Best DIY Hair Highlighting Kit: Can I Put Highlights in My Own Hair?

Published on: March 29, 2022
Written by Camila Avery / Fact-checked by David Rowan

Hair is the crown of women. We look our best when the hair looks best. Besides, hair is that part of our body which is easiest to alter to change our look. That is why women are mostly experimental about their hair and love to try new hair cuts, highlights, color and accessories for this reason. 

Highlighting has been a hot trend for several years. It evolved from stick to ombre to balayage and a mix of several styles. However, one thing is for sure, if the right shade is chosen, a highlight is proven to add glamor, depth, and volume to hair more than any other style.  

We all know how expensive the salon trip is, for a highlight. It also takes time to book an appointment, wait at the cue, wait for the procedure to end and so on. If you pick the right shade and brand of highlight, you can do it by yourself without paying the salon and wasting time. So, we are here to help you find the best highlighting kits of this year that you can use at home. You can also choose to take your favorite highlight kit to the salon so that they apply it more carefully. 

Can I Put Highlights in My Own Hair?

Yes, you can. There are several options to highlight or dye hair at home. You can use natural ingredients, semi-permanent color or permanent dye to do that. 

Natural Way

The natural process like applying henna works to cover grey hair only, if you have dark hair. It is also useful to color light-colored hair for a certain period. The advantage is, there is no chance of damage as you are using only organic substances. The drawback is, you will not get the glamorous result from a high end highlighting kit. 

Artificial Way

In this way, bleach is used to lighten the color of your hair so that it catches the color better. If you already have light hair, then you can skip this step. Make sure you use foil paper to cover the hair in this process. Otherwise, the containing bleach will oxidize and damage the hair. 

Easiest Way

You can also dye your hair without using any harmful chemicals. In fact, we have developed our list of best highlight kits with products that are easy to apply, non-damaging and make the hair look healthy. Needless to say, it is time and money-saving as well. You will get salon-style hair at the comfort of your own home without paying a visit to the salon or paying bills to the stylist. 

Tips for Self Hair Dying

As we have listed different products from different brands, the application procedure is not the same. So, we decided to skip the ‘how to’ part. Make sure you read the procedure thoroughly before applying the dye to your hair. Don’t forget to go for a patch test. Trust me, it is always recommended to do this test even if you are using the same for years. Read more: Cosplay Wigs: 4 Things to Check Before Buying

Editor’s Note

The general rule of picking a hair color is, choose the one close to your natural hair color or skin tone. For example, black women with black hair usually look terrible with blonde shades. On the other hand, blonde women won’t look natural in black or dark hair because it will contradict with their brown color. You can always experiment with the shades close to your natural tone. 

Don’t get skeptical if the color doesn’t suit you at the first wash. Usually, it takes two or three wash to tone down and look neutral. So, take your time picking the right shade for you and be cautious while applying it.

Our Selected Hair Highlight Kit:

L’Oreal Paris Colorista Bleach, Highlights

• Colorista semi-permanent color;
• Colorista bleach;
• Unique colorists look.

Cheap hair colors often don’t show what they promise. The same goes for the salons where people visit to get their dream look. The fact is, most ladies prefer decent yet gorgeous highlights to their hair. It looks gross when an unwanted hue of brass color shines on the medium brown to dark brown highlight. Medium to dark brown highlights look good on almost every light to medium skin tone but look cheap if it has a glint of brass color. 

This hair color kit gives what they promise. In fact, it is easier to use at home rather than at the salon. There is a brush applicator inside the pack that works perfectly to create a professional highlight on hair. Read the instructions before using the brush and take your time to do so. 

The result will be absolutely stunning. Be prepared to become a head-turner once you apply this to your hair. Get the glamorous highlight without paying the salon.

Revlon Frost and Glow Highlights in Honey

• Color: honey;
• Includes cap and gloves; 
• For a healthy glow.

You can get creative with these highlighting kits. There is a cap included in the pack so that you can do precise highlights, no need for guess work. I used this product on my clients for ombre and balayage highlights. It is even easier than doing stick highlights using the given cap. 

For stick highlights, follow the instructions in the pack. For ombre, simply start applying the product on the tip of your hair, gradually going upward. Make sure that you stop at the desired length, but don’t make any hard-line, blend it well. 

This color takes time to develop, so there is less risk of mistakes or uneven application and color. The finished look is a glowy, shiny healthy-looking hair. Once someone uses this, they stick to this for years. It saves bucks you pay for high-end color at the salon.

L’Oreal Paris 2-Step Color & Highlights Kit in French Eclair

• Shade: Light Ash Brown;
• Couleur Experte range;
• Covers grey hair.

