30 Chic Brunette with Highlights and a Money Piece Styles

Brunette hair has always been synonymous with elegance and sophistication, but when you add highlights and a money piece to the mix, you elevate your look to an entirely new level of chic.

The beauty industry has witnessed an explosion of creative color techniques that transform rich brown tones into multidimensional masterpieces, and the combination of highlights with a money piece has become the ultimate hair trend for those seeking both subtlety and statement.

Whether you’re looking to brighten your face, add depth to your natural color, or simply refresh your style without committing to a full transformation, 30 Chic Brunette with Highlights and a Money Piece Styles offers endless possibilities for every hair type, length, and personal aesthetic.

This comprehensive guide explores thirty stunning variations of this trending look, from sun-kissed caramel ribbons to bold blonde face-framing pieces, each designed to complement brunette bases while adding that coveted dimensional glow.

You’ll discover how different placement techniques, color tones, and styling methods can completely transform your appearance, along with expert insights on maintenance, color combinations, and how to choose the perfect variation for your skin tone and lifestyle.

Get ready to find your signature brunette style that combines the warmth of your natural color with the brightness and dimension that only highlights and a money piece can provide.

1. Classic Caramel Highlights with Blonde Money Piece

The timeless combination of caramel highlights throughout brunette hair paired with a bright blonde money piece creates a perfect balance between natural warmth and eye-catching brightness.

This style works exceptionally well for those transitioning into dimensional color for the first time, as the caramel tones blend seamlessly with most brown bases while the money piece provides that trendy, face-framing pop.

• The caramel highlights should be painted throughout the mid-lengths and ends to create a sun-kissed effect that appears naturally grown-out.
• The blonde money piece typically starts from the hairline and extends about two to three inches back from the face on each side.
• This combination works particularly well for warm and neutral skin tones, as the golden undertones complement natural complexion warmth.
• Maintenance requires toning every six to eight weeks to prevent the blonde pieces from becoming brassy.
• Style with loose waves or straight hair to showcase the dimensional color variation throughout the length.

2. Subtle Honey Highlights with Champagne Money Piece

For those seeking a more understated approach, honey highlights combined with a champagne-toned money piece offer sophistication without overwhelming drama.

This refined color combination adds luminosity to brunette hair while maintaining a natural, elegant appearance that transitions seamlessly from professional settings to evening occasions.

• Honey highlights should be applied using a balayage technique for the most natural blend with the brunette base.
• The champagne money piece provides a cooler alternative to traditional blonde, offering a sophisticated silvery-gold tone.
• This style particularly flatters those with cool or neutral undertones in their complexion.
• Request your colorist to keep the highlights thin and well-distributed for a subtle dimensional effect.
• Use purple-toning shampoo once weekly to maintain the cool champagne tones in the money piece.

3. Bold Platinum Money Piece with Chocolate Lowlights

Making a dramatic statement, the platinum money piece against deep chocolate brown hair with strategic lowlights creates striking contrast that demands attention.

This high-impact style suits confident individuals who want their hair to serve as a fashion-forward accessory while maintaining the richness of a brunette base.

• The platinum money piece requires pre-lightening and careful toning to achieve the icy blonde shade without damage.
• Chocolate lowlights throughout the rest of the hair add depth and prevent the overall look from appearing flat.
• This style works best on those with fair to medium skin tones where the contrast creates visual interest.
• Plan for touch-ups every four to six weeks as the platinum will show regrowth more noticeably than softer blonde tones.
• Deep conditioning treatments should become a regular part of your hair care routine to maintain the health of lightened sections.

4. Warm Toffee Highlights with Buttery Blonde Money Piece

The delicious combination of warm toffee highlights blended throughout brunette hair with a buttery blonde money piece creates an inviting, approachable look filled with golden warmth.

This style evokes images of autumn leaves and cozy sophistication, perfect for those who want their hair color to radiate warmth and friendliness.

• Toffee highlights contain rich golden and amber undertones that complement warm and olive skin tones beautifully.
• The buttery blonde money piece should be several shades lighter than the base but maintain warmth to coordinate with the toffee tones.
• This color combination requires less frequent toning than cooler blonde shades, typically every eight to ten weeks.
• Apply color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo to preserve the richness of the warm tones.
• Style with beach waves or loose curls to showcase the multi-tonal dimension throughout the hair.

