Curly Care Homemade Hair Gel

Curly locks are notoriously dry, and getting the right organic, low odor curl care products can be nearly impossible (and expensive!). Flaxseed is high in Omega 3s which help with dry scalp and hair health. And the addition of oils, like rosemary, smell calming and yummy!

This product is even endorsed by my 12 year old. According to her, it's makes her natural curls bouncier and shinier than anything else we've tried!

Supplies

Here's what you need (straight from the grocery store!) to make your own moisturizing hair gel specifically for curly hair.

• Organic whole raw flaxseed (I like Bob's Redmill or
• Rosemary Oil (promotes hair growth and smells FABULOUS!)
• Fresh Lavender (for fragrance / Optional)
• Fractionated Coconut Oil (optional...may make some hair oily)
• Old panty hose
• Mason jars with lids

Step 1: Boil Away

1. In a small to medium saucepan, add 1/4 cup of raw organic flaxseed and 2 cups of water.
2. Bring your mixture to a slow rolling boil
   • NOTE: If you choose to add fresh lavender, add it during the boiling process to strain out later
3. Watch your mixture carefully. You'll see the following occur in this order:
   • An "oil slick" appear on the top
   • Foam appearing
   • A gooey or mucousy consistency
4. As soon as you see gooey or mucousy gel sticking to your spoon, remove from heat

NOTE: If you get it too thick or too thin, the gel won't work. It should only take a few minutes.

Step 2: Strain It

1. IMPORTANT: Let the gel cool for a bit so you don't burn your hands.
2. Over a large bowl or jar, carefully pour your gel mixture into an old pair of panty hose or tights or use a stainless steel mesh strainer.
   • Let the gel drip through the hose, tights, or strainer
   • You may need to squeeze it through a bit, but don't squeeze too hard or the seeds will slip through
   • NOTE: Cheesecloth won't work. Its holes are too large. I learned this the hard way :)

Step 3: Zhoosh and Store

1. Add in a few drops of rosemary oil, lavendar oil and or Vitamin E oil
   • Rosemary helps with hair growth and smells fabulous
   • Lavendar is mostly just for smell
   • Vitamin E helps hair health and preserves your hair gel longer
2. Stir it up and pour it into mason jars with tight lids
   • I use blue mason jars I buy at the grocery store because the color makes me happy and it looks less like snot :)
3. Store your hair gel in the refrigerator roughly 1 week or 2-3 if you use Vitamin E

Step 4: Apply to Hair

Scoop a glob of hair gel from the jar and apply liberally to damp hair (it's hard to apply too much).

• Let the gel air dry or use a diffuser.
• Once dry, scrunch hair to define your curl.
• Tip: Don't rinse your hands! Rub the hair gel in to moisturize your hands too!

Store gel in the refrigerator, tightly closed for 1 week (or 2-3 if you added vitamin E oil).