No-fail flax seed gel - I finally did it...TWICE! - Page 16

dandy · 02-24-2010, 03:00 PM

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girlysoxfan · 02-24-2010, 05:17 PM

Looks great! I can't really plop...my hair is too short...but it seems to work well for you!

Are you adding coconut oil to the FSG? I think that has helped tame my frizz a bit...but it's still there! I add about 2T to 8 oz of gel...whisk really well to combine.

I'm only a month in...frizz is better...but I think it just takes time.

Froggilore · 02-24-2010, 06:09 PM

So I think that my hair likes mousse instead of gel. Has anyone tried making thin FSG and putting it in one of the non- aerosol mousse pump bottles? I think this will be my next experiment. Any thoughts?

k_vssy · 02-27-2010, 04:20 PM

Could tea tree oil be used as a preservative in flax seed gel, or does it not have the properties to do so?

kathymack · 02-27-2010, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k_vssy

Could tea tree oil be used as a preservative in flax seed gel, or does it not have the properties to do so?

While tea tree has antimicrobial/antifungal properties, I don't know if that can be used or at what strength.

Antiseptic EOs are: rose, clove, rosemary and lavender. 3 drop/oz.

You have to be careful when you use EOs. I was allergic to clove. I understand it's fairly common.

k_vssy · 02-27-2010, 06:07 PM

Thanks!

jamieann82 · 03-01-2010, 11:25 PM

this stuff is greattttt!

I have to confess, I made two batches that were too thick to strain, but finally figured it out. BB's instructions are much better in that regard than the youtube link. I topped off with a bit of HETT just to be sure I had enough hold and hade Fantastic hair day, several compliments...and I got to say, "thanks, I made my own hair gel!" Doesn't get much better than that!!!!!

curlykey · 03-02-2010, 08:22 AM

The great thing about flax seed gel, is that it seems to work great with a variety of products...plus, it's so inexpensive to make.

I love Flax seed gel!

dandy · 03-02-2010, 10:18 AM

i love it so much!!!!! i love how you dont have to feel like you are wasting it when you put tons of it all over your hair, cos you can just make more!

curlykey · 03-02-2010, 10:52 AM

I've been having awesome and consistent results using FSG as my "base coat" over a leave-in and then topping with a harder hold gel...favorite is Olive Oil Ecostyler, but have success also with BRHG, CHI, LALSG etc.

musicaleloquence · 03-04-2010, 02:00 AM

So I'm really loving the FSG, but I have a small question..

What does yours smell like? Mine almost has a nutty smell, and I can't say I'm fond of it. Maybe mine's turned? I put citric acid in my batch, but maybe that wasn't enough.. I did soak the seeds for a long time.

Thoughts?

kathymack · 03-04-2010, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicaleloquence

So I'm really loving the FSG, but I have a small question..

What does yours smell like? Mine almost has a nutty smell, and I can't say I'm fond of it. Maybe mine's turned? I put citric acid in my batch, but maybe that wasn't enough.. I did soak the seeds for a long time.

Thoughts?

I use EOs in mine, so it smells like them (rosemary and lavender are antiseptic, so help prolong it.) I'm not sure citric acid will preserve it very long--I use a combination of EOs, citric acid, Vit E and this time potassium sorbate. I freeze most of it and just defrost it in 4 oz, portions. Mine usually lasts a few weeks unrefrigerated. I only use it once a week.

musicaleloquence · 03-05-2010, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathymack

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicaleloquence

So I'm really loving the FSG, but I have a small question..

What does yours smell like? Mine almost has a nutty smell, and I can't say I'm fond of it. Maybe mine's turned? I put citric acid in my batch, but maybe that wasn't enough.. I did soak the seeds for a long time.

Thoughts?

