A money piece is a face-framing highlighting technique where the front sections of your hair are colored a brighter or different shade than the rest of your hair. This trend creates an expensive, high-contrast look that instantly brightens your complexion.
Hair trends come and go, but some styles stick around because they are just too good to pass up. The money piece is one of those trends. If you have been scrolling through social media or sitting in a salon chair lately, you have probably heard this term thrown around.
Here is a quick look at the 20 money piece hair color ideas we will cover in this guide:
- Subtle Money Piece Hair
- Blonde Money Piece
- Money Piece Highlights on Dark Hair
- Dirty Blonde Hair with Money Pieces
- Bronde Hair with Money Piece
- Light Brown Hair with Money Pieces
- Brunette Hair with Money Pieces
- White Money Pieces
- Black Money Pieces
- Blonde Money Pieces on Dark Hair
- Pink Money Piece Hair
- Blue Money Piece Hair
- Green Money Piece Hair
- Teal Money Piece Hair
- Colorful Money Piece Hair
- Chunky Money Pieces
- Money Pieces on Short Hair
- Money Piece on Natural Curly Hair
- Money Piece with Bangs
- Money Piece Underneath
What is a Money Piece?
So, what is a money piece in hair? Simply put, it is a coloring technique where the front sections of your hair are dyed to create a bright, framing effect around your face. The rest of your hair can remain your natural color or feature subtle highlights.
You might be wondering, why is it called money piece hair? The name comes from the idea that this specific placement of color gives you an expensive, glamorous, and finished look. It is the ultimate statement piece for your hair. It instantly brightens your complexion and draws attention to your eyes and cheekbones.
If you are asking yourself, are money pieces still in? The answer is a resounding yes. This trend has evolved from a niche style to a permanent staple in salons worldwide. Whether you want a subtle glow or a bold transformation, here are 20 money piece hair color ideas to inspire your next appointment.
20 Money Piece Highlights Ideas
1. Subtle Money Piece Hair
Testing the waters with a soft, face-framing color is easy when you ask for a subtle money piece. This look uses a shade only one or two levels lighter than your base. This approach gives you a soft, natural grow-out phase without a harsh line of demarcation.
2. Blonde Money Piece
The most requested version of this trend pairs rich brunette roots with bright blonde highlights with money pieces to create a stunning contrast. It looks high-maintenance but requires very little upkeep since the rest of your hair stays dark.
3. Money Piece Highlights on Dark Hair
Brightening dark hair does not require a blindingly blonde shade. You can opt for a caramel or toffee tone. This creates a beautiful face framing highlights money piece hair dark hair effect that warms up your complexion beautifully.
4. Dirty Blonde Hair with Money Pieces
For a lived-in, low-maintenance style, ask your colorist for pieces that are just a shade lighter than your dirty blonde base. This creates a seamless, sun-kissed finish that looks incredibly natural.
5. Bronde Hair with Money Piece
Bronde is the perfect bridge between blonde and brunette, using a warm, golden tone right at the front. This bronde with money pieces style is ideal for people who cannot decide between light and dark hair.
6. Light Brown Hair with Money Pieces
Perfect for summer, adding soft, buttery blonde pieces on brown hair gives you a beachy, sun-kissed vibe. This look requires zero styling to appear effortlessly chic.
7. Brunette Hair with Money Pieces
Lightening the front does not always mean going blonde. You can ask your hair professional for a slightly lighter brown or chestnut shade. Money pieces hair brunette styles frame the face with rich, glossy color that looks incredibly healthy.
8. White Money Pieces
For a striking, cool-toned aesthetic, a stark white shade on dark hair creates a dramatic contrast. This look is bold, modern, and definitely turns heads. To keep white pieces from yellowing, wash your hair with a strong purple shampoo twice a week and use a clear hair gloss in between salon visits.
9. Black Money Pieces
Using deep reds or rich mahoganies on dark brown hair looks incredible. Alternatively, a shiny, cool-toned black against a softer black base adds incredible depth and shine to your overall style.
10. Blonde Money Pieces on Dark Hair
Maximum contrast is achieved by keeping the underneath and back of your hair dark while framing your face with bright blonde. This is one of the most popular money piece hair colors because it is edgy and modern.
11. Pink Money Piece Hair
Using a soft pastel shade right at the front is a fantastic way to express your personality. It creates a playful and romantic look against a neutral base. To maintain the vibrancy of pastel pink, use a color-depositing conditioner once a week.
12. Blue Money Piece Hair
A vibrant blue tone on brown hair adds an electric pop of color right at your face. It is a great option for fall and winter when you want to stand out.
13. Green Money Piece Hair
A unique and bold choice, this jewel-toned frame looks fantastic against dark hair. It is perfect for anyone who wants to embrace their edgy side. Because green is a stubborn color to lift out if you change your mind, ask your colorist to use a semi-permanent formula.
14. Teal Money Piece Hair
Offering the best of blue and green, this vibrant color really pops against dark bases. It is highly customizable and can lean more blue or more green depending on your preference.
15. Colorful Money Piece Hair
If you cannot choose just one color, blending pink, purple, and blue right at the front of your face is a true statement. It is a fun, creative way to show off your personality.
