If you are looking for a product that suits your budget, provides nourishment to hair and act as a curl enhancer then answer to your quest is ‘flax seed gel’.
We all know the great benefit of flax seed (Hindi name Alsi), how it is packed of omega-3 and rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. So there is no doubt that it is nourishing to our hair.
Apart from nourishing to the hair, it comes very cheap. 100 gms of seeds costs around Rs. 45 and you may get it at your local store for as little as Rs. 20. So there is no reason we should not be using it.
Flax seed gel also acts as a curl enhancer. I feel whenever I use it my curls form tightly with very good clumps and have good hold the whole day.
The funny thing about this gel is, it’s consistency which is kind of slimy. So while applying it in your hair you will feel, “I just washed my hair and how can I apply this to my hair”. But trust me, this is the best thing your hair had gotten in years. My curls can’t live without it. If I skip using it, then my hair gets frizzy only within 4-5 hrs of washing.
How to Use it
- After applying leave-in conditioner, rake-in flax seed gel in soaking wet hair. Make sure that you are using sufficient quantity to completely load your hair (I know it feels kind of gross). If you will use less quantity you will not get a good curl definition. If you have fine hair just experiment with the quantity and find out the right quantity for your hair.
- Scrunch your hair firmly.
- To get the extra hold, scrunch in your market bought styling gel.
- Air dry your hair. Once your hair is completely dry, you will feel crunchiness in your hair.
- Scrunch your hair to remove the crunch for the soft, nourished and defined curls.
Flax Seed Gel Recipe
Here is the recipe for making flax seed gel.
1. 1/4 Cup flax seed
2. 2 Cups water
Mix the seeds and water together and bring it to boil on medium to high heat. Keep stirring the mix so that it does not stick to the bottom. Keep it boiling for 7-8 minutes and check the consistency. Take some gel on the spoon and pour it. It should pour down in string consistency. After this, strain the gel right away and do not wait to let it cool. If you are adding the below optional thing, add all things while it is still hot.
You can add below optional things for extra nourishment. After adding these, whisk it for 10-20 seconds and you will have your own all natural homemade flax seed gel. When you add aloe vera gel to flax seed gel and whisk it for a few seconds then it makes flax seed gel more spreadable and easy to apply.
1. 1-2 tbsp Aloe Vera gel
2. 1/2 tsp Glycerine (or you can try adding honey which acts as natural humectant)
3. 1/2 tsp Oil of your choice – coconut, jojoba oil (increase the quantity based on your hair)
4. Few drops of essential oil of your choice like lavender or rosemary.
You have to be careful about the consistency of the gel. If you boil it for a long time it will result in a thick gel which becomes bit hard to spread on hair. It takes me only 7-8 minutes to get the right consistency.
Here is the video for the making the gel.
Please note that, as this gel does not have any preservative added, so keep it refrigerated. Even after refrigeration, it lasts only for one to one and half weeks. So make sure you discard the leftovers and make fresh batch after 10-12 days. You can also store half of gel in the freezer to make it lasts for longer.
You can reuse your seeds next time you make a new batch. Once you strain the gel, store the seeds in the freezer and use it when you are making the next batch. I reuse my seeds 2-3 times.
Let me know how it works for your hair!
Wow this looks easy and i always have flax at home!
Hi Asha, do you reapply the gel in between washes? Also, do you think the gel will work minus Epsom salts?
Hi CG, I do not reapply it. But you can try how will it work. Yes the gel works even without adding Epsom salt. It is an optional thing.
I have wavy hairs :// hope it works for my unruly & frizzy waves
.
It will definitely work Shelley :). Just follow the method as I have mentioned in this article http://www.rightringlets.com/2014/10/how-to-define-curly-hair/ and make sure you apply it in soaking wet hair and not damp hair after wash.
Hi Asha!
You have gorgeous curls! 😘😍 Do you think it will be a good idea to apply this flaxseed gel using the twist and twirl method? I mean applying this gel to each strand while twirling it around my finger.
Thanks Avantika :). You can use the gel to twirl and twist hair.
Can you suggest some stores in India,Hyderabad where I can get curly hair products
Veronica, you can buy Giovanni products from health and glow stores there.