5. Ash Brown Base with Icy Blonde Money Piece

For a modern, edgy aesthetic, an ash brown base combined with an icy blonde money piece delivers cool-toned sophistication.

This contemporary color combination appeals to those who prefer silver and platinum tones over traditional golden highlights, creating a fashion-forward look that photographs beautifully.

• Ash brown base tones neutralize any warmth in natural brunette hair, creating a cooler foundation for the icy money piece.
• The icy blonde money piece requires toning with violet or blue-based toners to eliminate any yellow or brassy tones.
• This combination flatters those with cool undertones and pink or porcelain complexions.
• Expect more frequent salon visits, approximately every five to six weeks, to maintain the cool tones.
• Use silver-toning shampoo and conditioner to keep both the ash base and icy money piece looking fresh between appointments.

6. Chestnut Brown with Golden Blonde Ribbons and Money Piece

Combining a rich chestnut brown base with golden blonde ribbon highlights and a coordinating money piece creates a luxurious, multidimensional look.

The ribbon highlights are thicker than traditional foil highlights, creating bold streaks of color that add drama while the money piece ties the entire look together with face-framing brightness.

• Ribbon highlights are typically half an inch to one inch wide, creating more noticeable streaks than fine babylights.
• The golden blonde tone should harmonize with the warmth in the chestnut base for a cohesive appearance.
• This style works exceptionally well for those wanting a bolder highlight look without committing to all-over lightening.
• The thickness of ribbon highlights means they grow out more gracefully than fine highlights, extending time between appointments.
• Style with big, bouncy curls or waves to showcase the dimensional ribbons of color throughout the hair.

7. Espresso Base with Caramel Balayage and Bright Money Piece

The deep richness of an espresso brown base provides the perfect canvas for caramel balayage highlights and a bright blonde money piece.

This combination offers maximum contrast and dimension, with the dark base making the lighter pieces truly pop while maintaining an overall cohesive brunette identity.

• Espresso bases provide the deepest, richest brown foundation, ideal for those wanting to maintain darker hair overall.
• Caramel balayage should be hand-painted primarily on the mid-lengths and ends for a natural sun-kissed gradient.
• The bright money piece creates a bold frame around the face, drawing attention to facial features.
• This high-contrast look requires quality bond-building treatments during the lightening process to maintain hair integrity.
• Touch-ups are needed every ten to twelve weeks since the balayage technique creates a more forgiving grow-out than traditional highlights.

8. Milk Chocolate Brown with Butterscotch Highlights and Money Piece

Soft milk chocolate brown hair adorned with butterscotch highlights and a matching money piece creates a sweet, approachable look that’s both trendy and timeless.

This color combination offers warmth without being overly golden, making it versatile enough for various seasons and occasions.

• Milk chocolate brown serves as a medium-brown base that isn’t too dark or too light, providing versatility.
• Butterscotch tones contain a perfect balance of gold and honey, creating warmth without appearing orange.
• This combination particularly flatters those with medium skin tones and golden undertones.
• The similar warmth levels between the base and highlights create a harmonious, blended appearance.
• Maintain the butterscotch tones with warm-toned color-depositing conditioners used weekly.

9. Dark Brunette with Face-Framing Highlights and Thick Money Piece

Keeping the majority of the hair a dark brunette while concentrating highlights around the face and incorporating a thick, statement money piece creates a strategic, face-flattering effect.

This approach offers the benefits of dimensional color without the commitment or maintenance of all-over highlighting.

• The dark brunette base remains largely untouched, minimizing damage and maintenance requirements.
• Face-framing highlights should start near the hairline and extend about four to six inches back.
• A thick money piece, approximately two inches wide, creates a bold statement without overwhelming the overall look.
• This strategic placement brightens the complexion and draws attention to the eyes and smile.
• Touch-ups are only needed for the front sections, typically every eight to ten weeks, making this a lower-maintenance highlighted option.

10. Auburn Brown with Copper Highlights and Strawberry Blonde Money Piece

For those who love red tones, an auburn brown base with copper highlights and a strawberry blonde money piece creates a fiery, dimensional look.

This warm color palette radiates vibrancy and works beautifully on those who want to incorporate red tones without going fully red all over.

