Have virgin hair - vote on its fate please.

[FromGirders]

So, I've never done anything to my hair. It's in fairly good condition, doesn't get blow-dryed or straightened. Shoulder length, worn up most of the time, let it down to go out or for dancing (classes twice a week and regular get-togethers and performances).
But it's just a bit dull. Darkish brown colour, can't seem to get a shine on it any more. In my youth (ahem) I had lovely coppery highlights, then in my early twenties got beautiful golden highlights from working outside all the time, but none of that seems to happen any more.
So what should I do?
Toyed with the idea of lemon juicing it in the hope of highlights like I used to get.
Quite like the idea of henna (wannabe hippy alert).
NB - Am very tight skint, so will have to be a home job.
Also, cutting it short just isn't happening.

All other suggestions will be acted upon - though possibly not all at once.

Home highlighting kit, just do a few strands and build it up until you get it to a point you likey..

Is there one you'd recommend Mary?

. . . . and . . .

bump.

You could put a temporary colour on it -one that washes out after so many shampoos. They are great for bringing a shine to dull hair.

You could opt for your own colour so that it isn't wildly different to start with or try electric blue or purple and shock the neighbourhood

If you go red with either normal hair dye or henna be very sure you want red! I went red with the xxl colours last october and since then have used a blonde, went bright orange, used brown, which hid the orange but didnt cover the rest of the red and have used 3 boxes of blue black and there are patches of red still lurking. Its a very hard wearing colour

I would advise against henna. I used it once in my youth, and it just goes out on control and really lightens your hair in the end/ Looked awful while I tried to grow it out.

guess it might have to be a semi-permanent then. Any brand recommendations anyone?

I'd do Nice and Easy semi permanent in a shade close to yours - it should give you a nice shine, and washes out if you don't like it. I've found N&E to be reliable colourwise though

ditto to madness. I went bright plum/purple, it ended up auburn once the purple wore out. Gotta wait now til it grows enough to b e all cut out, whilst dying it brown all the time

I've been going for the 'perfect 10' - but I googled the name and got a massive shock
Tell ya what, I'm linking the hair dye variety so you can be spared the rude sort

A bit of apple cider vinegar in the final hair rinse gives a nice shine. Using cooler water to rinse out your conditioner will give hair a boost of body and shine.