I think long layers like the style Ramanth posted in this thread - that she labeled Style #3 short. It's not very short, really, and would frame your face nicely, but still be something you could pull back. You might need a bobby pin or two to keep the shorter pieces from falling out of the ponytail, but not many, and it is still long enough to keep it fom getting frizzy! (I know that feeling, if my hairdresser gets too enthusiastic with the scissors, it goes POOF!) As for color, jet black might be hard to maintain, but a red close in color to your natural darker blonde might be fun!