• Auburn brown contains natural red undertones that provide a warm, rich foundation for copper tones.
• Copper highlights should be woven throughout to create dimension while complementing the auburn base.
• The strawberry blonde money piece adds a lighter, more golden-red accent that brightens the face.
• This color combination works best on those with warm or neutral undertones and peachy or golden skin tones.
• Use color-protecting products specifically formulated for red tones to prevent fading, as red pigments fade faster than other colors.

11. Cool-Toned Brown with Beige Blonde Highlights and Money Piece

A cool-toned brown base paired with beige blonde highlights and a matching money piece creates a sophisticated, neutral look that avoids warmth entirely.

This combination appeals to those who prefer ashy, sandy tones over golden or copper shades, offering a modern take on brunette with highlights.

• Cool-toned brown bases are achieved by neutralizing any natural warmth with ash or cool pigments.
• Beige blonde contains neutral to slightly cool undertones, creating a sandy appearance rather than golden.
• This combination particularly flatters those with cool or neutral undertones and fair to medium complexions.
• Regular toning with ash or beige toners keeps the color from developing unwanted warmth.
• This low-contrast combination creates a softer, more blended appearance than stark platinum or golden highlights.

12. Dimensional Brunette with Babylights and Subtle Money Piece

For the most natural-looking enhancement, dimensional brunette hair created with fine babylights throughout and a subtle money piece mimics the way sun naturally lightens hair.

This technique creates the illusion of depth and movement without obvious lines of demarcation or chunky highlights.

• Babylights are ultra-fine highlights, similar to the natural highlights found in children’s hair, hence the name.
• The technique involves taking very small sections of hair and applying lightener for the most seamless blend.
• A subtle money piece maintains the natural aesthetic while still providing gentle face-framing brightness.
• This is the lowest-maintenance highlighting option as the fine, scattered placement grows out almost imperceptibly.
• The entire process typically takes three to four hours due to the meticulous sectioning required.

13. Mocha Brown with Blonde Balayage and Chunky Money Piece

Mocha brown hair elevated with blonde balayage throughout and a chunky, statement-making money piece delivers both sophistication and trendiness.

The mocha base provides a neutral-warm foundation that pairs beautifully with various blonde tones, while the chunky money piece makes an unmistakable style statement.

• Mocha brown contains subtle warm undertones without being overly golden, creating a versatile base color.
• Blonde balayage should be concentrated on the bottom half of the hair for a natural gradient effect.
• The chunky money piece, approximately two to three inches wide, creates a bold frame that’s impossible to miss.
• This combination works well for those wanting to make a statement while maintaining an overall brunette identity.
• The balayage technique means touch-ups can be spaced further apart, typically every twelve to fourteen weeks.

14. Walnut Brown with Honey Balayage and Face-Framing Money Piece

Rich walnut brown hair enhanced with honey balayage and a face-framing money piece creates warmth and dimension perfect for the transition between seasons.

The walnut base is deeper than milk chocolate but lighter than espresso, offering a happy medium that suits many skin tones.

• Walnut brown is a medium-deep brown with subtle cool undertones that prevents the color from looking flat.
• Honey balayage adds golden warmth concentrated primarily on the ends for a sun-kissed appearance.
• Face-framing money pieces should be lighter than the interior balayage to create strategic brightness around the face.
• This combination flatters a wide range of skin tones due to its balanced warmth and depth.
• Maintenance requires both gloss treatments to maintain the walnut base and toning for the honey highlights every eight weeks.

15. Chocolate Cherry Brown with Subtle Rose Gold Money Piece

For an unexpected twist, chocolate cherry brown hair paired with a subtle rose gold money piece creates a romantic, dimensional look with a hint of unconventional color.

This combination maintains professionalism while incorporating trendy rose gold tones that catch the light beautifully.

• Chocolate cherry brown contains subtle red undertones that provide depth without looking obviously red.
• The rose gold money piece incorporates pink and gold tones that complement the red undertones in the base.
• This combination works best on those with warm or neutral undertones who want something different from traditional blonde highlights.
• Rose gold tones require special color-depositing products to maintain the pink pigments between appointments.
• The subtle nature of the money piece makes this appropriate for professional environments while still being fashion-forward.

