advice on colouring hair please

boomhower

I've wanted to get my hair coloured for years but never had the bottle to go through with it.
I have naturally blonde hair but it's been getting darker by the year so it's pretty much mousey right now...but...generally..it used to get blonder when i got some sun on it (which hasn't been for some time obviously since i live in ireland).. point is, i'm anxious about dying away my natural colour(if that makes sense). and i'm really worried about ending up with a zebra crossing on my head!
things i'm clueless about(and would seriously appreciate help with):
-how bad is colouring for your hair?(i've heard it can cause it to become "tangly" and brittle)

-what should i ask for to achieve the most natural look? (eg. half head? lowlights?)

-can anyone recommend their own salon/stylist?

-has anyone experience of growing out blonde hightlights(if i decide i wanna be natural again) and if so, how bad is it?

-how commonly does hair go freaky-coloured when dyed? as in, i don't want brassy or green hair? how do i actually prevent this?

sorry my post is long and messy..
i appreciate all advice but to be honest i'd preferably love to hear from people who have actual experience of what i've listed..

finally...
i dunno whether to go for these type of highlights
http://www.imagecows.com/uploads/fac4-Lauren-Conrad-long-sedu-hairstyle.jpg

as her underlying brownish-blonde is very similar to my own

or this more dramatic type
http://www.style-hair-magazine.com/image-files/largeblondehaircolor3.jpg


are these both hightlights? as the second one seems to have more extensively coloured hair/not as subtle...any advice?

thanks...sorry again for the messiness

Dizzyblonde

Hair colour will always dry your hair slightly, but unless you go for bright blonde as in your second pic (which requires strong bleach), it won't be severe. Once you use a good conditioner your hair will be fine.
Since you're having it done for the first time, the highlights in your first pic would be really good. They're subtle and natural looking. I'd go for a full head because with a half-head when the wind blows your hair there won't be any highlights underneath.
Your hair would only risk going green or brassy if you try to do it yourself.
If you're near Swords in Dublin I can recommend a good colourist.

adelina

i will agree with dizy,the highlights and the colour will ruine your hair but there are treatments if you realy want to do it.you should definetely go for a full head,they will look great,and i am a mobile hairdresser if interested i cover all dublin area.thanks