There’s no denying that the late 1990s and early 2000s beauty trends are seeing a true comeback in a novel and exciting way. More than ever, we are drawn to the past for inspiration, particularly when it comes to striking hairstyles like chunky highlights or money pieces.
If you aren’t sure if this is the best hair color for you, take a seat back and get motivated by our comprehensive list of stylish chunky highlights.
Every celebrity who follows the latest trends loves chunky highlights, also referred to as money piece highlights. The modern take on chunky highlights is more akin to face-framing ribbon highlights that run the length of the strands than the zebra-like stripes of the 1990s.
These stunning face-framing looks by Kim Kardashian West, Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Jenner, and Dua Lipa have already left an impression on everyone. If you want to follow in their footsteps, check out these stunning looks.
1. Sunny Blonde Money Pieces on Dark Hair
A blend of brunette and warm blonde is quite that unique combination everyone is in love with, as it spices up the look aesthetics. A ribboning technique will enhance depth and dimension to your color, bringing more texture to it.
2. Dimensional Highlights
Take your bob haircut to the brighter side by incorporating strands of softly toned blonde. This will bring more texture and dimension to your natural brown hue, thus visually thickening the hair.
3. White Blonde Ribbons on Brown Hair
This dark brown and icy blonde combo is adorable! Face-framing ribbons brighten up the face and add depth to the front section. You may also enhance this look with a cute highlighted fringe.
4. Chunky Highlights and Curtain Bangs
Give your fine straight hair extra volume and thickness by mixing your natural hair with chunky blonde highlights. The curtain fringe not only adds volume to your hairstyle but also accentuates facial features, creating a voluminous, flattering look.
5. Creamy Blonde Ribbon Balayage
This highly defined color is an excellent solution for girls who dream of something more than a simple classic balayage. Starting from the roots, these blonde ribbons create much contrast with the brown base color, thus defining and shaping the hairstyle.
6. Strawberry Blonde Face-Framing Look
Here is a good example of trendy chunky highlight coloring for women who are not afraid of experiments. To implement this astonishing piece-y hairstyle, highlight your auburn hair with volume-adding strawberry blonde ribbons.
7. Stylish Contrasting Highlights
We are obsessed with this gorgeous style inspired by the early ’00s! Ask your stylist to bleach chunky pieces of hair to create this beautiful mix of delicate chocolate brown and sandy shades.
8. Striking Black and Burgundy Hair
Black hair is a perfect canvas to contrast vibrant plumy red shades. Alternate thick highlights with babylights to add extra depth and some definition to the color. Style it big and wavy for a fiery finish!
9. Multi-Tone Loose Waves
The main thing about successful balayage is to find the colors that would perfectly match each other, but you don’t have to limit yourself to two options. Mix dark brown base with burgundy, caramel, and blonde shades to create this mesmerizing look full of texture and dimension.
10. Head-Turning Chunky Highlights
Infusing this versatile bob style with trendy, thick highlight will elevate it to an object of adoration! Bright and large chunky sections will illuminate the skin tone and contour the facial features.
11. Long Black Hair and Gray Money Pieces
Piece-y highlights are a great option for spicing up a hairstyle without radical changes. Pair your dark brown or black hair with smokey gray-toned face-frame, then curl your tresses for soft yet chic vibe.
12. Chunky Ash & Pale Pink Panels
Do you remember the iconic chunky highlights Kelly Clarkson wore back in the ’90s? This style is a modern version of the popular trend. Enhance your chunky blonde panels with an ashy and pastel pink gradient toner, to emphasize your look and make it very personalized.
13. Dimensional Copper Highlights
Copper is one of those hair colors which are on trend right now, but if you don’t want to dye your locks in one hue, you can experiment with vivid chunky highlights. Perfect for baddies who want to step up a classic copper shade.
14. Buttery Blonde Chunky Highlights
High contrast hair colors are one of the big trends this year. You’ll adore the way this buttery blonde hue harmonizes with both the natural color and the face framing color placement! Show this pic to your hairstylist to recreate this inspired hair color at your salon.
