Money piece highlights hair color ideas for women winter — the two front strands that change your whole face. A money piece is a pair of bright, face-framing highlights, lighter than the rest of your hair, placed right at the front where they catch the light and make your eyes pop. It is the fastest, cheapest way to brighten your colour without committing to a full head of blonde, and this winter it is everywhere.
In this guide you will find 21 money piece highlights hair color ideas for women this winter, with brunette, blonde and copper bases, bold and soft placements, upkeep notes and the mistakes to avoid. Each look comes with a photo reference tip, so you can show your stylist exactly what you mean.
What a Money Piece Is — and Why Winter Loves It
A money piece is a section of hair at the very front — usually about an inch wide on each side of your parting — that is lightened a few shades brighter than the rest of your colour. The name comes from the idea that it is the most valuable real estate on your head: it frames your face, it brightens your complexion, and it is the first thing people see. It can be bold and chunky, like the bright blonde streaks of the nineties, or soft and blended, like a sun-kissed halo around the face.
Winter is a wonderful time for a money piece, because the bright front strands lift your complexion in the dullest months, and because the upkeep is so much lighter than a full head of highlights — you are only maintaining two small sections. The placement matters more than the colour: the pieces should start at your parting and fall to the cheekbone or the jaw, and they should be blended into the rest of your hair rather than sitting on top of it. Too chunky and the look is retro in the wrong way; too subtle and nobody notices. The sweet spot is a money piece that looks like the sun found your face first.
1. The Classic Blonde Money Piece on Brunette Hair
The classic blonde money piece on brunette hair is the look that started the whole trend. Two bright blonde strands at the front of dark brown hair, creating a striking contrast that frames the face and makes the eyes stand out. It suits warm and cool skin tones alike, and it is the money piece that photographs best, because the contrast is so clear. Ask your stylist for a blonde that is three or four shades lighter than your base, blended at the roots with a root melt so there is no harsh line, and keep the rest of your hair rich and dark so the money piece stays the star. Photo reference tip: save a photo where the blonde starts right at the parting, not an inch back — the placement at the parting is what makes it a money piece rather than just face-framing highlights.
2. The Soft Blended Money Piece
The soft blended money piece is the version for anyone who wants brightness without drama. The front strands are lightened only one or two shades brighter than the rest of the hair, and they are blended with fine, feathered highlights so there is no line at all. It suits every skin tone, and it is a wonderful choice for the office or for anyone trying a money piece for the first time. The grow-out is the gentlest of all, because the contrast is so low, and a gloss every six weeks will keep the pieces looking fresh. Photo reference tip: save a photo in soft, natural light, where you can see the blend rather than the contrast — that is the soft money piece at its best.
3. The Bold Chunky Money Piece
The bold chunky money piece is a deliberate nod to the nineties, and it is gloriously unapologetic. Two wide, bright blonde strands at the front, with a clear contrast against the darker base — no blending, no apology. It suits anyone with a strong sense of style, and it is particularly striking on dark hair with a blunt cut, where the straight lines of the haircut echo the boldness of the colour. The upkeep is higher than the soft version, because the contrast shows regrowth faster, so a toner touch-up every four to six weeks will keep it bright. Photo reference tip: save a photo where the money piece is clearly visible from the front and from the side, so your stylist can see exactly how wide the sections should be.
4. The Money Piece on Blonde Hair
A money piece on blonde hair is subtler, but it is no less effective. The front strands are lightened to a brighter, almost platinum blonde, while the rest of the hair stays a softer, darker blonde — the contrast is in the tone rather than the depth. It suits fair skin and light eyes, and it is a wonderful way to brighten a blonde that has gone flat or dull over the summer. The trick is keeping the rest of the blonde warm and dimensional, so the money piece reads as a highlight rather than a stripe. Photo reference tip: save a photo where the hair is in natural light, so you can see the difference between the bright front and the softer back — that tonal contrast is the whole look.
