One of the best hair trends to come out for women has to be the money piece, which is a fancy way of saying ‘face-framing highlights.’
Money piece highlights are popular because they suit every face shape and hair texture, and they work on nearly any hair length, from bobs to long layers; a true pixie is usually too short around the face for a money piece to show.
While many women turn to money piece highlights for a natural look, others like how a money piece helps them express their individuality through head-turning hair colors.
How thick should yours be? Senior stylist Emma Baxendale sizes it in the chair:
A money piece is all personal preference: some clients want subtle and natural, others love the thick, 90s-inspired chunky piece. Unsure, I go for the happy medium: thick enough for obvious brightness, soft enough to stay natural.
I place all my face-framing in a triangle shape at the root, running thinner to thicker from root to ends; that is what avoids the stripey look where the piece is the same width top to bottom. Though some clients want exactly that 90s stripe, and then we do it on purpose.
Flattering Money Piece Hair Looks
Interested in giving your hair color an eye-catching update? Check out these money-piece ideas to see why you need to try this trend!
1. Brown Hair with Pink Highlights
Love color and want to make your money piece highlights really pop? Go for a stand-out hair color, like pink! We love this chic razor cut bob with its straightened layers that flip out to give the style shape.
2. Blue and Yellow Waves
To define the waves in your long hair, add a money piece in bright, vivid colors such as blue and yellow. These two colors flatter many skin tones.
3. Blonde and Orange Bob
Pale blonde face-framing panels brighten this blunt orange bob. The straight finish makes the two colors stand out beneath the straw hat.
4. Platinum Money Pieces on a Golden Blonde Lob
For blonde-haired women who are looking for a more natural look with help from highlights, give your hairstyle a warm glow with highlights in a lighter shade of blonde around your face.
5. Dark Blue on Dark Blonde
Face-framing highlights in a dark color will give your hairstyle a moodier vibe. If you have darker hair, consider dark blue around your face. You can even add a touch of sea green behind for a cool effect.
6. Caramel Money Pieces on Long Brown Waves
If your hair is naturally dark, we recommend caramel money piece highlights. See how the rich color gives long dark brown hair so much more depth?
7. Straight Blue Hair with Blonde
Eclectic doesn’t even begin to describe the result of adding blonde around the face when you have blue hair! Straighten your hair and part it in the center to emphasize long layers.
8. White Money Pieces on Long Gray Hair
Older women often look for ways to liven up their gray locks. In that case, we recommend very light gray or even white money piece highlights!
9. Red and Orange Money Pieces with Blue Streaks
Whether you can’t decide on one color to add or you just want the fun of combining your favorites, there’s nothing wrong with using multiple colors in your hair to accentuate your beautiful face.
10. Green Money Pieces on Dark Waves
Another gorgeous shade for women with dark hair and dark eyes to flaunt is a rich dark green. These highlights instantly help the hair appear thicker and make the waves look more luxe.
11. Money Piece Baby Bangs
Baby bangs are another hair trend popular for women who like a hipster feel. Combine baby bangs with money piece highlights in a flirty color, such as pink, to make a truly one-of-a-kind money hairstyle.
12. Golden Blonde Face-Framing Highlights
Short layers around the face are great for women with a long face, as they’ll make it look more rounded. Go for a light blonde around your face if you have dark hair and give them a wide wave for softness.
13. Box Braids with Money Pieces
Box braids are a popular hairstyle for Black women and it’s easy to see why! These long thin box braids are so glamorous, especially with a money piece in platinum blonde.
14. Purple Hair with Blonde Highlights
If you’re a fan of dramatic looks, you’ll love this straightened purple ombre hairstyle. It features dark purple in the bulk of the mane, but fades to light purple and eventually light blonde highlights up front.
15. Brunette Ponytail with Turquoise Money Pieces
When you’re on the go, gather your brunette locks into a casual low pony to keep hair off your shoulders and out of your face. A beautiful aqua blue highlight up front will ensure you stay stylin’.
