Having highlights for the first time

[TheWaterHorse]

I've been getting grey hairs for some time - just around temples and my parting. There aren't too many but they are multiplying and are starting to annoy me now. So far I've put off dyeing my hair but I think I'm going to have to take the plunge soon.

I have dark brown, warm-toned hair. My hairdresser has suggested putting in red-based highlights, which in principle I like the sound of. I've never had anything like this done before though and know literally nothing about highlights.

So questions:

• would these actually cover greys (especially the ones around my temples - aren't highlights more on top of the head??)
• how often would I have to have this done to keep it looking good?
• if I hate them, how easy is it to get rid of them?

My hairdresser suggested alternatively putting an all over colour on - he called it a gloss. This is a bit cheaper, but I'm not sure about dyeing all my hair at this stage when the majority of it is a perfectly acceptable colour (and would dyeing it regularly not wreck the condition?).

On the other hand, I could just buy a semi-permanent and start doing it myself at home!

You sound like me at the beginning of the year. My hairdresser & I had the discussion of highlights vs all over semi-permanent - we opted for the semi-permanent as trying to ensure all greys were covered by the highlights would end up with a contrived result, and be more damaging to the condition of my hair.

The semi permanent has not been as damage-free as I was hoping. My hair is much drier and more frizzy than before, but probably less so than had I plumped for highlights.

I decided to opt for getting the hairdresser to do it so far, for the sake of having to clear up the mess in the bathroom and my head if I get it all wrong...

Thanks Minshu. How often do you have to get it done?