5. The Copper Money Piece
A copper money piece is warmth at the front of your face, and it is gorgeous in winter. Two copper-toned strands at the front of brown or dark blonde hair, glowing against the darker base and making green and brown eyes pop. It suits warm skin tones beautifully, and it is the money piece that looks most striking against a dark winter coat. The copper needs a colour-safe shampoo and a gloss to stay rich, because warm tones fade fastest, and a deep-conditioning mask once a week will keep the front pieces looking healthy. Photo reference tip: save a photo that shows the copper in warm, indoor light as well as in daylight, because copper changes colour in different lights and you want to love it in both.
6. The Money Piece With a Root Melt
A money piece with a root melt is the low-maintenance version of the look. The front strands are lightened, and then the root colour is melted down over the top of them, so the grow-out is soft and the bright pieces blend into the base rather than starting with a hard line. It suits every base colour, and it is the money piece to choose if you do not want to be in the salon every four weeks. Ask for the root melt to be blended down an inch or two, so the money piece starts softly and gets brighter towards the ends, and bring a photo that shows the softness at the root. The mistake to avoid is a root melt that is too dark, which will hide the money piece altogether — the root should soften it, not cover it.
7. The Money Piece on Dark Brown Hair
A money piece on dark brown hair is the highest-contrast version of the look, and it is stunning. Two bright blonde strands against a deep brown base create a frame that makes the face glow and the eyes stand out, and the contrast is what makes the style so photogenic. It suits deep skin tones and dark eyes beautifully, and it is the money piece that most people picture when they hear the term. The trick is the blend at the roots: ask for a root melt so the blonde softens into the brown, and keep the rest of the hair rich and glossy so the money piece stays the focus. Photo reference tip: save a photo taken in daylight, where the contrast between the blonde and the brown is clear — that is the look your stylist needs to match.
8. The Money Piece With Curtain Bangs
A money piece with curtain bangs is the softest way to wear the trend. The bangs are parted in the middle and swept to each side, and the money piece strands blend into them, so the brightness frames the face in a gentle, feathered way rather than in two sharp streaks. It suits almost every face shape, and it is a wonderful choice if a bold money piece feels too much. The bangs and the money piece grow out together, which makes the upkeep easy, and a little dry shampoo at the roots will keep the bangs from going flat under a hat. Photo reference tip: save a photo where the bangs and the money piece are visible together from the front, so your stylist can see how they blend.
9. The Money Piece for Short Hair
Money pieces work beautifully on short hair, because the bright front strands are visible from every angle. A bob or a lob with a money piece looks modern and intentional, and the short length means the colour is easy to maintain — a toner every six weeks and a trim every six to eight weeks is all it needs. Ask for the money piece to be placed right at the parting, falling to the cheekbone or the jaw, and keep the rest of the colour rich so the contrast stays clear. The mistake to avoid is a money piece that is too wide on short hair, which can overwhelm the cut — the strands should be about an inch wide, no more. Photo reference tip: save a photo of a bob with a money piece, so your stylist can see the proportion on a short length.
10. The Money Piece for Long Hair
Long hair shows a money piece at its best, because the bright front strands fall in a long, glossy frame around the face. The money piece should start at the parting and fall to the jaw or the collarbone, getting brighter towards the ends, while the rest of the hair stays deeper and richer. It suits every face shape, and it is the money piece that most people compliment first, because the length makes the brightness so visible. The upkeep is simple: a purple toning shampoo once a week if the money piece is blonde, and a gloss every six weeks to keep it bright. Photo reference tip: save a photo where the hair is worn down and straight, so you can see the full length of the money piece against the darker back.
11. The Money Piece With Balayage
A money piece with balayage is the most natural-looking version of the trend. The front strands are lightened with the same hand-painted technique as the rest of the balayage, so they blend into the hair rather than sitting on top of it, and the result is dimensional, sun-kissed and wonderfully low-maintenance. Ask for the brightest pieces at the front, with a root melt to keep the grow-out soft, and bring a photo that shows both the money piece and the balayage behind it. The mistake to avoid is a money piece that is too bright against a soft balayage — the front should be brighter, but not by so much that it looks like a different colour. Keep the difference to two or three shades, and the blend will be seamless.