16. Sandy Brown with Blonde Highlights and Bright Money Piece

Sandy brown hair naturally contains neutral undertones that pair perfectly with blonde highlights and a bright money piece.

This combination creates a beach-inspired look that’s effortlessly cool and works beautifully for those with naturally lighter brown hair seeking enhancement rather than dramatic change.

• Sandy brown is a light to medium brown with neutral undertones, making it an ideal base for blonde enhancement.
• Blonde highlights should be scattered throughout for an all-over dimensional effect rather than concentrated placement.
• The bright money piece can be a few shades lighter than the scattered highlights for added face-framing impact.
• This combination requires less dramatic lifting than dark bases, resulting in healthier hair overall.
• The neutral base means this look transitions well through different seasons without appearing out of place.

17. Deep Brown with Tortoiseshell Highlights and Money Piece

Inspired by the luxurious pattern of tortoiseshell accessories, deep brown hair with tortoiseshell highlights and a coordinating money piece combines multiple warm tones for a rich, sophisticated appearance.

This technique blends amber, caramel, honey, and bronze tones seamlessly with the dark base.

• Tortoiseshell coloring mimics the natural variation found in actual tortoiseshell, with multiple warm tones blended together.
• The technique involves hand-painting different shades of caramel, honey, and amber for a custom, dimensional result.
• The money piece should incorporate the lightest tones from the tortoiseshell palette for cohesion.
• This multidimensional approach creates incredible depth and richness that looks expensive and salon-fresh.
• Touch-ups every ten to twelve weeks maintain the blended appearance without harsh regrowth lines.

18. Neutral Brown with Champagne Highlights and Money Piece

A neutral brown base with champagne highlights and a matching money piece creates an elegant, cool-toned look without being overly ashy.

This combination offers sophistication and works particularly well for professional settings where subtle enhancement is preferred over bold statements.

• Neutral brown contains balanced undertones that don’t lean too warm or too cool, providing versatility.
• Champagne highlights offer a sophisticated alternative to traditional blonde with their subtle golden-silver tones.
• This combination flatters most skin tones due to its balanced, neutral nature.
• The cool-leaning champagne tones prevent the look from becoming too warm or brassy over time.
• Maintenance involves purple-toning treatments every six to eight weeks to keep the champagne color fresh.

19. Brunette with Peekaboo Highlights and Bold Money Piece

For those who want hidden dimension, brunette hair with peekaboo highlights underneath and a bold money piece on top offers the best of both worlds.

The peekaboo highlights remain concealed until the hair moves, while the money piece provides constant face-framing brightness.

• Peekaboo highlights are placed in the underlayers of hair, only becoming visible when hair is styled in updos or moves with wind.
• This technique allows for bolder color choices in the hidden sections since they’re not always on display.
• The bold money piece provides consistent brightness and frames the face regardless of how the hair is styled.
• This combination offers versatility, allowing for a more conservative look when hair is down and a surprising pop when styled up.
• Maintenance focuses primarily on the visible money piece, while peekaboo sections can go longer between touch-ups.

20. Mahogany Brown with Caramel Money Piece and Lowlights

Rich mahogany brown hair enhanced with strategic lowlights for depth and a caramel money piece creates a warm, multidimensional look with incredible richness.

The addition of lowlights prevents the hair from looking flat while the money piece provides the perfect amount of face-framing contrast.

• Mahogany brown contains red undertones that create a rich, jewel-toned appearance without looking obviously red.
• Lowlights in deeper brown or burgundy shades add dimension and depth to the mahogany base.
• The caramel money piece provides warm contrast against the deeper base and lowlights.
• This combination creates the illusion of thicker, fuller hair due to the dimensional color variation.
• Color-depositing treatments in burgundy or auburn tones help maintain the richness of the mahogany base between salon visits.

21. Soft Brown with Lived-In Balayage and Grown-Out Money Piece

Embracing the lived-in hair trend, soft brown hair with slightly grown-out balayage and a grown-out money piece creates an effortlessly chic appearance that requires minimal maintenance.

This look celebrates the natural grow-out process rather than fighting against it.

