This evening, I'm getting highlights for the first time. It seems pretty trivial, but since my hair has never had so much as wash-out dye, let alone semi-permanent color, it feels like the end of an era.

People's reactions have been varied. When I told my mom, she excitedly exclaimed "Finally!" (As a frequent highlighter herself, along with my sisters, she's brought up the subject more than once.) My boyfriend cried, "But I like your hair the way it is. I don't want you to get blonde stripes!" (I assured him I wouldn't, but he still wasn't entirely convinced.) As for me, I have mixed emotions. I'm excited to get a new look and am pretty sure I'll like the results, but a part of me is worried I'll miss my natural hair (and dread the inevitable upkeep).

I'll let you know how it goes (and put up pictures), so check back in to see the results (a before picture is above). In the meantime, when did everyone else start dyeing or highlighting their hair? Do you ever miss your natural color?