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Looking to enhance your curl on a budget? DIY Flaxseed Gel is a great, easy way to do just that. Flaxseeds are full of health benefits that will not only great for styling, but will continue to improve your overall hair health with continued use.
Flaxseed Gel Recipe
The base recipe is just two ingredients:
– 1/4 Cup flaxseeds (organic preferred)
– 2 Cups water
Other tools:
– Saucepan
– Stove
– Spoon
– Mesh strainer or stockings
Optional:
– A few pumps of aloe vera gel (I use the Fruit of Nature brand)
– A dropper full of Broccoli Seed oil
In a saucepan over medium heat, mix the seeds and water. Consistently stir from initial heating through completion to make sure the seeds don’t stick to the pan. Bring to boil and boil it for about 7 or 8 minutes until there is a film sticking to the spoon. Strain the gel immediately since it will be impossible to remove the seeds from the gel if it cools. If you are adding any additional ingredients, do so at this point and whisk for 10-20 seconds.
It can either be stored as is in the fridge for about a week or, like me, put into ice cube trays and frozen. Once they are entirely frozen, transfer into a freezer bag and zap a few cubes in the microwave as needed.
You are welcome to experiment with other ingredients as well- possibilities are endless! If you hair loves humectants, add some glycerin or honey. If you love shea butter, whip some in and make it a cream. Love oils? Put some jojoba in it! If you’re going to add essential oils to make it smell nice, do so after it cools since heat will break down essential oils.
How to Use
- Either leave conditioner in (if using silicone free conditioner) or apply your leave in
- Thoroughly coat your hair with flaxseed gel! I know it feels slimy, but don’t skimp. I often finger twirl, also known as finger coil, my hair with this because of how watery it is.
- Scrunch out any additional water either with just your hands or using an old t-shirt
- I usually do a final scrunch with a little extra flaxseed gel after scrunching out extra water
- Either air dry or diffuse
- Once 100% dry, scrunch out the crunch and you’re good to go!
If you love this recipe, don’t forget to check out my Okra Gel recipe!
*ADDED BONUS USE*
Beauty guru Farah Dhukai posted on IGTV how she uses flaxseed gel as an eyelash and brow serum. I love it as an alternative to castor oil since castor oil can easily get in your eyes if you use even a smidge too much. All you need is a clean spoolie (mascara wand) and you’re good to go.
The purpose of using serums is the same for brows and lashes as the hair on your head. The best way to keep hair long and full is to keep it strong and healthy. Things like rubbing your eyes and wearing makeup do the type of damage to these smaller hairs that tugging and heat styling does to the hair on your head.
