Okra gel....it's THAT good!!!!

chloe92us · 04-30-2013, 03:15 PM

I have waited 6 weeks for my okra gel ("Mudd") from Botticelli Botanicals on etsy (ridiculous wait time, I know). But, this stuff is soooo good!!!!!! I used it over my leave-in, and slathered a bunch on until it felt like seaweed. I topped with a little dab of HETT gel, because I didn't know how the hold would be. Omg, I can't say enough about how fabulous my hair looked and felt today!!!!! Clumps, volume, frizz reduction, hold....I had IT ALL. I did notice it took longer to dry, and I also had to SOTC, but I am thrilled!

For next time, I either need to figure out how to make this myself, or be sure to order it 6 weeks before I need it again. I'll be studying the recipe posts again!

Firefox7275 · 04-30-2013, 03:19 PM

Yey, but without photos it didn't happen!

kathymack · 05-01-2013, 05:16 AM

I'm really loving the okra gel these days, too. It's much easier to make then FSG because it's easier to strain.

shellyRN07swavy · 05-07-2013, 03:53 PM

I love the okra gel also!. I have made my own, but need to tweak the recipe some with the summer months in FL coming soon. UGH But I guess thats what makes it fun. When people ask what I use in my hair, I get to say my own gel!!!
How cool is that!!

I started with BB additives and Kathymacks recipe, which is an awesome starting point. I added some marshmallow root to mine, and had great slip which I loved. The hold is a little off and seeing if agave nectar or honeyquat is better for my hair. I’m also trying it with AVG and I bought some sucragel of Kathymack, which gives amazing shine to my hair. So the possibilities are endless.

chloe92us · 05-07-2013, 04:16 PM

I used it again today and had another amazing hair day! I can't believe how it holds up! I'm wondering how long this will last- I bought the 16 oz size and keep it in the fridge. But since I rotate products I only use it 1-2x a week. Should I freeze some?

kathymack · 05-07-2013, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chloe92us

I used it again today and had another amazing hair day! I can't believe how it holds up! I'm wondering how long this will last- I bought the 16 oz size and keep it in the fridge. But since I rotate products I only use it 1-2x a week. Should I freeze some?

If it has preservative in it, you shouldn't have to freeze it.

I make large batches and freeze it in four ounce portions--even though I do add preservative. I just feel better doing that. While it's my current favorite product, I only use it once in 5 days, if that. I "save" it for special occasions, so it's not always the fifth day.

Curlsnswirls · 05-07-2013, 04:42 PM

I don't refrigerate my Mudd either and I've had it for a very long time with no problems.

ECCurly · 05-07-2013, 07:20 PM

Did you get the Foolproof or do a custom? My PJ is curious.

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chloe92us · 05-07-2013, 07:40 PM

I got the foolproof.

chloe92us · 05-15-2013, 11:50 AM

I'm bumping this because I'm just completely smitten with this stuff.

I ordered all my supplies online this week to DIY some FSG and okra gel this weekend.

Kathy- I hope you pop in on this....I am a little confused about the honeyquat. I ordered some, but I'm not sure if I use in instead of agave or in addition to it? What exactly does it do? I know it's a humectant but does it also help with hold?

Here is what I have on hand/ ordered:
Citric acid (used to reduce pH)
Pottasium Sorbate (preservative)
EcoMulse (emulsifier- not sure I'm going to need this...)
Honeyquat (would I use this instead of Agave, or can I use both?)
Xanthan Gum (thickener)
Agave Nectar (for hold and shine)
Marshmallow Root (for slip and thickener?)
Grapeseed oil (it is mixed with Vit E oil)

Wish me luck! If I can get some good results from my experimenting, I may have a very large amount of products on the swap board next week, lol. Just kidding!

kathymack · 05-15-2013, 12:04 PM

Here's an old thread on honeyquat vs glycerin Honeyquat vs Glycerin If you read through, you'll get the idea. It's a replacement for other humectants you might use.

chloe92us · 05-15-2013, 12:24 PM

Thanks. I have been avoiding glycerin, so may save the honeyquat for when the dews moderate again here (in November).

For now, I think I'll just add:

potassium sorbate
citric acid
agave
xanthan gum
grapeseed oil
fragrance oil

kathymack · 05-15-2013, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chloe92us

Thanks. I have been avoiding glycerin, so may save the honeyquat for when the dews moderate again here (in November).

For now, I think I'll just add:

potassium sorbate
citric acid
agave
xanthan gum
grapeseed oil
fragrance oil

I'd add the honeyquat, instead of the agave, for the reasons in the thread I linked.

BlackAngelPlayah · 05-16-2013, 04:09 AM

Why ain't no pictures?

I speak English..

Engrish is just more fun.

sonny · 05-16-2013, 08:56 AM

Where is the okra recipe? I looked on the recipe forum but didnt see it.

chloe92us · 05-16-2013, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonny

Where is the okra recipe? I looked on the recipe forum but didnt see it.

In the "okra gel, who's gone crazy" thread, there are some tips. But the same add ins can be used in FSG OR okra gel.

Here's one that shows details about the amount of okra to water ratio, although I think I'm going to use 6 pieces and 2 cups of water.

DIY Okra (Ochro) Hair Gel | caribbeancurls

shellyRN07swavy · 05-17-2013, 07:53 AM

To me it seems like honeyquat is for adding moisture not really hold. I haven't tried to interchange agave nectar with honeyquat yet. I think ill experiment with it during "winter time"(that's a laugh living in FL) rather than summer here. I have made couple successful batches so far with recipe as follows 2 tblsp of Marshmallow root with 4c of distilled water and 1 full cup of horizontal sliced okra. Low boil for 30-40mins. This yield 2cups of okra gel. I then add kathymack' s portions for the preservatives and 1/4+1/8tsp of agave nectar, 1/4tsp mag flakes, 1/2 tsp of sucragel. Too chicken to try grapeseed oil..lol

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chloe92us · 05-17-2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackAngelPlayah

Why ain't no pictures?

You asked for it!

hair front 3 by chloe92us, on Flickr

Firefox7275 · 05-17-2013, 09:36 AM

OK now I am sorry I requested photos, I am officially green with envy at your beautiful curls right up to the roots.

chloe92us · 05-17-2013, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firefox7275

OK now I am sorry I requested photos, I am officially green with envy at your beautiful curls right up to the roots.

Aww, thanks. I never had root curl this much until I cut it short! Here's my "before CG" pic for reference! Yuck! I can't believe I went out like this- it doesn't even look curly, just straight up frizzy.

And when it was longer, after CG, but still not much root curl...

And then after my first chop...root curl! (But before I found my HG...okra gel! Note frizz- this was before I SOTC.

)

And then the photos posted above from today....lots of root curl and chin length now.

The only reason I had long hair was because my hair "turned" curly 7 years ago when I was pregnant and I had no idea how to care for it, so it was in a ponytail 24/7 for 6 years and longer = better ponytail. I always wore my hair short before I became pregnant. Now that I have a handle on things, I will keep it short because I feel it suits my personality and lifestyle better.