The most impactful beauty enhancements, especially in hair, are often those that require the least effort but deliver the most striking results. Forget spending hours with countless products and hot tools; sometimes, all it takes is strategically placed hair color to completely transform your look. Enter the money piece, a highlighting technique where a colorist adds a brighter, bolder pop of color to the strands of hair that frame your face.
This trend has exploded in popularity, dominating salon requests and social media feeds thanks to its dramatic effect. But the true genius of the money piece lies in its incredible versatility. Whether you prefer a subtle, sun-kissed glow with delicate highlights, a daring statement with vibrant neon shades, or a classic touch of blonde, red, black, or brunette to complement your existing hair color, the money piece adapts to your personal style.
Keep reading to discover insights from two renowned celebrity colorists as they delve into their favorite interpretations of this trend and provide expert advice on how you can achieve this look.
Meet the Experts
Decoding the Money Piece Trend
Money pieces, also known as face-framing highlights that introduce contrast and dimension, have become a staple look for celebrities across Hollywood, each showcasing unique styles and colors. For instance, on stars like Ciara and Jennifer Lopez, the money piece often manifests as a warm, golden caramel shade, seamlessly blended with their overall hair color for a naturally enhanced effect.
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Beauty icon Hailey Bieber frequently opts for a more understated version of the money piece, featuring the subtlest whisper of gold. Her low-maintenance approach is ideal if you’re considering a change for the warmer months, offering a gentle brightening effect.
According to hair colorist Richy Kandasamy, the rising demand for low-maintenance color techniques that save both time and money in the salon is a key driver behind the money piece’s popularity. “Moreover,” he explains, “with the selfie culture being so prominent, face-framing highlights or money pieces offer an instantly impactful and statement-making look perfect for social media.”
Celebrity colorist Laura Gibson echoes this sentiment, stating definitively, “The money piece is a trend with staying power. It illuminates the face and complements every hair color imaginable. Its adaptability, from soft and subtle to bold and striking, makes it universally appealing and elevates any hair color.”
Gibson’s point is crucial, especially given the common misconception that money pieces are limited to blonde hair with a center part. In reality, both Gibson and Kandasamy agree that this versatile trend works beautifully on all hair colors and with any parting style. The key consideration is that your chosen style and part can influence the perceived boldness of the money piece. Gibson clarifies, “A deep side part will make the money piece appear more pronounced on the side with more hair. Additionally, straight hair will showcase the highlights more dramatically than wavy styles.”
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Achieving the Money Piece Look
As with any hair transformation, clearly communicating your desired outcome to your stylist is essential. Since hair color terminology can be confusing, especially if you’re new to highlighting, visual aids are incredibly helpful. “I always advise clients to bring in pictures of their desired look,” Gibson recommends. “Visual references make communication much clearer.”
Before you start gathering inspiration from platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, take a moment to consider your skin’s undertones as well as your natural hair undertones. “I strongly believe in harmonizing skin tones and hair color,” Gibson emphasizes, outlining her personal color philosophy. “I typically pair warm shades with warm undertones, cool shades with cool undertones, or opt for a neutral hue to balance either warm or cool.” However, she also encourages clients to disregard these guidelines if they are truly passionate about a particular shade.
Kandasamy also highlights potential pitfalls to avoid when getting a money piece. He stresses the importance of informing your colorist about your usual hair parting and ensuring mutual understanding regarding warm or cool tones. Gibson adds that for clients with numerous face-framing layers, extending highlights to the nape area might be necessary for a cohesive and connected color flow. “For a soft yet noticeable effect, avoid making the highlights too thick at the root,” she advises. “Conversely, for a bolder, more impactful look, thicker highlights at the root are ideal.”
Regarding Hailey Bieber’s coveted subtle money piece, Gibson confirms it’s a frequently requested style. “It achieves a natural, organic feel while still providing a soft brightening effect around the face,” she describes, characterizing the color as a lived-in, natural honey blonde with enhanced lightness around the face.
“To replicate Hailey Bieber’s look, request a weaved-in, seamless, or baby light money piece using a face-framing technique,” Kandasamy instructs. “This involves maintaining your natural root color and incorporating just a few seamless highlights around the face.”
With a perfectly executed money piece, you’ll undoubtedly leave the salon feeling like a million dollars, radiating confidence and style.
