Are you considering going from brunette to blonde? You may have heard that much repeated saying that blondes have more fun and decided to find out for yourself. Or maybe you're just ready for a change. Going from brunette to blonde is not for the faint of heart. This change can affect almost every aspect of your life from what color makeup to wear to what shades of clothing flatter the new you. Plus, people will react to you differently. Even though there may be a brunette with a high I.Q. lurking underneath your freshly colored mane, people will see the blonde hair and you'll instantly be the subject of the next dumb blonde joke. If you're still determined to make the transition from dependable, straightforward brunette to flighty blonde, at least do it the right way. Here are some of the most common mistakes women make when going from brunette to blonde:

Going too light for their hair and skin tone

This is one of the most common mistakes women make when coloring their hair. Generally, it's best to avoid lightening your hair more than two to three shades lighter than your natural hair color. Going blonder than this can present several problems. Your new color is unlikely to be flattering with your skin if you have the olive skin tones of a brunette. Plus, lifting more than two to three shades when going from brunette to blonde will likely require a high lift tint or use of a bleach which can cause considerable hair damage. You're also not going to be very happy when you have obvious roots showing two weeks after your coloring. By keeping the change in your hair color subtle, your roots will require less upkeep since they won't be as obvious and your hair will look much healthier.

Going all one color

If you've ever looked at the hair of a natural blonde, you'll notice subtle variations in color that come together to create a very soft and believable blonde shade. When you apply a single hair color at home, your hair is going to lack the gradations that make blonde hair so beautiful. The way to avoid this is to weave different shades of blonde into the base color. This is difficult to do at home and will probably require the expertise of a professional hair colorist.

Going blonde over permed or overprocessed hair

If plan on lightening your hair, it needs to be in tip top shape. Color can be damaging in and of itself and when you apply it to hair that's already damaged by perming and other chemical treatments, you have a recipe for dry, brittle hair. Before considering going blonde, allow the perm to grow out and embark upon an intense deep conditioning program to get your hair into shape for the color.

Not using a professional

Many women when going from brunette to brown choose to do it themselves to save money. This can end up costing you more money in the long run when you end up with an eye popping shade of orange. Bite the bullet and get a professional hair color consultation the first time. Once you have the right color, you may be able to maintain it at home.

Yes, going from brunette to blonde can be satisfying if done correctly. Just make sure you enlist the help of a professional who can guide you along the path to reaching your new hair color.