I either buy the noserings with a bend in them, or I bend them myself to keep them in - I always keep spares though, because the kids (particularly babies) have a way of pulling them out on me.

As for the hair, unless you are getting it done professionally I wouldn't go the bleach option (been there done that) It takes ALOT of maintainence for that. But so long as it is a DARK red, you shouldn't have any problem putting it in over brown.