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Wanna know if blondes really have more fun? We've gathered the best hair lighteners to try this while you wait for summer to roll around. Like hair glosses, these products can help lighten and enhance blonde hair, whether it's color-treated or natural. Some hair lighteners are also formulated for use on brunette hair, but you may end up with red hair rather than blonde. "On dark hair, light browns, and copper can be expected," explains Quia Querisma, a curly hair artist, colorist, and texture educator in Dallas. "On hair that is dirty blond or lighter, it's possible to achieve golden tones."
Our Top Picks
- Best Hair Lightener Overall: Sun-In Spray-In Hair Lightener, $9
- Best for Color-Treated Hair: Oribe Bright Blonde Sun Lightening Mist, $38
- Best for Blondes: Sun Bum Blonde Hair Lightener, $17
- Best for Brunettes: Halley Lighten Up Hair Lightening Mist, $16
- Best for Blonde Highlights: dpHue Blonding Brush, $28
- Most Nourishing: René Furterer Okara Blonde Brightening Spray, $35
Another sizable bonus? Hair lighteners are much cheaper than a salon appointment, but they're also not going to give you the dramatic effects that a pro can. That said, if you're just looking to boost your blonde a little bit—or if you're happy to experiment with your color—these hair lighteners are a fun and easy way to make it happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do hair lighteners work?
- How do you use hair lighteners?
- What effect can someone realistically expect from a hair lightener?
- When is it better to go to a salon?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Sun-In Spray-In Hair Lightener
Why it's worth it: If you didn't experiment with Sun-In in high school like the rest of us, here's the deal: It's a bleach-free hair lightener made with hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice. It reacts to heat, so if you don't have time to sit in the sun, you can spritz this all over your head and then go in with a blow-dryer to achieve a lightening effect. It also has botanical extracts including aloe, chamomile, and marigold to gently condition the hair. That said, it's not a bad idea to do a hair mask after using this product since hydrogen peroxide can leave your hair feeling brittle.
Editor's tip: People with darker hair may find this turns their hair a reddish color rather than blonde. But as Allure contributor Gabe Bergado wrote, that can also look good. “My tips got even lighter as I used Sun-In through the summer," he wrote. "Some went a little orange, which personally, I was really into. As a former Californian who grew up swimming at the beach and shopping at PacSun, I'm fond of the summery light brown and orange tones at the ends of my long hair because it invokes the surfer-kid-in-the-sun-all-day aesthetic without breaking the bank.”
Development time: A few days in the sun or several hours of blow-drying | Variations: Lemon, Tropical Breeze | Key ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, aloe, fragrance, chamomile, calendula
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Oribe Bright Blonde Sun Lightening Mist
Why it's worth it: This product is one of Querisma's recommendations. Unlike many formulas, this luxe hair lightener is designed to be used on color-treated hair. The Oribe Bright Blonde Sun Lightening Mist gets plenty of rave reviews from customers who say it enhanced their blonde highlights and allowed them to go a little longer between salon visits. It's made without hydrogen peroxide, instead relying on concentrated lemon extract and chamomile to subtly lighten strands. It also contains nourishing ingredients like luminescine, papaya extract, and hibiscus extract to enhance shine and make your hair feel extra-soft.
Editor's tip: This product is best for people who already have shades of (natural or dyed) blonde in their hair that they're looking to enhance, rather than people who want to take their hair from dark to light.
Development time: 3 to 5 consecutive days | Variations: None | Key ingredients: Lemon extract, chamomile extract, fragrance, ginger root extract, luminescine, papaya extract, hibiscus extract
Best for Blondes: Sun Bum Blonde Hair Lightener
Why it's worth it: This affordable hair lightener is made with pineapple, lemon and hydrogen peroxide to amplify the natural highlighting effect of the sun on blonde or light brown hair. It's UV-activated and can be used on natural or color-treated hair. If you have dark brown hair, the Sun Bum Blonde Formula Hair Lightener will bring out some warmer hues in your hair like “amber, gold, and honey” according to the Sun Bum FAQ. If you find it's a little too brassy for your taste, consider using Sun Bum's purple shampoo and conditioner to cool things down. You can also do a strand test to see how your hair reacts before you commit to spritzing it all over.
