Whether you're longing to try that classic surfer-girl summer look or you'd just like to give your dull locks a lift during winter, lightning sprays are a quick, easy and wallet-friendly way of highlighting. Working for both blondes and those with light brown hair, just a few spritzes of this highstreet treatment will give you those dreamy, beachy vibes and save yourself an expensive trip to the salon! But is it all too good to be true?
Luckily, the days of the questionable formulas of the 80s and 90s that left your hair looking patchy, orange and fried are gone. Hair lightning spray technology has come a long way and this article will guide you through some of the best hair lightening sprays available from Amazon, eBay and Boots, including options from trusted brands such as Klorane and John Frieda. We're sure that you'll find something that perfectly suits your hair, style, and budget!
Quick List - Top Hair Lightening Sprays
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When shopping for a hair-lightening spray, it's important to consider the formula and the ingredients. This section will walk you through some of the key points to look out for when choosing a lightening spray that will work best for your hair.
Not all lightening sprays take the same time to work their magic. There are essentially two types - progressive and instant. Instant sprays, as the name suggests, provide you with instant results. These are often achieved using heat styling tools such as hairdryers or straighteners.
These are perfect if you're short on time and just want a little hair spruce before going out. However, these might not be the best choice if you've never used lighteners before and aren't quite sure how the colour will turn out.
Then we have the progressive sprays. These are much more subtle and take a little while longer for the lightening agents to take hold. The timeline for progressive sprays also varies quite a bit - some will give you the desired result within 2 days, and others take up to 7.
Most hair lightening sprays contain hydrogen peroxide, which is often used for disinfectants and for bleaching hair. In hair lightening sprays, hydrogen peroxide is used at a much lower concentration than in hair dye, making it pretty safe and easy to use at home. That said, be aware that hydrogen peroxide-based sprays give you long-lasting, fast and permanent results that will only fade once your hair grows out.
The downside is that excessive, daily use of hydrogen peroxide can also leave your hair feeling brittle and dry. Although it can usually be remedied with a good quality conditioner, prolonged use can still cause damage to your hair. However, if you prefer to avoid hydrogen peroxide completely, there are gentler alternatives available that use fruit acids and plant extracts to provide similar results.
Although most sprays act similarly by containing lightening agents that react with UV light, some options incorporate additional ingredients that prevent any potential damage and provide extra nutrition to your hair.
Ingredients such as honey and aloe vera can significantly alleviate hair dryness, locking moisture in the hair follicles. Another ingredient to look out for is chamomile extract. As well as being a natural lightening agent, chamomile extract can also help soothe the scalp.
As more people begin educating themselves on what goes into their products, cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics are becoming hugely popular. However, while these terms are often used interchangeably, they aren't necessarily the same thing.
A product can be vegan (meaning that it's free from animal-derived ingredients), but that doesn't mean it hasn't been tested on animals. Cruelty-free essentially means free-from animal testing, so if this is an important factor in your buying process, make sure to look for both of these labels.
Most hair lightening sprays will state on the packaging whether they are vegan, cruelty-free or both. The final decision is, of course, yours to make. But don't worry, we've done the hard work for you and double-checked all of the products in our selection to help you make the best choice.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Lightening Spray | ![]() | Two Shades Lighter With Only Five Uses | |
2 | Klorane Blond Highlights Sun Lightening Spray | ![]() | A Gentle Spray for Everyday Use | |
3 | Sun Bum Blonde Hair Lightener | ![]() | Californian Summer in a Bottle | |
4 | Camomila Intea Natural Blonde Hair Lightening Lotion | ![]() | Gradual Lightening With No Damage | |
5 | PRO:VOKE ILLUMINEX Touch of Blonde Lightening Blonde Spray | ![]() | Lighten Your Hair With Each Application | |
6 | Bblonde/Jerome Russell Maximum Lightening Spray | ![]() | A Simple and Efficient Spray | |
7 | L'Oreal Sunkiss Tropical Gradual Lightening Spray | ![]() | A Lightener Suitable For Natural and Highlighted Hair | |
8 | Sun In Hair Lightener|Tropical Breeze | ![]() | The Upgraded Cult-Classic | |
9 | Joanna Multi Blond Hair Reflex Keratin Complex Hair Spray Lightener | ![]() | Strengthens and Lightens Hair at the Same Time | |
10 | Blond Time Lightening Hair Spray 2 in 1: Suntouch & Thermo Flash Effect | ![]() | A Simple, No-Frills Formula |
This lightening hair spray instantly won the hearts of beauty lovers shortly after its release. The main bonus of this product is that you don't necessarily need to go out into the sun to activate the highlighting effect - it can also be activated using heat styling tools, giving you a quicker result.
Although the formula uses hydrogen peroxide, it also contains a high proportion of natural materials such as chamomile, which contributes to the lightning effect and grapeseed oil, which provides extra nourishment.
This French pharmacy classic is a must-have for those who want to avoid hydrogen peroxide for a more natural approach. This product contains chamomile extract as its lightening agent and honey extract, which prevents your hair from drying out.
This is a slow-acting lightening spray that's very gentle, and as a pleasant bonus, it gives a nice texture to your hair that will add to the beachy, sun-kissed look. It's also honey-scented, which really helps get in the summer mood!
