Free2Be writes:
I have had some extra time on my hands lately and I’ve been able to peruse older/archived topics from CurlyNikki.com about hair styles and products. When I came across some older topics, such as the one providing Nikki’s directions for a “pineapple” and how she uses Goody Spin Pins, I felt like I’d found a treasure. These are articles I read previously, but at the time I didn’t have the hair length to really use the info. Now that my hair has grown out from a TWA into a medium sized afro, I feel like I’ve learned a new trick just reading through old posts! I was actually giddy! I also re-discovered topics about how to shampoo, apply conditioners, deep conditioners, and detangle in the shower. *I swear I did read the articles/topics before, but I couldn’t make practical use of the info at the time so apparently it all leaked out of my head.
Now that I’ve re-discovered this treasure trove, I am trying to develop a useful means of accessing all of that information in ONE PLACE without needing to turn on my computer every time. I LOVE the internet. I ADORE CurlyNikki.com. But I’m just not able to always get to the computer when I’m sitting at my dressing table staring in the mirror wondering what on earth I’m going to do today/tonight. I thought about printing hard copies of pertinent articles and photos and compiling my own little “Natural Hair Scrapbook”, so to speak. I love the idea of having CurlyNikki.com at my fingertips and until Nikki writes her long-awaited (c’mon girl!) book (Ahem!!!!), I need something quick for those early mornings or unexpected events in life when I don’t have time to turn on my laptop. I’ll be able to pull out this handy dandy scrapbook and go directly to what I need. I’m going to let my OCD run wild, i.e. color-coded tabs and dividers, plastic sleeves covering each page so nothing gets damaged by product-covered fingers, an index/table of contents, you name it!
So, here’s my question:
For circumstances when we are unable to access a computer, how do other CurlyNikki.com readers keep track of the natural hair styling tips, tools, and products we’ve learned about through the site? Have you printed Nikki’s articles for quick access? Do you have a portfolio of hair styles found at the site or elsewhere online? Do you collect hair magazines? Do you tack photos and stories alongside your bathroom mirrors/dressing table mirrors? Spill the beans!
Good Gracious! I thought I was the only one going crazy with this. I keep a spiral journal too.
Mine is divided by:
Other people's regimens I want to try.
My regimen
Products
styles
And personal journey (product or style I tried & how did I like the results)
By the way my husband thinks I am insane walking around with this note book!
Hey Ladies !
When I was RELAXED , I used to keep a four inch binder with hair information that I printed from the net … now that I'm natural( 5 months !) I'm in the process on starting a new notebook ….but wait I do alot save the info on iphone note section and read it on the go…… this is also good when I'm in the store and I cannot remember what hair product to try….
Also I divide my binder into the following sections:
Regimen
Moisture/Protein
Hair Advice
Products
Tools
Pictures
Notes
Hair calendar( wash dates ..etc)
i also have a notepad full of notes on my old cell phone (verizon env). i dont even use it as a phone anymore, just a planner, alarm clock, and notepad.
if its a style or product i want to try in the future, i send myself an email with the link(s), and a note to myself as the title like "darcy's botanicals has free shipping on ebay, save $6"
I have a whole folder full of them. . .
its not weird that i talk to myself online, is it??? o_o lol
not able to reach the internet! *GASP* 🙂 just kidding, I was thinking about starting a journal of my own as well
Wow! Because of this same dilemma I was facing, I created a Natural Hair Calendar/Album/Journal in one! Its a keepsake calendar where you can attach hair progress photos, include hair regimens, fav products, important hair meetup dates and more, with afrotastic stickers to track, record, plan everything hair related! Check us out for more info: www.naturalhaircalendars.com! Distribution set for late November!