Editor's tip: You should use this no more than once between hair washes and use a leave-in conditioner to minimize damage to your hair.
Development time: At least one day of sun exposure | Variations: None | Key ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, fragrance, lemon extract, pineapple extract
Best Plant-Based Formula: Klorane Brightening Spray
Why it's worth it: The Klorane Brightening Spray is made with largely plant-based ingredients like chamomile and vinegar. Since there's no bleach or hydrogen peroxide, it won't turn your hair brassy the way sprays with these ingredients might. For best results, you'll want to mist this onto dry or towel-dried hair before sun exposure. This spray works gradually, so don't be discouraged if you don't see a major difference after a single day in the sun. If you want subtly sunkissed-looking strands, try using it consistently for a few weeks.
Editor's tip: Looking to overhaul your hair routine? Klorane also offers a chamomile-based shampoo and conditioner that smell great and gradually brighten blonde hair.
Development time: A few days to a few weeks, depending on desired results | Variations: None | Key ingredients: Chamomile, vinegar, fragrance, glycerin
Best for Brunettes: Halley Lighten Up Hair Lightening Mist
Why it's worth it: If you have brunette hair and have been discouraged by formulas that don't do much, the Halley Lighten Up Hair Lightening Mist might be for you. Several brunette reviewers at Ulta Beauty praised this product, with one customer who wrote that it gave them “completely natural looking highlights without making it feel dry and crunchy.” It's safe for both natural and color-treated hair and far more affordable than a salon visit.
Editor's tip: There are customized formulas for blonde hair and brunette hair, so look closely when you're adding this to your cart to be sure you're buying the one you want.
Development time: 4 minutes, according to a FAQ page from Hally | Variations: Blonde, Brunette | Key ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, aloe vera, fragrance, pineapple juice, lemon extract, chamomile extract
Best Budget: Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Blonde Hair Lightener
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Why it's worth it: The Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Blonde Hair Lightener is a budget-friendly way to lighten your hair. It's best suited for blonde to light brown hair and is both UV-activated and heat-activated, meaning you can use your blow dryer to make the magic happen if the weather is overcast. It also has a pleasant vanilla coconut scent that's oh-so-summery.
Editor's tip: If you're truly embracing the beachy look this summer, add the brand's texturizing sea salt spray to your online shopping cart. It'll make you look like you spent the day catching waves rather than staring at your computer screen.
Development time: At least one day of sun exposure or an hour with a blow dryer | Variations: None | Key ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, lemon extract, pineapple extract, chamomile extract, aloe vera, fragrance
Best Heat-Activated: John Frieda Go Blonder Lightening Spray
Why it's worth it: If you don't have time to sit in the sun all day waiting for your hair to lighten, the good news is that the John Frieda Go Blonder Lightening Spray is designed to be used with a heat styling tool like a straightener or curling iron. Just spritz it on damp hair, blow dry it, and then go in with your styling tool. You should see a lighter hair color within three to five uses, but don't use it more than once between washes.
Editor's tip: It's not meant for use on naturally dark or bleached hair. If you have color-treated hair, avoid more than 10 uses between color treatments.
Development Time: 3 to 5 uses | Variations: None | Key Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, fragrance, lemon peel oil, orange peel oil
Best for Blonde Highlights: dpHue Blonding Brush
Why it's worth it: The dpHue Blonding Brush features a unique design that allows you to brush the lightening product onto specific sections of hair to give them a sun-kissed look. It's similar to balayage, if you're ever had that done at a salon, though this product will likely have a less dramatic effect. It's heat-activated and lightens your hair with the help of hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice. The formula also contains purple pigments to counteract any brassiness.
Editor's tip: Unlike many hair lightening products, you are supposed to rinse this out after the product is fully dry from heat activation.
