Seek a professional. Going from brunette to blonde is not a DIY task you should take on. From hair levels ranging from 1 to 12, varying degrees of ammonia levels for different shades of blonde, and peroxide treatments that change your hair texture, its better to seek a professional colorist before you blonde, as opposed to rushing to a salon after a botched at-home dye job.

Plan ahead. Once you've decided that blonde is the shade for you, it's time to start collecting inspiration. Pictures of your favorite stars, celebrities you share similar features and complexion with are all great sources for inspiration. Kim Kardashian's hairstylist agrees. "We went over a lot of photos and looks for inspiration, which is the best way to communicate hair color," he explained. "That way we were able to come to an agreement of a blonde that is realistic considering her natural hair color, and would be the most flattering to her skin tone."

Lighten gradually. Going from brunette to blonde doesn't always happen in just one trip to the salon. The process can take a few visits, with your stylist lightening hair over time. So be prepared to make a few pit stops at other hair color shades for a while. Coloring hair and gradually going lighter over a few months is the best way to achieve the change you want and still keep hair healthy, versus doing everything at once and damaging hair in the process.

Create dimension. Blonde doesn't have to be bleached-to-the-max platinum. Find the shade that will compliment you. Even the darkest brunette, like Kim K knows a deeper blonde works best for her and is the lightest she should go.  "When Kim went blonde a few years ago it was caramel blonde. This time it's more of a Honey Blonde," the star's stylist explained. Aside from the hair color, opt for highlights and a final gloss as well. Highlights add great visually depth and the seal of a non- peroxide treatment can help the shine of a fresh dye job last four to six weeks.

Read product labels. Once you go blonde, maintenance is key to keeping your tresses deliciously golden, versus the dreaded dryness of damaged hair that looks like its been fried. Opt for shampoos that are specifically geared towards color-treated hair. Deep condition your hair often. And to avoid having the life of your hair sucked out by the sun or air, use leave-in treatments to maintain hydration. Products with high alcohol contents like gels, mousses, and hair sprays are not your friend.

Go for it. Blonde may or may not be for you, but how will you know if you don't try? With so many apps that let you try a different hair color on for size, and with the help of a professional stylist, you can make the change to lighter tresses in a shade that suits you. Be daring, be bold, and go for the gold, literally!

Are you planning to go blonde soon? Who's your celebrity inspiration? Let us know with a note below!