Hey,
Thanks for the post. I tried making the gel but it just remained watery. It was on the stove for over 40mins. I had taken 1/2 cup of flaxseed and 2.5cups of water.
What would have possibly gone wrong?
I could be the seeds itself Samina. Even I bought some seed once using which I was not able to make gel, then I bought the seeds from a different place. So buy the seeds from a different shop.
Hey I have extreme protein sensitive scalp as I told you earlier so can I use flax seed gel on my hair ..as I Know it has high amount of protein ..Is it OK ?? From where I can buy flax seed gel ?
Anjali, I believe the gel does not extract protein from the seeds. But you can try on small section of hair how your hair behave after using it. It works fine for many protein sensitive people. But still you should always try on small section.
Thanks 😀
Hii asha your work for curly hair girls is amazing ..it’s really appreciating..:-D
Thanks Anjali 🙂
Hey.. I live in a hostel and I do not have access to a fridge. Can you suggest how i can preserve this gel for longer?
Only way is to store it is in the refrigerator. Some people say to add vitamin E oil, grapefruit seed extract, rosemary oil etc to preserve the gel. But all these preservatives are not reliable. It is always recommended to use cosmetic grade preservatives like phenoxyethanol etc, which are not available in retail. So I would suggest you to use curl cream recipe instead if you dont have access to fridge. You can also try styling hair with aloe vera gel and you can also add it in your curl cream recipe.
Asha, thank you so much 😚
Hi Asha,
I have recently made a batch of flaxseed gel and have never loved my curls more. There is a small problem of white residue though…how do I manage that?
That is great Sneha!! The white residue could be from the leave-in conditioner that you used before the gel. Also, wash your seeds first before making the gel.
Love the blog…thanks
Thanks Roshni 🙂
Hi Asha
I tried the flax seed gel today..
I had so much difficulty in straining it..I used a fine cloth to do that may be that went wrong…but it was too sticky so may be over boiled it…but honestly it was on gas for like 2 mins only…I am scared to use it now as what if it just sticks on my hair..
Anything in particular I should be cautious for next time!!
2 min are not too long. Try to use the big metal strainer. You will be able to easily sieve the gel through. It will not be sticky on hair and is easily removed from hair through water. Did you check out the video link too?
Hey asha ,
Flaxseed gel make my hair weigh down ..I love the result that first time it give to me but for second time it weigh down my hair ..I want to use it but how ? Any tip ? I think it didn’t remove by cowashing ? My hair feel slipper and weigh even after next wash from using it ? Any suggestions??
Hi Anjali, are you adding oils to the gel?
Yes
Yes ..only 4 drops of olive oil in whole quantity ..I think it is like negligible..
Hi Asha,
Is it necessary to use a leave-in conditioner before applying the gel?Because I am really not OK with the chemical conditioner staying in my hair after the wash.
Leave-in conditioner we use to keep our hair moisturized for long but you can skip it if you do not like to use it. May be put little oils in your flax gel to make it for more moisturized.
Hi Asha.. Loving the blog.. Am learning so much and am nearly ready to start my journey of curl loving… I made gel today and it was a pain to sieve it. Your blog says 1/4 cup flaxseed but video says 1/2 cup.. Which is the correct proportion.. I used 24 mantra flax seed and i might change place to buy if that’s the culprit. Please advise
Thanks Sheetal!! it is 1/4 cups seeds and 2 cups water. And once it is of egg white consistency then take it off the heat. It gets thicker when cools down. So sieve it though right away when it is hot. I have to check the linked video. I just put it for reference and to see the consistency. Sorry for the confusion.
It became too sticky to rinse. And also won’t that stickiness break hair ?
It does not feel sticky. When you wash hair, first wash with water and then shampoo or cowash. after that use a conditioner on hair strands to detangle hair gently. Check this video here on how to detangle hair gently in shower https://www.facebook.com/RightRinglets/videos/1480445152032825/
Hey! I was just looking at this and was wondering if this can be made even with Flax seed powder?
With powder it would be hard to strain the gel later. So better stick to seeds.