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DIY Natural Hair Gel
Posted on November 24, 2010 by Dawn Michelle in DIY, Hair
Creating a hair gel is simpler than I ever imagined. I’m also surprised in how quick and easy it is to make and that it cost under a dollar to make a two or three month supply. This gel gives a great hold and is wonderful for natural wavy and curly hair as it really helps your curls clump together without the drying effects of store bought gels.This is a phenomenal hair gel made with flax seeds and water, yet nothing new to the curly hair community.
What you will need:
Flax seeds
Water
Strainer
Glass jar
Simply heat 1/4 cup of flax seeds with 2 cups of distilled water in a small pot. Stir constantly as it begins to boil then lower heat. Heat the flax seeds for about ten minutes or more while stirring. I usually turn of the heat when the foam from the flax seeds turn from a white to off white or yellow color. Next strain the contents into a glass jar. You can reuse those same flax seeds with one cup of water to create more gel. Store the gel in the refrigerator and use as you desire.
I add five drops of lemongrass essential oil and five drops of rosemary essential oil to my gel. It should keep for at least two weeks and even longer if you add a natural preservative like grapeseed extract or vitamin E.
If you make more than you know that you will use, freeze the extra portion in a freezer safe container.
You may also add olive oil, hemp oil, coconut oil, or vegetable glycerin to your gel although this natural hair gel is wonderful all by itself.
To read more articles about hair care go here. To see my latest beauty regimen included hair care go here.
(General Note: Please research new herbs to ensure there is no conflict with pregnancy or medical conditions before using.)
(Image by health.howstuffworks.com)
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Azuha...
Creativity is the greatest rebellion in existence.
~Osho
~Osho
I’ve been making flax seed gel for a while. Works great! It won’t work for everybody, but it’s definitely worth a try. I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t really need styler anymore because my hair is finally healthy and behaving well. I use it on the days where I want more wave than usual.
In addition to the flax seeds and water I add marshmallow root, rosemary essential oil and grapefruit seed extract.
Joelle,
The flax seed gel had definitely changed my life. Also, I saw a video clip a girl who made a jelly with marshmallow root the same way you do with flax seeds and added to her conditioner more slip and easy detangling. I’d love to try this one next and maybe add it to the flax seed gel as well. Thanks for the tip!
Dawn Michelle
Hello!
I’ve been making fsg myself for a little while now as well. I find that I always encounter the same two problems though – staying power of the gel and scent. The gel just seems to disappear in my curly hair over the course of the day and none of my essential oils last in scent either (to be fair I have only been using top note EOs). Any suggestions or perhaps you’ve had the same problem?
Hi Martina,
Flax seed gel doesn’t give the hold of traditional hair gels which works for some but may not be as much hold for others. You may want to cook the gel a bit longer than usual to see if a thicker gel gives you the result that you’d like. As for scent try using amber oil and resin blends or my favorite of all vanilla absolute for a stronger natural fragrance than essential oils alone.
Best Wishes,
Dawn MIchelle
I love flax seed gel! I make mine with water, flax seeds and honey. It’s easy to make, has nice hold without excessive crunch, feels good in my super coily hair, washes out easily, is cost-effective AND good for the enviroment. What’s not to love? It’s awesome for buns (sock buns and cinnabuns). In the future, I’ll try it over a leave-in conditioner for a braid out. *crosses fingers*
I’ve made it on the stove and in the microwave (college dorm ingenuity). After boiling the seeds in water I strain the hot mixture through pantyhose into a bowl or cup, let it cool, pour it via funnel into a plastic spout top bottle (re-purposed, of course), add in honey and shake it up. I find that it lasts 3 weeks in the refridgerator.
P.S. In the future, I’ll use agave nectar instead of honey as I will most likely be tranitioning from being a vegetarianinto being a vegan in the future.
Hi mangomadness! I have yet to try honey or agave in flax seed gel but I think I’ll include a bit in my next batch. Loving the “college dorm ingenuity”! That is always necessary. Best Wishes!
What will the consisteency be when the seeds are done boiling? after its been put in the refrigerator overnight to be used the next morning? do we use it cold? or room temperature?
sorry for all the questions, you did not write these details, and it is my first time using this
Hi Khala,
Flaxseed gel is a bit slimy yet it depends on how long you cook it whether it will be super thick or not. I prefer my flaxseed gel not to be really thick so that it is easy to strain. I usually stop cooking flaxseeds once the foam from boiling turns from a white to milky yellow color. I’ve also made flaxseed gel to use right away. I just wait for it to be comfortable to touch then apply to my hair. Also even if you use essential oils you still need to refrigerate the gel. It will last about two weeks.
~Dawn Michelle
Wow Wow. I used FSG for the first time when I cowashed my hair on Wed morning (I co wash 2x a week, on Wed and Sat), and it is WONDERFUL. Thanks for suggesting this. I made mine using 2 cups water and 1/4 cup FS. I only added 2 drops each of lemongrass and rosemary essential oil. And my hair is so nice, so curly, and without a hard/crunchy hold. I might have used about 1 1/2 tablespoon of the FSG on my medium short curly afro hair. Thanks so much. I did not even use any oil, and this morning (Thursday), I only refreshed it with a spray containing 1 cup water and 1 1/2 teaspoon of FSG. Not sure if next time I should add some oil like jojoba or evoo…But so far my hair is very well defined and shiny. Thanks again!
Hi Regine, Flaxseed gel is the truth! I’m glad it worked well for you too. It is a wonderful inexpensive staple for curls.
do you wash this gel off or do you ust leave it?
Hi Miania, I use flaxseed gel as a leave-in. It is great for frizz free styles especially for wavy and curly hair.
thank you! i’ll try it