If you want to attempt a balayage at home, you'll need a good lightener for balayage hair colouring in either clay or powder formulas.
When it comes to achieving the perfect balayage, a technique that creates a natural, sun-kissed highlight effect on your hair, choosing the best lightener is crucial. At Hair Everyday, we understand the importance of selecting a product that not only lifts the hair color to the desired level but also maintains the integrity of your hair. That's why we've curated a selection of top lighteners specifically suited for balayage, ensuring that you can create beautiful, blended highlights with ease.
| Best Lighteners For Balayage | Best For | Type Of Formula |
| Pravana Pure Light Balayage Lightener | Lighter Hair Colors | Powder (On-Scalp) |
| Pulp Riot Clay Lightener | Thin, Damaged Hair | Clay (On-Scalp) |
| Wella Color Charm Powder Lightener | Thick, Dark-Colored Hair | Powder (Off-Scalp) |
| Clairol BW2 Hair Powder Lightener | Virgin, Unprocessed Hair | Powder (On-Scalp) |
| Scruples Balayage Power Blonde Clay Lightener | Dry Hair | Clay (On-Scalp) |
A clay lightener is better for balayage as it doesn't hurt your scalp and lightens hair evenly. The Pulp Riot Clay Lightener is the best for balayage it's ultra-gentle formula is so good you can use it on scalp directly to lighten the roots. This clay lightener is also good for thin and processed as unlike other bleaching products it won't damage hair.
Top Lightener For Balayage 2024
I tested these products myself with some help from my team and here’s how it went.
WELLA Color Charm Powder Lightener & Balayage Lightener
Type of Lightener - Powder
Who It’s Best For - People with thick/un-damaged hair who want a quick fix
I have a sensitive scalp. So I was kind of scared to use this product as it specifies that it’s an off-scalp formula.
Now an off-scalp formula is one that isn’t suitable for skin contact as it can lead to itching, rashes and irritation in sensitive skin and scalp types as shown in this research paper. (Forster, K et al. “Hair bleaching and skin burning.” Annals of burns and fire disasters vol. 25,4 (2012): 200-2.)
But I tried it on the lower ends of my hair with (gloves on of course), and I found it to be extremely powerful.
I used it with a 20 developer and left it on for almost an hour (<60 minutes) and I could see my brown hair looking lighter than ever.
It did leave a bit of brasiness, more than other powder bleaches like the Pravana lightener did. But I fixed it with a hair toner.
While it’s powerful and can lift your hair upto 6 levels on first application, it’s strength is partly due to the high concentration of bleaches.
So use it if you want a quick lightening session and expect nothing more.
Pros:
- Lifts hair upto 6 levels in under a hour
- Ammonia-free
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Can irritate sensitive scalp and skin
- Dries out hair and leaves it brittle
- Leaves hair brassy after bleaching
My Ratings:
- Lightening Power: 5/5
- Gentleness on Hair: 3/5
- Formula: 3.5/5
Pravana Pure Light Balayage Lightener
Type of Lightener - Powder
Who It’s Best For - Straight to Wavy Hair, Medium to Thick Hair
I first tried out the Pravana Pure Ligt Lightner for balayage hair and I wasn’t disappointed.
My first choice when it comes to bleaching products has always been powder-based products, so Pravana was pretty easy for me to use.
I just want to warn you that it doesn’t work well with a 10 Developer Creme. So you have to use it with only a 20-40 developer.
But that’s the only issue I could find with this lightener honestly. It lifted my hair upto 3 levels in one application and there wasn’t any yellowness.
You might have to do another application if you have very dark brown or black hair.
Of course, bleaching products are not known for being mild on your hair, but I liked that the Pravana lightener tries to make an effort by adding ingredients like hydrolyzed keratin which helps control the amount of damage.
There was minimal brassiness, but I still used a hair toner after using this lightener, just to get that perfect white-blonde color. I highly recommend it.
Pros:
- Minimal damage as the clay formula doesn't damage cuticles
- Doesn’t make bleached hair too yellow or brassy
- No strong fumes as it's a powder
Cons:
- Needs to be used with certain developers
My Ratings:
- Lightening Power: 4.5/5
- Gentleness on Hair: 4/5
- Formula: 4/5
Pulp Riot Clay Lightener
Type of Lightener - Clay
Who It’s Best For - People with damaged hair, Amateur hair colorists
I know I said I always swear by powder bleaching products, but someone recently suggested clay lighteners to me, so I had got the Pulp Riot Clay lightener to try it out.
And boy was I in shock! The clay lighteners are so much easier to work with. I always thought that powder lighteners like the Pravana give you more precise hair lightening.
But you can build-up this clay lightener in a way you can’t really do for powders.
I also dries differently as it hardens outside but keeps the inside (hair shaft) wet, so more bleaching product is absorbed into the hair.
Also, the biggest issues with using balayage lighteners is ‘how to keep the bleach from getting on the other sections of hair”? But this clay lightener makes things so easy as it doesn’t bleed or transfer to other hair strands.
And it wasn’t as difficult to use a clay lightener as I thought it would be. You can adjust the consistency easily and customize it to suit your hair type.
The Pulp Riot lightener didn’t dry out my hair as much as the Wella Color Charm did. And the hair strands I used it on don’t seem that damaged either.
So a clay lightener like Pulp Riot is also good for your hair integrity.
Pros:
- Easy to get the right consistency
- Absorbs better than most clay lighteners
- Can be build-up to lift hair more
- Doesn’t damage hair like other products
Cons:
- None
My Ratings:
- Lightening Power: 4/5
- Gentleness on Hair: 5/5
- Formula: 5/5
Clairol Professional BW2 Hair Powder Lightener
Type of Lightener - Powder
Who It’s Best For - Thick Hair, Virgin Hair
I use Clairol hair dye all the time. So when I saw this BW2 hair powder lightener by their brand, I just had to try it.
