root to the end and leaving sections of natural hair color between the foils to create depth and dimension. Small sections of hair are brushed with bleach and wrapped in foil.

8. What color toner should I use for highlights?

The choice of toner for highlights depends on the desired result. For canceling out brassy orange tones, an ash toner is recommended. If you want lighter highlights, a purple toner might be more suitable. It is best to determine the specific toner needed based on the desired color outcome.

Editor's Notes

During our hair highlighting kit research, we found 48 hair highlighting kit products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 116,658 customer reviews through our big data system to write the hair highlighting kits list. We found that most customers choose hair highlighting kits with an average price of $11.72.

The hair highlighting kits are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of hair highlighting kits, including REVLON, L'Oreal Paris, Madison Reed, Bondbar, Tints of Nature. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by

Lisa Bechard Avatar

Lisa Bechard

Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.