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How to make a natural hair gel using flaxseeds for safe, nontoxic hair care. Works especially well for curly heads!
I first learned about how to make a natural flaxseed hair gel from a friend who told me that she was looking into making some herself at home.
She suggested I look into it also as we both have long curly hair.
I started researching the idea of making this personal haircare product for myself right away as I found the concept intriguing. I’ve had success in the past making rice water for hair, and I also blend my own deep conditioning hair mask. So why not try my hand at making gel too?
I scoured the internet for various recipes and started experimenting to see which would work best for my type of hair. (1)
In the video included with the recipe below, I demonstrate the best natural hair gel formulation I tried for curly or wavy hair, and it only takes about 10 minutes to make!
Commercial vs Natural Hair Gel
If you use store hair gel, I would recommend that you give this homemade gel a whirl and see what you think.
If you’ve ever checked the label on commercial hair gels, you know that they are loaded with chemicals and synthetic fragrances.
Even though these toxins aren’t going to absorb into your bloodstream like they would if you slathered it on your skin, these chemicals still get on your pillowcase at night potentially contacting your skin while you sleep. Â
In addition, anything on your hair is close to your nose so you would breathe in the hormone-disrupting fragrances.
I would particularly recommend this natural hair gel if you are pregnant or nursing as you don’t want to come into daily contact with the toxins that could potentially harm your baby.
Do you make your own homemade, natural hair gel? Â If so, please share your recipe in the comments section!
The natural hair gel I demonstrate in the video below is made with flax seeds, but there are many other ways to make it. Â
Don’t worry that you can’t use this recipe if you have thyroid issues because flax seeds are a bit goitrogenic. Â
While this would be a problem if you ate them, putting them on your hair is fine!
Homemade Hair Gel How-to Video
Flaxseed Hair Gel Recipe
Makes about 4 oz
Ingredients
1 cup filtered water
2 Tbl organic whole flax seeds (sources)
Few drops of essential oils for natural fragrance (optional)
Few drops of aloe vera gel for a moisturizing effect (optional)
Directions
Bring the cup of filtered water to a boil. Â Stir in the flax seeds, turn down the heat to medium and let simmer for between 7-10 minutes.
*Do not simmer longer than 10 minutes else you won’t be able to strain out the flax seeds from the gel.
Strain out the flax seeds using a strainer or fine cheesecloth and let the gel cool. Mix a few drops of essential oils and/or aloe vera if desired.
Pour natural hair gel into a small bottle and use immediately or refrigerate.
Pour a dollop into the palm of your hand and mix through wet hair as frequently as desired.
Because this natural hair gel has no preservatives, it will last about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
I’ve not frozen this natural hair gel before as I prefer to use it fresh or cold out of the fridge. But if you’ve tried it, let us know if it maintains the proper consistency when it thaws!
I’ve been using this recipe for about six months now and love it. It’s not too stiff though so I if i am too active before it dries, my frizzies start to return. I’m too lazy to use aloe since I have to get it from my aloe plants.
At first i thought refrigeration was a pain too, but now I’m in the habit of swinging by the fridge on my way to the bathroom.
It washes right out with water, and I store it in a repurposed soap pump for easier application since it’s a bit liquidy.
NOW I need a natural hair spray!!
hey amazing tips and very Easy and Natural Tips for Best Hair Color
its really helpful in Hair Tps- Growth, gloriously healthy hair, face shape
i like your blog thanks !
To someone who about the consistency of this gel recipe, it’s almost identical to egg whites. Highly viscose. If you’re not careful, the whole “puddle” will fall off your hand! I’ve only tried it in my hair a couple times so far, and haven’t washed it yet, but I’ll post my results when I do.
If you have curly hair, I agree with Mary Ann who said that the book Curly Girl by Lorraine Massey was a huge help to her. I have not been able to do “no-poo” (no shampoo), but I do use a very mild shampoo and lots of conditioner. Curly girls need lots of moisture and not as much washing as straight-haired girls because their hair is more dry, by nature.
To those of you who use baking soda, vinegar, or lemon juice in your hair, I would encourage you to do your research on that. Look on YouTube for videos put together by Kimmaytube. She did a series called the Structure of Hair which is excellent in explaining the scientific reason that these substances actually put your hair through a pH roller coaster and can be VERY damaging. I’m all for natural personal care products, but not if they cause damage. Her videos were enlightening.
And last, but not least, I discovered that the flax seeds can be reused after you make this hair gel recipe! Just boil some more water, put the drained seeds back in the pan and simmer them again! I did it two more times with the same seeds after the first batch. Probably could have kept going too, but I figured that would be plenty of gel for now. ☺ Each batch turned out darker than the last. Second batch didn’t take as long to thicken; third batch took longer.
Thank you for this recipe! And since you use makeup as well, why not let us in on what brand you use! Likely it’s not a mass manufacturer either!
Mineral Hygienics is great. Only four ingredients, all minerals and they stay on your face for 12 hours or more!
I have straight hair and use this. if you want a lil curl put in tea of epusm salts and scurch
We have been making this for about 6 months and it’s wonderful.
Instead of cheesecloth I found a small screen strainer is alot easier.
We shampoo with bubbleandbee shampoo rinse with vinegar
Well, I feel like an idiot for ever paying for store hair gel! I’m doing this one right away!
Sarah,
Thanks for this recipe. I made this years ago and had forgotten all about it. Would you tell us what else you use in your hair? It’s so shiny, and that’s not always easy for curly girls to achieve. Thanks.
Michelle
Hahaha Susan!!!
Thanks all for the putty recipes! Having short straight thin hair necessitates putty. Since this is the only Junk I put on/in my body I’m going to try this for sure! So excited 🙂
I have waist length curly hair. Made this gel today….followed directions exactly. Applied to my hair about 5 hr ago and so far I LOVE it. My hair is MUCH softer than when I use store bought gel too! Soo excited to find this recipe!