What is your Flax Seed Gel recipe

rmc2 · 01-31-2013, 11:33 AM

I adore FSG, it defines curls like nothing else, but I sometimes wish it could be less crunchy. I like hair to be soft and moveable. My recipe now is 1/4 cup FS + 2 Cups water. Add 2 tbsp glycerine + 1 tbsp jojoba oil. I don't use a leavein thinking this recipe serves as both a leavein and gel. I have 4a hair which loves glycerin even in the winter. Trick is for hair to be so moisturized with the water from freshly washed hair (first day) or water spray bottle (2nd, 3rd ...day) that the glycerin is happy and not drying your hair by sucking the moisture out of the hair.

kathymack · 01-31-2013, 11:39 AM

I soak 1/4 c flax seed in 1 c aloe vera juice (or water.) Steep 2 T each of marshmallow & burdock roots in 2 c boiling water. The next day, I strain the herbs and add it all to 4 c water--cook and strain.

For every cup of FSG, I add:

1 oz EW SAJ
1/2 t citric acid
1/4 t Vit E
1/2 t honeyquat
1/4 t Potassium Sorbate
1/2 t Magnesium Oil
1/8 t EO
thickener based on what it needs. I use Hydroethylcellulose, xanthum gum or another one that I'd have to look up. I usually freeze in 4 oz portions.

Last week, I defrosted 4 oz and added 1/2 t of Sugragel AOF. It was incredible. Our dewpoint was -6. My hair looked great. I've used it 3 times with different products underneath--and it was good with everything. It even held up in snow/sleet/rain, as well as a day with really high wind gusts.

rmc2 · 01-31-2013, 11:48 AM

Wow. You sound like a hair scientist. I don't have most of these ingredients but I will check them out. Thanks for taking the time to write your recipe.

Hootenanny · 01-31-2013, 12:24 PM

What an amazing recipe. I'm def gonna try it, if I can. I have two questions, Kathymack. First (this is my dumb question), what is EW SAJ? And second (less dumb I hope), where do you purchase your sucragel? I know it can only be obtained in bulk, but could you point me toward a website that sells it? Your signature picture is just gorgeous btw; I have major hair envy.

Wurly_Girl · 01-31-2013, 12:52 PM

Hi!
Months ago i did 2 recipes: in one I put some glycerin, didn't put any in the other.
The FSg with glycerin made my hair crunchy, so i didn't use it anymore in my FSG.

My basic recipe is:
250ml of water
40gr of seeds
0.6% preservative

I put the seeds in the water, wait until the water boil then i leave the pot on the heat until the mix is simmering.
Simmering means that it has reached the right consistency

Sometimes after sifting i put the seeds in another bit of water (about 1/2glass)and let it boil again.

Once i mix half conditioner and half FSG but the mix lost its consistency and became very fluid after few days.

rmc2 · 01-31-2013, 01:33 PM

Wurly girl, I see glycerin works differently for some. I love love the idea of doing half conditioner and half FSG. Never thought of that so it is good I asked for suggestions. I am going to try this on my next Cowash on Saturday and let you know how I like it. I may try it with either a leavein like KKKT, Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Milk, or a heavier product like Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. Thanks again.

kathymack · 01-31-2013, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootenanny

What an amazing recipe. I'm def gonna try it, if I can. I have two questions, Kathymack. First (this is my dumb question), what is EW SAJ? And second (less dumb I hope), where do you purchase your sucragel? I know it can only be obtained in bulk, but could you point me toward a website that sells it? Your signature picture is just gorgeous btw; I have major hair envy.

EW SAJ=Essential Wholesale Simple Aloe Jelly.

This is the only one that doesn't sell in bulk: Buy Sucragel AOF Bio (Organic) / Natural benefits uses UK

Wurly_Girl · 01-31-2013, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmc2

Wurly girl, I see glycerin works differently for some. I love love the idea of doing half conditioner and half FSG. Never thought of that so it is good I asked for suggestions. I am going to try this on my next Cowash on Saturday and let you know how I like it. I may try it with either a leavein like KKKT, Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Milk, or a heavier product like Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. Thanks again.

YVW!

I usually style my hair putting some drops of light conditioner (no cones) and then FSG, i was wondering to do an all-in-one product so i mixed conditioner and FSG.
But something got wrong and i had to throw it away

Now i put them one after the other or mix conditioner and FSG directly in my palm

Let me know how your hair react to this ^_^

TheCurlyOne · 03-02-2013, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathymack

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootenanny

What an amazing recipe. I'm def gonna try it, if I can. I have two questions, Kathymack. First (this is my dumb question), what is EW SAJ? And second (less dumb I hope), where do you purchase your sucragel? I know it can only be obtained in bulk, but could you point me toward a website that sells it? Your signature picture is just gorgeous btw; I have major hair envy.

EW SAJ=Essential Wholesale Simple Aloe Jelly.

