Money Piece Highlights in Chicago: 2026's Most-Requested Color

Money piece highlights, sometimes called mini balayage or front-framing, have become the dominant color request at our chair in 2026. Clients want brightness without a full head of highlights, and they want it placed where it photographs. Here is exactly how we do it and what to expect.

What is a money piece?

A money piece is two lightened sections framing the face, usually starting at the front part and running through the first inch or two of hair behind the hairline on each side. Some clients add a third section through the front fringe area for more brightness. The lightened pieces are 2 to 4 levels lighter than the base color and are usually toned to a complementary shade.

The reason the style is so popular is that it photographs disproportionately bright. The two lightened sections frame the face, which is exactly where eyes and camera lenses focus. You get 80 percent of the brightness payoff for 20 percent of the highlighting work.

Money piece versus full balayage

A full balayage lightens 70 to 100 percent of the hair. A money piece lightens 5 to 15 percent. A balayage refresh runs every 10 to 14 weeks and takes 3 to 4 hours. A money piece refresh runs every 8 to 14 weeks and takes about 90 minutes.

Who is the money piece actually for?

The money piece works best on:

• Clients who want brightness without committing to a full head of highlights.
• Clients growing out a previous balayage who want a refresh at the front while the rest fades.
• Brunettes who want dimension without going lighter overall.
• Clients on camera or in client-facing roles who need consistent front-of-face brightness.

How long does a money piece take?

The standalone money piece appointment runs about 90 minutes. That includes the consultation, the application of bleach to the two face-framing sections, processing time, rinsing with Olaplex No.2, toning, conditioning, and a blow-dry. If we are adding the money piece on top of an existing color service like a single process or a gloss, plan for closer to 2 hours.

Why we always pair it with Olaplex

The face-framing sections are the ones the world sees, and they are also the ones most exposed to heat styling, sun, and Chicago wind off the lake. We add Olaplex No.1 directly to the bleach formula for every money piece. The bonds in those exact strands need protection because those exact strands will catch the most styling abuse.

What does a money piece cost in Chicago?

Money piece pricing at 3rd Coast Salon is quoted at consultation. The variables are hair length, hair density, whether toning is single-step or multi-step, and whether we are also doing a base color. We do not publish a flat number because the same money piece on shoulder-length fine hair and waist-length thick hair are not the same service. Honest pricing means quoting after we have seen your hair.

What this is NOT

A money piece is not a solution if you want your whole head brighter. If your goal is overall lightness, a partial highlight or balayage is the correct service. We will tell you that at consultation. We have turned clients away from money pieces who wanted full-head brightness, because the money piece would have left them disappointed.

A money piece is also not the right move 1 to 2 weeks before a major photo event without a previous trial. The first time we lift your hair, the tone can pull warmer than expected and require a second toning pass. If your event is in 5 days, we recommend a gloss instead.

How often do you need to refresh it?

The refresh window depends on your base color and your styling habits. Brunettes refreshing a copper-toned money piece can stretch to 12 to 14 weeks because the contrast at the regrowth is softer. Blondes refreshing a platinum money piece on a darker root usually come in at 8 to 10 weeks because the regrowth is more visible. We talk about your specific window at the first appointment.

A note from Kevin

I have been placing money pieces for two years now and I tell every client the same thing at consultation. The placement matters more than the brightness. A money piece in the wrong position, an inch too far back or an inch too low, photographs as a stripe instead of as a frame. I spend the first 10 minutes of the consultation deciding placement based on how the client parts her hair, where her cheekbones sit, and where the light catches her face. The bleach is the easy part. The placement is the work.

How does Chicago weather affect maintenance?

Chicago summer humidity will lift the cuticle on lightened sections faster than virgin hair, which means tone fades earlier. We recommend a gloss refresh between full money piece appointments for clients who notice their pieces pulling warm.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a money piece cost in Chicago?

Pricing is quoted at consultation. The variables are length, density, toning complexity, and whether you are pairing it with another color service. We do not publish a flat rate because the same service on different hair is not the same time investment.

How long does a money piece last?

The lightness lasts as long as the hair stays attached. The visible refresh window is 8 to 14 weeks depending on your base color, your styling habits, and how visible the regrowth is to you.

Can I get a money piece if my hair is already colored?

Usually yes. If your hair is heavily processed or recently box-dyed dark, we need a consultation first to determine how the lift will behave. We are honest about it. Some hair will not lift cleanly and we will tell you before you book.

Does a money piece damage my hair?

Any lightening service breaks some bonds. The Olaplex inside the formula and the bond-building treatments between visits are how we keep the damage minimal. Done correctly, the money piece is one of the lower-damage color services because we are only working on a small section of hair.

Can I do a money piece at home?

You can buy a box and try, but placement is the hardest part and it is the part the box cannot help with. We see at-home money pieces that turned into stripes because the sections were taken at the wrong angle. Fixing a botched money piece costs more than getting it right the first time.

Should I tone my money piece between salon visits?

If it starts pulling warm, a salon gloss between full money piece appointments will reset the tone. We do not recommend at-home purple shampoo on lightened sections more than once a week. Overuse will turn the pieces gray.

How early should I book?

We recommend booking 3 to 5 weeks ahead for weekend appointments and 1 to 2 weeks ahead for weekday slots. River North weekend availability books up fast.

Where are you in Chicago?

3rd Coast Salon is at 223 W Erie Street, Suite 1E, in River North. We are half a block from the Chicago Riverwalk and four blocks from the Brown Line stop at Chicago Avenue.

Book your appointment. Book online or call (312) 929-2627. See our color services, the full menu, conditioning treatments, or why blonding clients book in River North.