People also ask
What is a money piece and how much does it cost in Venice FL?
A money piece is two bookend sections of brighter color, one on each side of the face, that frame the face and brighten the eyes without committing to a full head of highlights. At Scott Farmer Hair Salon a face-framing money piece runs $150 and takes about 75 to 90 minutes including the glaze. Money piece with a partial balayage runs $260 and takes 2 to 2.5 hours. I hand-paint every panel myself, no foils, no assistant, with Schwarzkopf professional color and a glaze locked at the rinse. Custom-mixed for your base, your goal, and your porosity.
Money piece Venice FL, done by me
I am not the salon that calls every face-frame a money piece. I am the one who tells you whether that is the right service for your hair.
30 years. 15,000+ heads. Every money piece runs through what I call The Pre-Cut Read: I read your face shape, your part, your growth pattern, and your real morning routine before I lift a single section. That is why the money pieces I do read intentional eight weeks later, not just on the day.
Face shape first, color second
I place the brightest pieces where the light actually hits your face. Where they sit decides whether you read soft, editorial, or 90s revival.
Hand-painted, never woven
Every panel brushed open-air. No foils on a money piece. That is what keeps the regrowth soft and lets it grow out invisible.
Schwarzkopf glaze locked at the rinse
Custom-mixed to your base. That is what stops the bookend pieces from going brassy in three weeks while the rest of your hair stays put.
What a money piece actually is
A money piece is two thicker sections of lighter color placed at the front, one on each side of the face. It is named “money” because the brighter pieces frame the face the way a frame holds a piece of art. The 90s called them face-framing chunks. The 2020s rebranded them. Same technique, refined placement, better glaze chemistry. Every money piece appointment in my chair is built around three decisions: where the pieces start (root line or pulled back from the hairline), how wide each panel is, and how much lighter the tone reads against your base color.
The three money piece styles I see most
1. Soft and tonal. One to two shades lighter than the base color. Reads sun-kissed, not statement. Good for clients who want a low-maintenance refresh that grows out invisibly. Pairs well with a glaze refresh every 6 to 8 weeks instead of a full retouch.
2. Editorial bookend. Three to five shades lighter than the base, placed in a defined panel from the part to about cheekbone-level. Reads intentional and modern. Holds tone better with a glaze every 4 to 6 weeks. The look most clients book today.
3. 90s revival chunk. High contrast, wide panel, starts at the root. Reads bold and graphic. Built for clients who want the look to read on camera. Higher maintenance, needs a planned tone refresh every 4 weeks.
How the Pre-Cut Read applies to money piece work
Every money piece appointment starts with the same five-point read: density, growth pattern, porosity, lifestyle fit, and your real morning routine. For a money piece the growth-pattern read carries the most weight. If your hair grows back at an angle from the hairline, the panel needs to start a quarter-inch back from where you think it should, or the regrowth will read off-center in six weeks. The lifestyle read matters too. A money piece that fits a Tuesday morning ponytail is different from one built for hair-down editorial wear. I plan the placement around how you actually wear your hair, not the photo on the phone.
Money piece pricing and timing
Face-framing money piece on its own: $150, about 75 to 90 minutes including glaze. Money piece plus partial balayage: $260, 2 to 2.5 hours. Money piece plus full balayage: $315, 3 to 4 hours. Schwarzkopf glaze is included with every money piece appointment. Most Venice salons charge separately for the glaze. Mine is built into the price. Touch-ups every 6 to 8 weeks (just the face frame, not a full retouch) run $90 and take about an hour.
What I will not do
- I will not put a money piece on hair that has not been read first. The growth pattern decides the panel placement, not the photo on your phone.
- I will not weave a money piece in foils unless your hair specifically needs the heat lift. Hand-painting holds the soft regrowth most clients actually want.
- I will not charge separately for the glaze at the end. The glaze is what keeps the bookend pieces from going brassy in three weeks. It is built into the price.
- I will not promise a money piece in the same appointment as a major color correction. If you are starting from a previous color job that needs reset, we plan the reset first.
Pick the right service
Money piece vs. the alternatives
Here is the deal. Half of what gets called “money piece” is actually a face frame highlight, a partial balayage, or a babylight. I will tell you which one fits your goal before I take your money.
| You are here | Book this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Just the bookend pieces, soft and lived-in | Money piece $150 | 2 panels, hand-painted, glaze included |
| Bookend pieces plus brightness through the lengths | Money piece + partial balayage $260 | Frame plus mid-length dimension |
| Bold 90s-style chunky bookends | Money piece, editorial weight | Wider panels, higher contrast, planned at consult |
| Brightness all around the face, not just bookends | Face frame highlights $125 | Different technique, finer placement |
| Full dimension across the whole head | Partial or full balayage $210/$265 | Different service, longer appointment |
| Want it bright but only every 8-12 weeks | Money piece + gloss maintenance | Lowest-maintenance option, soft grow-out |
Not sure which row is you? Text a current photo plus your inspiration photo to (941) 599-4868. I will tell you the right service before you book.
Money piece FAQ
How long does a money piece appointment take?
A face-framing money piece on its own takes about 75 to 90 minutes including the glaze and finish. Adding a partial balayage extends it to 2 to 2.5 hours. Plan the longer time for first visits because the Pre-Cut Read consultation runs before any product moves.
How often do I need to refresh a money piece?
Soft and tonal money pieces hold 8 to 10 weeks with a glaze refresh in between. Editorial-weight money pieces hold 4 to 6 weeks. 90s-revival chunks need a touch-up every 3 to 4 weeks if you want the contrast to stay sharp.
Will it damage my hair?
Not in my chair. Every lift uses Schwarzkopf bond-builder built into the lightener. If your hair is already compromised from a previous color job, we plan a repair-first path before adding any lift.
Can I get a money piece on naturally dark hair?
Yes, but the consultation matters more. Dark virgin hair takes a different time and product than dark previously-colored hair. Text a current photo to (941) 599-4868 so I can confirm before you book.
What color line do you use?
Schwarzkopf professional only. Custom-mixed for your base, your goal, and your porosity. The bond-builder is built into the lift. The glaze that locks the tone is included in every money piece appointment.
Will the regrowth look obvious?
Not if I place the panel correctly the first time. The growth pattern read is what decides where the panel starts. Done right, the regrowth on a money piece reads as a natural softer band, not a hard line.
Book your money piece consultation
Book online or call (941) 599-4868. The salon is at 555 S Tamiami Trl, Suite 139, Venice, FL 34285, inside Phenix Salon Suites. By appointment only. Master Cosmetologist Scott Farmer, 30 years behind the chair, 15,000+ clients, 5.0 stars from 95+ Google reviews.