The 26 best hair lightening brands
Wella, Clairol and Schwarzkopf lead our ranking of 26 hair lightening brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Hair Lightening brands, ranked
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1
Wella
Blondor is Wella's salon lightener line, with powder and cream options and a Plex-bonded powder for stronger strands.
Top products: Blondor Plex9 Multi Blond Powder Lightener· Blondor Soft Blonde7 Cream Lightener
Website: wella.com |Brands like Wella
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Clairol
Clairol's drugstore-accessible powder lightener, Bw2, comes in tubs from 8 oz to larger salon sizes for stronger lifts.
Top products: Bw2 Powder Lightener· Blonde It Up Permanent Hair Lightening Kit
Website: clairol.com |Brands like Clairol
Popularity 8.6/10
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3
Schwarzkopf
BlondMe is Schwarzkopf's powder lightener, sold with its own developer and a bond-enforcing premium formula for controlled lifting.
Top products: BlondMe Lightener 9+· BlondMe Bond Enforcing Premium Lightener 9+
Website: schwarzkopf.ca |Brands like Schwarzkopf
Popularity 7.7/10
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4
Joico
Joico's BlondeLife and Silverlight powders target blondes and cool-toned lifts, with a built-in scalp-safe option for sensitive heads.
Top products: BlondeLife Lightening Powder· Silverlight Lightening Powder
Website: joico.com |Brands like Joico
Popularity 7.1/10
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5
Redken
Redken's Flash Lift is a fast-acting powder lightener, and Blonde IQ adds anti-brass toning in the same salon workflow.
Top products: Flash Lift Hair Lightening Powder· Blonde IQ Anti-Brass Powder Lightener
Website: redken.com |Brands like Redken
Popularity 6.9/10
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6
Splat
Splat sells hair colour products, from temporary hair chalks to semi-permanent and vegan hair colour formulas. Its bold shades let wearers change their hair colour without a lasting change. Splat also sells toothpaste, which shows its wider line of personal care products.
Top products: Splat Lightening Bleach Complete Hair Dye Kit· Splat Rebellious Colors Hair Lightening Bleach
Website: splathaircolor.com |Brands like Splat
Popularity 5.7/10
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7
Garnier
French brand Garnier offers hair colour, shampoo and skincare products. Its hair colour line is marketed as quick to apply and long-lasting, and its shampoo range covers everyday hair care. The vitamin C cleanser targets dull, sensitive skin, and the company publishes hair and skin care tips.
Website: garnierusa.com |Brands like Garnier
Popularity 5.3/10
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8
Paul Mitchell
Paul Mitchell produces haircare for salons and home use, including a line of hair colour. Its demi-permanent shades include brown tones, and travel sizes make the products easy to take on trips. The brand states that it does not test on animals.
Website: paul-mitchell.co.uk |Brands like Paul Mitchell
Popularity 4.9/10
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9
Goldwell
Goldwell's Silklift is an ammonia-free powder lightener aimed at salons wanting gentler lifting on processed hair.
Top products: Silklift Ammonia-Free Powder Hair Lightener
Website: goldwell.com |Brands like Goldwell
Popularity 4.7/10
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10
Pravana
Pravana produces professional hair color and care products for salon stylists. Its color lines include Brunette, Blonde, Reds and Vivids, each made for different shades and client needs. Salon tools and hair supplements are available too.
Top products: ChromaSilk Permanent Creme Hair Color
Website: pravana.com |Brands like Pravana
Popularity 4.4/10
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11
JOHN FRIEDA
JOHN FRIEDA sells hair care products including shampoos, conditioners, foam hair color and styling products. Its formulas include frizz control, lightening and volume options, using patented technologies intended to keep hair healthy. Cleansing, conditioning, coloring and styling products together cover...
Top products: Blonde+ Hair Repair System
Website: johnfrieda.com |Brands like JOHN FRIEDA
Popularity 4.0/10
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12
Kenra
Keratin-infused shampoos and conditioners sit alongside colour products in Kenra's professional range, which salon stylists use for hair colouring and treatment. Heat-protecting sprays are part of the line, as are styling tools such as blow dryers and flat irons.
