I posted these photos on my personal Facebook but thought I would share them here at Shibley Smiles as well. I’ve always colored my hair, but usually to cover the roots. So I’ve always had pretty dark hair. This summer I decided to get some highlights and each time I gradually went a little lighter.
This time we went a lot lighter and added some low lights to give it a “chunk” like look. I really love how it turned out.
For reference this is when I FIRST got highlights. I think I’ve come a long way LOL!

Before (left) / After (right)
I think when I go back I will have her add a little more darker low lights and then come Oct/Nov I will probably go back to a caramel or darker color for the fall. I’m really enjoying the different shades!
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
I love the blonde. It looks good on you!
Colleen says
Thanks Anne, this is the first time I’ve ever been this blonde.
Sandy VanHoey says
OH MY GOSH! I absolutely LOVE it! Oh my, you look 10 years younger and it is beautiful on you. WOW! I’ve always heard hat as we get older, we should go lighter and I cannot believe this! I want to keep talking…lol…honestly, it is beautiful! You go girl!
Colleen says
I had never heard that about getting older but looking at both the photos I agree the blonde I look younger but some of it has to do with weight. The bottom photo I actually weigh less and you can see my laugh lines more. That is one side effect of losing weight that I hate. I actually feel like my face looks older.
deb c says
Love it! You look amazing.
Colleen says
Thanks Deb! You girls know how to make a girl feel good LOL!
sheila ressel says
It’s really nice. And I agree with Sandy, you DO look younger with the lighter hair. It really suits you.
Colleen says
Thanks, I’ve always been told that I look better with dark hair so this was very refreshing.
Tammy S says
Wow oh wow! It looks amazing!! I love the way it makes your eyes pop. You should stay with this style for a while!
Colleen says
Thanks Tammy, I think I like the “chunky” the best even though it is harder to see here. My low lights became lighter and less definition, but I still really like it.
Stefanie says
Woah…that’s a change! I love it! I’m thinking of going chocolate brown for fall.
Colleen says
I love dark silky brown, usually that works well with my eyes. I would love to see a photo!
Lolo says
I love it! It looks great on you!
Colleen says
Thanks!
Becca @ Mama B says
I love love love it!
Colleen says
Thanks Becca I’ve definitely been enjoying the difference.
trisha says
I think this looks amazing on you!
Colleen says
Thanks Trisha. I like to wear it in a headband with the front part behind my ears it shows off the chunks some.
Kathleen says
Your photo has caught my eye on Facebook a million times the last few days. The blonde looks so good on you!
Colleen says
Awww thanks Kathleen!
Sarah L says
I think you will have more fun as a blonde! Looks great!
Colleen says
LOL my husband has been trying to get me to go blonde for years yet he really didn’t say much about my hair go figure.
Melanie Johnson says
I love it! And you look younger, too!
Colleen says
Thanks that is definitely worth a hair coloring LOL!
Emily @FamilyNLifeLV says
I’m glad you posted here too! I missed it on your FB!
Emily @FamilyNLifeLV says
Oops hi post too soon – Really makes your eyes pop!! I like it!
Colleen says
It is hard NOT to miss things on FB I miss things all the time because so many things in my feed. Thanks (the blue shirt helps LOL)
Marcie W. says
It looks fabulous, and it’s so rare I feel someone looks better with lighter hair, but you absolutely do! Perfect for that Florida sunshine too.
Colleen says
Marcie, I totally agree with you I usually like darker hair too. Funny when I moved to Michigan for a year my hair got so dark (from lack of sun) when I came back everyone asked if I had colored my hair.
Angela says
I think you look fabulous as a blonde and I really like the chunky highlights!
Colleen says
Thanks, funny I’ve always thought I look terrible in blonde but I’ve really been enjoying the new look.
LyndaS says
Your hair really looks nice. I generally prefer darker shades myself, but I think that you look better with the lighter.
Colleen says
I usually prefer dark as well, though I like it I’m still going to fade into a darker shade for the fall.
Donna says
Beautiful! You look great both ways, but I love you as a blonde!
Colleen says
Thanks Donna you are so sweet!
Leilani says
Wow! You look even more amazing with blonde hair. I love it!
Colleen says
Oh thanks, that is nice of you to say. It helps that, this morning I had a really good “hair” day LOL!
Robin Gagnon says
I like the blonde better, with your eyes.
Jenn- The Rebel Chick says
Ohhhh I LOVE it! It makes your eyes really pop.
Colleen says
Thanks Jenn!
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
WOW — you can totally pull off being a blonde! Were you blonde as a kid? It really looks natural.
Colleen says
No I’ve always had dark brown hair I didn’t start using hair color until at least in my mid 20’s
Lisa says
I love it!
ellen says
I have always thought you were pretty as a brunette but you also look nice as a blonde! You have such a pretty smile either way!
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
You literally look ten years younger and your eyes just absolutely pop, love it!
Shell Feis says
It looks great! I just went back to my natural dark after being blonde for 10 years {didn’t want to get highlights every 2 months while pregnant} & I am already missing the light hair.
Tammy says
You look great with the extra blonde in it! I think I need to go lighter too (it also helps when the grey starts showing up again LOL!)
Penelope (NYC Blogger) says
You look HOT, your husband must be DYING! You were pretty before, but now you are just a rocking, sexy mama 🙂
Rhiannon Rowland says
Fun! I think you look younger with the lighter shade!
Diana C says
Wow, that really brightened up your face. Looks very nice. I need to do that with my hair. Thanks for the idea, actually. I always have a hard time explaining how I want my hair to the stylist.
Diana C
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
It looks great!
HilLesha says
Either color looks great on you! 🙂
Jenn says
Pretty! I like the new look.
Helga says
I like your blonder look, it works for you!
Dana Rodriguez says
Your hair looks AWESOME!!!!
Michelle says
such a change! looks beautiful
WeeMason's Mom says
I’m 100 years behind on my commenting but I couldn’t NOT stop in and say that I love love love that hair color on you!!
Kelsey Apley says
I love it, you have such pretty hair!!! They did a good job coloring it :-)!!!!
Sunnymay says
I think it’s fun how you did a gradual change plus it makes your eyes stand out, along with your beautiful smile.. One time, I used a bleached blonde permanent haircolor and it came out very pale and made heads turn. My adult age kids didn’t like it, but I “rocked” the look. I told my kids that to have it changed back would break my hair, because that’s too many processes for hair to be healthy. I kept it up for 3 months, then gradually went to light brown and had the color get darker each month. Blonde hair takes more upkeep, I found that it required special shampoo and conditioners and was more drying overall.