hi annie,
im one of those who does pay attention to womens hair.
firstly, dont get too much cut off, you suit shortish hair but i recon you should grow yours just a little longer.
long enough so that you can either curl it a little or straighten it (just on your shoulder)
I saw a lassie this morning with such hair, she was wearing it down in a bob (it looked nice but it was long enough for her to up in a pony tail on the train) the fringe was longish yet not too thick and swept round the side of the face. simple but pretty.
with regards to colour, how about going light brown (but not mousey) and having a few dark brown and copper streaks?