Website: kenraprofessional.com |Brands like Kenra
Popularity 3.9/10
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13
Scruples
Scruples designs hair color and dye, including dark blonde shades, in creme and gel formulas. Sulfate free shampoo and styling products are sold alongside the color range. Together these products cover coloring and everyday hair care.
Website: scrupleshaircare.com |Brands like Scruples
Popularity 3.9/10
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14
ION
ION's Color Brilliance keratin creme lightener and Charcoal Flash Powder are salon-style lighteners with Plex bond protection.
Top products: Color Brilliance Bright White Keratin Creme Hair Lightener· Charcoal Flash Powder Lightener w/ Plex 3
Popularity 3.9/10
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15
ALFAPARF MILANO
The professional hair care and coloring brand ALFAPARF MILANO has products for every need, including colored or highlighted hair and dry to dehydrated hair. For many years, the most well-known hair stylists have preferred ALFAPARF MILANO. Because of this, they...
Website: alfaparfmilano.com |Brands like ALFAPARF MILANO
Popularity 3.7/10
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16
Roux
Revlon professionals are the parent company of Roux which is another successful venture of Revlon in the beauty industry and specifically the hair industry. Various complaints are tied up with hair color, and the distress is solved by Roux which...
Website: rouxbeauty.com |Brands like Roux
Popularity 3.5/10
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17
Revlon
Revlon grew from a nail enamel company into a color cosmetics brand. Its lipsticks, face makeup and eyeshadows come in many shades for everyday wear and special occasions. The brand's roots in bold, classic reds still shape much of its...
Website: revlon.com |Brands like Revlon
Popularity 3.2/10
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18
Manic Panic
Manic Panic has been in the business since 1977. They have been vegan and cruelty-free since the very beginning. The company is a beauty brand that caters to your hair. They specialize in selling vibrant hair colors that make everything...
Website: manicpanic.com |Brands like Manic Panic
Popularity 3.1/10
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19
Framesi
Framesi Professional is savvied to provide high-quality color and related activators and developers, care and styling products, treatments, tools, and accessories. They are innovators in the beauty market by providing a platform for individualized artistry and innovation. Every year, Framesi...
Website: framesiprofessional.com |Brands like Framesi
Popularity 3.0/10
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20
Pulp Riot
Pulp Riot's cream bleach and #BlondeAF lightener suit bold colour work, sold to stylists and home users alike.
Top products: Cream Bleach Lightener· #BlondeAF Lightener
Website: pulpriothair.com |Brands like Pulp Riot
Popularity 3.0/10
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21
Aveda
Aveda's Enlighten powder lifts hair gently and is sold alongside plant-based colour and care for salon use.
Top products: ENLIGHTENER Powder Lightener
Website: aveda.com |Brands like Aveda
Popularity 2.8/10
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22
Indola
Indola is pleased to be a professional hair brand that draws inspiration from real life and genuine people. They concentrate on everything you need to know as a hairdresser and nothing else: providing the finest quality service while making the...
Website: indola.com |Brands like Indola
Popularity 2.7/10
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23
Keune
Keune makes professional hair colour, hair dye, colour shampoo and styling products for salons. It also trains hairdressers. Its style fiber wax adds texture, volume and natural shine, and is often picked by men. All Keune products are cruelty-free, and...
Top products: Cream Bleach Hair Lightener
Website: keune.com |Brands like Keune
Popularity 2.5/10
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24
Moroccanoil
Moroccanoil's innovative continuous treatment procedure has revolutionized hair care. The company has also redefined premium hair care by providing A-list celebrities with an individualized hair care experience that is unrivaled in beauty salons, spas, and retail stores. Each product is...
Website: moroccanoil.com |Brands like Moroccanoil
Popularity 2.5/10
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25
L’ANZA
L'anza creates a perfect hair care package for everyone. They are designed to fully herbs and strong actives aid in the healing, sealing, and protection of the hair, resulting in unique products famed for their unbeatable performance. Keratin healing oil...
Website: lanza.com |Brands like L’ANZA
Popularity 2.4/10
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26
Salerm
Salerm was established back in 1970. The company deals with hair products. Hair colors are a major selling point of the company. They use the best knowledge and experience to craft their products. All kinds of natural materials are used...
