My flax seed gel stinks...

sheilacurl · 09-09-2011, 03:24 PM

Does anyone else think their own flax seed gel smells pretty funky?

I don't think my flax seeds are bad because they've been in the fridge, but my gel smells...crappy! I mask the "smell" of it by using another gel on top because I'm paranoid of other people smelling this aroma but I really don't need another gel on top

Is there anything around the house that I could add to it to make it smell pleasant? I did buy some preservative from a fellow curly but I still keep the gel in the fridge.

Thanks!

IAgirl · 09-09-2011, 03:49 PM

Does your preservative have the bad smell? Some smell truly nasty and if you're refrigerating it anyway, you don't need the preservative if you use the FSG within 2 weeks or so. Optiphen smells pretty awful to me. So does Benzyl alcohol.
Essential oils and fragrance oils - look at craft stores, for example, can be added (not sure how much, others do this - I'd use as little as needed). Those would give a fragrance.
You can also make your FSG with herbs (which you'd strain out with the flax seeds). Rosemary is an assertive scent and adds shine, bay leaf might be good too - depends on your taste in aromas.

Devushka · 09-09-2011, 04:03 PM

Are you sure that somehow it just hasn't spoiled and that's why it smells bad? Or right after you're done making it, does it smell bad?

sheilacurl · 09-09-2011, 04:13 PM

I made it just last week and the preservative I added is called potassium sorbate. Should I take it out of the fridge? I was just being super cautious of it spoiling...

This is the second time making this gel, I did a really good job compared to the first time I made it. The consistency is really smooth with no gooey gobs. I just don't remember it having this strange aroma to it. Maybe it is the preservative, but it is odorless otherwise.

Essential oils are a great idea, do they have a different effect on the way the gel works? I wonder what BB uses to make her gels smell the way they do?

pedaheh · 09-09-2011, 04:26 PM

Spoiled FSG smells sour.
Possibly you didn't clean your bottles well enough between batches. Wash with the hottest water possible. Then swish around some vinegar or rubbing alcohol and let dry.
I use potassium sorbate with vitamin E oil and citric acid. I've been told these work best in combination.
FSG (even with preservatives) will last longer in the fridge.

sheilacurl · 09-09-2011, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAgirl

Essential oils and fragrance oils....

Great idea! I'm looking on Amazon.com right now for some fragrance oils, anything's an improvement.

sheilacurl · 09-09-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedaheh

Spoiled FSG smells sour.
FSG (even with preservatives) will last longer in the fridge.

That's good to know, I thought I was being overly cautious.
The containers I used for this batch were super clean and not used for my previous batch. When I re-use any container trust me ~ it's disinfected. Maybe my seeds are bad. I'm going to take them back to the bulk barn and tell them my situation. It's too bad though, it turned out really well, consistency wise!

IAgirl · 09-09-2011, 07:57 PM

Do start over with a fresh bag of flax seeds if you can - they go rancid with long storage (before they ever got to your house) because they're full of oils and some protein. Keep them in the freezer when you get them home.
If you try again with fresh flaxseeds and still don't like the smell - you must be one of those people who finds the smell of FSG unpleasant. I think I've read that a few other times. Here's some info about preserving FSG: science-y hair blog: Preserving Your Homemade Hair Gels
Refrigeration is #1 with me!