Sun Bum Lightener is an excellent choice for those who are after natural-looking highlights. The formula contains fruit acids such as pineapple and lemon (with a tiny dash of hydrogen peroxide) that together act as a powerhouse lightener.
This may look initially pricey for a small bottle, but a little goes a long way, and the results are definitely worth it! Let's also not forget about the delightful scent that will instantly make you want to hit the beach.
A gentle and fuss-free chamomile-based spray that will gradually lighten your hair, giving you that much-desired beachy effect. It can be applied directly onto damp hair as part of your hair care routine and towel-dried before being exposed to the sun.
The main active ingredient is chamomile, however, it does contain a tiny bit of hydrogen peroxide, meaning it is not entirely chemical-free. However, this is a very slow-acting lightening spray, meaning you're totally in control of the result.
This lightening spray from PRO:VOKE is a great option if you're shopping on a budget. Not only does it lighten hair with each use, but it's also excellent at covering grey roots. The handy spray pump makes for an easy application so you can cover your entire hair in a fine mist fast.
While this product is vegan, it cannot be guaranteed to be cruelty-free. The formula does, however, contain chamomile, which can be soothing for the scalp and gives it a delightful signature scent. This lightener is gradual, so you should start to see results after 3-5 applications.
The main advantage of this spray is that it can be activated by using hot styling tools, not just sunlight. Straightforward and easy to use, you should start seeing results after around three applications.
Although this is a very efficient product, its main active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide meaning that it may not be suitable for those who wish to avoid harsher bleaching components. It does, however, help reduce any damage associated with hot styling.
Obtain that luminous, sun-kissed look with L'Oreal Tropical Lightening Spray. Easy to apply, the mixture comes in a portable 100 ml bottle that delivers professional salon results. Unlike other L'Oreal hair products, this one doesn't need to be washed out and can deliver the desired results without sunlight or heat.
However, the main downside of this product is that it doesn't have the most pleasant smell and can also stain clothing, so make sure you take the necessary precautions before using it. That said, it is completely ammonia-free.
One of the most iconic hair lightening products on the market, Sun In has been significantly improved since the 90s, with the new formula offering reliable results without any of the fuss. Simply spray onto your hair, then relax in the sun or for a faster result, use a blow dryer.
The new formula has also been enhanced with flaxseed extract and aloe vera for extra moisturisation and protection. Although this is a substantial improvement, make sure to consult your hairdresser before applying it to already dyed hair or if you wish to dye it again after using.
Enriched with chamomile extract and a keratin complex, this hair lightening spray works gradually to achieve subtle blond highlights. One of the best things about this choice is that while the product works well in the sun, it can also work wonders without sunlight exposure.
Although the product is formulated with chamomile and keratin, it still does contain hydrogen peroxide and is not guaranteed to be vegan or cruelty-free. That said, this spray will leave your hair luxuriously soft and pleasantly scented.
This unique and well-priced lightening spray is ideal for those who don't have access to sunlight or hot weather. All you need is a comb and a hair straighter. With this spray, you can easily achieve a gradual balayage effect by applying the product to the lower part of your hair.
However, although this hair spray is effective on light brown to blonde hair, there is no guarantee that it's vegan or cruelty-free. Nevertheless, it's well-priced and contains a generous amount of product.
Hair lightening sprays contain a blend of lightening components (such as hydrogen peroxide and lemon extract) that are applied to create a subtle highlighting effect. As the effect of lightening sprays tends to be gradual, you have control over just how blonde you go.
It should be noted, however, that these products shouldn't be used on dark brown hair. The sprays contain fairly gentle formulas that simply won't be strong enough to lift darker pigments, so will likely result in orange strands. You should also be wary of using them on intensively bleached hair as the effect can be difficult to predict.
While most products work gradually with each application, and some even work instantly, many advise you to use the spray in conjunction with natural sunlight, to really enhance the effects.
To achieve the most natural-looking effect, make sure that you apply your lightening spray on well-brushed, clean hair. This will ensure even distribution and prevent any unsightly patches.
Another tip is to apply it onto separate sections rather than spraying it all over your hair. Separate the section you would like to lighten, apply 2-3 spritzes of lightening spray, then brush it out with a comb. This method will give your hair a 3D effect, creating the appearance of more volume.
Keep in mind that these sprays work best with sun exposure, so make sure you time the application, applying it just before you are about to go outside. If you apply it while spending the rest of the day indoors, it's unlikely that you will see decent results.
Using the right products for your hair can really make a difference in terms of shine, strength and colour. But, as everyone's hair is different, it's essential that you buy the right products for you. Take a look at our articles below for more advice on how to get the locks that you'll love!
Although going to the hairdressers is always fun, getting a full head of highlights is often simply too time-consuming and expensive. Luckily, hair lightening sprays are a good, affordable alternative that can provide tangible results within a reasonable time frame. We hope you enjoyed reading our article and found a few products you're keen to try!
Author: Maria C
No. 1: John Frieda|Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Lightening Spray
No. 2: Klorane|Blond Highlights Sun Lightening Spray
No. 3: Sun Bum|Blonde Hair Lightener
No. 4: Camomila Intea|Natural Blonde Hair Lightening Lotion
No. 5: PRO:VOKE|ILLUMINEX Touch of Blonde Lightening Blonde Spray
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