15. Chunky Ash Highlights
If this look makes you want highlights in your hair, then you know how to refresh your hairstyle! The cascading ashy hues will add lift to your dark roots and visually thicken your thin locks.
16. Neck-Length Hair with Money Pieces
These blonde face-framing strands on brown hair look adorable! Chunky highlights will give an extra dimension to your mane, taking your neck-length brunette locks to the next level.
17. Black Hair with Contrasting Pieces
Reviving your cut can be as simple as adding a touch of color strategically. Opt for a defined color placement and a contrasting hue to illuminate dark hair. In addition, it pairs well with majority of skin tones.
18. Blonde Highlights
A top favorite is the shoulder-lenght cut gracefully enhanced by blonde highlights. Having your hair highlighted will cast a beautiful glow around your face while your style will effortlessly gain a chic vibe.
19. Soft Blonde and Caramel Highlights
Do you prefer a highlighted look that blends with your brunette base? Opt for soft caramel toned highlights to play the subtle dimension card. Additionally, blending face-framing highlights into your darker hair color will elevate your complexion.
20. High-Contrast Chunky Ribbon on Dark Hair
If you feel your hairstyle lacks that wow factor, consider adding a large money piece to the front of your hairstyle. Coloring this chunky ribbon in a completely different hue creates a beautiful accent that beautifully contrast with the rest of your hair.
21. Curly Hair with Honey Highlights
Those honey blonde strikey waves are truly captivating! Elevate the charm of your hairstyle with playful contrasting curls combine with a catchy blonde money piece.
22. Gorgeous Golden Copper Locks
Amplify the charm of your long, voluminous blowout with a striking play of contrasts. Introduce captivating copper highlights to your dark brown hair, creating a dynamic movement that’s sure to turn heads. This color combination can evoke warmth and sophistication, bringing elements of autumn.
23. Dark Auburn Hair with Strawberry Highlights
Bring the richness out of your dazzling auburn hair with these amazing strawberry blonde chunky highlights. No matter your style, this money pieces are sure to elevate the look, bringing a fiery and fabulous flair to everyone!
24. Yellow Highlights and Money Pieces
If you’re a fan of bright hues, you can try to mix this stunning yellow shade with natural brown hair to achieve something really catchy. Use a curling iron or hot brush to create beautiful curls and give more texture and dimension to your striking new color.
25. Subtle Money Piece
If you prefer to start with something more subtle, opt for this understated money piece highlight. Lighten a smaller section of your face-framing hair to define your long bob shape and elevate your hairstyle.
26. Toasted Caramel Money Pieces
Ask your hairstylist to add warmth to your dark hair by making this gorgeous caramel chunky highlights. Entrust your locks to a touch of magic! Ask your stylist to create some fun chunky money piece into your dark mane, for a warm transformation. This caramel shade will beautifully contrast the darker color, adding a glowy tone to your skin tone.
27. Ash Blonde Face Frame Panels
For those ones ready to go for a bolder approach to the chunky highlights trend, this ash platinum blonde panel as face frame can be the perfect combination. If your hair is also dark, this will work like a plus, creating a fierce contrast with it. Paired with any funky ‘do like bubble braids this color style will truly be unique.
28. Wavy Blonde Highlights
These blonde highlights are well-blended, but that’s what makes them so great. These highlights are easy to maintain, as they don’t really differ from the natural color, so you won’t need to visit a hairstylist often.
29. Two-Toned 90’s Hairstyle
Witness the harmony between two contrasting yet complementary shades of brown and caramel. This dynamic pairing is a nod to the iconic styles from the 90s, a contrasting fusion of hues that brings a retro flair to a contemporary hairstyle aesthetic.
30. Blue Chunky Highlights
This fabulous interpretation of the chunky highlights trend from ‘00s is giving a refreshing take on a nostalgic hairstyle. We love how the blue shade complements the black color.
