Highlights - yes or no? (with photo attached)

[Monipop84]

Hello Mumsnetters! I am planning a last hair appointment before giving birth next month and I thought I would have a bit of a change....

My hair is naturally dark brown but I have dyed it for years red/copper. Since early October, however, I stopped, and now I have dark brown roots and faded red ends. It's a good time to change, and I initially thought to have balayage, but I had a consultation with a stylist and she adviced to go with a full head of highlights because balayage would look awful when I already have two colours in my hair (which I understand).

They chopped a bit of my hair and bleached it to see how much the colour would lift (photo attached). As you can see, it got much lighter.

I never had highlights before however and I am a bit scared of the overall effect - will it be a massive change from dark hair to light hair? Do you keep some of the dark base when having full head of highlights? I have always loved experimenting but at the same time I'd like to avoid going to the office without anyone recognising me

That hair is orange.

By the sounds of your hair, going lighter will be a process rather than a one-time job.

Mmm you might be right @according. The stylist seemed to think it would look really nice. I am a bit confused

Don't forget that post birth hair falls out, break off, generally looks terrible so bear that in mind too. I would go back to natural colour and just have he roots done as and when needed. Give your hair a bit of time out.

@ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay you are right. I was just hoping to have a bit of "feel good factor" before I will be short of time and energy for this kind of thing

I would get two or three colours woven in as highlights to give it a more natural effect. Given the above has gone quite orange I'd be inclined to ask for ash tones highlights rather than anything warm or golden toned.