Face-Framing Highlights: The 15-Foil Technique That Brightens Your Whole Look

Face-Framing Highlights: The 15-Foil Technique That Changes Everything

If you’ve been craving a subtle refresh — something brightening, something dimensional, something that makes your hair feel new without committing to a full balayage — the answer is face-framing highlights.

This is truly the technique that works on everyone:

  • Never had highlights? Perfect first step.

  • Growing out old highlights? This blends everything beautifully.

  • Haven’t touched your balayage in six months (or more)? Instant revitalization.

And the best part?
It only takes about two hours.

What Exactly Are Face-Framing Highlights?

Face-framing highlights are strategic, delicate foils placed around the hairline — just enough to brighten the face, add soft dimension, and give your hair a fresh “I just got my color done” glow… even if the rest of your color stays untouched.

In my West Hollywood studio, I use a 15-foil technique:

  • 12 foils around the hairline (sides + front)

  • 2–3 foils on the crown to break up the root and blend everything

This creates natural, sunlit brightness that instantly lifts your complexion and gives your color a polished, professional finish.

Why the 15-Foil Technique Works So Well

It’s just enough foils to make a visible impact without a huge commitment.

Here’s why people love it:

✔ It’s low maintenance

You’re not coloring the entire head — just the areas that matter most visually. The grow-out is soft and forgiving.

✔ It brightens the face beautifully

Think of it as contouring for your hair. The lighter pieces draw light toward your cheeks and eyes.

✔ It works on all hair colors

Brunettes: caramel, honey, chestnut, golden tones
Blondes: sandy, beige, icy, creamy blonde
Redheads: strawberry and copper pops

✔ It revives grown-out balayage

If your balayage is six months (or… eight months 👀) old, this gives it life again without doing a full session.

✔ It’s perfect for the “I want highlights but I’m scared” client

Low-commitment brightness with natural results.

What Results Can You Expect?

Face-framing highlights create:

  • A brighter, fresher look around the face

  • Natural dimension without looking “highlighted”

  • Softer roots and blended grow-out

  • A youthful, lived-in glow

  • A mini makeover without the cost or time of full highlights

It’s fully customizable to your tone, base color, and vibe.

Perfect for Brunettes AND Blondes

Brunettes:

This technique is one of my favorites for soft brunette glow-ups. You can choose:

  • Warm honey

  • Caramel

  • Buttery golden tones

  • Rich chocolate dimension

  • Espresso pops with lightness only in front

You stay a brunette — just more radiant.

Blondes:

This helps maintain brightness between big blonding appointments. Beautiful options include:

  • Sandy beige

  • Creamy neutral

  • Bright cool blonde

  • Soft icy tones

A toner afterward elevates everything — glossy, clean, refreshed.

Maintenance: Low, Easy, and Totally Doable

Most clients refresh their face frame every 8–12 weeks.
To extend results even longer, a quick toner appointment will revive the tone and neutralize brassiness.

You don’t need full highlights to keep your hair looking fresh.

How Much Do Face-Framing Highlights Cost?

Pricing depends on location and stylist, but in West Hollywood, face-framing highlights are considered a mini blonding service.

Most salons (including mine) price based on:

  • Number of foils

  • Whether toner is included

  • Blowout options

Most clients choose:

Face-Framing Highlights + Toner = complete refresh in one appointment

If you want your exact salon pricing added here for SEO, I can insert it.

Who This Service Is Perfect For

  • Someone who wants brightness without a full highlight

  • Clients with grown-out balayage

  • Anyone wanting a faster, lower-cost blonding option

  • Busy professionals needing a 2-hour refresh

  • Anyone craving that expensive, lived-in hair look

My Professional Recommendation

If you want a fresh, bright, dimensional look without committing to a full blonding appointment, the 15-foil face frame is the perfect in-between service.

It’s simple, quick, universally flattering, and one of the easiest ways to brighten your entire look with minimal effort.

This is one of my favorite services to do because:

  • It gives clients an immediate transformation

  • It works on every hair color

  • It keeps your hair looking expensive and intentional

  • It photographs beautifully (hello, content!)

Ready for Your Face-Framing Highlight Refresh?

Book your appointment and let’s brighten you up in under two hours.