Teatopia

We have that gas cap issue with one of our cars. While sometimes annoying, it's kind of handy for excusing a delay in taking the car in for service.
Your hair - just look at it as spicing things up a bit, rather than a loss of blond. I've used Garnier Nutrisse in the past, without any catastrophic results, but my hair is a lot darker. I've tried home highlights but had issue with getting the right amount of hair lightened. The good thing about most home dye kits is that they tend to wash out over time, even if they claim otherwise. If you go with a honey-type brown, it seems like it won't be -too- drastic. I'm looking forward to seeing the results.

One more idea, do you have an Aveda institute nearby? They offer services that a regular salon does, but at a fraction of the cost. That's where I get my $12 haircuts, and I've yet to be disappointed.

Have you thought about going dark brown, like Cameron Diaz now? It seems to be all the rage in Hollywood! My best friend here went from bright yellow blond to deep, rich brown (box dye!) and she looks STUNNING!! Her eyes just "pop" and she looks beautiful! I think your eyes would be similar. I've always used a box with pretty good results. I get the NASTIEST red ends after a summer at the beach, etc. with dark almost black roots, so I always even it out!

I did just what gff said- went DARK brown. I have had blonde highlights since 10th grade, so it was a big change for me. Like you, I didn't want to spend the money (ok, my hubby didn't want me to), so my mil dyed it for me. I went to a beauty supply store, which I think, they're stuff is a little better than the stuff at Target (although I did the Target stuff, too, and it worked fine). Now, I just have to pay for a haircut at the salon and it's WAAAY cheaper! I have tried the highlights in a box and did not like it at all. I think for highlights it's better to go to the pros. It's pretty hard to mess up with one color.

I have no hair opinion (sorry) ... but I am glad for you that the 'check engine' light episode was a simple and cheap solution! If it makes you feel better ... and I'm not blonde ... My husband still gives me a hard time about an incident where I left a glass jar I purchased at a yard sale in his car. It rolled under the seat and would bang against the metal seat brace when he turned left and so he took his vehicle to the shop. He spent $35 for them to run a diagnostic that yielded nothing. Later in the week, the glass jar rolled out and he realized it was the source of the noise. He was sooo stuck between being mad and laughing his butt off about it!

My niece does the box highlights and it comes out really nice. I used to highlight my hair too. I liked the Revlon brand highlights with the cap but long hair tends to tangle when pulled through the holes in the cap and it hurts like a bugger. Still, it's doable. I think you should think about dying it darker too. I dye my hair and use the cheapest on the market $5. Sad, huh. I do love the way it feels after I dye it though; so soft. I can't wait to see what you decide.

My mom has been a hair stylist since I was a little girl, and I've heard her say many times how hard it is for a blonde to start going darker. She also warned me when I got pregnant that hair seems to get at least one shade darker with each pregnancy. I'm not sure why she was warning me since my hair is practically black to begin with. Anyway, so many people start out as blondes as children (even me, believe it or not), and then we kind of grow out of it. You are a rare natural blonde adult. I can't stand when people have dark hair and dye it blonde, but you really don't have dark hair yet. Your eyebrows still look fairly light. I think you'd look really beautiful with something darker; people pay more attention to your face, less attention to your hair when you aren't a blonde. I wish I had some suggestions for boxed color, but b/c of my mom being a professional, I've never had to do it myself. BTW, I think you'd look really great as a redhead. I've always wanted red hair.

I agree with the majority - dark would be good! My hair color went darker when I had Anna (it was more blondish reddish brown and now it's more brown) but I haven't colored my hair since I had her, because I liked the color more! I always did blonde highlights and blonde hair too, but going darker seemed to look better? I like your hair blonde, but maybe change is good? Won't know unless you try right? I say go for it you sassy mommy you!!! Oh, and dye in a box works good as long as you aren't trying to bleach your hair (my roommate in college did that and f-ed up her hair for like a year). Good luck!

I'm like you - I've always wanted to try going dark but am a little scared. I have pretty fair eyebrows and skin that I didn't know if it would look very coloured. And I didn't want to have to start doing my eyebrows too! I usually get some pretty good natural highlights in the summer so maybe over winter I'll have to try it sometime. I just love glossy dark hair. Very pretty! i have been fortunate in finding a hairdresser I love who is also very resonable compared to alot of places so I've never done my own hair. I do have a couple friends who only ever colour each other's hair and I think their hair always looks great so I know it's possible and SO much cheaper! They even do highlights which turn out good. The trick is having someone else do them I think. It probably won't be as even if you do it yourself. And lots of conditioner. Lots and lots. That's the only hair info I have. You can try it first and then maybe I will. :)

I helped my friend do a highlight from box kit and while nothing bad happened you couldn't really tell much of a difference. Maybe she picked the wrong shade? I dunno ...

My hair also got darker after my kids. I home colour my hair with Garnier Nutrisse. Works brilliantly and is cheap. For the first time in YEARS I had highlights put in at a hairdresser and I hate it!!! Can't wait for me to be able to colour it again. I colour mine back to blond though

I had my hair highlighted shortly after Kendall was born (a month or so)& I Liked it but soon realized what an expensive upkeep it was (especially when you're depending on only one income!). I let all the highlights grow out & then started coloring it myself~in my natural shade~to cover up the grays that I have. I use Clairol Natural Instincts & I LOVE it~it lasts thru 28 shampoos so it's not a forever thing. If you don't like it after that, you can do smething different. That works for me & I've continued to use it when it completely washes out & I see the grays returning. Your hair will look good whatever you decide to do :)