12. The Money Piece for Warm Skin Tones
Warm skin tones need a warm money piece, and the difference is in the toner. A golden, honey or caramel money piece will make a warm complexion glow, while an ash blonde money piece would clash and look grey. Ask your stylist to check your undertone before they mix the toner, and bring a photo of a warm money piece you love — the warmth should be in the front strands, not just in the base. A gloss treatment will keep the golden tones rich, and a little sunshine, even winter sunshine, will make the colour look even better. Photo reference tip: save a photo in warm, indoor light, where the golden tones are visible — that is the warmth you want your stylist to match.
13. The Money Piece for Cool Skin Tones
Cool skin tones need a cool money piece, and the toner is what decides it. An ash, platinum or cool beige money piece will flatter pink or cool undertones, while a golden money piece would clash. The cool tones make the look modern and sophisticated, and they are particularly flattering on fair skin with blue or grey eyes. Ask for an ash or platinum toner and a purple shampoo once a week to keep the cool tones from warming up in the wash. The mistake to avoid is over-toning, which can make the front strands look grey rather than cool blonde. A gloss every six weeks will keep the cool tones looking clean, and the grow-out will stay soft because the root melt is built in.
14. The Money Piece on Copper Hair
A money piece on copper hair is warmth on warmth, and it is gorgeous. The front strands are lightened to a bright, golden copper, while the rest of the hair stays a deeper, richer copper — the contrast is in the brightness rather than the colour family. It suits warm skin tones and green eyes, and it is the money piece that looks most striking in winter light, when the copper glows against a dark coat. The copper needs a colour-safe shampoo and a gloss to stay rich, because warm tones fade fastest. Photo reference tip: save a photo where the money piece is visible against the darker copper behind it, so your stylist can see the brightness difference you want.
15. The Money Piece With a Side Part
A side part changes a money piece completely, because the strands fall asymmetrically across the face. Part the hair deeply on one side, and the money piece on the heavy side becomes a sweeping, face-framing curtain, while the lighter side stays neat and tucked behind the ear. It suits round and square faces, because the asymmetry lengthens the face, and it looks wonderful with a one-shoulder dress or a draped neckline. The placement needs care: the money piece should follow the parting, so it starts exactly where the hair divides. Photo reference tip: save a photo with the same side part you wear, so your stylist can place the money piece to match your parting rather than a centre part.
16. The Money Piece With Lowlights
A money piece with lowlights is the most dimensional version of the look. The bright front strands are balanced by darker lowlights woven through the rest of the hair, so the money piece pops against a rich, multi-tonal background rather than a flat base. It suits anyone whose hair has gone flat or one-dimensional, and it is a wonderful fix for a money piece that looked too stark on its own. Ask for lowlights that are one or two shades darker than your base, placed through the mid-lengths and ends, and keep the face-framing pieces bright so the style still lifts your complexion. Photo reference tip: save a photo where you can see both the bright front and the darker pieces behind it — that depth is the whole point.
17. The Everyday Money Piece
The everyday money piece is the version you can actually live with. The front strands are lightened just two shades brighter than the rest, blended with a root melt, and finished with a gloss — bright enough to notice, soft enough for the office, and easy enough to maintain with a toner every six weeks. It suits every skin tone and every base colour, and it is the money piece to choose if you are trying the trend for the first time. Style it straight to show the brightness, or curl the front pieces lightly away from the face to make them glow. The mistake to avoid is treating the everyday money piece like a bold one: keep the contrast low, the blend soft, and the upkeep simple, and it will look good every single day.
18. The Money Piece on Black Hair. A money piece on black hair is the boldest contrast of all, and it is spectacular. Two bright blonde or caramel strands against near-black hair create a frame that is impossible to ignore, and it suits deep skin tones and dark eyes beautifully. The trick is the blend at the roots: ask for a root melt so the bright strands soften into the black, and keep the rest of the hair glossy so the contrast reads as intentional rather than accidental. Photo reference tip: save a photo taken in daylight, where the contrast between the bright front and the black base is clear — that is the look your stylist needs to match, and it is the photo that will stop them from making the money piece too subtle.
