Hair Lighteners Have Come a Long Way Since Your Teens—9 Non-Damaging Formulas Hairstylists Love

This is the OG hair lightener that most editors would argue is still the number one pick for lightening hair. It has a noticeable lemon scent that’s both fresh and citrusy, and it’s highly affordable. To activate it, either blow dry your hair or let the sun do its thing over time.

Pros: Highly affordable, can be activated using heat

Cons: Some don’t like the lemon scent

Timing: One to three applications

Customer review: “Been using this over 15 years. No complaints, doesn’t dry my hair out. Once I get my hair to the lightened desired amount, I wash it with purple drops to tone it, and it comes out fine. “

Our runner up is another spray—this time from Oribe. While it’s more expensive that out top pick, it still delivers mess-free results and is more budget-friendly than some of the professional options on our list. The lemon and chamomile extract tones hair while adding noticeable moisture.

Pros: Tones hair, adds moisture, eliminates brassiness

Cons: Can irritate sensitive skin

Key ingredients: Concentrated lemon and chamomile extracts, tropical extract blend,
hydrogen-peroxide-free formula

Timing: Three to five uses

Customer review: “I have blonde highlights, and this definitely brightens them and helps eliminate brass. I also like the way it makes my hair feel. I saw results after a couple of times of using it before blow-drys. I have also left it on when I knew I would be under the sun.”

For a lightener that isn’t for beginners but also not entirely for pros, consider the Remingo Blondme Lightener 9+. “BlondeMe delivers impressive lift while helping minimize breakage thanks to its bond-strengthening technology,” says Solis. “It’s one of my favorite choices for clients looking to achieve clean, bright blondes with confidence.”

Pros: Fast results, a professional favorite

Cons: Pricey, not ideal for beginners

Key ingredients: Mineral oil

Timing: 20 to 45 minutes

Customer review: “I really like the BlondeMe products. I’m careful when using lightener because I’m not a professional and don’t want to fry my hair off. Use a lower level developer like a 10 for a gentle lightening process, especially if your hair is damaged even a little. The lift this gives is really pretty.”

For a kit that’s straightforward, try this pick recommended by Jacob Schmidt, senior colorist at Ollin Salon NYC by Johnny Ramirez. “Madison Reed Light Works Balayage Highlighting Kit is a two-step process that lifts and tones the hair, which will help with brightening the strands and helps avoids brassiness,” he says. Plus, unlike some other lighteners on this list, this is one of the few that can treat brunette hair.

Pros: Can treat dark hair, mess-free

Cons: Some users don’t like the wishbone applicator

Key ingredients: Keratin, argan oil, and ginseng root extract

Timing: 90 minutes

Customer review: “I have been using this kit for 4 years now (a total of 6 times) and I absolutely LOVE it!! It’s easy to use, basically fool-proof when following the directions, and produces a beautiful result. People are shocked when I tell them I did it myself! Never spending $150+ at the salon again, thanks to Madison Reed and this fabulous balayage kit!”

If you’re a vet a lightening your hair, a more advanced kit like this one might be a great fit that delivers fast results. This fast-acting formula adds strength and shine with ingredients like olive oil and wheat protein. Trust me when I say that for the results you’re getting, it’s worth the splurge.

Pros:  Maintains strength and shine

Cons: Expensive

Key ingredients: BondFusion Technology, olive oil, wheat protein

Timing: 50 minutes

Customer review: “I love it. I already tested it on myself and used it on a client, and the results that I got using the bleach were awesome. I really love it.”

SunBum is known for its sunscreens, but they also have a hair lightener that’s just as good. It’s affordable and contains key ingredients like Costa Rican pineapples and meyer lemons that provide a natural-looking finish. This formula is mainly for blondes and takes up to three days for max results.

Pros: Affordable, mess-free

Cons: Not ideal for brunettes

Key ingredients: Costa Rican pineapples and meyer lemons

Timing: one to three sun exposure days

Customer review: “If you like the smell of sweet candy banana, this is your product! It almost doubles as a hair perfume and lightener. I definitely notice a difference within a week of use (like every other day) but I do live in a very sunny place it especially worked well on my highlights.”

The last spray on our list is the Lighten Up Hair Lightening Mist from Hally. This is available in two formulas (one for blondes and one for brunettes) and lightens hair two to three shades. The result will look like soft highlights without the harsh lines or streaks.

Pros: Works for brunettes and blondes, affordable, natural finish

Cons: Not ideal for dry hair

Key ingredients: German chamomile extract, pineapple fruit juice, aloe vera juice, sunflower seed oil, vitamin C

Timing: A few days (sun or heat activated)

Customer review: “Works so well on brunette hair! It smells amazing, and I love using this whenever I’m outside to lighten my hair for the summer! It doesn’t make your hair orange or green toned.”

Made for those with experience comes this powder formula from Matrix. “The Light Master is another dependable lightener that offers strong lifting power while remaining easy to work with,” says Solis. “It’s a versatile product that performs well on a variety of hair types and blonding services.”

Pros: Provides full coverage, strong lifting power

Cons: Cons: Not made for brunettes, mainly for professional use

Key ingredients: Panthenol, citric acid

Timing: Up to 50 minutes

Customer review: “5/5, specifically for being a GREAT on scalp bleach application. No burning, or irritation to scalp. Lightens quickly, and does minimal damage.”

Another powder on the list approved by pros for those with experience comes this Blondor Multi Blonde Powder Lightener. “This is a trusted salon staple known for its consistent performance across a wide range of hair textures,” says Kimberly Michelle, educator and founder of Mint Well Head Spa. “Its versatility allows colorists to customize their formulas while achieving clean, even lift.”

Pros: Doesn’t cause yellowing

Cons: Not made for brunettes, mainly for professional use

Key ingredients: Moisture-retaining lipids

Timing: 30 to 60 minutes

Customer review: “This is hands down the BEST bleach in the industry! It gives you maximum lift with minimal damage!”