16. Chunky Money Pieces
The 90s are back, and this style uses thick sections at the front of the face. These money strips hair placements create a bold, retro aesthetic that looks amazing with straight hair and middle parts.
17. Money Pieces on Short Hair
Adding color to a bob or a lob adds instant dimension. A short hair money piece removes the bulk and highlights your facial features beautifully.
18. Money Piece on Natural Curly Hair
This is a dream for textured hair. The curls wrap around the colored sections, creating a beautiful, dimensional ringlet right at your face. It adds brightness and texture to your natural curl pattern.
19. Money Piece with Bangs
Coloring your fringe entirely draws immediate attention to your eyes. Dark hair money piece bangs look particularly striking, creating a bold frame.
20. Money Piece Underneath
If you want to hide your color for work but show it off on the weekends, try a placement that sits below the top layer of your hair. These money stripes hair placements peek through when you move or tie your hair up.
Styling and Technique Variations
Choosing the right technique is just as important as choosing the color.
- Highlights with money pieces use traditional foils. This gives you a solid, uniform color that is bright and opaque.
- A balayage with money piece application uses freehand painting. This gives you a softer, melted, and more natural transition.
You can also adapt your haircut to feature your new color. A money piece haircut that includes long layers will help the color blend beautifully. There are many hairstyles with money piece styles to choose from. A side part money piece can sweep the bright color across your forehead for a soft, romantic look. If you love wearing your hair up, try money piece braids. The colored sections will pop against the rest of your hair in a plait or bun.
Frequently Asked Questions About Money Pieces
How much does a money piece cost and how long does it take?
A standalone money piece is generally cheaper than a full head of highlights because your colorist is only coloring the front sections. If you are adding it to an existing color service, expect the price to increase by $50 to $150 depending on the salon. A standalone money piece takes about 45 minutes to an hour. If you are doing a full color refresh plus the money piece, expect to be in the chair for two to three hours.
Will a money piece flatter my face shape and hair type?
Money pieces are incredibly versatile and work for all face shapes. If you have a round face, ask for softer, face-framing pieces that elongate your features rather than thick, chunky blocks. Oval face shapes can easily pull off bold and chunky styles. If you have fine or thin hair, a money piece can actually create the illusion of thickness because the lighter color catches the light and adds visual volume. Thick hair can handle chunkier sections without looking sparse. Keep your hair porosity in mind, as very porous hair will absorb color faster but may fade quicker.
How do I match money piece colors to my skin tone?
To get that expensive look, your money piece color should complement your skin undertones. If you have warm undertones with yellow or peachy skin, opt for golden blondes, caramel, or dirty blonde shades. If you have cool undertones with pink or olive skin, ash blonde, white, silver, and icy tones will look stunning. For vibrant colors like pink, blue, or green, consider your overall wardrobe and makeup palette to ensure the color does not wash you out.
What happens during the grow-out phase and removal?
One of the best things about this trend is the grow-out phase. Because it sits at the front of your face, it naturally fades into your overall look. A subtle money piece will grow out seamlessly without a harsh line. However, if you choose a bright blonde on dark hair, you will eventually see a harsh line of demarcation at your roots. To manage this, ask your colorist for a shadow root, which blends the lightened hair into your natural base. If you ever want to remove a fashion color, your hair professional can use a color remover. For blonde pieces, you can simply tone them darker or let them grow out and trim them off gradually.
Does a money piece damage previously dyed hair?
If your hair has been previously dyed, especially with box dye, achieving a bright blonde money piece will require a lightener and developer. This can be stressful on the hair and alter your hair porosity. If you have dark box dye on your hair, the lightening process might require multiple sessions to reach a pale blonde without causing severe breakage. To prepare your hair, do a deep conditioning mask once a week for a month prior to your appointment. Also, avoid washing your hair for 48 hours before your salon visit. Your natural scalp oils will protect your skin from lightener irritation.
How do I style my hair to make the money piece pop?
To make your new color stand out, you need to style your hair correctly. The best way to show off a money piece is to curl your hair away from your face. When you curl away from the face, the front sections sweep outward, exposing the bright color directly to the light. You can also use a flat iron to create soft, outward bends at the front. If you prefer no heat, simply tucking the front pieces behind your ears will instantly highlight the color contrast against your skin.
Maintenance and Coloring at Home
Keeping your new color looking fresh requires a little bit of effort.
If you are getting a bright blonde or fashion color, ask your colorist about salon-grade toning products. Purple shampoo is essential for keeping blonde money piece hair colors from turning brassy and unwanted yellow. For pink, blue, or green pieces, invest in a color-safe, sulfate-free wash to prevent the pigment from bleeding.
If you are touching up your roots at home, be very careful with money piece hair dye. Bleaching the front of your hair can result in breakage if done incorrectly. It is always best to have a hair professional handle the lightening process, especially around your face.
To keep your hair healthy and the color vibrant, use a weekly deep conditioning mask. This ensures your bright front pieces stay glossy and strong.
Conclusion
Money piece highlights offer a versatile and customizable way to refresh your look. From a subtle money piece on dark hair to vibrant money highlights, there is an option for every hair type, length, and personality. This trend remains popular because it delivers high impact with relatively low maintenance.
Talk to your colorist about these money piece ideas at your next appointment. Find the color and placement that makes you feel like a million bucks.
