PSA: Money Piece Highlights Are the Biggest Hair Trend of 2023 (2024)

Bonondona’s favorite way to wear the money piece? A full head of balayage with blonde pieces throughout the hair and a heavier, bolder platinum money piece in the front. The end result is less stark and severe and more soft with sweeping color.

FYI, this is the photo I will be showing my colorist the next time I want to add a little lightness in my brown hair with highlights. If you also prefer something a little more realistic and effortless, ask for a money piece that resembles the light strokes of color that someone would naturally get from the sun.

Face-framing layers not your thing? Try face-framing streaks in instead. “The bold and light blonde streak right in the front will contour the client’s hair,” Bonondona says. Keep the ends thick with a blunt, long bob haircut and use your color to highlight your facial features the same way that layers around your face can.

Even if you’re going for a more rooted look overall or an ombré color, you can still bring the money piece all the way up to the top of the root to make it stand out even more.

See how that pop of color in the front of this brown hair balayage look really brings your focus to the eyes? Money pieces are known for being a bold style choice, but Bonondona says they can also soften, brighten, and accentuate someone’s facial features by enhancing their skin color and their eye color.

A cool-tone blonde money piece, like the ash blonde color shown here, looks especially amazing on those with medium skin tones and blush or cool undertones.

Although blonde is a popular choice for money pieces, Bonondona says they can also be an array of different colors, ranging from fantasy shades like pink or blue or even a brown to look more natural. This coppery shade of red hair almost resembles a penny, which is pretty fitting since we’re talking about money pieces here.

Part of the reason why money pieces are so freakin’ popular is because of how customizable the look is. If you like to make a bold statement with your hair color, Bonondona says to try a thicker, more prominent streak, like the caramel hair color money piece shown here.

…But if you prefer something a little subtler, try a thinner section but still nice and bright and close to the root. This ash-brown hair that cascades into sandy blonde looks lived in and cool without trying too hard.

If your color looks flat, think about getting a money piece and a mix of highlights and lowlights to add dimension. “It’s usually the brightest piece, so behind it would be darker or less blonde, giving the hair some contrast,” Bonondona explains.

If you’re looking for a fast and low-maintenance way to add a little ~spice~ to your balayage, might I suggest a money piece? This strawberry-blonde look instantly adds brightness and dimension and will grow out seamlessly with little upkeep required.

“The closer the shade matches your natural, the more subtle it will be,” Bonondona explains. Or in other words, the darker the base and the brighter the highlights, the more your money piece will pop, like this face-framing streak against auburn hair.

Sooo what about bangs, you ask? Bonondona says money pieces can sometimes be hard to see on front bangs that fall forward and cover the hairline. To make your money piece more visible, try side bangs or a shorter face-framing piece that will be worn to the side and not forward.

Not only is the actual color of the money piece versatile, but so is the way you style it. Wear it straight, curly, or crimped, or as Bonondona suggests, in a ponytail or braid by pulling the pieces out and letting them hang naturally and free.