Hi all, i'm new here and would love advice on whether its a good idea to go blonde!

I have long dark brown/chestnut curly hair and fancy a change as i've had it long since i was 12 and i'm now 27! its in very good condition and shiny and healthy and i've only used henna on it over the last year (not recently though).  I used to dye it alot (usually black or dark brown or red) but if i go blonde, then i want to get it done professionally.

I have a fair/medium complexion and do go brown in summertime! i was thinking more a beyonce style dark/honey blonde so as not to completely wreck my hair.

Advice would be greatly appreciated!

First - welcome!

My honest opinion would be to say no, don't go blonde.  Lightening the hair would damage the hair shaft and would require continued bleaching to maintain the color.  Once you go down that path, it is very difficult to turn back.  I know of many ladies that regretted bleaching/lightening their hair.

If your hair is in good condition now, congratulations on achieving that.  If you are looking to do something new, why not try some new hair styles?

I hope you understand where my opinion comes from and remember it is only my opinion.  You, of course, are entitled to do whatever you want that makes you happy.  It is your hair.  Just think through what you want to do and the long term effects of it.

It sounds like you have really pretty hair!
I think going blond might be hard on your hair, like bb mentioned, you will have to get the roots done often and it will be constant upkeep and conditioning.
Have you considered just getting some highlights? You could get a little of that and not only would it grow out fine without the weird root look, but it won't be as damaging to your hair.

Thanks for your advice. I figured that its probably a bad idea, i realise it would also strip my hair so badly it would probably be like straw! its so annoying! i wish there was nother way to do it.
I dont relaly want to change my hair, its not rlealy in a style, its just long and curly.  There isnt much i can do to change its look. its too dark to have highlights, althoughi could have 'dark' hightlights i guess!

I have naturally dark brown hair that sounds similar to yours.  I have mine lightened to a very golden brown-not quite blonde.  My hair stylist does an allover lightening and then foil highlights.  Yes it does cost a fortune. (LOL)
The only thing is...it isn't so much blonde but more of a golden color.  Also, it has a tendency to look reddissh which i hate so I use a special purple tinted shampoo to cut down the red.  the funny thing is, my husband preferred it Brown!!  it really didn't damage my hair as it was pretty strong and i spent the extra bucks to get it done by someone who is really good with long hair.

I have actually ended up having highlights all through my hair which has lightened it. it is dryer but it looks great and has mad me look much better!
I'm not sure i will keep it up however as a) expensive yes, and b) not good for the hair!

I am glad it worked out!!  As you know-condition, condition,condition!!!  I love Aveda Cherry and Almond Bark conditioner and the little ar of conditioner by Garnier Fructis.  

I can see i'm going to be using Frizz ease like its going out of fashion! it seems one of the only things which means i can detangle the knots! :-/

Potion 9 by sebastian is good for detangling too.  It also smell amazing!  

I'm too chicken to go blonde LOL

I think all different colors are pretty.  It just depends on the lady, the hair, all that.  

:P nobody should dye their hair and get rid of natural looks you won't llok rite :-X :o

oops-"llok"= "look" sorry

:-[

Sam, you can edit a post of yours by clicking on the "modify" button at the top, no need to apologize.

all people i know with dark hair gone blonde had this super fake orangy color on which you can count the split ends from several meters away.

LOL! I've seen that kind of "blonde" before. The damage can be appalling!

Yep, and don't forget the straw blonde that is dull and stiff from all the damage.

wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2004 at 5:16pm:

LOL! I've seen that kind of "blonde" before. The damage can be appalling!

i saw tons of arabic women like this in brussels metro or other big cities.

I really regret getting blonde highlights because it's
a big commitment.  Even though my hair is not super
dark, it still did its damage and you have to live
with it or cut it.

What Babyfine said!!!
Me, too.

SF