Money piece highlights: what they are and who they suit

Money piece highlights are two bright sections of colour placed right at the front of your hair, framing your face from the parting down. They suit almost anyone who wants brightness where it shows most without lightening their whole head, and at our salon they usually cost between a few single foils from �5 each and a partial foils or partial balayage at �40 to �60.

The name came from social media a few years ago, but the idea is old. Hairdressers have always put a bit of extra brightness around the face because that is where light hits first and where people look when they talk to you.

The short version

A money piece is lighter colour on the front sections that frame your face.

It can be done with foils or freehand balayage.

Prices start with single foils from �5 each.

A face frame usually sits within a partial, �40 to �60.

Expect a toner refresh every 6 to 8 weeks to keep it clean.

What money piece highlights actually are

We take two sections either side of your parting, roughly from the hairline back an inch or two, and lighten them more than the rest of your hair. How thick those sections are decides how bold it looks. A fine money piece gives a soft glow around your face. A chunky one is a proper statement and reads very early 2000s, which some of my clients love.

On darker hair we often lift the front a few shades and tone it to a warm caramel or honey. On blondes it is usually a brighter, cleaner blonde than the rest, so the front pops against slightly deeper lengths. It can sit on its own or be the finishing touch on a full balayage.

Who suits a money piece

Most people, honestly. It is one of the easiest ways to try lighter hair without committing to a whole head. I recommend it a lot for clients who have never had colour before and want to dip a toe in, and for anyone growing out highlights who wants the front to stay fresh while the rest relaxes.

It works best if you wear your hair down or loosely back, because that is when the front is on show. If you tie your hair up tight every day, the money piece gets pulled back and you lose most of the effect. A short fringe can also hide it, so we sometimes start the colour slightly behind the fringe line instead.

Skin tone matters more than face shape. Warm, golden tones flatter most olive and warmer skin. Cooler, beige or icy tones suit fairer, pinker skin. That is the part we talk through at your consultation, because the wrong tone right next to your face shows straight away.

How much a money piece costs in Luton

If you only want a couple of bright pieces at the front, we can do single foils from �5 each. A fuller face frame, with more sections blended back into the hair, is priced as a partial foils or partial balayage at �40 to �60. If you are having a half or full head of colour anyway, ask us to build the money piece into that appointment.

Most clients add a toner for �20 so the front lands on the exact shade we planned rather than a raw, yellowy lift. You can see every colour price on our pricing list.

Keeping it looking fresh

Because the money piece sits at the front, it is the first place regrowth and brassiness show. I tell clients to expect a toner refresh every 6 to 8 weeks and a lightening top-up at the root every 8 to 12, depending on how much contrast you have between your natural colour and the money piece.

At home, go easy on heat around your face, because those front sections get straightened and curled more than anything else. Use a heat protector every time, and a purple or blue shampoo once a week if you are blonde or caramel and notice it warming up. Do not use it every wash or the front can go dull.

Before your appointment

We patch test every colour client before every colour appointment, at least 48 hours ahead, regulars included. It is a small dab of colour behind your ear, and it matters because reactions to hair dye can be serious. The NHS guidance on hair dye reactions sets out the symptoms to look out for and when to get help.

Bring a picture if you have one, and tell us how bold you want to go. Thin and soft or thick and obvious makes a big difference to how we section it. Klarna is available if you want to spread the cost.

Tasha, Sabrina and Sheree all do money pieces regularly. Call us on 01582 730381 or book online, and you will find us at Shop 660, Jansel House, Hitchin Rd, Stopsley, Luton LU2 7XH.