• The lived-in technique intentionally starts color application away from the roots for a naturally grown-out appearance from day one.
• Soft brown provides a gentle, approachable base that blends seamlessly with various highlight tones.
• The grown-out money piece should still frame the face but without harsh lines at the root area.
• This is the ultimate low-maintenance highlighted look, often lasting four to six months between touch-ups.
• The technique works best when the money piece is only two to three shades lighter than the base for seamless blending.

22. Warm Brown with Golden Highlights and Thick Front Pieces

Warm brown hair illuminated with golden highlights throughout and thick, chunky blonde pieces at the front creates a sun-drenched, vacation-ready look.

This style is perfect for those who want their hair to radiate warmth and give the impression of long days spent in the sun.

• Warm brown bases contain natural golden undertones that harmonize beautifully with golden highlights.
• Golden highlights should be distributed evenly throughout the hair for a comprehensive, sun-kissed effect.
• Thick front pieces, approximately one to two inches wide on each side, create bold face-framing contrast.
• This combination works best on those with warm or golden undertones in their skin.
• Regular deep conditioning treatments maintain hair health when lightening significant sections throughout the hair.

23. Ombre Brown to Blonde with Defined Money Piece

Taking inspiration from the ombre trend, brown hair that gradually transitions to blonde at the ends combined with a defined money piece creates a bold, fashion-forward statement.

This look maximizes the contrast between dark roots and light ends while the money piece provides additional face-framing dimension.

• Ombre involves a gradual color transition from dark to light, typically starting the lightening process around mid-length.
• The defined money piece should match or be slightly lighter than the lightest ombre tones for cohesion.
• This dramatic look works best on long hair where the gradient has sufficient length to develop gradually.
• Maintenance focuses on toning the blonde ends and money piece while touching up the transition zone every ten to twelve weeks.
• The sharp contrast requires careful styling to showcase the color transition effectively.

24. Cocoa Brown with Bronde Highlights and Seamless Money Piece

Cocoa brown hair elevated with bronde (brown-blonde) highlights and a seamless money piece creates the perfect middle ground for those who can’t decide between brunette and blonde.

This combination offers the best of both worlds with strategic placement that maintains a primarily brunette identity.

• Cocoa brown is a medium brown with neutral undertones, providing a perfect canvas for bronde tones.
• Bronde highlights combine brown and blonde tones, typically falling in the light brown to dark blonde range.
• The seamless money piece should be expertly blended to avoid any harsh lines of demarcation.
• This combination offers maximum versatility, working well with both warm and cool-toned makeup and clothing.
• The similar tonal values between the base and highlights mean less frequent touch-ups, typically every ten to fourteen weeks.

25. Dark Chocolate with Babylights and Delicate Money Piece

For a subtle yet impactful enhancement, dark chocolate brown hair with delicate babylights scattered throughout and a delicate money piece provides dimension without drama.

This refined approach suits those in conservative professional environments or anyone preferring understated elegance.

• Dark chocolate brown provides a deep, rich base that makes even fine babylights create noticeable dimension.
• Babylights should be ultra-fine and scattered evenly throughout for the most natural appearance.
• A delicate money piece, approximately one inch wide or less, provides gentle face-framing without overwhelming the subtle overall effect.
• This combination is perfect for first-time highlighters or those wanting to test dimensional color conservatively.
• Touch-ups can be spaced three to four months apart due to the fine, scattered nature of the highlights.

26. Chestnut Brown with Blonde Balayage Ends and Money Piece

Chestnut brown hair with blonde balayage concentrated primarily on the ends and a coordinating money piece creates a youthful, trendy appearance.

This placement technique keeps the top of the head rich and dimensional while the ends become progressively lighter, with the money piece tying the look together.

• Chestnut brown contains warm undertones that blend beautifully with blonde balayage tones.
• Concentrating the blonde primarily on the ends creates a more dramatic transition and reduces overall maintenance.
• The money piece should begin lighter application closer to the root since it frames the face.
• This placement is ideal for those growing out previous highlights or wanting to try lighter ends without full commitment.
• Regular trims every six to eight weeks keep the blonde ends looking fresh and prevent dry, damaged appearance.

27. Medium Brown with Multidimensional Highlights and Thick Money Piece

Medium brown hair elevated with multidimensional highlights in various tones and a thick, statement money piece creates incredible depth and interest.

This comprehensive highlighting approach uses multiple shades rather than a single highlight color for the most natural, expensive-looking result.