Development Time: Not specified | Variations: None | Key Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, purple pigments, glycerin
Most Nourishing: René Furterer Okara Blonde Brightening Spray
Why it's worth it: There is basically no greater compliment than “wow, your hair looks so shiny!” With the René Furterer Okara Blonde Brightening Spray, your hair will look not only lighter, but shinier thanks to the natural mica glitter in the formula. It gradually lightens natural, highlighted or bleached blonde hair while providing some nourishment in the form of vitamin E, vitamin B5, and soybean extract.
Editor's tip: This spray is gentle enough to add to your daily routine, so you don't have to limit yourself to one use between washes.
Development Time: Not specified | Variations: None | Key Ingredients: Mica glitter, okara extract, lemon peel extract, fragrance, sugarcane extract
Best for Fast Results: Suntouched Sun Hair Lightener
Why it's worth it: The Suntouched Sun Hair Lightener comes in two different formulas: One for light hair and one for dark hair. Both variants will transform hair up to three shades lighter and can be used on natural hair, dyed hair or bleached hair. After spraying it all over your head, you can heat it with a blow dryer for a few minutes or spend some time in the sun. Results should gradually appear over a few hours, and overnight you should see the full effect.
Editor's tip: Wait a few days between uses to ensure you don't damage your hair.
Development Time: A few hours to overnight | Variations: Light hair, dark hair | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, lemon peel extract, pineapple extract
Frequently Asked Questions
How do hair lighteners work?
Querisma explains, “Bleach-free hair lighteners work by using hydrogen peroxide and/or vitamin C as the active ingredient. When exposed to heat, the product breaks down the melanin pigments in the hair, exposing light brown, copper, or gold tones.” Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which is why many hair lightening products have this as a key ingredient.
How do you use hair lighteners?
Most products can be applied to dry or damp hair. Querisma recommends applying hair lighteners to clean, damp hair since water causes the hair follicle to swell slightly, which can help the lightener work better. She also notes it's easier to distribute the product evenly in damp hair.
The majority of hair lighteners are heat-activated, meaning they start working when you use a blow dryer on your hair or spend time in the sun. Others are UV activated. While the majority of hair lighteners are designed to be left in your hair, some—like the dpHue Blonding Brush–are meant to be rinsed out.
What effect can someone realistically expect from a hair lightener?
Maria McCool, hairstylist, salon owner, and founder and CEO of Calista, said that people can expect their hair to get two to three shades lighter when using a hair lightener. “The time it takes to lighten your hair will depend on how dark your natural shade is,” she explains.
When is it better to go to a salon?
Querisma says that it's better to go to a salon if you're seeking a precise and intentional highlighted look. “You aren't going to be able to achieve ‘Pinterest hair’ with these types of lighteners, unfortunately. If they want hair that is lighter all-over, from roots to ends, that would be best achieved at the salon as well.”
McCool also notes that it's very easy to damage your hair using these types of products if you aren't using them properly. It's also hard to know whether these products will give you the precise color you're looking for. “If you do it on your own and get a color that doesn't look good in your hair or with your skin tone, you now have to pay double for a color correction. It's so worth it to have it done right!” she notes.
That said, hair lighteners are certainly more affordable than a salon appointment. If you already have blonde hair or blonde highlights, hair lighteners can boost your blonde and help you keep that sunkissed look for longer stretches of time between appointments.
Meet the experts
- Quia Querisma, a curly hair artist, colorist, and texture educator in Dallas
- Maria McCool, hairstylist, salon owner, and founder and CEO of Calista
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of the best hair lighteners, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hair experts. We evaluated products based on the key ingredients, development time, price, and whether it can be used for darker hair. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Find more Allure editor-approved picks for your hair-care routine:
- These Creams Are the Way to Pillowy-Soft, Defined Curls
- 17 Best Detangler Sprays for Knot-Free Hair
- 15 Best Air-Dry Creams to Perfect Your Heatless Styles
- Every Allure Editor Has A Boar-Bristle Brush — Here's Why You Need One, Too
Now, watch Ariana Greenblatt's trick for sculpting her face:
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