10 Gorgeous Money Piece Highlights to Frame Your Face

The money piece is a popular colouring technique that involves placing lighter or contrasting highlights around the face for a bright, face-framing effect. The money piece is a simple yet striking technique to add depth and dimension to colour. Incredibly versatile, the money piece compliments a wide variety of hair colours from blonde and brunette to auburn and vivid shades – there is a money piece for every style. 

What is the Money Piece?

The money piece is a colour technique used to brighten the complexion and draw attention to the face. This colouring technique can be tailored to suit an individual personal style and preference. Originating from the balayage technique, the money piece has evolved into a versatile and customisable look that enhances any hairstyle with a pop of brightness. 

Money Piece vs. Face-Framing Highlights

While both the money piece and face-framing highlights focus on brightening the complexion and framing the face. The money piece is typically more dramatic in appearance – often being much lighter than the contrasting base colour. In contrast, face-framing highlights are softer and more subtle – blending seamlessly into the rest of the hair for a more natural finish. For those looking for a bolder, brighter look, the money piece is the perfect choice.

Key Considerations for Money Piece Hair

Skin Tone

Choosing the right shade for your money piece starts with your skin tone. If you have warm undertones, a warmer tone like gold or caramel will enhance your natural glow. For cooler undertones, cool, ashy blondes or even bold colours like blue or purple can compliment your cool complexion beautifully.

Hair Length & Style

The money piece is a versatile technique that works on all hair lengths – from short bobs to long, flowing layers, everyone looks great with a money piece! It also pairs effortlessly with various textures, meaning that this technique is an easy way to revamp your current look.

Maintenance Level

Money pieces are loved for their low maintenance nature, growing out beautifully on its own – a colour refresh every 6–8 weeks will help to maintain its vibrancy and tone.

Personal Style

For a subtle, more natural finish, go for soft caramel or honey tones. If you’re feeling bold, platinum or vivid hues can create a bold statement look that will make your base colour pop. 

Top 10 Money Piece Hair Ideas

1. Blonde Money Piece on Brunette Hair

A blonde money piece on brunette hair creates a striking, high-contrast effect that instantly brightens the face and adds dimension to darker tones. The lighter strands frame the features beautifully, softening the overall look while adding depth and style. Celebrities like Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez have made this pairing iconic, showing how versatile and flattering it can be for both everyday wear and red-carpet moments.

Suitable hair types: This look works well on straight, wavy, or curly textures and is especially effective on medium to long lengths where the colour contrast has room to shine. It flatters a range of skin tones, with golden blonde highlights best for warm undertones and cooler blondes complementing neutral or cool undertones.

Styling tips: Use a purple shampoo once a week to keep blonde tones fresh and free from brassiness. Add a gloss spray or serum to enhance shine and definition around the face. For styling, soft waves or a smooth blow-dry will showcase the money piece highlights, drawing attention to the brightness at the front.

2. Subtle Caramel Money Piece

A subtle caramel money piece offers a soft, natural-looking touch that enhances the face without overwhelming your base colour. This shade is perfect for adding warmth and dimension, blending beautifully with both dark and light hair, giving a sun-kissed effect that’s both polished and low-key. Celebrities like Hailey Bieber look effortlessly elegant with her subtle caramel money piece, exuding luxury and glamour.

Suitable hair types: The subtle caramel money piece complements all hair textures – straight, wavy, or curly, suiting both short and long hair lengths. It’s especially flattering on layered styles where the caramel tones can catch the natural sunlight for a sun-kissed effect. Ideal for warm and neutral skin tones, it adds natural radiance and beautifully frames the face. 

Styling tips: A lightweight hair oil or gloss can help enhance shine and keep the money piece looking fresh. For styling, loose waves or a tousled blowout will subtly showcase the dimension of the caramel money piece, keeping the overall vibe soft and sophisticated.

3. Platinum Blonde Money Piece

A platinum blonde money piece is the ultimate statement look, creating a bold, edgy contrast against darker base colours. This dramatic highlight instantly draws attention to the face, giving a modern, fashion-forward vibe that stands out in any setting. Worn by trendsetters like Kim Kardashian and Dua Lipa, the platinum money piece is a statement-making detail that turns classic hair colour into a standout style.

Suitable hair types: Platinum money pieces look gorgeous on medium to long hair, where the contrast in colour can truly shine. It flatters cooler skin tones especially well. If you have a warmer complexion, the platinum money piece can draw attention to your facial features. Straight, sleek styles or defined waves show off the stark contrast beautifully.

Styling tips: To keep platinum tones bright and icy, use a purple shampoo 1–2 times per week to prevent brassiness and get rid of any yellow or orange tones. We’d also recommend incorporating a deep conditioning masque into your haircare routine, as platinum hair is more prone to dryness. Style with a flat iron for a sleek, polished look or add texture with soft waves to create movement and dimension that enhances the face-framing effect.

4. Auburn Hair with Copper Money Piece

Pairing rich auburn hair with a copper money piece creates a warm, dimensional look that adds brightness without straying too far from the hair’s natural vibrancy. The copper money piece beautifully enhances the red and orange undertones in auburn hair, making the hair’s base colour pop. This pairing has been seen on stars like Emma Stone, who has demonstrated how flattering this style can be – especially when paired with green eyes. 

Suitable hair types: This colour combination works well on wavy, curly, or straight textures and suits both medium and long hair lengths, where the copper money piece can shine! It’s especially flattering on warm and neutral skin tones, as the copper tones enhance golden and peachy undertones in the complexion. However, on cooler skin tones, the copper money piece can add warmth to the complexion. 

