Highlighting is not expensive! I usually get the L'Oreal boxes with the cap that has holes - my hubby does it for me. I get the "petite" box and it costs about $7-8 and only needs a retouch maybe 2-3 times a year if at all. It's just for fun. This last two times, I have splurged and gone for a real foil salon job but I had never done that before - it was fun!!! Yes, that IS expensive but I felt so pampered and plan to have it done twice a year - I get a hair cut at the same time which is something I went YEARS without
Just for fun color - the Clairol temporary are always fun. They are about $5-6 and last a month or so. You can't go lighter, but they are fun if you want to try reds or a slightly darker shade. I think the burgundy and cherry clors look so pretty on brunettes!!
* warning - blondes -don't do dark brown or ash colors or you may end up GREEN I did!!!