19. The Money Piece With a Fringe. A money piece with a fringe is a double frame for the face: the fringe frames the forehead and the money piece frames the cheeks, and together they make the eyes the focus of the whole style. The fringe should be cut to graze the brows, and the money piece strands should fall just past the cheekbone, so the two frames do not compete. It suits oval and heart-shaped faces, and it is a wonderful choice if you want a change that is noticeable but still wearable. Photo reference tip: save a photo where both the fringe and the money piece are visible from the front, so your stylist can see how they work together.
20. The Money Piece for Grey Blending. A money piece is a surprisingly good way to blend grey hair, because the bright front strands camouflage the grey at the hairline — the place where grey shows first. The front pieces are lightened to a bright blonde or a soft silver, so the grey blends into the highlight rather than standing out against a dark base. It suits anyone who is growing out grey gradually, and it is a wonderful first step towards going silver. Ask for the money piece to be toned to match your grey, so the blend is seamless, and keep the rest of the colour soft so the front stays the focus. Photo reference tip: save a photo of a silver or grey-blended money piece, so your stylist can match the tone to your natural grey.
21. The Winter Money Piece With a Gloss Finish. The winter money piece with a gloss finish is the version to ask for before a special event. A clear or toned gloss is painted over the finished money piece, sealing the cuticle, adding a mirror-like shine and refreshing the tone in one step. The gloss makes the front strands look brighter and richer, it makes the hair feel silkier, and it lasts for four to six weeks. Ask for the gloss to be applied after the money piece, and book it a day or two before the event so the shine is at its best. At home, a glossing shampoo and a cool-water rinse will help the shine last, and a shine serum on the front pieces will keep them glowing all winter.
Upkeep and Toning: How to Keep Your Money Piece Bright
A money piece is only as good as its upkeep, and the front strands need more care than the rest of your hair because they are the most visible and the most exposed. Wash with a colour-safe shampoo, use a purple toning shampoo once a week if your money piece is blonde, and book a gloss and toner every four to six weeks to keep the front pieces bright and clean. The mistake to avoid is over-toning, which can make a blonde money piece look grey, or under-toning, which lets it go brassy — the sweet spot is a toner that matches the brightness in your reference photo. Deep-condition the front pieces once a week, because they take the most heat from styling, and use a heat protectant every time you curl or straighten them.
The other mistakes are easy to avoid once you know them. Too chunky, and the money piece looks like a nineties throwback rather than a modern highlight — keep the sections about an inch wide. Too brassy, and the front strands look orange rather than blonde — a purple shampoo and a cool toner will fix it. And too bright against a dark base without a root melt, and the grow-out will show in three weeks — ask for the root melt, and the money piece will stay soft for months. When you visit your stylist, bring a photo, use the words bold or soft to describe the placement you want, and ask for a gloss to finish. Those three things are all a good colourist needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Money Piece Highlights Hair Color Ideas for Women This Winter
What is a money piece? A money piece is a pair of bright, face-framing highlights at the very front of your hair, lighter than the rest of your colour. It frames your face, brightens your complexion and makes your eyes stand out, and it is much cheaper and lower-maintenance than a full head of highlights.
Does a money piece suit everyone? Yes — the placement and the tone are what matter. A soft, blended money piece suits every face shape and skin tone, while a bold, chunky one suits a stronger sense of style. Ask your stylist to match the tone to your skin undertone.
How often does a money piece need touching up? A money piece with a root melt needs the salon every six to eight weeks for a toner and gloss, and a full touch-up every two to three months. Without a root melt, the regrowth shows faster, so ask for the melt if you want low maintenance.
Will a money piece damage my hair? Lightening the front strands can dry them, but it is only two small sections, so the damage is minimal. A deep-conditioning mask once a week and a heat protectant will keep the front pieces healthy.
If you loved these money piece ideas, you will also love these colour guides: Face Framing Blonde Highlights for Dark Hair Winter and Winter Hair Color Ideas for Warm Skin Tone.
So — would you go bold or soft? Save the money piece that caught your eye, show it to your stylist, and let this winter be the season your face gets its own frame. Which of these twenty-one will you try first?
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