How should I fix my hair?

My hair is naturally a medium, neutral brunette (roughly 5.5/6A). It is to the middle of my back and in very healthy condition as I take exceptional care of it after suffering health related hair loss. I color it a darker, warmer brown (roughly a 4) using a demi color (not permanent) every 2 months at home. I like this option because it’s exceptionally gentle on my hair, shows no visible regrowth or lines of demarcation as my hair grows out, and only costs me $10—$15.

Recently, I decided that I wanted to add a few subtle, golden highlights close to the ends of my hair just to give a little bit of low maintenance dimension to a color that I already liked. What happened is that I ended up with hair that has been processed twice (I already had her redo it and it’s even worse than her first attempt) and it is nothing like what I asked for. She has been very nice about it, but frankly I don’t think she has the skill to fix it and I don’t have the nerve to ask a third time.

Now my overall base shade is 2 levels lighter than I prefer, I have about 3x the highlights I wanted, and the color around my face is completely different/darker than the rest of my hair. Should I:

1. Just go back to coloring my whole head with the demi and accept that the ugly highlights are going to keep coming through until they grow out? (Pros: easiest/cheapest/gentlest on hair Cons: total loss on the highlights;will be noticeable when the color fades.)

2. Attempt to use a demi toner over the whole head, use a small amount of permanent dye to blend in the highlights near the top and then find someone to give me some lowlights to blend in the upper part of my hair? (Pros: Salvages the highlights;results closer to what I had wanted. Cons: High maintenance;probably costly;Hard on my hair.)

3. Other?