1. Observe how the hair lives
Check the client’s normal parting, hairline movement and styling habits. A placement that only works in one fixed position is not truly customized.
Face-framing highlights · professional guide
Face-framing highlights designed for the person in the chair
Face framing should not begin with a standard number of foils. It begins with how the client wears their hair, where brightness will be visible and how strong the grow-out should feel.
Professional guidance At your own pace With Ida Gunell
Blondr Education
Professional guide
Face-framing highlights
Understand the decisions
Map the natural hairline and everyday parting
Choose a soft frame, bold money piece or blended result
Balance brightness across asymmetrical growth patterns
Connect the front placement to the full color design
From knowledge to craft
You learn more when you know what to look for.
Use the hairline, parting and desired impact to create brightness that feels intentional from every angle.
2. Select the visual strength
Use fine weaves for diffused light, slices for stronger ribbons and spacing to control how much natural depth remains around the face.
3. Protect the most delicate zone
Hairline density and previous lightening should guide product load and development. Maximum brightness is never worth ignoring the capacity of fragile hair.
4. Finish the complete design
Connect the frame to the interior placement, root transition and gloss so the front feels intentional rather than added on at the end.
Your educator
Ida Gunell
Aveda Master Educator · colorist
“The right face frame is not a trend copied onto every client. It is a brightness plan built around the person, their hairline and how they want to maintain it.”
Frequently asked questions
Professional answers, without the detour.
Where should face-framing highlights start?+
The starting point depends on the hairline, parting, desired contrast and maintenance. Some clients suit root-to-tip brightness; others need a softer transition or more natural depth at the root.
What is the difference between face-framing highlights and a money piece?+
Face framing is the broader design of brightness around the face. Money piece often describes a stronger, more concentrated front section, though terminology varies between salons.
How do I place face-framing highlights for a side part?+
Assess the parting where the client wears it and view both sides from the front. The heavier side may require different section width, direction or spacing to look balanced.
How can I make face-framing highlights lower maintenance?+
Use softer root transitions, controlled contrast and placement that follows the client’s natural parting. Set expectations for toning and future lightening during the consultation.
Made for life behind the chair
Ida in your pocket. Your craft in your hands.
Watch concise lessons between clients, then return to complete services whenever you have time to go deeper.
Open Blondr