Always keep a hair notebook or journal to keep track of important information about your hair, such as dates and notes about hair appointments, haircuts, treatments, and products. It can also be useful when you have an especially great hair day to note what you did right so that you can repeat the same steps next time.
Layering or mixing hair conditioners and treatments can increase the variety of proteins, vitamins, and minerals that you infuse into your hair, thus improving its health, appearance and manageability. Keep in mind that hair only absorbs what it needs and the rest of the nutrients will just sit on the surface of the hair shaft. This is only a problem if buildup occurs and hair starts to look and feel brittle, stiff, limp, dry or dull. If you are happy with the results, then your "special recipe" is probably working.
Although many work environments encourage creative and fashion forward hairstyles, some jobs still require a conservative appearance. Regardless if you wear your hair straight, curly, natural, braided, or in an afro, you can be sure that your hairstyle is work appropriate if you can answer yes to the following questions:
1. Does your hair look clean with no visible dandruff?
2. Other than subtle highlights, is your hair basically one color?
3. Does your hair color look natural for someone with your skin tone?
4. No matter if your hair is straight or curly, is your hair texture the same from roots to ends?
...and no to the following questions:
1. Do you have any visible white flakiness, stickiness, or unsightly buildup from styling products such as gels, pomades, or hairsprays?
2. Do you constantly have to touch your hair or move it out of your face?
3. Does your hair look as though it could easily get caught in a door or office/work equipment due to its extreme length or volume?
4. Does your hair give off an obtrusive odor?
5. Do your styling products drip or smudge onto your clothes, cubicle walls, or office/work equipment?
Be honest with yourself and tress for success.
If you regularly use a lot of styling products such as gel, hairspray, cream, and pomade, remember to rinse your scalp everyday to avoid buildup and clogged pores. Slicking the hair down with heavy gels or applying too much pomade or grease to the scalp are just a couple of examples of how blockage at the mouth of the hair follicle can occur. Blockage can lead to scalp infection, damage and reduced hair growth, so it is important to wash your hair and scalp regularly. Keep your scalp pores clear, and try to use water-soluble styling products whenever possible.