I use EOs in mine, so it smells like them (rosemary and lavender are antiseptic, so help prolong it.) I'm not sure citric acid will preserve it very long--I use a combination of EOs, citric acid, Vit E and this time potassium sorbate. I freeze most of it and just defrost it in 4 oz, portions. Mine usually lasts a few weeks unrefrigerated. I only use it once a week.

I probably should have said that I also put in Sweet Orange EO as well as a drop of orange blossom honey. I feel like I put in quite a bit of SOEO, so I'm just a little weirded out that I can still smell the flax seeds themselves.

I did make a large batch, and I have frozen the rest of the batch, but this is just how the FSG has smelled. I think I'm just sensitive to the smell of the seeds. It's not enough to put me off the gel, I was just curious if anyone else found the scent odd.

DEL2C · 03-05-2010, 09:19 PM

I don't find orange EO to be strong enough to cover the scent of FSG & the honey isn't either. Maybe you just need to add more though....a few drops won't cut it. Why don't you try experimenting with some more potent EO's? My favorite is Aura Cacia Tranquility http://www.vitacost.com/Aura-Cacia-1...ngredientFacts

Curly_Cajun_Femme · 03-07-2010, 03:57 PM

Ground Flax seed is wonderful and has made the differance in consistant batches for me.

I have found that using 1/4 cup ground flax seeds in 24 ounces of water makes for a more consistant end product. The emulsion starts to thicken within 5 - 7 minutes on a medium heat simmer.
One tip for easier straining is to keep the emulsion on the heat and ladle it through a cheese cloth lined fine strainer.

My last batch I added 1 teaspoon of Hemp oil after the gel cooled and WOW, my curls loved the GSL even more.

Grapefruit seed oil is a great natural preservative as is citric acid.

When using essential oils be careful which ones you add, some are very irritating & drying to skin and hair. Cinnamon, Clove, Lime are a few that are very drying.

girlysoxfan · 03-07-2010, 06:12 PM

Interesting CCB. I'll try that once I run through what I've made! THANKS!

Ticlos · 03-08-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curlsAbound

Oooh! This is so exciting! I made some FSG today myself. Boiled 1/4 cup flaxseeds with one cup bottled water. When it got to the consistency I liked, I strained it into a measuring cup and added 1 tsp dead sea salt, a squirt of agave nectar and satsuma essential oil. I used it in my hair after Suave Coconut as a leave in, pixie diffused a bit and left it to air dry the rest of the way. No frizzies, nice hold and great curl formation. Thank you so much to all the concoction goddesses!

Day two - absolutely fabulous! Spritzed with water and smoothed and was good to go this am and it's late afternoon and it still looks great.

Please explain the purpose of dead sea salt in your recipe. Does it function as a preservative? Thank you!

adorame06 · 03-08-2010, 11:58 PM

I just love how this flax seed gel makes my hair! I follow BB original recipe, but I let mine soak overnight. At first I did not like the smell of the FSG with out an EO, so for my EO I have been using Japanese Cherry Blossom, and it smells so much prettier! I have been using FSG for 2 1/2 weeks and I have been getting compliments left and right about my curls! Also my husband can't keep his hands out of my hair, it's so soft!

I am so thankful that BB shared this recipe for us to try!

dandy · 03-09-2010, 02:20 PM

me too. i love it! i use sweet orange eo.. but your one sounds nicer

organiccurls · 03-10-2010, 08:44 PM

This is such a fabulous gel. In just the past few weeks it has become a staple styler in my regimen. It's so simple to make, I love it, have even gotten 2nd and 3rd day hair with it. I have been using this gel the past couple weeks, with the same seeds that I freeze and then defrost in water. I read on a different thread soaking them yields more gel, so that also has a double purpose.

Anyways, my question is how long the seeds themselves last? I can tell when my gel has gone bad cause it starts to smell funky, different than the nutty/seedy smell when I first make it. But how do you know about the seeds? I have read varying times from a couple weeks or batches, to months, and even a year. I don't really notice the smell when the only time they are out is while they are defrosting or boiling...

Thanks,