Scroll through any social feed right now and you will see it everywhere: that luminous ribbon of color sweeping along the hairline, catching the light, making the face the undeniable focal point. The money piece has surged past balayage and foils as the most-requested color service across Chicago’s North Shore this spring, and for good reason. It flatters round faces, angular faces, and everything in between. It brightens the complexion without touching 90 percent of the hair. And it delivers a transformation that photographs beautifully from every angle.
At CK Studio Salon in Skokie, we have watched this trend evolve from a subtle accent into a signature statement. Our color specialists — trained in hand-painted application, precision foiling, and advanced lightening systems — customize every money piece to the client’s skin undertone, natural base, and lifestyle. Whether you are commuting from Evanston, driving over from Wilmette, or live right here on the North Shore, this guide covers everything you need to know before booking your appointment.
Money piece vs face-framing. Cost math. Honest takes from a Skokie colorist on the 2026 trend.
At a Glance
| Style | Bold Level | Add-On Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Money Piece | High contrast, statement | Quoted at consultation |
| Face-Framing Highlights | Subtle dimension | Quoted at consultation |
| Babylight Frame | Whisper-soft brightness | Quoted at consultation |
| Shadow Money Piece | Reversed (darker) | Quoted at consultation |
Skip aheadWant a money piece or face-framing? Book a free color consultation with a Skokie colorist.
What Exactly Is a Money Piece?
The name says it all. A money piece highlights the “money” section of your hair — the front-facing pieces that appear in every photo, every FaceTime call, every time someone looks directly at you. Unlike a full highlight that distributes color across the entire head, a money piece concentrates all of its impact along the hairline framing your face.
Technically, the colorist isolates two panels of hair — one on each side of the part — and lightens them anywhere from two to six levels above the natural base. At CK Studio Salon, we primarily reach for Schwarzkopf BlondMe Bond Enforcing Premium Lightener for clients who need significant lift with minimal breakage, and Wella Blondor Multi Blonde Powder for controlled, even results on thicker hair textures. The lightened sections are then toned to the desired shade — icy platinum, warm honey, rose gold, or anything in between.
The result is a frame of color that draws the eye straight to your face. It creates the illusion of dimension without the upkeep of an all-over color, and it grows out gracefully because the placement follows the natural fall of hair around the forehead and temples.
Money Piece vs Face-Framing Highlights vs Babylights
Clients often arrive wondering what separates these three techniques. The distinction matters because it determines how bold the result looks, how much maintenance is involved, and how quickly the appointment goes. Here is a side-by-side comparison our colorists use during consultations:
| Factor | Money Piece | Face-Framing Highlights | Babylights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Placement | Two panels at the front hairline only | Multiple fine foils around the face extending past the ears | Ultra-fine highlights throughout the entire head |
| Visual Effect | Bold, high-contrast frame around the face | Softer, graduated brightening that blends into the mid-lengths | Natural, sun-kissed dimension everywhere |
| Appointment Time | 60 to 90 minutes | 90 minutes to 2 hours | 2.5 to 3.5 hours |
| Maintenance | Low — touch-up every 8 to 12 weeks | Moderate — every 8 to 10 weeks | Higher — every 6 to 8 weeks for custom color technique blending |
| Approximate Cost | Lower (single-zone application) | Mid-range | Higher (full-head micro foils) |
| Best For | First-time color clients, halo highlights lifestyles, dramatic impact with minimal commitment | Clients wanting brightness that extends beyond just the front sections | Clients seeking all-over natural dimension and willing to invest time and upkeep |
Not sure which technique fits your goals? Our team walks every client through this comparison during the consultation at CK Studio Salon. Many clients start with a money piece and layer in face-framing highlights or balayage at their next visit once they see how much they love the dimension.
2026 Money Piece Trends Our Colorists Are Creating
The money piece is no longer a one-look service. This year, the technique has fractured into several distinct aesthetics, each tailored to a different base color, personality, and commitment level. Here is what our stylists are creating right now:
Platinum Money Piece on Dark Hair
The highest-contrast option and the most requested version on our books this spring. A stark icy-white or silver-toned panel against a deep brunette or near-black base creates an editorial look that turns heads. This requires Flash Lift Bonder Inside for safe, high-lift lightening — typically two sessions for virgin dark hair — followed by a cool violet toner to neutralize warmth. The payoff is stunning: a face that glows against a dark, rich frame.
Honey Money Piece on Brunettes
Warmer, more approachable, and beautifully low-maintenance. A golden honey or caramel tone lifted two to three levels above a medium-brown base gives the illusion of natural sunlight hitting the face. This is the version we recommend most often to clients from Glenview and the surrounding North Shore communities who want noticeable but not dramatic change.
Rose Gold Money Piece
A creative tone that bridges warm and cool. The base is lightened to a pale gold, then toned with a pink-copper deposit for that sought-after rose-gold finish. It pairs beautifully with light brown and dark blonde bases and softens angular jawlines. Requires a semi-permanent toner refresh every four to six weeks to keep the hue vibrant.
