THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MONEY PIECES

Money pieces have been big news for the past few years - and they’ve had a modernising refresh since Geri Horner sported her eye-catching blonde and ginger chunky streaks in the 1990s. Along with balayage and ombre, they’re a highlighting technique that’s been seen on catwalks and high streets alike.

If you’re interested in trying out this technique, here’s everything you need to know about money pieces - and how to ask your stylist for the look.

What are money pieces?

Money pieces are face-framing lightened sections at the front of your hair, designed to highlight and brighten your face, and provide a contrast to your all-over colour. Stylists use a variety of techniques to get the look, and it varies from person to person whether they use highlights, babylights, weaves, or slices.

Money pieces from the nineties were bold, brash and eye-catching - modern money pieces vary in thickness and contrast, ranging from barely-there colour to bold, bright colour pops.

Can I add a money piece to my hair at home?

It’s totally up to you - and it depends on how confident you feel about lightening your hair. We’d advise you to visit your stylist for best results, but there are ways to get the look yourself if you’d like to try it.

If you’ve got black or darker brunette strands, we’d always recommend a trip to the hairdresser to get a money piece. However, if you’re blonde or have lighter brown hair, you can try the look at home.

• Ensure you’re starting with clean, towel-dried hair.
• Separate the strands you want lightened with a comb and securely clip the rest of your hair back. The strands you’re lightening should be hanging free around your face.
• Make sure that you’re happy with the thickness of your money piece, and that both sides are equal.
• Spritz our Go Blonder Lightening Spray down the strands, ensuring even application.
• Comb the spray through your money piece, then immediately blow dry your hair - the heat will help activate the spray. Style as usual.

You may find you need to repeat this process a few times if you’re after a bigger, bolder money piece with more contrast.

Can I get a money piece if I already have a fringe?

You can - your stylist will be able to advise you on the most flattering colours and techniques they’ll use. Money pieces pair well with nearly any type of haircut - they can usually adapt to any face shape, side part or fringe.

Asking your hairdresser for a money piece

If you’re keen on rocking this ubiquitous trend, here’s how to ensure you and your stylist are on the same page.

• Gather as many pictures as possible to show your stylist before your appointment. Try to keep things realistic while being experimental - the end result may depend on your hair’s starting colour, its length and its thickness.
• Take your stylist’s views on board - they’ll have plenty of experience and their advice on what’ll look best, even if it’s slightly different from the examples you’ve shown them.
• If possible, stick with the parting you normally have. Middle parts tend to look great with symmetrical money pieces on both sides of your face; if you normally have a side parting, your stylist may create a thicker money piece on the heavier side of your part.

How to maintain your money piece

Keeping your money piece bright, shiny and salon-fresh isn’t hard - you’ll just need a few haircare essentials to prevent your colour from fading.

• Wash your hair with a colour-protecting shampoo and conditioner. Our PRO Colour Revive range has been expertly-formulated to strengthen dyed hair and protect against colour fade - use our colour protecting shampoo and colour protecting conditioner to lock in your colour.
• Treat your hair to a colour-protecting mask 1-2 times a week; our deeply-hydrating PRO Revive Colour Revive Restoring Mask protects your colour and reduces breakage in just one use.
• Use heat protection when you’re using styling tools. If you’re planning on daily blow-outs to maximise your money piece, make sure you use our Heat Defeat Protecting Spray before styling. It’s formulated with ThermaGuard Complex and humectants to protect your strands and prep your hair for full styles.