16. Strawberry Blonde Half-Updo
Do you have shoulder-length blonde hair? Fill your hair with soft waves, then gather the top half into a loose ponytail. A strawberry-blonde money piece is the perfect touch of color.
17. Dark Ponytail with Blonde Highlights
For the perfect sporty hairdo, opt for the classic ponytail. For brunette or black hair, let light blonde highlights define your face shape and accentuate your dark eyes.
18. Brown Wavy Lob with Blonde Money Pieces
While this medium brown haircut features a blunt cut, the waves help to soften out the look for cool contrast. A lighter blonde around the face is a flattering complement to any skin tone.
19. Stacked Brown Bob with Caramel Front Layers
For a short haircut, such as a pixie, that has tons of structure and layers, play up the texture by teasing the crown. Straighten the hair close to your face and highlight the cut with a light-colored money piece.
20. Platinum Money Pieces on Long Brown Hair
Instead of adding blonde streaks throughout dark colored hair, concentrate them around your face for the best bang for your buck.
21. Yellow Front Highlights
Do you love a head-turning hairstyle? Then you need to try this super cute short haircut with soft waves. A bold combination of light blonde with yellow front highlights will catch everyone off guard.
22. Smooth Lavender and Blonde Waves
This is the most gorgeous and unexpected money piece highlight that complements blonde hair. A soft lavender purple tinged with a little ice blonde. Try it on long hair filled with smooth waves.
23. Brown Hair with a Red Money Piece
Looking for an edgy money piece to rock with your brown hair? Go bold with bright red! It’s especially becoming on women with a light or pale skin tone.
24. Straight Black Hair with Blonde Highlights
If you’re looking for a way to set yourself apart fashion-wise, this combination delivers. On black hair, light blonde highlights will instantly take your look up to a 10.
25. Purple Money Pieces on Blonde Waves
Mix light and dark hair colors in the prettiest way by rocking a vibrant purple money piece in your blonde hair. Some soft waves throughout and an easy middle part is all you need to be ready for the day.
26. Brown A-Line Bob with Silver-Blonde Money Pieces
If a sleek structured haircut is what you’re after, opt for a straightened A-line bob. If your hair is naturally dark brown, all you need is a light blonde money piece for the total package.
27. Copper Waves with Money Piece Bangs
How gorgeous is this copper-colored masterpiece? The extra long waves shine in a rich shade, while layered face-framing bangs complete the look in platinum blonde.
28. Thin Green Money Piece
Having money hair doesn’t mean you have to layer on the color too thick. On short thin hair, a thin streak of sea foam green at one side of the face provides a subtle pop of color.
29. High Pigtails with Pink Money Pieces
For the ultimate rocker chick look, add hot pink highlights around your face. These beauties will look amazing when your hair is all gathered up in two messy pigtails with loose tendrils.
30. Curly Auburn Updo with Green Money Pieces
Put your new money hairstyle right where everyone can see it: piled on top of your head in a tight wavy updo. The dark green along the face is a great complement to dark red in the rest of the hair.
31. Blonde-to-Pink Money Pieces on a Brown Lob
For women who are natural brunettes, add platinum blonde highlights up front, and top it off with a vivid feminine color, like light pink. We love this bluntly cut medium length hairstyle with its soft waves.
32. Golden Blonde Money Pieces on a Copper Lob
If your hair is similar to copper in its coloring, we highly suggest this gorgeous addition of yellow and blonde front highlights. They’re especially great for slimming out a round face.
33. Wide Platinum Money Pieces on a Copper Lob
Is your skin tone fair or light? Then opt for chunky highlights in light blonde. A thicker color job around your face will work in tandem with a light skin tone to brighten up your complexion. Match the blonde with a copper red for the best effect.
So which of these absolutely stunning money-piece hairstyles have you fallen in love with? We certainly wouldn’t blame you if you’re having a hard time deciding which one to try first!
Take your favorite of these images along to a salon consultation, and work out with your stylist which money piece would suit you best!
