How to 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.

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Assemble the "Things You'll Need". These are listed below.

Making Flaxseed Gel

Soak the flaxseeds overnight. This increases gel yield, increases ease of straining, and reduces cooking time. (This step is optional.)

Combine the flaxseeds and water in a pan over high heat, stirring occasionally. Add Epsom salts, although this is also optional.

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.

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.

Add a preservative after the mixture has cooled slightly (optional). Add any desired ingredients, such as essential oils, aloe vera gel, oils, and butters.

Whisk the mixture to combine ingredients and break up any clumps. The gel should be about the consistency of egg whites.

Pour the mixture into the container. Your gel is ready to use. Store in the refrigerator for maximum shelf life.

Styling Hair with Flaxseed Gel

Apply the gel to your hair by scrunching or smoothing it on.

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.

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.

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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

Soak the flaxseed overnight. It will be thick within about 18 hours.

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.

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.

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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