Make Flaxseed Hair Gel

Flaxseed hair gel is a natural, inexpensive hair product particularly suited for curly or wavy hair. It defines and moisturizes curly hair without creating stiffness or crunchiness. Many additional ingredients can be added to homemade flaxseed gel to customize it for the particular needs of your hair. The following process takes approximately 7 minutes.

Flaxseed gel lasts about two weeks refrigerated, or longer with added preservatives. It can be frozen for later use.

Steps

Making Flaxseed Gel on the Stove

  1. Soak the flaxseeds overnight. This increases gel yield, increases ease of straining, and reduces cooking time. (This step is optional.)
  2. Combine the flaxseeds and water in a pan over high heat, stirring occasionally. Add Epsom salts, although this is also optional.
  3. Stir gently and constantly when the mixture starts to boil. Reduce the heat to medium when the mixture's consistency turns into a thin, foamy jelly.
  4. When the seeds remain suspended in the jelly instead of sinking to the bottom of the pan, turn off the heat and drain the mixture through the strainer into the bowl.
    • Note: Rinse the pot immediately, as cleaning it later will be difficult if you don't do this.
  5. Add a preservative after the mixture has cooled slightly (optional). Add any desired ingredients, such as essential oils, aloe vera gel, oils, and butters.
  6. Whisk the mixture to combine ingredients and break up any clumps. The gel should be about the consistency of egg whites.
  7. Pour the mixture into the container. Your gel is ready to use. Store in the refrigerator for maximum shelf life.

Making Gel in the Microwave

  1. Gather your supplies. You will need 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of brown flaxseeds, large microwave safe bowl, strainer, and container.
  2. In a your large microwave safe bowl put in your flaxseeds and water.
  3. Put bowl in microwave 100 power for about 5 minutes.
  4. Strain the flaxseeds from the gel.
  5. Put the gel in your small container.

Styling Hair with Flaxseed Gel

  1. Apply the gel to your hair by scrunching or smoothing it on.
  2. Use more product than you normally would. Your hair should feel completely saturated and slimy. If you use too little gel, the product will be not effective.
  3. Allow the hair to air dry completely without touching, or use a diffuser attachment with your blow-dryer. When your hair dries it will feel soft with defined curls and no crunchiness or stickiness. If you have a little crunch still, scrunch it out with your hands and fluff up your hair.

Sample Recipes

Recipe 1

  • 1/3 cup golden flaxseeds
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp honey
  • 1/3 tsp citric acid
  • 15 drops tangerine oil

Recipe 2

  • 2 tablespoon Golden flaxseed
  • 1 cup distilled or filtered water
  • 1/4 teaspoon citric acid (preservative)
  • 5 drops of essential oil (your choice but it's a good idea to use the citrus ones since they are antibacterial)
  • 5 drops of clove essential oil (antibacterial)

Recipe 3

Use water infused with marshmallow root for the flaxseed cooking liquid.

Add:

  • 1 oz (28.3g) seamollient
  • 1/2 teaspoon avocado oil
  • 10 drops vegetable glycerin
  • 1/2 teaspoon agave nectar
  • 1/4 teaspoon grapefruit seed extract

Recipe 4

  • 2 cups distilled water
  • 1/2 cup golden flaxseed
  • A handful of dried hibiscus flowers
  • After straining the gel, add 1 teaspoon jojoba oil, 1 teaspoon argan oil, 1/2 teaspoon vegetable glycerin, 1/2 teaspoon agave nectar, 2 oz (56.6g) seamollient, and 1/4 teaspoon Optiphen (preservative).

Recipe 5

  1. Soak the flaxseed overnight. It will be thick within about 18 hours.
  2. Strain into a saucepan and heat for a few minutes. Add the other ingredients: hemp seed oil, vitamin E, magnesium sulfate, chamomile tea (1 cup water and 8 tea bags), and grapefruit seed extract.
  3. After a few minutes of heating and stirring (just so it's combined) pour into a blender starting on low, then switch to medium and add xanthan gum.



Tips

Optional Ingredients

You can add many different ingredients to flaxseed gel. What you add will depend on the qualities of your hair and how it reacts to particular substances. Below are some of the most common ingredients and their properties. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your hair.

  • To increase hold: agave nectar, honey, seamollient
  • To increase gel density: xanthan gum, guar gum, pectin, lecithin?
  • To moisturize hair: oils (such as jojoba, wheat germ, hemp seed, avocado), butters (such as shea butter), or glycerine, honeyquat
    • Note: coconut oil is not recommended, as it has a low melting point
  • To enhance curl: Epsom salts, seamollient, aloe vera juice or gel
  • To add scent:Essential oils as desired. The following essential oils are also preservatives: lavender, rosemary, clove, cinnamon, lemon and rose
  • Preservatives: grapefruit seed extract (1/3t drops per cup or 6 drops per oz), essential oils (see above), citric acid, vitamin E oil
  • Increase product slip: marshmallow root (soak overnight in cold water; use this water to boil flax seeds), slippery elm bark
  • Plastic can melt if gel is too hot so let it cool.

Warnings

  • Xantham gum may dry hair.
  • Clove and cinnamon oils may dry skin and hair.

Things You'll Need

  • Flaxseeds 1/2 cup (golden flaxseeds recommended)
  • Distilled water 2 cups
  • Wire or nylon mesh strainer
  • Large bowl
  • Whisk
  • Container to store your gel

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