FACE FRAMING HIGHLIGHTS: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO HAIR CONTOURING
Every now and then, a hair trend pops up that’s so versatile and popular, it instantly becomes a favorite of client and hairdresser alike! Enter: face framing highlights, also known as hair contouring or the money piece hair trend. Balayage was one of those trends, starting up as a summertime look for those who want lighter, sun-kissed locks, quickly becoming an all-year favorite. But, when Queen Beyoncé herself shared a selfie sporting two caramel blonde face framing highlights around the hairline, everyone was ready to put their money on this new look.
What are face framing highlights or money piece hair?
Face framing highlights go hand in hand with a balayage because it’s a great way to add more brightness around the face while accentuating both the hair color and facial features, creating a beautiful dimensional effect.
Money piece hair, or hair contouring, is an easy way to add some flair to any look, no matter the hair color, haircut or face shape. It’s also low maintenance, so your client can choose to either let the highlights grow into the hair or boost the color as time passes. Your client won’t have to break the bank to get this small but powerful look change.
How to create face framing highlights
As a rule, the money piece needs to follow the natural parting of the hair. Start by pulling the section apart and decide your subsections depending how thick you want the face framing highlights to be. Choose smaller weaves if you want to create a softer and more natural look, or take a bigger section if you want to achieve a stronger hair contouring effect.
In order to achieve the money piece effect, working with back to back sections have been proven to do the trick. Paint freehand or weave and tease, it’s all up to what you want desired result to look like. Start your hair lightener from further down if you want the boldest effect around the face, or work with back to back babylights if you want effective but super natural result.
Money piece ideas
1. Sun-kissed face framing highlights
Image Credit: @hairbyntash
A beachy, sun-kissed look wouldn’t be complete without a pair of face-framing highlights. The hair contouring trick here is to not make them look too perfect – they have just been touched by the sun after all. For this look, Natasha Cameron beautifully blended a golden blonde foilyage and babylights. Formula used: foilyage and babylights alternated with Blondor Multi-Blonde Powder and Welloxon Perfect 6%, followed by toner 10/6 + 9/96 (1:1) + 1,9% from Color Touch.
2. Dimensional blonde with bright face framing highlights
Image Credit: @topknotbalayage
If you’re looking to create a dimensional blonde, look no further than this stunning blonde result oozing with creaminess created by Amanda Leaman. She did a full paint with brighter ends and bright highlights around the face, while softly smudging the root to blend out the client’s previous banding and add some dimension. Glossed with Color Touch 9/86 +9/03 with mini root smudge with 7/1.
3. Copper hair with honey money piece
Image Credit:@wellahair
Face framing effect is not only for blondes! We’re loving how the honey blonde money piece pops on this stunning copper brown hair! To sweeten any look try out this toning formula from Illumina Color: 9/43 + 9/59 (coming soon!) + 1,9% Pastel. To maintain these delicious honey tones, recommend for your client’s home care regimen a Colormotion+ conditioner.
4. Lob with face framing highlights
Image Credit:@wellanordic
Hair contouring is not just for long locks, as demonstrated by this look created by Julia Dorofeeva and shared by Wella Nordic. By applying two blonde face framing highlights, Julia adds dimensions to this dark blonde lob, really enhancing the client’s features. To avoid this ultra-bright look from getting brassy, add Invigo Blonde Recharge shampoo to your care regimen.
5. Face framing highlights on bronde hair
Image Credit: @wellahairusa
For a more natural vibe, get inspired by this bronde look created by Mika Rogerson. The golden blonde face-framing highlights create a striking contrast with the bronde, flowy locks. To maintain the brightness in the front, try out this formula: 10/3 + 9/73 + 1.9 % Pastel (1:2) from Koleston Perfect. If you want to have more richness in the back add a bit of 7/43 in the above formula. To protect this vibrant hair color from fading Color Motion + hair care line is a must have for your client!
6. Mushroom blonde bob with face framing highlights
Image Credit: @harriakerberg
Another great idea on how money piece can work on short hair comes from Harriakerberg. He created beige blonde face framing highlights on a short bob haircut in mushroom blonde, a combination of very cool beige with silver blonde tones. Formula used: Koleston Perfect 10/97 + 7/17; Koleston Perfect 10/8 + 9/16. Keep the bob straight and sleek with EIMI Perfect Me, which creates the perfect base for any style, improves hair manageability and styling control for smooth, responsive hair.
7.Face framing highlights on dark brown hair
Image Credit: danielleemilie
This hair contouring look is giving us major Beyoncé vibes! The soft money piece enhances the model’s facial features and complements the brunette balayage created by Danielle Emilie. For these silky smooth tresses she used the formula:
Face frame: Blondor + 6%
Balayage: Freelights + 12%
Toner: 8/0 + /68 + 1,9%
Are you feeling inspired to frame some beautiful faces with a money piece? We want to see your hair contouring creations so please share your looks on Instagram with us using @wellahair and #wellapassionista.
