As another addition to my prior “Office Appropriate: Where is Your Casual Considered Business?” post, I have to add wet hair. I understand that some people work out or just shower in the morning. Washing your hair in the A.M. may be necessary. But coming into the office wet is not. Certain styles, colors, textures may look ridiculous but wet hair just looks like you didn’t care.
The oilier your natural hair, the more often you need to wash it. My old officemate has to wash her blond hair daily. My roommate washes her hair a few times a week. I on the other hand only have to wash mine once a week. If that sounds gross to you, we probably have very different textures. Because my hair is evidence of my African roots (pun intended), it’s thick, dry and retains water like none other. The more often I wash it and put heat on it, the more brittle and dry it gets. No good.
So maybe I’m just bitter that I can’t wash my hair and come into the office in the morning. Not only would my hair progressively look like a dry jheri curl throughout the day (think Don King), it would also be wet well into the evening. My hair needs heat and straightening to look presentable. It sucks but it’s the truth.
Some people’s hair doesn’t look as bad wet, less apparent and non-discolored. The straighter/curlier and darker your natural hair, the better it probably looks damp. Waves and frizz don’t respond well to a lack of control and product. But even if your hair dries lovely and only take a few hours, I don’t think wet hair is office appropriate. It looks like you were running late and didn’t care. If you hair is wet but your makeup is plastered, I have an issue with you. I understand not “doing” you hair at the office but coming in dry shouldn’t be too much to ask. If it takes a long time (like my two hour process), plan accordingly. There’s really no reason to come in wet, wrinkled, or smelly. Sorry.
My current officemate disagreed with me about this topic (possibly because she can get away with wet hair). My opinion is not the gospel truth but I stand by it. Her points were limited time and damaging heat. My response to both is plan ahead. If you’re going to the gym or showering in the morning and don’t want to damage your hair with heat, rethink when you’re showering. I could say the same thing about when I choose to shave my legs or iron my clothes.
She also made the point that while she agreed it wasn’t “professional”, it wasn’t “unprofessional.” I don’t see things in that way. Rather than considering things shades of gray, it’s white (or black, depending on your preference) and everything else. There are levels of professionalism in appearance but I don’t see a middle ground of either/neither. You’re either professional or not. The level of not is debatable and where the shades of gray become an issue.
To be fair, I’ll occasionally rock a headscarf, typically around the time I need a retouch (a relaxer perm that’s applied to my roots every two months). Do I think the headscarf is business appropriate? Not at all. But occasionally I don’t care. If I didn’t have time to conduct my two-hour washing-conditioning- drying-straightening process the night before, I make due with covering it all up. No supervisor has ever said anything negative about it. In fact, my manager at the mall, thinks it’s chic and loves it. Would I meet a new boss or client with it on? No. But sometimes you just succumb to the laziness.
When you enter the office, you should always look your best and be prepared to meet a boss or client that might stop by. If you think wet/damp hair is appropriate, do what you do. Just be aware that people like me will be judging or secretly bitter (at least until it’s dry).
Mid-way in her two-hour hair drying process,
Jo’van
The Truth: According to Jo'van 