This is perhaps the strongest of the bleaching products on this list. Yes, even more so than Wella.
And this was surprising to me because unlike Wella, this is an on-scalp formulation. So it’s (apparently) safe for use on scalp and on your roots.
While it did not do any damage on my scalp, my hair was another story. I think a few strands actually fell out.
So unless you have virgin hair (never been chemically processed or colored before) I suggest you use a milder powder bleach like Pravana or a clay lightener like Pulp Riot.
Pros:
- Very powerful
- Works well with either 10, 20, 30 developer
- Lifts hair in a short amount of time
- Safe for on-scalp use
- Minimal brassiness
Cons:
- Damages hair
- Leaves hair dry
My Ratings:
- Lightening Power: 5/5
- Gentleness on Hair: 2/5
- Formula: 3.5/5
Scruples Balayage Power Blonde Clay Lightener
Type of Lightener - Powder
Who It’s Best For - Dry hair/Damaged hair
Now I was looking for a lightener for balayage that was powerful like the Wella powder bleach but not as destructive on your hair.
So while searching for such a product, I came across the Scruples Balayage Powder Blonde Clay Lightener.
I was intrigued by the ingredients list that boasted of stuff like kaolin clay, keratin and organic Patua oil.
And I could see their effect on my tresses! My hair didn’t feel as terrible as it did after using Clairol or Wella.
But…was the bleach powerful enough to lift my hair in a few minutes. Nope.
So when selecting a good lightener for your balayage, you should decide what you want most.
If you have virgin hair, a bleach like Wella or Clairol won’t be too damaging, especially if you follow it up with proper hair care.
But if you have colored or bleached hair before, I suggest going for milder options like the Scruples Balayage Clay lightener as it doesn’t damage your hair.
Pros:
- Doesn’t damage hair
- Doesn’t bleed or transfer to other hair sections
Cons:
- Not very powerful
- Suited to lighter hair colors
My Ratings:
- Lightening Power: 3.5/5
- Gentleness on Hair: 5/5
- Formula: 5/5
What To Consider Before Choosing A Lightener For Balayage?
When it comes to choosing the right lightener for balayage hair, there are a few factors to consider. Primarily, you should be looking for a lightener that is strong enough for the job, but gentle enough not to damage the hair.
Suitability For Balayage
First and foremost, you should make sure that you are selecting a lightener that is suitable for balayage. There are several types of lighteners, so you want to make sure that the particular one you are choosing is meant for the job you have in mind.
Many standard lightening products are not strong enough for balayage work, and some can even be too strong and cause breakage. If you’re unsure which type of lightener to choose, ask your stylist for advice.
Strength of Ingredients and Formula
The second factor to consider is the composition of the lightener. In particular, you’ll want to look at the ingredient list and make sure that the product is free of anything that might cause irritation or damage to the hair.
There should not be any ammonia or other potentially irritating ingredients in your lightener, and ideally it should be as natural as possible. Some organic options are available and are generally a good choice for those looking for a gentler lightener.
Type of Hair
The type of hair being lightened is also a key factor to consider when selecting a lightener. Different lighteners work differently on different types of hair, so it’s important to choose one that is designed specifically for the type of hair you are dealing with.
As an example, if you’re working with coarser hair, it will usually take a heavier-duty lightener than if you were working with finer hair.
The End Color
Finally, you should also take the color that you want to achieve into consideration. Different lighteners will produce different levels of lift, so you need to make sure that the one you choose is capable of lifting the hair to the desired shade. Using the wrong lightener can result in too much lightening, causing damage to the hair, or the wrong shade.
Look for a lightener that is made specifically for balayage and that contains only natural, gentle ingredients. Then consider the type of hair and the lightening results you’re hoping for. With a little bit of research and a little bit of knowledge, you can choose the perfect lightener for your balayage hair and achieve stunning results.
How To Use A Clay Lightener For Balayage
If you're looking to bleach hair with a clay lightener, it's important to learn how to do it right. Here's how you apply the clay lightener to bleach your hair.
Firstly, get the ratio right. Get a plastic bowl and a comb brush and mix in the clay powder with the developer.
The amount of developer you add depends on the thickness and texture of your hair. As a general rule I use the ratio 1 part lightener to 1.5 parts developer when creating the paste for lightening hair.
A simple way to check if you have got the consistency right is to up turn the bowl containing the developer paste. If the paste doesn't fall or drip down and stays stuck to the bowl, you've got it right.
The next step is to apply the clay lightener to your tresses. I prefer using a comb brush to both mix and apply the lightener paste as it's easier. You also lose less product this way as you don't have to scrape it off a mixing brush.
I don't like using brush with bristles like some stylists do and use a paintbrush like model or a comb brush to apply it on the hair. This gives the hair the natural "balayage" look where the highlights color isn't applied evenly but in gradual, natural-looking way.
What I love about clay lighteners is that you can buildup the bleach to increase the lift levels. So after the application stage, you can add more paste to make hair lighter. Or you can leave it be.
Just make sure you keep the lightener on the hair wet as clay lighteners stop lifting when they dry. However, they dry from the outside in (the inner layer of lightener might still be working on the hair as it's wet, but still appear dry from the outside). So you have to be careful and keep a close eye on the lighteners.
Conclusion
The balayage is so in trend right now. But if you want yours to look great, you got to have the right products like these best lighteners for balayage hair.
If you want to lighten your balayage at home, these bleaching products are the best ones to try.
I hope my reviews helped you find the best lighteners for your hair!