Intro guide to trying new things

The experimental stages of your hair journey can be an exciting and fun exploration period. It can also bring about setbacks and pitfalls. Experience really is the best teacher, especially when it comes to your hair.
Everyone's hair has specific needs. A product or technique that worked well for someone else won't always work for you. Trial and error is common and necessary to find the perfect fit.

So you're overwhelmed by all the information and products out there, where do you start?

Simplicity is your best bet: the last thing you want to do is go out and buy all your hair idol's products and follow her specific regimen. Follow a basic regimen first and then slowly add the trimmings as you learn more about your hair.
Find your hair twin: Again, there's no guarantee that her methods will work but you can use key details as a guide to finding what will work for you.
Research: If you're thinking about purchasing a line of products, search multiple unbiased sites for customer reviews. Hair boards are particularly helpful if the hair type and texture of the reviewer is listed.
Youtube: Youtube was a tremendous help to me. It's one thing to read a method and it's another to have a clear visual aid. Take advantage of the many hair guru's that post helpful video tutorials.
Learn from bad experiences: If your hair suffered from using a product, toss it. Even if you spent a grip on it, it's not worth keeping if it's causing harm to the health of your hair.

What would your starting out tips be?