What to do about my color! I need some sound advice. Karen?

Hi Gigi,How are you?I really wish I could give you the definitive answer on what to do about your color.I can tell you from my own experience that salon color has been great for me. The stylist I go to uses Matrix So-Col which does a great job of highlighting my hair. It looks wonderful for months and does not dry out my hair.I used to be a "Nice & Easy" baby. For years I was Summer Wheat. I thought my hair looked natural and wonderful but in retrospect, it didn't. I was finally convinced to get my hair highlighted by my former hairstylist and it was a good decision. At least it was for me.Yes, it is expensive. I only pay about $65 for my quarterly highlights. However, I think personally that my hair looks better than when I was glopping the Nice & Easy on my hair every month.I decided once my hair started to really grow and I made the decision to let it really grow as long as possible that I was going to try and treat it the best I could. This included having salon highlights.Of course there is also the idea that "if it ain't broke...don't fix it". I think only you can decide what is right for you.I will tell you that Framesi is an excellent product. Aveda also has a hair color line that is excellent.I probably didn't help much but I just want to encourage you to follow your heart.As far as the "cheap haircuts" if they only trim...that is actually a good solution. The problem is when they get a little too "scissors-happy". :-)I heard a story today from a woman with really long that went to a salon in Dallas...that does not specialize in long hair...and she got 1/4 inches trimmed. That was it. She was very happy. I was glad it turned out good for her...but it could have been a disaster. You just never know.Anyway...whatever you decide to do...be sure and let us know.Best wishes,KarenPS. How your new site is going well for you.:-)> I have been so busy I haven't been back for awhile and> now I find myself in a quandary. I hope someone can> give me some intelligent advice as I just don't know> what to do! I have been coloring my own hair for ages> (2 boxes, 12 bucks). It is now light golden brown, and> I'm using a color of the same name from Hydrience.> Incidently, I just switched from Preference by L'Oreal> (Yes, I'm worth it) and am very happy with the> Hydrience. I also do my own chunky highlights with one> of those hair painting kit deal-ys and I get loads of> compliments on both the color and the highlights.> Okay, so, what's the problem? The problem is that my> nail person who is also a hairdresser has been slowly> working on me about getting my hair colored and> highlighted in the salon (about 90 bucks). She says> they use Framesi color (which I hear is very good) and> that it might be less damaging to my hair than doing> it myself. My bra-strap length hair is pretty fine and> fragile, so I have to be careful with it anyway, but I> don't see how the color at the salon would be any> different. I do have some split ends and breakage, but> my hair really looks fairly good. I know Karen has a> picture, so she has seen it. I am just SO AFRAID to> let a hairdresser touch my hair. I started coloring it> on my own for the express reason that I always hated> the color they gave me at the salon. I actually only> go to this fancy salon to get my nails done. I have> been getting my hair trimmed at Wal-Mart (LOL!) of all> places or one of those walk-in quickie places because> I have found that it is quick and cheap they will just> cut EXACTLY the amount I want them to. They don't feel> a need to "style" it like the high priced> salons do. But that's another story. Anyway the> appointment date is quickly approaching and I'm> wondering if I am about to make the worst mistake of> my life. HELP!