Styling tips: To maintain the richness of copper and auburn tones, use a shampoo and conditioner that have been specifically formulated for coloured hair. Avoid overwashing, as the colour red tends to fade faster. Styling with loose curls or soft waves helps highlight the warm dimension of the copper money piece, while a sleek blowout adds polish and amps up the definition of the face-framing effect.

5. Dark Hair with Honey Money Piece

A honey money piece on dark hair offers a beautiful, warm contrast that brightens the face with subtle golden tones. This look adds a touch of softness and dimension without overpowering the natural depth and richness of dark hair, producing a beautiful, sun-kissed effect. Celebrities like Zendaya have sported this style, showcasing its versatility and flattering glow. 

Suitable hair types: This warm accent works well on all hair textures – straight, wavy, or curly, being particularly striking on medium to long lengths where the contrast of the honey money piece and the dark base can shine. It complements warm and neutral skin tones by enhancing natural warmth and adding a healthy glow.

Styling tips: To keep honey tones vibrant, use a colour-protecting shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for brightening. Stay away from purple shampoo as this will only dull your colour. A nourishing oil can boost shine and prevent dryness around the money piece section.

6. Bold Colour Money Piece (Pink, Blue, Green)

A bold colour money piece in shades like pink, blue, or green delivers a striking, playful contrast that can express your personal style and individuality. These vibrant hues frame the face with eye-catching brightness, adding a fun and edgy twist to any hair colour. Celebrities and influencers such as Billie Eilish and Halsey have embraced an array of vivid money pieces over the years, proving how this trend can be both daring and fashion-forward.

Suitable hair types: This vivid look works best on medium to long hair lengths, allowing the bold colours to stand out clearly around the face. It suits a wide variety of hair types and can complement almost any skin tone when paired with the right base colour. The bold money piece works especially for those with cool or neutral undertones that enhance the vibrancy of the colours.

Styling tips: Regular touch-ups may be needed to keep the shades vivid. Styling with smooth blowouts or defined waves will help make the money piece pop, accentuating this look’s edgy appeal.

7. Curly Hair with Money Piece

A money piece on curly hair beautifully enhances natural texture and curl pattern. The contrast and dimension created by the money piece adds depth to the curls, making them look even more vibrant and lively. Solange Knowles has sported a money piece, highlighting how beautifully this technique complements curly hair, proving it can elevate curls with both subtle and bold effects.

Suitable hair types: This technique is perfect for all types of curls – whether loose waves, bouncy ringlets, or tight coils. The money piece suits a variety of skin tones, with warm or cool shades chosen to complement your undertones.

Styling tips: To keep curls defined and the money piece looking fresh, incorporate curl creams into your routine. Regular deep conditioning treatments will keep both curls and colour healthy, ensuring the money piece pops with natural shine and movement.

8. Bob with Blonde Money Piece

A blonde money piece on a bob haircut is chic, elegant and effortlessly cool. This look instantly brightens the face and adds dimension to the classic style. The lighter strands at the front of the hair frame the face and soften the sharpness of the bob, allowing for a fresh, youthful appearance.

Suitable hair types: This look works well on straight or slightly wavy hair and is particularly effective on short to medium-length bobs where the colour contrast can be showcased prominently around the face. It flatters a wide range of skin tones, being the perfect colour technique to harmonise complexion and hair colour.

Styling tips: To keep a blonde money piece bright and fresh, use a purple shampoo weekly to prevent brassiness. A lightweight smoothing serum or shine spray will add polish and definition to the face-framing front pieces.

9. Balayage with Money Piece

Combining balayage with a money piece creates a beautifully blended, multidimensional look that adds brightness and draws attention to the face. While balayage offers a natural finish that blends seamlessly throughout the hair, the money piece provides an eye-catching effect that instantly lifts and defines your features. This pairing has become a favourite among style icons like Gigi Hadid and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley for its effortless yet polished effect.

Suitable hair types: This technique works well on medium to long hair, working for a variety of hair types. It’s ideal for those wanting to blend their soft, natural base colour with a bolder, more defined highlight around the face. The money piece can be customised to suit different skin tones by adjusting the brightness and warmth of the shade.

Styling tips: To maintain the richness of both the balayage and money piece, use colour-protecting shampoos and conditioners. Gloss treatments can help keep tones vibrant and hair shiny.

10. High-Contrast Money Piece on Black Hair

A high-contrast money piece on black hair creates a bold and dramatic look that instantly brightens the face. This sharp contrast adds depth and dimension to naturally dark hair, making a powerful statement that’s both edgy and modern. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Rihanna have popularised the style, illustrating how the high-contrast money piece can double as elegant and edgy.

Suitable hair types: This look works beautifully on straight, wavy, or curly hair and is most effective on medium to long hair, where the bright money piece can truly pop against the darker base. It flatters cool and neutral skin tones particularly well, enhancing the contrast and making facial features pop.

Styling tips: To keep the lightened strands vibrant and prevent brassiness, use a purple shampoo regularly and deep conditioning treatments to maintain the health of the hair. Spritzing shine serum can enhance the face-framing brightness, giving the overall look a polished finish.

Tips for Maintaining a Money Piece

Use Colour-Safe Products

To keep your money piece vibrant and healthy, use shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated for coloured hair. These products will help preserve the colour and prevent fading. 

Refresh Toner Regularly

Book an appointment every 6–8 weeks to maintain the brightness and tone of your money piece. Regular refreshes help to prevent dullness and keep your money piece looking fresh and luminous.

Protect Against Heat and UV

Heat styling and sun exposure can cause colour to fade faster. Always apply heat protectants before using styling tools and ensure you cover your hair on sunny days. This will help to keep your money piece looking radiant for longer.

Book Your Money Piece Appointment at Rush

Discover the perfect money piece for your style with a consultation at your nearest RUSH salon. Our expert stylists will create a vibrant, personalised look that enhances your features.