The Best Face-Framing Highlights Ideas For 2023

Face-framing highlights aka money piece hair is a popular colouring technique in which colour (usually, a brighter shade than your natural hue!) is strategically placed around the hairline for an instant brightening and framing effect. The finished result leaves you with a gorgeous, dimensional look — so, it should come as no surprise to learn that these types of highlights are the most-coveted style around.

So, how can you achieve them? With foils or hand-painted balayage, depending on how natural you want your face-frame to look. The best thing about them is that they flattering on all face shapes, hair lengths, hair types and textures, so anyone can give them a go.

Whether you’re waiting for salons to open or are looking for hair colour ideas to save for 2022, we’ve got you covered. Keep scrolling to see the best face-framing highlight looks.

Face-Framing Highlights on Brown Hair

Credit: Arianna Sharfman

Soft balayage highlights, like these golden ones, are great for adding warmth to your complexion and refreshing brown strands.

Blonde Face Frame on Dark Hair

Credit: Arianna Sharfman

Soft balayage highlights, like these golden ones, are great for adding warmth to your complexion and refreshing brown strands.

Blonde Face Frame on Dark Hair

Credit: Rosalind Alcazar

For those with a naturally darker base colour, look to these honey blonde face-framing highlights for inspiration. You’ll get extra points if you pair this hue with bouncy curls.

Chunky Face-Framing Highlights

Credit: Rosalind Alcazar

For something that oozes ‘90s vibes, go for chunky, framing highlights like these.

Editor’s tip: Coloured hair tends to be on the drier side so to keep your lengths looking shiny and healthy, we recommend trying a shampoo for coloured hair like the TRESemmé Revitalise Colour Shampoo.

Caramel Face-Framing Accents on Wavy Bob

Credit: Arianna Sharfman

Short hair? For a halo effect that will brighten your face, go with a few subtle caramel highlights towards the fronts of your hair.

Editor’s tip: Lock in this wavy hairstyle with a curl-shaping mousse like the TRESemmé Curl Definition Mousse.

Classic Face-Framing Balayage on Long Brown Hair

Credit: indigitalimages.com

Like this beauty, you can add a touch of warmth to your long brown hair with chocolate balayage highlights for a subtle yet eye-catching effect.

Illuminating Money Pieces

Credit: @wellahairusa

See? Even blondes can try this trend.

Natural Highlights

Credit: @iammarybennett

Yes, we couldn’t believe this isn’t natural either! This subtle face-frame is the stuff hair dreams are made of.

Editor’s tip:  Nourish your natural curls with SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancer Smoothie, for bouncy and healthy locks all-day long.

Framing Silver Babylights

Credit: @glenhew

Give dark brown hair an icy touch with some silver babylights.

Copper Face-Framing Highlights

Credit: @the_indian_salon_

Inject some spice into brown hair with warming copper highlights. Getting a few added around your hairline is all you need to do to make you glow.

Sunlit Red

Credit: @nuria.contreras

Take your red hair to the next level with a brighter balayage close to the face.

Sun-Kissed Waves

Credit: @holaa_caro

Nothing catches the light quite like sun-kissed highlights, and this beachy look will make you look like a Cali-babe 24/7.

Face-Frame Highlights on Straight Hair

Credit: @ameliajanehair

The combination of toffee and brown hues creates beautiful dimension on straight hair.

Foil Highlights

Credit: @rachel_redd

Here’s what face-framing highlights look like when they’re done using a foiling technique.

Blonde Money Pieces on Ash Brown Hair

Credit: @hairgoddesskat

Combining smokey brown hair with some bright money pieces will instantly make your look IG-worthy.

Bronde Balayage

Credit: @thesalonedit

What’s not to love about this beautiful bronde take on the trend?

Face-Framing Balayage on Medium Hair

Credit: @chelseahaircutters

If your medium tresses need a colour update, look to this flattering example for inspo.

Short and Striking Face-Frame

Credit: @joeel56

Teaming inky-black hair with blonde highlights instantly makes this choppy hair standout.

Bangs and Face-Framing Highlights

Credit: @nao.hair

We’re getting ’70s vibes from this effortless bangs and balayage hairstyle.

Editor’s tip: Want to give your bangs a voluminous lift? Simply spray the TRESemmé Day 2 Volumising Dry Shampoo on your mane and roots before styling. Et voilà! Instant lift and body.

Curtain Fringe

Credit: @hirohair

Curtain bangs are everywhere, so you might as well get them done (along with some flattering highlights!).

Face-Framing Teasylights

Credit: Rosalind Alcazar

If you’re looking to go subtle, try some brown teasylights and add them around your face for a pop of brightness.

Lived-In Highlights

Credit: Rupert Laycock

Face-framing highlights are low-maintenance, meaning you can go longer in-between salon visits. The best thing? They look even more enchanting as they grow out.

Highlighted Hairstyle

Credit: @lunasalontally

The best hairstyles to show off your face-framing balayage? Low buns half-up hairstyles and anything else that requires romantic wisps at the front.