This is the only one that doesn't sell in bulk: Buy Sucragel AOF Bio (Organic) / Natural benefits uses UK

Wow...what a great link! Do you prefer your FSG recipe to EW aloe jelly? How would you compare? Ive used EWs aloe jelly before so that's why Im curious because my FSG recipe left my hair crunchy

kathymack · 03-02-2013, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCurlyOne

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathymack

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootenanny

What an amazing recipe. I'm def gonna try it, if I can. I have two questions, Kathymack. First (this is my dumb question), what is EW SAJ? And second (less dumb I hope), where do you purchase your sucragel? I know it can only be obtained in bulk, but could you point me toward a website that sells it? Your signature picture is just gorgeous btw; I have major hair envy.

EW SAJ=Essential Wholesale Simple Aloe Jelly.

This is the only one that doesn't sell in bulk: Buy Sucragel AOF Bio (Organic) / Natural benefits uses UK

Wow...what a great link! Do you prefer your FSG recipe to EW aloe jelly? How would you compare? Ive used EWs aloe jelly before so that's why Im curious because my FSG recipe left my hair crunchy

EW SAJ foams in my hair--think it's because it's low porosity. FSG with Sucragel is now an HG for me. I rotate my products. Never use anything more then once in five days.

rapunzel4ever · 03-15-2013, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathymack

I soak 1/4 c flax seed in 1 c aloe vera juice (or water.) Steep 2 T each of marshmallow & burdock roots in 2 c boiling water. The next day, I strain the herbs and add it all to 4 c water--cook and strain.

For every cup of FSG, I add:

1 oz EW SAJ
1/2 t citric acid
1/4 t Vit E
1/2 t honeyquat
1/4 t Potassium Sorbate
1/2 t Magnesium Oil
1/8 t EO
thickener based on what it needs. I use Hydroethylcellulose, xanthum gum or another one that I'd have to look up. I usually freeze in 4 oz portions.

Last week, I defrosted 4 oz and added 1/2 t of Sugragel AOF. It was incredible. Our dewpoint was -6. My hair looked great. I've used it 3 times with different products underneath--and it was good with everything. It even held up in snow/sleet/rain, as well as a day with really high wind gusts.

Kathymack, thanks for the recipe! I'd really like to try (a part of) this recipe. But I don't really understand how many cups of liquids you actually boil.

So, you have 1 cup of water with flax seeds + 2 cups of water with the marshmallow and burdock roots and then 4 cups of extra water? That seems a lot of liquids to me (Sorry if this is a stupid question)

kathymack · 03-15-2013, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rapunzel4ever

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathymack

I soak 1/4 c flax seed in 1 c aloe vera juice (or water.) Steep 2 T each of marshmallow & burdock roots in 2 c boiling water. The next day, I strain the herbs and add it all to 4 c water--cook and strain.

For every cup of FSG, I add:

1 oz EW SAJ
1/2 t citric acid
1/4 t Vit E
1/2 t honeyquat
1/4 t Potassium Sorbate
1/2 t Magnesium Oil
1/8 t EO
thickener based on what it needs. I use Hydroethylcellulose, xanthum gum or another one that I'd have to look up. I usually freeze in 4 oz portions.

Last week, I defrosted 4 oz and added 1/2 t of Sugragel AOF. It was incredible. Our dewpoint was -6. My hair looked great. I've used it 3 times with different products underneath--and it was good with everything. It even held up in snow/sleet/rain, as well as a day with really high wind gusts.

Kathymack, thanks for the recipe! I'd really like to try (a part of) this recipe. But I don't really understand how many cups of liquids you actually boil.

So, you have 1 cup of water with flax seeds + 2 cups of water with the marshmallow and burdock roots and then 4 cups of extra water? That seems a lot of liquids to me (Sorry if this is a stupid question)

Yes, remember that you've soaked 1/4 c of seed (the regular recipe is 2 T of seed for every cup of water) which has soaked up a lot of the original liquid. The herbs also soak up some water. I add a thickener, too.

rapunzel4ever · 03-15-2013, 02:01 PM

Kathymack, thanks for your quick reply. I really appreciate your input. I don't have a thickener I can use, so I wanted to make a batch without that. When I soak the flax seeds (do I leave them overnight?) and the herbs (overnight) how many cups of water should I add the next day before boiling? One or two?

_____
2b-c/3a med/fine- low porosity- normal elasticity, BSL

kathymack · 03-15-2013, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rapunzel4ever

Kathymack, thanks for your quick reply. I really appreciate your input. I don't have a thickener I can use, so I wanted to make a batch without that. When I soak the flax seeds (do I leave them overnight?) and the herbs (overnight) how many cups of water should I add the next day before boiling? One or two?

_____
2b-c/3a med/fine- low porosity- normal elasticity, BSL

I think you'll have to experiment and see what gets you to the consistency you want if your not using something to thicken it.

rapunzel4ever · 03-31-2013, 11:18 AM

I've made some FSG with one cup of water added the next day, but it came out too runny for my liking. So next time I'll try a basic FSG recipe and make it a bit thicker.

_____
2b-c/3a med/fine- low porosity- normal elasticity, BSL