Wow, thanks so much girls for your advice!
I will definitely go with foiling then, as that seems to be the consensus around here.
Tracy, boy does that sound beautiful...caramel and chocolate! I will definitely ask the salon about that. Thanks so much for the rec!!
I also am reading a lot about copper highlights...I will also ask the salon about that.
AOIIBrandi, I used to use Feria a few years ago and have had my share of red, burgundy, and plumish highlights. Unfortunately, though my friends oohed and ahhed over them, I personally did not like the look on me! But thanks for your rec...I really appreicate it

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RedHotChiO, haha I know exactly what you're talking about! I had a disastrous experience with Sun-In three years ago. Aah! What WAS I thinking back then?! My parents thuoght I looked like a disgrace to the Chinese community. LOL
Valkyrie, I have long, thick, layered hair, so I wonder what I should do. I don't really want subtle, can't-really-see-it highlights, b/c I don't want to spend all that money on something you can barely see! However, I don't know if I really want chunking either...I guess I want a happy medium?

I have an old issue of InStyle, however, where they have a section of highlights (they recommend auburn for black hair) and they had a model with black hair get auburn highlights. I loved the "dramatic look" on her but I'm afraid my parents will kill me!!
Oh well, I'm planning to get these highlights very soon...as soon as I figure out which salons are good and which are bad!
I will definitely keep you all posted!! Thanks so much girls!