• Medium brown provides a versatile base that can accommodate both warm and cool highlight tones.
• Multidimensional highlighting involves using three to four different shades of highlights for maximum depth.
• The thick money piece, approximately two to three inches wide, serves as a focal point that ties all the different tones together.
• This technique mimics how sun naturally creates multiple different shades in hair rather than uniform color.
• The complexity of this coloring typically requires a highly experienced colorist and a longer appointment time.

28. Espresso Brown with Face-Framing Balayage and Bright Money Piece

Deep espresso brown hair with face-framing balayage and a bright money piece creates maximum impact with strategic placement.

This approach keeps the back and interior sections dark and rich while concentrating all the lightening around the face for a flattering, face-brightening effect.

• Espresso brown is one of the darkest brown shades, providing dramatic contrast with lighter pieces.
• Face-framing balayage concentrates lightening efforts only on the sections around the face, leaving the back untouched.
• The bright money piece should be the lightest element, creating a focal point that draws attention to facial features.
• This strategic placement is more affordable and requires less maintenance than all-over highlighting.
• The dark interior provides a beautiful contrast that makes the face-framing pieces appear even brighter and more impactful.

29. Brunette with Ribbons of Blonde and Statement Money Piece

For maximum impact and trendy appeal, brunette hair with thick ribbons of blonde woven throughout and a bold statement money piece creates an unmistakably highlighted look.

This approach uses chunky sections rather than fine highlights for a more editorial, fashion-forward appearance.

• Ribbon highlights are thicker sections, typically one-half to one inch wide, creating visible streaks of color.
• The blonde ribbons should be distributed evenly throughout the hair rather than concentrated in one area.
• A statement money piece uses the same ribbon technique in the front for cohesive styling.
• This bold approach works best for those with longer hair where the ribbons can be showcased effectively.
• The chunky nature of ribbon highlights means more frequent toning appointments to keep the blonde from becoming brassy.

30. Ash Brown with Sandy Blonde Highlights and Subtle Money Piece

Completing our collection, ash brown hair with sandy blonde highlights and a subtle money piece creates a cool, beachy vibe perfect for year-round wear.

This combination offers a neutral palette that avoids excess warmth while still providing dimensional interest and face-brightening effects.

• Ash brown base neutralizes any natural warmth, creating a cooler foundation for sandy blonde tones.
• Sandy blonde contains neutral undertones, falling perfectly between golden blonde and ash blonde.
• The subtle money piece maintains the understated aesthetic while providing gentle facial brightening.
• This combination works beautifully for those with cool or neutral undertones seeking a natural, lived-in look.
• Maintenance involves occasional toning to keep both the ash base and sandy highlights from developing unwanted warm tones.

Conclusion

After exploring these **30 Chic Brunette with Highlights and a Money Piece Styles**, it’s clear that the possibilities for enhancing brunette hair are virtually limitless.

Each combination offers its own unique aesthetic, from the subtle sophistication of babylights with delicate money pieces to the bold drama of platinum accents against deep chocolate bases.

The beauty of this trend lies in its versatility—whether you’re seeking a low-maintenance lived-in look or a high-impact statement style, there’s a perfect combination waiting to complement your natural brunette base, skin tone, and personal style.

Remember that the key to achieving and maintaining your ideal look lies in choosing an experienced colorist who understands dimensional color placement, investing in quality color-safe hair care products, and scheduling regular maintenance appointments to keep your highlights and money piece looking fresh and vibrant.

The investment in professional coloring pays dividends in the form of healthy, multidimensional hair that catches the light beautifully and frames your face in the most flattering way possible.

Don’t be afraid to bring inspiration photos to your stylist, discuss your lifestyle and maintenance preferences, and ask questions about the process to ensure you leave the salon with realistic expectations and the knowledge needed to care for your new look.

Whether you choose warm caramel tones, cool ash shades, or something daringly different like rose gold accents, dimensional color has the power to transform not just your hair but your entire appearance and confidence level.

These thirty styles represent just the beginning of what’s possible when you combine the timeless elegance of brunette hair with the modern techniques of highlights and money pieces, so embrace the journey of finding your signature look and enjoy the compliments that are sure to follow your stunning hair transformation.