I have highlights and lowlights. I get the highlights (roots) done every two months and the lowlights once a year. I go to our local Beauty College and they are great. They have a file on me, so they know exactly what my hair needs. I think the most I have ever paid is $32 and that is when they have to mix two different colors. They do excellent weaving and all their work is supervised. When I make an appointment I aways ask for their best colorist. I've been going there for two years and I've had 3 ladies. I love my hair and take very good care of it. I pay more for a microtrim than I do for a root touch up.I have two layers that sit on my hemline and the lady I go to, takes an hour to barely snip the ends off twice a year. I use no heat products, no silicone and I dilute my shampoo. I use my natural conditioners as a leave-in. The Product companies won't tell you you can do this, because then you would stop buying the leave-ins they make that are already 90% water to begin with.