Your Guide to Face-Framing Highlights

We’ll always be huge fans of highlighted hair. After all, highlights are the perfect way to add dimension to your hair color. But if you don’t want a full head of highlights, you may be wondering what your options are. Enter face-framing highlights. If you’re interested in adding a bit of contrast to your strands without high-maintenance commitment, this may just be the highlight option for you! Consider this your guide to face-framing highlights, complete with six face-flattering highlights ideas, like face-framing balayage.

WHAT ARE FACE-FRAMING HIGHLIGHTS?

Before we dive into face-framing highlight options, you may want to know a bit more about what face-framing highlights are. Also referred to as a money piece, face-framing highlights are quite literally highlights that frame your face. This helps to brighten and draw attention to your visage without the need for an all-over, lighter hair color and can also reduce the cost of your salon visit since it only requires partial highlights.

6 FACE-FRAMING HIGHLIGHT IDEAS

We’re sure you're itching to give face-framing highlights a try. After all, they’re a universally flattering option for everyone—especially since there are so many color options you can try! Below, we’re sharing six of our favorite options for face-framing highlights that you can take into consideration.

#1. MEDIUM ASH BLONDE FACE-FRAMING HIGHLIGHTS

It should come as no surprise that blonde face-framing highlights are the first on our list, but more specifically, medium ash blonde! This cool blonde shade is ideal for those with blonde or ash brown hair. We also love this color for face-framing balayage, which involves painting your highlights down the length of your hair for lightened strands that go from root to tip.

#2. PLATINUM FACE-FRAMING HIGHLIGHTS

Want to go bold with your face-framing highlights? Ask your colorist for a platinum hue! You can also try DIYing this look with the L’Oréal Paris Couleur Experte in Iced Meringue. Pair this face-framing highlight option with blonde hair for an instantly brighter mane or try it with dark strands for a look that’s full of contrast (just keep in mind that if you’re starting with a darker base, you may want to turn to the pros). 

#3. HIGH-CONTRAST FACE-FRAMING HIGHLIGHTS

More of a technique than a specific color option, high-contrast face-framing highlights are all about asking your colorist for a hue that is more than two shades lighter than your base hair color. An example of this would be platinum face-framing highlights on an espresso base. The difference in hues makes for a serious statement, but since your highlights will only be at the front of your face, you won’t have to worry as much about the constant upkeep that comes with maintaining an all-over lighter hue.

#4. CARAMEL FACE-FRAMING HIGHLIGHTS

If you have a brown or black base, consider giving caramel face-framing highlights a try. This pretty brown-meets-blonde shade will add warmth to your overall look. To give yourself caramel face-framing highlights at home, use the L’Oréal Paris Couleur Experte in French Éclair. It’s also a great option for those with a darker hair color who may prefer a subtle take on face-framing highlights. On that note…

#5. SUBTLE FACE-FRAMING HIGHLIGHTS

Subtle face-framing highlights are all about opting for highlights that are only one to two shades lighter than your base color. This creates soft definition for those who prefer to keep their mane simple but still want to add a little something to their strands.

#6. COLORFUL FACE-FRAMING HIGHLIGHTS

If you’re a fan of fun hair colors, you’ll be happy to know that you can totally play with color with your face-framing highlights. Known as the eGirl hair color trend, this look is the height of trendiness. Pair a black base with a bold red, blonde hair with a pretty pastel, or brown strands with a striking purple. There are no rules when it comes to colorful hair streaks! Even better, if you aren’t sure which colorful hue to try, you can test out the look with a temporary hair color spray, like the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Color Spray.

Next up: Learn about another highlighting option in our article, What are Ribbon Highlights?