Copper and Auburn Money Piece
2026 is still firmly in the copper era. A rich cinnamon or burnished auburn money piece on a deep brown base adds warmth without the commitment of an all-over red. Particularly striking on clients with green, hazel, or warm brown eyes. Our colorists often use a skin-tone analysis to select the exact copper shade that complements each client’s undertone.
Silver and Grey Money Piece
For clients embracing their natural grey or silver, this version leans into the contrast rather than fighting it. The front sections are toned to a clean, cool silver while the rest of the hair is left in its natural state — whether that is salt-and-pepper, dark grey, or fully silver. The result is intentional and polished rather than “growing out.”
Subtle vs Bold: Choosing Your Contrast Level
Not every money piece needs to be a dramatic statement. Some clients prefer a “whispery” version where the front sections are lifted only one to two levels — just enough to catch light and add softness. Others want a five-to-six-level lift that announces itself from across the room. During every consultation at CK Studio Salon, we discuss contrast preference alongside base color, natural texture, and how much time you want to spend on upkeep.
Who Is the Money Piece Perfect For?
One of the reasons this technique has grown so rapidly is its versatility. Here is who benefits most:
First-time color clients. If you have never colored your hair and the idea of a full head of highlights feels overwhelming, the money piece is the ideal entry point. It touches a small section of hair, processes quickly, and lets you experience salon color without a dramatic lifestyle change.
Busy professionals. The 60-to-90-minute appointment time fits into a lunch break. The 8-to-12-week touch-up cycle means fewer visits per year compared to full balayage or babylights.
Clients with fine or thin hair. Because the lightened section is concentrated at the front, it creates the illusion of volume and dimension around the face without processing fragile strands throughout the mid-lengths and ends.
Clients growing out previous color. A money piece can bridge an awkward grow-out phase by adding intentional brightness to the front while the rest of the hair returns to its natural state. It pairs well with a color correction strategy for clients transitioning away from all-over bleach or box dye.
Curtain-bang enthusiasts. If you wear curtain bangs, a money piece highlights precisely the hair that shapes your fringe. The combination of curtain bangs and a money piece is one of the most-searched pairings in 2026, and the two techniques share the same front-section real estate.
Every hair type. Straight, wavy, curly, coily — the money piece works across all textures. On curly hair, the lightened pieces create particularly beautiful dimension because each curl catches light differently. On straight hair, the contrast is crisp and graphic.
What Happens During a Money Piece Appointment
Knowing what to expect removes the guesswork and makes the experience genuinely enjoyable.
Consultation (10 to 15 minutes). Your colorist examines your natural base, discusses target shade, evaluates hair health, and determines whether a single session will achieve your goal or whether a gradual approach is safer for hair that has been previously processed. This is also when we choose products — Schwarzkopf BlondMe for bond-protected lift, Wella Blondor for dense or resistant hair, or Flash Lift when maximum lightening power is needed.
Sectioning and application (15 to 25 minutes). The colorist isolates the two front panels, applies lightener with precision placement, and wraps the sections in foil or a meche to control processing. The rest of your hair remains completely untouched.
Processing (20 to 35 minutes). Lightener develops to the target underlying pigment. Your colorist checks progress every 10 minutes. Because only a small amount of hair is being lifted, the processing window is shorter and more predictable than a full highlight service.
Toning and finishing (15 to 20 minutes). Once the desired lift is reached, the lightener is rinsed and a custom toner is applied to achieve the final shade. A bond-strengthening treatment is often layered in at this stage. Your hair is blow-dried and styled so you can see the full effect before you leave.
Total chair time: 60 to 90 minutes — significantly shorter than a full balayage (2.5 to 4 hours) or babylights (2.5 to 3.5 hours). That speed is a major reason the money piece has become a go-to service for clients across the North Shore who value their time.
How to Maintain Your Money Piece Between Visits
The right aftercare keeps your money piece vibrant and your hair healthy between salon appointments. Our CK Studio Salon stylists send every color client home with a personalized maintenance plan. Here are the essentials:
Use a toning shampoo once or twice a week. Purple shampoo neutralizes brassiness on platinum or cool-toned money pieces. Blue shampoo works better for warm brunette bases where the lightened pieces pull orange. Alternate with a sulfate-free color-safe shampoo on other wash days.
Heat protection is non-negotiable. Lightened hair is more vulnerable to heat damage. Apply a thermal protectant spray rated to at least 400 degrees Fahrenheit before any blow-drying, flat-ironing, or curling. This preserves both the integrity of the hair and the longevity of the tone.
Deep condition weekly. A bond-repair mask — Kerastase Blond Absolu Masque Ultra-Violet or a similar professional-grade treatment — reinforces the internal bonds that lightening weakens. Use it once a week for five to ten minutes.
