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If you’ve noticed brighter, face-framing highlights popping up everywhere from red carpets to Pilates studios, you’re not imagining it — money piece hair is having a major moment in 2026. People love this low-commitment, high-impact highlight trend for how it looks and for how it makes them feel. Here’s everything you need to know before booking your next salon appointment.
Why Money Piece Hair Is Trending in 2026
Money Piece Hair for Dark Hair
How to Ask Your Stylist for Money Piece Hair
How to Care for Money Piece Highlights
How Much Does Money Piece Hair Cost?
Money piece hair is a highlighting technique where a stylist places lighter strands at the very front of your hair, framing your face and instantly brightening your overall look. Unlike full highlights or balayage, which are distributed throughout the hair, money piece highlights focus on the sections closest to your face, making the impact more noticeable with far less commitment.
The result is a soft yet striking contrast that draws attention to your facial features, especially your eyes and cheekbones. This technique works across hair types and textures, from straight to curly and can be customized to be bold and high-contrast or subtle and blended. That flexibility is a big reason money piece hair has become such a go-to option for people who want a refresh without a full color overhaul.
The money piece hairstyle isn’t just trending because it aligns perfectly with how people approach beauty and wellness in 2026. More consumers are gravitating toward low-maintenance, high-impact styles that fit into busy, health-conscious lifestyles. Money piece highlights offer that “just left the salon” glow without requiring constant upkeep.
Celebrity influence continues to play a role, with stars like Hailey Bieber popularizing softer, face-framing highlights that feel polished but effortless. Social media has amplified the trend even further, with TikTok and Instagram showcasing before-and-after transformations that highlight how small color changes can make a big visual difference. In a time when intentional beauty choices matter more than ever, money piece hair checks every box.
Money piece hair for dark hair is one of the most requested variations of this trend and for good reason. Lighter face-framing strands create a stunning contrast against deeper bases like dark brown or black hair, instantly adding dimension and warmth.
The key is choosing the right tone. Caramel, honey or soft mocha blondes tend to blend beautifully with dark hair, while overly cool or platinum shades can look harsh if not done intentionally. A skilled colorist will often customize the brightness and thickness of the money piece to complement your skin tone and natural hair color, ensuring the result looks intentional rather than streaky.
Knowing how to ask for this look can make all the difference in your final result. Start by using the term “face-framing highlights” or “money piece highlights” and bring a few reference photos that reflect the brightness and placement you want. If you supply the stylist with visuals, it can help eliminate confusion and ensure you and your stylist are aligned.
However, it’s crucial to understand that money piece hair isn’t for everyone. As Candy Shaw, Founder of Sunlights Professional and the original creator of the money piece technique, advises: “Asking your stylist for a money piece is not necessarily for everyone. Not only is it important to wear this trend in longer face-framed locks, your hair’s natural or contrasting color needs to live within 2-3 levels of the tone of your money piece. Hair that’s layered a lot and has a square fringe are not ideal for this look, however curtain bangs & bobs play out the look perfectly.”
Shaw also emphasizes precision in the application: “When asking your stylist for the money piece look, remember to ask them to take into account the width of section being lightened. The money piece look I created was not to look stripy or wide yet just a brighter effect around the face as if the sun did it.”
Be specific about contrast and maintenance. Let your stylist know whether you want a soft, blended look or a bold, high-contrast money piece. It’s also helpful to discuss how often you’re willing to come in for toning or touch-ups. Clear communication up front helps your stylist tailor the look to your lifestyle, not just current trends.
Caring for these types of highlights is relatively simple, which is part of their appeal. With over 100,000 hair follicles on your scalp, the foundation of healthy hair starts at the root. Using a sulfate-free shampoo helps preserve color and prevent dryness, while a purple or blue toning product can keep lighter strands from turning brassy over time. These products are especially useful if your money piece is significantly lighter than the rest of your hair.
Heat protection is another must. Since face-framing pieces are often styled more frequently, applying a heat protectant can reduce damage and maintain shine. Regular deep-conditioning treatments also help keep highlighted sections soft and healthy, supporting a beauty routine that aligns with overall wellness goals.
The cost of money piece hair varies depending on your location, salon and the complexity of the color work. On average, this service is more affordable than full highlights because it focuses on smaller sections of hair and requires less processing time.
Many salons price money piece highlights as an add-on or mini color service, making it a budget-friendly option for those looking to refresh their look. While prices can range widely, the lower maintenance and longer-lasting results often make money piece hair a worthwhile investment for both your appearance and your schedule.
Money piece hair is a highlighting technique where lighter strands are placed around the face to create brightness and contrast. These face-framing highlights draw attention to your features without changing your entire hair color, making it a low-commitment option with high visual impact.
The term “money piece” comes from the idea that these front highlights are the most valuable part of the look. They are what people notice first, therefore boosting their value. By brightening the area around your face, the style gives you the most “bang for your buck.”
Candy Shaw, the technique’s creator, shares the fascinating origin: “A natural money piece happens when hair is pulled back all summer in a ponytail, that particular look of “childlike Haircolor” derived from a summer in the sun, was what I was teaching my students in the classroom to emulate. When trying to explain the look, I began telling my students how to place their balayage streaks in the right areas of the hair encouraging them to identify where hair falls in the process. As a cute, catchy phrase to help them commit the technique to memory, I would tell my students, ‘if you don’t paint the money, you won’t make the money’ hence how the technique was born, named, and then trademarked. The rest, you might say, is worldwide history. It’s the single number one colorist phrase that’s used to explain lighter pieces around the face in consultation!”
A professional who can customize placement and tone is the best person to do money piece hairstyles. While DIY kits exist, if you improperly bleach around your face, it can lead to uneven color or damage. This is why salon services are generally recommended for the best results.
Stylists will typically take hair from the very front of the hairline, following the natural part. The size and thickness of each section vary depending on whether you want a subtle or bold effect. This is why personalization during a consultation is key.
Pricing depends on the salon and region, but money piece highlights usually cost less than full or partial highlights. Many salons offer them as a mini service or add-on, making them a more accessible option for refreshing your look.
Money piece hair proves that sometimes the smallest change can make the biggest difference. This face-framing highlight trend has earned its place in 2026 by blending beauty, wellness and practicality into one effortless look. Whether you’re easing into color or simplifying your routine, money pieces let you glow without overextending your time, budget or energy.
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