You've seen them. Those bright, face-framing ribbons of color that pop against a darker base, making someone look like they just spent a month in Ibiza when they actually just spent three hours in a salon chair. It’s the money piece. But for a long time, the "money piece" was a straight-hair game. If you had curls, you were told it might look "stripey" or "chunky" in a bad way. Honestly? That was just bad advice. Money pieces curly hair combos are actually some of the most dynamic, high-impact hair transformations you can get right now, provided you don't treat your curls like a flat sheet of paper.
It’s about light.
When you have texture, light hits differently. It gets trapped in the shadows of a coil or bounces off the curve of a wave. A well-placed money piece isn't just about a "strip" of blonde; it’s about highlighting the architecture of your face using your natural volume as a canvas.
What People Get Wrong About the Placement
Most stylists who are used to straight hair will try to foil a money piece in a straight line right at the hairline. If you do that on a 3C or 4A curl pattern, it’s going to look like a glitch in the Matrix. It disappears when the hair shrinks or shifts.
The secret is painting the curl in its natural state. This is often called "curl-by-curl" highlighting or a Pintura technique, famously championed by experts like those at DevaCurl. Instead of forcing the hair into a foil, the colorist should look at how that specific ringlet falls over your forehead.
You want the color to start slightly off the root. Why? Because curly hair grows "out" before it grows "down." If you start the money piece right at the scalp, the regrowth looks harsh within three weeks. By blurring the entry point—often referred to as a "root smudge"—you get that lived-in look that lasts for six months.
The Physics of Color and Coils
Curly hair is naturally more porous than straight hair. The cuticle is already slightly lifted because of the bends in the hair shaft. This means it takes color fast, but it also loses moisture even faster.
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If you’re going for a high-contrast money piece—think platinum on dark espresso curls—you are essentially stripping the protein structure of that hair. If you over-process, you lose the curl pattern. It goes limp. You end up with a "sad noodle" instead of a bouncy ringlet. This is why professionals like Guy Tang or curly hair specialists often insist on using a bond builder like Olaplex or K18 during the bleaching process. It isn’t just an upsell; it’s structural integrity.
Choosing Your Shade Based on Skin Undertones
Don't just pick "blonde."
- Cool Undertones: If you have veiny wrists that look blue/purple, go for icy champagne, ash, or even a soft lilac money piece.
- Warm Undertones: If you lean golden or olive, honey, caramel, and copper are your best friends.
- Neutral: You can basically do whatever you want, but a "bronde" (brown-blonde) usually looks most expensive.
Actually, the "expensive" look comes from the transition. A money piece doesn't have to be blonde. A deep mahogany money piece on jet-black curls is incredibly sophisticated and far less damaging.
Maintenance is a Different Beast
Let’s be real: purple shampoo is the enemy of moisture. Most purple shampoos are formulated for straight, oily-prone hair. If you use them on curly hair every wash, your money piece will turn into a tumbleweed.
Instead, look for a purple-tinted mask or a "toned" leave-in conditioner. You need the pigment, but you need the slip and the lipids even more. Brands like Briogeo or Pattern Beauty have started leaning into the idea that "color-treated" and "curly" aren't mutually exclusive categories.
You also have to worry about "the bleed." If you have a very bright money piece and very dark hair, washing your hair in steaming hot water will cause the dark pigment to migrate into your bright pieces. Wash with lukewarm water. It sucks, especially in winter, but your color will thank you.
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Why This Trend Isn't Dying
Trends usually last a season. The money piece has lasted years. Why?
Budget.
In a world where a full head of highlights can cost $400 plus tip, the money piece is the "recession-proof" hair hack. You’re only coloring maybe 10% of your hair. You get 90% of the visual impact. For the curly community, this is even more vital because we tend to wash our hair less frequently and use more styling products. We don't want to maintain a full head of bleach. We want the glow without the 5-hour salon appointment.
How to Talk to Your Stylist
Don't just say "I want a money piece." That's too vague.
Bring a photo, but make sure the person in the photo has a similar curl pattern to yours. If you show a 4C stylist a photo of a woman with 2A waves, you’re both going to be disappointed with the result.
Ask them: "How will you ensure my curl pattern doesn't lose its shape?"
If they don't mention "low volume developer" or "bond builders," you might want to reconsider. You want someone who understands that curly hair is a three-dimensional object, not a flat surface.
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The Reality of Damage
No matter how many "miracle" products you use, bleach is damage. Period. Your money piece will feel different than the rest of your hair. It will be slightly thirstier. It might tangle more easily at the front.
You’ll need to double down on your "scrunching" technique or finger-coiling for those specific front sections to keep them looking uniform with the rest of your head. A little bit of extra oil—maybe a jojoba or argan blend—specifically on the lightened pieces can help mimic the natural sebum that has a harder time traveling down a bleached hair shaft.
Steps for a Successful Money Piece Transition
- The Prep: Two weeks before your appointment, do a heavy protein treatment. You want your curls as strong as possible before the chemicals hit.
- The Consultation: Ask for a "face-frame" that starts 1-2 inches away from the root for a natural blend.
- The Process: Ensure they are painting the curls while they are dry or in their natural clumped state.
- The Aftercare: Switch to a sulfate-free, color-safe cleanser immediately. No exceptions.
- The Refresh: Use a gloss or a toner at home every 4-6 weeks to keep the brassiness away without needing more bleach.
Focus on the health of the hair first. A shiny, healthy caramel money piece looks ten times better than a fried, white-blonde one. Texture is the priority; color is the accessory. If you keep that hierarchy in mind, you’ll end up with a look that doesn't just look good on Instagram but actually holds up in real life.
Stop worrying about whether your curls are "too much" for this look. They are exactly what makes the look work. The way a highlighted curl catches the sun while you're moving is something straight hair simply can't replicate. It’s kinetic. It’s bold. And honestly, it’s the easiest way to refresh your entire vibe without committing to a total overhaul.
Next Steps for Your Hair Journey
- Audit your current products: Check for sulfates or drying alcohols that will strip your new color.
- Find a specialist: Use the NaturallyCurly stylist finder or search Instagram hashtags like #curlyhairspecialist[YourCity] to find someone who actually knows how to paint curls.
- Deep condition immediately: Schedule your first post-color deep conditioning session for exactly three days after your salon visit.