RS Recommends: Use These Hair Lightening Sprays to Nail Your Perfect Sun-In Look

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It’s officially summertime and not only should you start cranking your air conditioner, it’s also time to break out the tank tops, shorts, bikinis and swim trunks. With winter firmly in our rear-view mirror, dark and drab is officially out and light and bright is in — and this includes your hair color.

Altering your hair’s natural color can be a fun way to freshen things up, add to your confidence level and help achieve that sun-kissed glow we all crave during this time of the year. But before you go rushing to your hairdresser or local pharmacy for bleach or hair dye materials, consider hair lightening spray. When used properly, these sprays can naturally lighten your hair in a way that bleaching or coloring your hair can’t. And you can’t do it all from the comfort and ease of home.

What Is Hair Lightening Spray?

Hair lighteners and hair lightening sprays are made with natural ingredients that, when applied, react to sunlight to give your hair a naturally lighter appearance. Also known as “sun-in” (after the popular brand from the Nineties), the outcome is a light contrast that still compliments your natural color.

Unlike bleach, the best hair lighteners do not significantly alter your natural color, so if you’re looking for something more transformative, this is not the product for you. However, if you’re someone looking to experiment and try something different without going all the way, this can be a nice way to shake things up for the summer.

Are Hair Lightening Sprays Dangerous?

You’ve probably heard some horror stories about these hair lightening sprays, but rest assured that the sprays of today are not the same as the ones from the past; these products have evolved and been refined to be safer, and less harmful to our hair. That said, as with hair dye and bleach it’s important to do a little bit of homework before trying one out. Not having all of the information and simply buying one and spraying it in your hair could damage your follicles and/or leave it looking brassy, dull and dry which is not something you want.

To ensure you are (safely) getting the most out of your spray, we recommend looking for sprays that include nourishing and moisturizing ingredients; look out for things like glycerin and hydrogenated castor oil, which will take some of that edge off of the hydrogen peroxide the spray is formulated with and prevent breakage.

How to Apply Lightening Spray

Whether your hair is dry or a little damp, simply spray the area you’re looking to lighten. You want to ensure you’re being purposeful with spraying, so think about what type of look you’re going for. If you’re generally looking for all of your hair to be lighter, then make sure to gingerly spray your entire head. For those looking for a more subtle look, focus on individual strands or the top or bottom section of your hair. After you’ve applied your spray, head outside so the process can begin — remember, many of these lightening sprays active with sunlight. You can also use a hair dryer to activate the spray’s effects without suffering any quality in your hair’s appearance.

What Are the Best Hair Lightening Sprays?

We’ve rounded up some of the best hair lightening sprays that you can buy online. All of these sun lightening sprays are easy to use and apply and promises fast results from home.

1. Klorane Sun Lightening Spray with Chamomile and Honey

We love this completely natural lightening spray, infused with honey and chamomile to both soften and lighten your hair without bleaching agents. Spray every day for 3 to 4 days to leave your hair looking as gold as honey or a lighter shade of brown depending on your natural hair color.

Klorane is one of the best haircare brands in the business today, with a ton of French pharmacy-inspired favorites that tackle everything from dry and limp hair, to oily and thinning hair with ease.

Buy Klorane Sun Lightening Spray $18.00

2. John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Lightening Spray 

Formulated with a winning blend of citrus and chamomile, John Frieda’s Lightening Spray will brighten your hair up to two shades, leaving you looking like you were kissed by the sun. For the best results, apply to wet hair and follow up with a blow dry and curling wand or flat iron.

This controlled lightening spray works gradually, make it easy to test out a look without committing in full.

Buy John Frieda Sheer Blonde Lightening… $11.99

3. It’s a 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In-for-Blondes

This leave-in-spray nourishes every bit as much as it lightens your hair; not only will it leave your hair looking lighter than before, but the brand says its formula assists with retaining moisture and gives your hair an overall smoother appearance. Tens across the board.

Buy It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In $12.80

4. Sun Bum Blonde Formula Hair Lightener 

The winning ingredient to Sun Bum’s Hair Lightener is a gluten-free, cruelty-free and paraben-free formula that helps your hair remain healthy while also naturally lightening it. Hawaiian Lehua honey, Costa Rican pineapple and meyer .emon come together to shield your locks from looking frizzy and lifeless; instead, it enriches and strengthens your hair’s sheen while it lightens.

Buy Sun Bum Blonde Hair Lightener $15.79

5. Oribe Bright Blonde Sun Lightening Mist

Instead of harmful parabens, sulfates and sodium chloride, Oribe’s Lightening Mist is formulated with a blend of nourishing plant-extract, chamomile and concentrated lemon to illuminate your hair, rather than leaving it looking brassy and dull.

Buy Oribe Bright Blonde Lightening Mist $38.00