Anyone know if it would look ok to dye the longest lower layer of my hair a few shades darker than the top?

I saw someone at my work whose hair is a slightly reddish dark brown on the low layer and works its way up to a wheat blond on the top layer. I wanted to go for a look like that, except have my original hair color be the light and some espresso brown be the dark. Would that look ok? Would I be able to do it myself? Anyone know if it would look ok to dye the longest lower layer of my hair a few shades darker than the top?
I would get a professional to do it.