What is money piece hair?
Money piece hair is a colour technique that places lighter, brighter sections at the very front of the hair, framing the face on one or both sides. It brightens the complexion and adds dimension without colouring the whole head. It can be done with highlights, or without any bleach by adding lighter face-framing extension pieces.
The name comes from the idea that this small section of colour does the most work for the money. It first took off in the 1990s as chunky front stripes and is now worn softer and more blended. This guide covers which shades suit you, how it works on dark and curly hair, what the upkeep involves, and how to try the look with extensions instead of bleach.
Key takeaways
- A money piece lightens only the front, face-framing sections, so it brightens the face with far less colour than a full head.
- Softer, blended money pieces look more modern than the chunky stripes of the 1990s.
- On dark hair, caramel, honey and toffee shades look richer than a stark platinum.
- It grows out gently, but the lightened front sections still need toning and care.
- Lighter clip-in wefts or a few nano bonds at the front create the look with no bleach on your own hair.
In this guide
- What a money piece looks like
- Which money piece shade suits you?
- Money piece on dark and brown hair
- Money piece on curly hair
- Is a money piece high maintenance?
- How to get a money piece without bleach
- FAQs
What does a money piece look like?
A money piece is a band of lighter hair starting at the parting and running down either side of the face. How wide and how light it is changes the whole effect.
- Soft money piece: fine, blended pieces one or two shades lighter than your base. Subtle and very wearable.
- Bold money piece: wider, brighter sections with clear contrast, closer to the original 1990s look.
- One-sided money piece: brightness on the parting side only, which suits side partings.
It sits somewhere between face-framing highlights and a full balayage. The difference is focus: almost all of the colour is concentrated at the front.
Which money piece shade suits you?
The most flattering money piece is two to four shades lighter than your base, in a tone that suits your skin.
- Warm undertones: honey, golden and caramel blondes.
- Cool undertones: ash, beige and iced blondes.
- Neutral undertones: most soft blondes work, so choose by how bold you want to go.
Our guide to colour matching explains how to read your base shade and undertone in natural light.
Light brown hair with a buttery blonde money piece: soft, blended and easy to live with.
Does a money piece work on dark and brown hair?
Yes, and it is one of the most flattering ways to brighten dark hair. The trick is choosing a warm, rich shade rather than jumping straight to platinum.
- On dark brown and black hair: caramel, toffee or honey brown looks luxurious. Very pale blondes can look stark and need several rounds of lightening to reach.
- On mid-brown hair: honey or golden blonde gives a clear, bright frame.
- On light brown hair: a soft beige or buttery blonde keeps it blended.
Dark hair has to be lifted several levels to go blonde, which is exactly where breakage and brassiness come from. That is why many people with dark hair try the look with extensions first.
Caramel on black hair: a warm money piece that brightens without looking stark.
Soft, blended face-framing pieces brighten the face without the stripy look of older money pieces.
Can you have a money piece on curly hair?
Yes. On curls, a money piece shows up as brighter spirals around the face, which adds definition and makes the curl pattern pop. Keep the lighter sections a little wider than you would on straight hair, because curls break the colour up.
Curly hair is more fragile once lightened and can lose its pattern, so gentle lightening or curly extensions in a lighter shade are the safer route. Our curl type guide helps you match your texture.
Honey blonde front curls against a dark brown base.
On curls, lighter spirals around the face create a money piece with lots of definition.
Is a money piece high maintenance?
Less than a full head of highlights, but it is not maintenance free.
- It grows out gently, because the colour is only at the front and usually softened at the root.
- Lightened hair turns brassy, so it needs toning every few washes or a purple or blue shampoo.
- The front takes the most wear. Heat styling and touching your face-framing sections all day make lightened front hair dry and break faster.
- Going back to one colour means colouring over it, which works best if you have not lifted very far.
How can you get a money piece without bleach?
With a few lighter extension pieces placed at the front. Your own hair is never lightened, and you can change the shade or take it out whenever you like.
- Clip-ins, for trying it out: use the narrow wefts from a clip-in set in your lighter shade, placed just behind your parting on each side so the lighter hair falls around your face. Take them out at night.
- Nano bonds, for an everyday money piece: a stylist fits individual lighter strands along the front hairline with tiny silicone-lined rings, no heat and no glue, so the money piece stays put and moves naturally.
Because the extension hair is 100% Remy human hair, it can be curled, straightened and styled with the rest of your hair. If you are worried about the effect on your own hair, our guide to whether extensions damage your hair covers it.
Best for trying a money piece
Straight Deluxe Clip-Ins, 100g
Choose a lighter shade such as Honey Blonde, Buttermilk or Champagne, and use the narrow wefts at the front for an instant, removable money piece.
From £229.99 Shop clip-ins →
Best for an everyday money piece
Straight Nano Bonds, 50g
Individual lighter strands placed along the front hairline, fitted with no heat or glue. For curls, see our nano bond range in wavy and curly textures.
From £161.99 Shop nano bonds →
Want to see every blonde side by side before you choose? Our colour swatches show the full range, or send a photo to our free colour match service and we will help you choose a shade for your base. If you would rather colour the extensions to a custom tone, our guide to dyeing hair extensions explains what is possible.
Money piece hair: frequently asked questions
What is a money piece in hair?
A money piece is a lighter, brighter section of hair at the front that frames the face on one or both sides. It adds brightness and dimension with far less colour than a full head of highlights.
Are money pieces still in style in 2026?
Yes, but softer. Blended, face-framing money pieces a few shades lighter than your base look current, while thick, high-contrast stripes read as a deliberate 1990s throwback.
Does a money piece work on dark hair?
Yes. Warm caramel, toffee or honey shades look rich against dark brown or black hair. Very pale blondes need a lot of lightening on dark hair, so many people try lighter extensions first.
What face shape suits a money piece?
Almost every face shape. Narrow, soft pieces that start at the parting suit rounder faces by drawing the eye down, while wider pieces add width and brightness to longer or narrower faces.
Can you get a money piece without bleaching your hair?
Yes. Lighter clip-in wefts or a few nano bond strands placed at the front create a money piece with no bleach on your own hair, and you can change or remove it at any time.
How long does a money piece last?
Coloured money pieces usually need toning every four to eight weeks and a root touch-up every two to three months. An extension money piece lasts as long as the extensions: clip-ins whenever you wear them, nano bonds until the next move-up.
Brighten up, keep your hair
A money piece is one of the easiest ways to lift your whole look, and it does not have to mean bleaching the front of your hair. Try it with clip-in hair extensions in a lighter shade, or find a WAVE stylist to place nano bonds along your hairline.
Stylists and salons: a no-bleach money piece is a great add-on for colour clients. Open a WAVE trade account for 20% off retail, up to 30%.
Written by Zian Cooper, qualified hairdresser and founder of WAVE Hair Extensions.
Last updated: September 2026