I usually keep a handy dandy notebook when browsing my hair sites. But I absolutely love your scrapbook idea. I also cosign on the i cant wait for the long-overdue "book" (hint-hint) from our girl CurlyNikki!!! 🙂
Believe it or not, I keep an excel document of hair styles, products, and product combinations that may or may not have worked for me. I then score [out of 5] those goodies/hairstyles/product combinations/individual products. That way when I'm ready to style my hair or buy new products or re-up, I have a super organized list in front of me. Now that I'm sharing this with other people, I realize that I must sound crazy. i'm not! Promise 🙂
I bookmark everything under "Natural Hair" on my computer!! Since I'm transitioning, I need a vast database.
I have a folder in my favorite named HAIR AND MORE…
HAHAHAHAH OMG CAN TOTALLY RELATE AND SINCE I CAN ONLY ACCESS AT WORK CAUSE I MOVED AND I HAVE NOT GOTTEN INTERNET YET…SO I PRINT MY ARTICLES AND PICS AND I HAVE THEM IN A FOLDER. I ALSO FOUND A PIC OF A BANK OF AMERICA ADD WITH A GIRL WITH PRETTY TWIST OUT THAT I ADMIRE IN MY BATHROOM…I AM GETTING CLOSE TO ACHEIVING THAT LOOK. I WISH I COULD PUT THEM IN PDF FORM LOL 🙂
I bookmark (star) items in Google Reader. Even though I have a TWA now, I make sure to highlight info I know will be helpful in the future.
Thank you Laleepop14.That made me smile! 😀
I do exactly what you susggest starting. Ever since I started this journey Evrytime I found something useful I would either print it out or copy it into Word and make a continuous book type thing and then when I have some spare time I go and put it into subcategories, like shampooing, detangling, henna, trimmig, etc. I swear I have enought to make my own book. And of course pictures and I also keep a journal for my hair and life experiences…
Thats a good routine Jo!!!
I use my iPhone for this exact reason! 🙂 I bookmark sites, but I also use an app called Awesome Note, that allows me to create notes, and this is where I write down product info, tips, etc. I can create a folder and organize my notes, include pictures, with my notes, etc. I have also been using this app to track my hair journey progress, filing pictures, jotting down regemin, etc. It's worked for me.
*I forgot one:
*Take pics on my phone pictures don't lie so that is a great tool for me
This is how i organize my hair journey:
*Write down my hair goals and regimen to remind myslef and quotes and positive statements
*Keep a calendar entry on my phone for my hair journey(what works,when i wash my hair etc..)
*Write down all the products i am thinking of buying
*Organize my products in boxes;one for hair and one for electricals.
*Keep favourites sites and info on my PC and phone as bookmarks.
I keep a small tablet. On that tablet, I have step-by-step protective styling, down and out styles as well as hair concoctions and staple products.
I actually have a calendar book that I occasionally jot things down in w/notes for that day of what I did and the results. I also have a journal that I make notes in. Guess I need to organize it better though instead of having two separate books.
I also keep bookmarks for things of great interest and use to me. The most I'm away from the internet is a day if that. I always have some type of access but love this idea because I can condense the info and keep it on hand.
i dont print things out, but i do bookmark the pages that i dont want to have to search and find again, but wanna remember because they have some valuable info. i remember alot, and im not ever away from internet long enough to forget or not be able to just go back and look.
You bring up a good point. There is so much info on this site, I just wait until I have a question and then I come to the site to get answers. Also I print out information that I dont want to forget.
Wow, I didn't know it was that serious for some ladies! lol. I've been natural all my life, so I've had time to get to know my hair and what it likes/dislikes. When I get new information (like on products or methods)that I feel will be useful, I just file it away in my brain. When it comes to styles I want to try, I'll just save the site (or picture) and revisit it when I'm ready to try it.
For years I have kept a small spiral notebook in my purse that I use to write thoughts I want to remember, notes, the title of a book I would like to read, reminders and various information. Now it is filled with hair tips, hair facts and product info. 🙂
I absolutely love this idea! I've printed a number of posts for my personal recall of Nikki's hair wisdom. This is definitely on my to-do list. Oh, and I also can't wait for her to write that(AHEM!)book lol I don't know why she's taking so much time. She'd be an over night celebrity. (as if she's not already famous)haha
Love you Nikki girl