Reviewed by Brianne Dubé, founder. Updated September 2026.
Focused brightness, not a full service
People notice your hair from the front: the pieces around your face, your part, the top of your head. Impact lightening puts all of its attention there. Using balayage or foilayage, your stylist brightens your money piece, your hairline and through the crown, and leaves the back and sides as they are.
That makes it a smart option in two situations. If you already have balayage or foilayage that has grown out a little, it brightens the pieces that show most so the whole look feels fresh again. If you have never had highlights, it adds lighter pieces in the spots with the most impact at a lower price point than a partial or full service.
Impact lightening includes a toner and a blowdry. It is different from a gloss, which deposits tone without lightening. If your front pieces are still bright and only the shade has shifted, a gloss may be enough.
Impact lightening is performed by Angela, Liza, whose work includes high impact blondes, Yulia and founder Brianne, who sees returning clients.
Why clients choose impact lightening
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Money piece and hairline
The brightest pieces sit right around your face, where they catch light and draw attention to your features. It is classic money piece placement, blended back into your natural color so it looks intentional and soft rather than stripey.
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Along your part and crown
Lightening along your part and through the crown brightens the top of your head, which is what most people see when you are sitting across from them. It keeps that area from looking dark as your highlights grow out.
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Refresh between bigger services
If you have existing balayage or foilayage, impact lightening touches up the areas that show first without redoing your whole head. Many clients alternate it with partial or full lightening to stay bright between larger visits.
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A lower price point
Because the back and sides are not included, impact lightening comes in at a lower price point than a partial or full service. It adds real brightness where it shows most, without paying for sections you rarely see.
More about impact Lightening
What to expect at your appointment
We start by talking through where you want brightness and how bold you want the money piece. Your stylist then applies balayage or foilayage around your face, along your part and through your crown, leaving the back and sides untouched.
After lightening, we rinse and tone your hair so the new pieces blend with the rest of your color, then finish with a blowdry. You will see how the new brightness frames your face under salon light before you leave,.
Aftercare and maintenance
The pieces around your face get touched the most, so give them extra care. Use a gentle shampoo, condition every wash and always use a heat protectant, especially if you style your front pieces with a hot tool daily.
When the brightness grows out, book impact lightening again or step up to partial lightening for more coverage. Existing clients can choose Express Impact Lightening, which covers face framing, hairline and crown without a blowdry, or Express Framing Highlight for just the pieces around your face.
How pricing works
Impact lightening starts from a base price that depends on the stylist you book. Longer or denser hair can need additional product, which adds to the total. The express options for existing clients are priced separately, and the Express Framing Highlight covers the least area of all. Visit the Service Menu for current pricing by stylist and service.
From a Google review
“Yulia is truly gifted when it comes to blondes! I get compliments ALL the time!”
Google review, 5 stars. See recent work on Instagram
Frequently asked questions
What is a money piece?
A money piece is a brighter section of hair right around your face, usually at the front hairline. It lights up your features and makes your hair look brighter overall. Impact lightening includes money piece placement along with lightening along your part and through the crown, blended into your natural color.
Does impact lightening include the back of my head?
No. Impact lightening focuses on your face framing pieces, hairline, part and crown, and it does not include the back or side areas of the head. If you want brightness all the way around, partial or full lightening will cover more of your hair.
Is it balayage or foils?
It can be either. Impact lightening is done as balayage or foilayage depending on how soft or bright you want the result. Painted balayage usually grows out softer, while foilayage gives more lift and brightness. Your stylist will recommend one during your consultation.
Should I book impact lightening or a gloss?
Book impact lightening if you want your front pieces to be lighter than they are now. A gloss deposits tone without lightening, so it refreshes shade and shine but will not add brightness. If your pieces are light but look dull, a gloss may be enough.
What are the express options?
Existing clients can book Express Impact Lightening, which covers face framing, hairline and crown without a blowdry, or Express Framing Highlight, which focuses on the pieces around your face, also without a blowdry. New clients should book the full impact lightening service first.
Ready to book your impact lightening? Let's brighten the front
See the Service Menu for current pricing, or compare partial lightening for more coverage and a gloss for tone and shine without lightening.