Jasmine has been cutting my hair for a few years now, and really knows how to work with curly hair. She usually does go a little shorter than I ask, but it works out in the end because then I don't have to go in to have split ends trimmed for another 4 months - my hair feels the healthiest it's ever been!
I also asked to go from brunette to blonde, and because I have never dyed my hair before she suggested I get highlights. I am happy I went with her suggestion - it is a nice change. She is right that it would have been to drastic too do an all-over dye.