Best Hair Highlighting Kits of 2026

Lisa Bechard Avatar
Lisa Bechard
Last Updated: Jan 30, 2026

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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

Revlon Permanent Hair Color Highlighting Kit Cover #TOP 1
Revlon Permanent Hair Color Highlighting Kit
ftb score rating icon 9.9
L'Oreal Paris Frost and Design Cap Hair Highlights For Long Hair Cover #TOP 2
L'Oreal Paris Frost and Design Cap Hair Highlights For Long Hair
ftb score rating icon 9.8
L'Oreal Paris Couleur Experte 2-Step Home Hair Color and Highlights Kit Cover #TOP 3
L'Oreal Paris Couleur Experte 2-Step Home Hair Color and Highlights Kit
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Hair Highlighting Kits

#TOP 1

Revlon Permanent Hair Color Highlighting Kit

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.

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
#TOP 2

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

SFX-0835
Champagne
1 Count (Pack of 1)
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.

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
#TOP 3

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

1 Count (Pack of 1)
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.

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
#TOP 4

Revlon Permanent Hair Color Effects Highlighting Kit

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.

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
#TOP 5

Madison Reed Light Works Balayage Kit

RH17213-AMZ
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.

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
#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.

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
#TOP 7

Bondbar Bonding Technology Lightener Kit

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.

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

63377
White
1 EA
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.

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
#TOP 9

Ptwola Hair Coloring Board and Brush Kit

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.

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

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.

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
Buying Guide Image

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 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.

Hair Highlighting Kits Comparison Table

#TOP1
#TOP2
#TOP3
#TOP4
#TOP5
#TOP6
#TOP7
#TOP8
#TOP9
#TOP10
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
ftb score rating icon 9.9
ftb score rating icon 9.8
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.5
ftb score rating icon 9.3
ftb score rating icon 9.3
ftb score rating icon 9.1
ftb score rating icon 9.1
ftb score rating icon 9.1
ftb score rating icon 8.9
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