Call The Salon—These Nostalgic '90s Highlights Are Making A Comeback

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Zendaya's money piece creates a hair contouring effect.

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Rosie Huntington-Whiteley with a face-framing money piece.

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Sofia Richie Grainge with a subtle blonde money piece.

Think of the money piece as bolder babylights—those fine, subtle highlights that create a natural, sun-kissed look. “The money piece is a section of hair around the hairline that lifts your complexion, highlights your eyes, and makes your hair colour pop,” says Beckie Eaton, colourist at Room 97 Creative. “It’s striking but subtle and gives your hair a luxurious and expensive finish. It also gives your hair a sun-kissed feel—just what we need when we can’t go away on holiday!” Honestly, book us in. 

So what do you actually need to ask for when you’re back in the salon? "A money piece is also known as a 'face frame,'" explains Corey Taylor, colourist at Noco Hair. “During your consultation, discuss with your colourist that you would like some lighter pieces around your face. Picture references are always a good idea because there are such a variety of looks.” 

It’s true. When you look, there are so many variations of the money-piece hair colour. You can err on the side of subtlety and go for amped-up babylights or opt for a '90s-inspired streak of bold colour. “The look can be done using foils or a classic balayage painting technique and can be as bold or subtle as you desire. Whether you prefer the old-school stripe or want more of a sun-kissed glow, this technique can be adapted to suit everyone," says Taylor.

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Beyoncé took to Instagram to show off her sun-kissed take on the money-piece hair trend.

If you have curly or textured hair, this trend will work perfectly to frame your face. “Placement is generally the same [on curly hair], as the lightness is concentrated from a pivot point at the parting to brighten around the face,” advises Taylor. “The placement will change depending on the hairstyle— how you wear your hair and the existing cut, for example. If you have a fringe or heavy shaping around the face, this would alter the placement of the colour.”

Any hair colour works with money pieces, too, but for a luxe look, the best colours are within the warmer-toned family. “The best base is on blondes with honey or caramel tones, while warm browns and chocolate hues look great on brunettes,” says Eaton. 

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Remember when Bella Hadid was spotted stepping out in a bold take on the money-piece trend?

At-home care couldn’t be simpler. You just need to make sure you have the right coloured shampoos to prevent brassiness and the best conditioners to rehydrate the pre-lightened hair. “Use a product range specifically designed to care for lightened hair—for blondes, the Blonde Absolu range from Kérastase. Using a pigmented shampoo or mask will help to neutralise unwanted yellow tones,” says Taylor.

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When it comes to maintenance, the money-piece style you’ve opted for will really dictate how often you need your roots coloured. Taylor says, “A chunky panel to the root will need to be touched up every four to six weeks, whereas a softer balayage technique away from the root can be left for months, as there will be no harsh regrowth lines.” And if you can’t make it to the salon, Taylor recommends L'Oréal's Magic Retouch Instant Root Concealer or Color Wow's Root Cover Up as quick fixes in between visits.