I've been coloring my hair off and on, more on, for the past oh 25 years. First experiment was say 15 and a bottle of peroxide on a sunny day. Parent's were not pleased. I've had my hair highlighted for the last 10 or so prior to that I was an auburn blonde from the box. Last year I did the highlights of red and blonde on my natural dk. brown hair. Somewhere's along the line, I seemed to loose my natural dk. brown so last visit to the salon I said take me back to my natural color. I actually like my natural color after all these years, who would ever figure. However, here's the kicker. I won a gift certificate at work for a highlight at a salon. So I am going today to get some highlights, but not pulled thru a cap. I want the painted sporatic ones that will be suttle. I've learned from all these years what works well. If it doesn't, I am using Zens idea of helmet and lemon juice.