Avoid chlorine and prolonged sun exposure. Both accelerate fading and shift undertones. Wet your hair and apply a leave-in conditioner before swimming. If you spend extended time outdoors, a UV-protectant spray prevents the toner from breaking down prematurely.
Touch-up timeline: 8 to 12 weeks. Because the money piece follows the natural hairline, regrowth is less noticeable than with all-over highlights. Most clients visit every 10 weeks. Clients with faster-growing hair or high-contrast placements may prefer the 8-week mark.
Pairing Your Money Piece with Other Services
The money piece is powerful on its own, but it also functions beautifully as a building block within a larger color design. Here are the combinations our colorists create most often:
Money piece plus hand-painted balayage. The money piece brightens the face while the balayage adds depth and movement through the mid-lengths and ends. This is the most popular combination on our books — it creates a lived-in, dimensional look with a face-framing pop of brightness.
Money piece plus gloss overlay. A clear or tinted gloss applied over the entire head after the money piece service adds shine, seals the cuticle, and creates a cohesive finish where the lightened sections blend seamlessly into the base. A gloss also extends the life of the toner by depositing a protective layer of pigment.
Money piece plus babylights. For clients who want the face-framing drama of a money piece combined with all-over natural dimension, layering babylights through the rest of the hair creates a multi-tonal effect that looks expensive and effortless. This combination takes longer (about three hours total) but delivers a result that is difficult to achieve any other way.
Money piece plus contour coloring. Contour coloring uses strategic dark and light placement to sculpt facial features — similar to makeup contouring but with permanent color. A money piece provides the light, bright frame while deeper tones along the nape and beneath the crown add depth. The effect reshapes the perceived proportions of the face.
Money piece plus curtain-bang trim. If you already wear curtain bangs or have been considering them, a money piece appointment is the ideal time to add a fringe cut. The highlighted sections fall directly into the bangs, amplifying the face-framing effect. Visit our services and prices page for cutting and color packages.
The CK Studio Money Piece & Face-Framing Gallery
Recent dimensional color and face-framing work by our Skokie colorists.
Frequently Asked Questions About Money Piece Highlights
How long does a money piece appointment take?
A money piece appointment at CK Studio Salon typically takes 60 to 90 minutes from consultation through styling. That includes a 10-to-15-minute consultation, 15 to 25 minutes of application, 20 to 35 minutes of processing, and a toning and finishing stage. It is one of the fastest color services available and significantly quicker than a full balayage or babylights session.
Will a money piece damage my hair?
When performed by an experienced colorist using professional lighteners with built-in bond protection — like Schwarzkopf BlondMe Bond Enforcing or Flash Lift Bonder Inside — a money piece causes minimal damage. Only two small sections of hair are lightened, so the vast majority of your hair remains completely untreated. We also apply a bond-strengthening treatment during the toning step to reinforce hair structure.
Can I get a money piece if I have dark or black hair?
Absolutely. A money piece on dark hair creates some of the most striking results — platinum against jet black, honey on espresso brown, or copper on dark chocolate. Very dark virgin hair may require two sessions spaced a few weeks apart to reach platinum safely without compromising hair integrity. Your colorist will assess your starting level and set realistic expectations during the consultation.
How often do I need to touch up a money piece?
Most clients return every 8 to 12 weeks for a touch-up. Because the money piece follows the natural hairline, regrowth blends more gracefully than all-over highlights. Between visits, a purple or blue toning shampoo used once or twice a week keeps brassiness in check and extends the vibrancy of your toner.
What is the difference between a money piece and face-framing highlights?
A money piece highlights only the two front panels of hair directly at the hairline, creating a bold, concentrated frame. Face-framing highlights use multiple finer foils that extend past the ears and blend gradually into the rest of the hair. The money piece is faster, lower-maintenance, and higher-contrast. Face-framing highlights offer a softer, more blended transition. Many clients combine both techniques for a layered effect.
Can I book a money piece at CK Studio Salon if I live outside Skokie?
Of course. We welcome clients from across the North Shore and greater Chicagoland — Evanston, Wilmette, Glenview, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, and beyond. CK Studio Salon is located at 5041 Oakton St in Skokie, IL, with convenient parking and easy access from the Edens Expressway. You can browse our gallery to see money piece results on real clients, then book online through our scheduling system.
Ready for Your Money Piece Transformation?
CK Studio Salon’s color specialists are ready to create a money piece tailored to your face shape, skin tone, and lifestyle. Walk in with a vision, walk out with the kind of color that makes people ask, “Who does your hair?”
CK Studio Salon
5041 Oakton St, Skokie, IL 60077
773-455-3335
Book Your Money Piece Appointment
Explore more: Hair Extensions | Contact Us | Balayage vs Highlights | Wilmette Hair Salon
Serving the North Shore from Skokie: a short drive from Evanston, Glenview, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Wilmette, Winnetka, Highland Park, and Lake Forest.
Keep Reading