This kit has 2 shades for base color and highlight. I strongly recommend clients with grey hair to go for the Couleur Experte range from L’Oréal Paris because the base color they provide coats all the grey roots seamlessly. Then the highlight shade can be used effortlessly. 

There is no extra gloss visible after you apply this kit on your hair. In fact, it makes the hair look more natural than ever before. You will find finger and brush applicators in the pack. You can use the finger applicator for applying base shade and the brush for highlights. I found using the brush applicator is easier for both processes. 

There is a huge range of shades and highlights under this Couleur Experte range and all are good for all hair types. It only takes half an hour to develop color. So, it is more time saving than making an appointment with a stylist.

L’Oreal Paris Feria Hair Dye Kit in V28 Midnight Violet

• Shade: Midnight Violet (Deepest Violet), number V28;
• Suits any skin tone;
• Shimmering hair color.

Midnight violet is one of those rare shades that looks cool on dark skin. Besides, there are very few highlights available that catch color on black hair. This dark violet shade will develop on the darkest black hair effortlessly. 

This Feria series is loaded with trendy colors that are evident to make ladies look bold and fashionable. We picked this shade particularly for women with dark hair and skin. This color has a shimmering effect that reflects a million hues of violet in different lights. 

This color won’t be noticed if you wear it as a highlight. Rather, ombre or full hair color will be more glamorous. Give your plain and pale everyday hair a trendy boost. Choose Feria from L’Oreal Paris.

L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Hair Color Kit in Cherry Crush

• Shade: Cherry Crush (Intense Medium Auburn), number R57
• Suits any skin tone;
• Shimmering hair color.

Auburn is a hair color that suits any skin tone and hair color. This auburn color is very close to dark brown. This is the reason it looks natural on everyone. Needless to say, this is from the Feria Series which claims to have a shimmering effect. The shimmers in this color give this auburn shade a little hint of dark brown and a glow of red. 

Red hair makes anyone look bold and beautiful, but adults sometimes hesitate to dye their hair in auburn because of its intensity. Don’t worry, this vibrant color mutes a lot after a couple of washing. That time it becomes more natural yet healthy and soft. Be a head-turner every day and bring out the inner goddess in you. This Feria series is meant to make every girl feel brave and gorgeous. 

Read more: The Best Clip-in Hair Extensions According to Celebrity Hairstylists

Revlon Colorsilk Moisture Rich Hair Color in Natural Black

• For African-American women;
• Prevents damage;
• For healthy-looking hair.

This hair color is infused with natural ingredients to heal the hair in the coloring process. At first, It seemed unbelievable to me as well, but I can’t deny how this hair color makes the hair softer, shinier by adding moisture to the hair. 

This natural black hair color is mainly launched for African-American women. Considering the coarseness and thickness of their hair, this product is made using Argan Oil and the necessary protein. So, the color penetrated in the hair along with all these goodness. 

If you use the right hair care products after the procedure and look after your hair properly, this color lasts for a really long time. It is an inexpensive hair dye kit that you can use as a quick-fix to cover grey strands without damaging all the hair.

L’Oreal Paris Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Color in Crushed Garnet

• Shade: Crushed Garnet (Rich Mahogany), number 41
• Suits any skin tone;
• Shimmering hair color.

What if you had the opportunity to have three different hair colors throughout the day? This rich mahogany hair color looks literally like garnet under the sun during the morning. In the afternoon, it picks a warm hue and in darkness, it looks almost dark brown. Three impressive colors in one pack!

Along with coloring, this hair color coats every strand in a high-quality conditioner. It makes hair softer and more manageable than before. You can use it as a highlight or ombre balayage hairstyle for added glamor. It also looks stunning irrespective of age, skin tone and hair color. You can never go wrong with this shade from the Feria range.

L’Oreal Paris ExcellenceAge Perfect Layered Flattering Color

• For women with grey and white hair more than 70%;
• Adds shine to hair;
• Adds depth, volume, and softness.

Excellence Age Perfect is meant especially for mature women with prominent grey hair. Its layered dying procedure makes sure every strand is covered with multiple coats of color so that the grey and whites are covered perfectly. 

On the other hand, its variation of color adds depth to the hair. The coexistence of dark and light shades add depth to the hair, making it look fuller and voluminous. This pack comes with high quality and rich conditioner that helps to soften the hair and wash off any damaging residue left.

In a word, you are getting the look you want plus the impression of looking 10 years younger than you actually are. Choose a color close to your natural hair color and you will be all set to get tons of compliments!