The most effective beauty enhancements, particularly for hair, are those that require minimal effort yet deliver maximum impact. While a complete makeover might involve numerous products, hot tools, and hours of styling, sometimes all it takes is strategically placed color. Enter the money piece, a highlighting technique where a colorist applies a brighter shade to the strands of hair that directly frame your face.
This trend has rapidly gained popularity in salons and across social media, largely due to its significant visual effect. However, the true beauty of Money Pieces lies in their adaptability. You can opt for subtle, delicate highlights that mimic sun-kissed hair, make a bold statement with vibrant colors, or choose a classic streak of blonde, red, black, or brunette to complement your existing hair color.
Expert Insights on the Money Piece Trend
Decoding the Money Piece Phenomenon
Money pieces, also known as face-framing highlights that add contrast and dimension, have become a staple look for many celebrities in Hollywood, each showcasing diverse styles and colors. On figures like Ciara and Jennifer Lopez, money pieces are rendered in a warm, golden caramel shade, seamlessly blended with their overall hair color for a natural and refined appearance.
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Beauty icon Hailey Bieber often sports a more understated version, featuring the subtlest hint of gold. Her low-maintenance approach is ideal if you’re looking to refresh your hair color for the warmer months without significant upkeep.
According to hair colorist Richy Kandasamy, a key reason for the money piece’s popularity is the increasing demand for relaxed coloring techniques that save both time and money at the salon. “Moreover, with the selfie culture being so prevalent, face-framing highlights are the perfect statement look,” he explains.
Celebrity colorist Laura Gibson concurs, stating, “The money piece trend is definitely here to stay. It brightens the face and is versatile enough to work with any hair color. Its adaptability, from soft to bold, makes it universally appealing and instantly elevates any hair color.”
Gibson highlights a crucial point: the misconception that money pieces are limited to center-parted blonde hair. Both Gibson and Kandasamy emphasize that this trend is incredibly versatile and complements all hair colors and partings. However, your styling and parting can influence the prominence of the money piece. Gibson notes that a deep side part will make the money piece appear more pronounced on the side with more hair. “Also, money pieces are more noticeable when hair is styled straight compared to wavy,” she adds.
Achieving the Perfect Money Piece Look
As with any hair style, cut, or color, effectively communicating your desired look to your stylist is essential. Since verbal descriptions can be challenging, especially if you’re unfamiliar with salon terminology, visual aids are invaluable. “I always recommend bringing in pictures of your desired look to your stylist,” Gibson advises. “Visual references are incredibly helpful.”
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Before gathering inspiration from platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, consider your skin’s undertones and your natural hair undertones. “I strongly believe in aligning skin tones with hair color,” Gibson explains, detailing her personal color philosophy. “I match warm shades with warm undertones, cool shades with cool undertones, or combine either warm or cool with a neutral tone for balance.” However, she also encourages breaking the rules if you are truly drawn to a specific shade.
Kandasamy also points out common pitfalls to avoid when getting money pieces. Ensure your colorist is aware of your usual hair parting and that you both agree on whether to use warm or cool tones. Gibson further advises that if you have many face-framing layers, adding some highlights to the nape area can help create a cohesive color flow. “For a soft yet noticeable effect, avoid making the highlights too thick at the root,” she suggests. “But for a bold and striking look, thicker roots are a great choice.”
Regarding Hailey Bieber’s beautifully subtle color, Gibson mentions it’s a frequently requested look. “It appears natural and organic but still provides a soft brightening effect around the face,” she describes it as a lived-in, natural honey blonde with enhanced lightness around the face.
“To replicate Hailey Bieber’s look, request a seamless or baby light money piece that is woven in using a face-framing technique,” Kandasamy recommends. “This involves maintaining your natural root color and adding just a few seamless highlights around the face.”
With money pieces in place, you’re guaranteed to leave the salon feeling like you’ve invested wisely in a look that truly elevates your style.