Website: salerm.com |Brands like Salerm
Popularity 2.4/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wella | wella.com | /wellausa | WellaHairusa | @WellaHairUSA | WellaUSA |
| Clairol | clairol.com | – | – | – | – |
| Schwarzkopf | schwarzkopf.ca | /schwarzkopfca | got2b | – | – |
| Joico | joico.com | /joico | joico | @Joico | JoicoHairVideos |
| Redken | redken.com | /Redken | redken | @Redken5thAve | Redken |
| Splat | splathaircolor.com | /splathaircolor | p | @splathaircolor | Splat Hair Color |
| Garnier | garnierusa.com | /garnierusa | garnierusa | @garnierUSA | GarnierUSA |
| Paul Mitchell | paul-mitchell.co.uk | – | – | – | – |
| Goldwell | goldwell.com | /goldwelluk | goldwelluk | @GoldwellUK | UCU5cOZEKv2E6T4f-wqpGQg |
| Pravana | pravana.com | /pravanapro | pravana | – | pravana1 |
Hair Lightening Buying Guide
Are you tired of your dark locks and want to brighten them up? Hair lightening products may be just what you need to achieve that gorgeous, sun-kissed look. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right product for your hair. This buying guide will help simplify the process and help you make an informed decision.
Types of Hair Lighteners
Before you start shopping for hair lighteners, it's important to understand the different types that are available. Here are the three main types:
- Bleach: This is the most powerful and effective hair lightening product, but it's also the harshest. It works by removing the natural pigment from your hair, which can lead to damage and breakage. Bleach should be used with caution and always followed by intense conditioning treatments.
- Lightening sprays: These products work by gradually lifting the pigment from your hair over time with repeated use. They can take longer to achieve desired results, but they are gentler on your hair and do not require any mixing or application tools.
- Highlighting kits: These kits come with everything you need to add highlights or streaks to your hair. They usually include a lightening cream, a developer, and an applicator brush. Highlighting kits can be used on specific sections of your hair for a more natural look.
Choosing the Right Strength
The strength of your hair lightener will determine how drastic your results will be. Here are three different strengths:
- 20 Volume: This is the weakest strength and is recommended for those who want to lighten their hair only a few shades.
- 30 Volume: This is the middle strength and is good for those who want to lighten their hair a few shades lighter than their natural color.
- 40 Volume: This is the strongest strength and should only be used by professionals. It is recommended for those who want to drastically lighten their hair or have very dark hair.
It's important to always follow the instructions on the product and not leave the lightener on for too long, as this can lead to damage and breakage.
Consider Your Hair Type
The type of hair lightener you choose should also be based on your hair type. Here are some guidelines:
- Fine or thin hair: Bleach and strong lighteners should be avoided as they can damage the hair and make it appear even thinner. Lightening sprays and highlighting kits are better options.
- Curly or coarse hair: Bleach and strong lighteners can be used, but it's important to use a deep conditioner afterwards to prevent damage and breakage. Lightening sprays may not be as effective on this hair type.
- Colored or chemically treated hair: Bleach and strong lighteners should be avoided as they can cause breakage and damage to the hair. Instead, lightening sprays and highlighting kits can be used on top of the existing hair color for a more subtle change.
Check the Ingredients
When shopping for hair lighteners, it's important to check the ingredients. Some of the most common ingredients in these products include:
- Hydrogen Peroxide: This is the main ingredient in most hair lightening products. It helps to strip the natural pigment from your hair.
- Ammonia: This ingredient helps to open up the hair cuticle, which allows the lightener to penetrate the shaft of the hair.
- Jojoba oil: This ingredient is often added to hair lightening products to help moisturize and condition the hair during the lightening process.
- Camomile extract: This ingredient is known for its natural lightening properties and is often added to highlight sprays and kits.
If you have sensitive skin or are allergic to certain ingredients, be sure to check the label and choose a product that is free of those ingredients.
Read Reviews
Before making a purchase, it's always a good idea to read reviews from other customers who have used the product. Look for reviews from people with hair types similar to yours and pay attention to any common issues, such as damage or lack of effectiveness.
Conclusion
By following the guidelines in this buying guide, you can choose the right hair lightener for your hair type and desired result. Remember to always follow the instructions on the product and use caution when using bleach or strong lighteners. With the right product and proper care, you can achieve beautiful and healthy lightened locks.
