No-fail flax seed gel - I finally did it...TWICE! - Page 25

Pocahontas · 04-06-2011, 09:05 AM

Hola chica I tried this method again yesterday but I decided to use a dish washing glove to squeeze the gel out and it worked PERFECTLY I think I actually got more gel now its the morning of the results of the flaxseed method I can't wait to see how it turned out

thanks so much for your advice

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Gilly07 · 04-07-2011, 03:28 AM

Could you make this thin enough to be used as a spray???
Just wondering!!!

curlangel0690 · 04-07-2011, 08:44 AM

I'm sure you probably could. I made mine kinda thick but thin enough to put into a pump bottle which has made all the difference in getting it out of the bottle and into my hands. The squeeze bottle kept slipping out of my hands because they were slippery from the FSG, lol.

SanaxRadiance · 04-08-2011, 06:40 AM

I just tried making this, twice.
the first time I used that recipe..but the gel didn't come up lol it wasnt enough water.
the second time I used 1/2 c of flax seeds with two cups of water.
it was great!....but i let it boil too long and now it wont strain. *sad sigh* maybe i'll put it back in the pot with some more water..

princesspie · 04-13-2011, 03:06 AM

Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!

I made fsg last night with the dark seeds according to bb's recipe and used it this morning & the results were amazing!!!!

I'm new to using gel as I've been a 'curl cream kinda girl' since starting to go cg. I scrunched and scrunched and scrunched some more! Here I was worried it wouldn't have enough hold.

Will use less from now on and add coconut oil and avg to my next batch. The fsg seems to counteract the slight stringiness of the coconut oil.

Oh, I'll also have to be more careful when applying it. I ended up with a few globs of it flying around the bathroom!

Natalka · 04-18-2011, 11:27 AM

this sounds interesting will def. try it out

swtndspcy · 04-20-2011, 03:43 PM

Ok, so I will admit I didn't have high hopes for this. My first batch was impossible to strain (I left it boil too long). Second was..easier, but still difficult. I took a tip from another FSG thread and used a fish net (yes, the kind u catch fish in). That worked for straining. I made a HUGE mess, which isn't unusual for me making something I am not used to making in the kitchen.
My hair days since starting CG have ranged from so-so to plain ICK. But I beleive that is because I just haven't found a good product/technique combo.
Anyway! I used my FSG (affectionately known as mommy's hair snot) scrunched in an insane amount (as per the other thread I read) and diffused. I just SOTC and WOW! My hair looks full, well defined curls, better clumping than I have had since going CG. I am anxious to see how well it holds up in rainy season in Indiana..... I may need to add a bit of hard hold gel on top, but so far, I think I am love!

jazzy curlz · 04-20-2011, 05:13 PM

Can u buy this anywhere?

missbanjo · 04-30-2011, 02:54 PM

So I was searching curl creams & whatnot and came across DM Miracurl Curling Gelly. It seems like it's popular but I don't want to order any more stuff right now. I've got too much to play with atm.

Anyway, I looked at the ingredients and sure enough 'linseed extract' among other things, I say "huh, wonder if I can make something similar but without the humectants". I did and will be testing it out the next week. So far I'm liking the new FSG recipe much better than the old!

Oh and it smells great too!

Those rose hips are supposed to be hibiscus. Bah! I've had rose hips on the brain for freakin days now and IDK why.

curlykey · 04-30-2011, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy curlz

Can u buy this anywhere?

Other than Jessicurl, this is the only other place I know of. There are two different holds. HTH.

NancyV908 · 05-01-2011, 07:41 PM

I tried too, & liked but didn't love the results. But I just did seeds & water, so I want to experiment with add-ins. Probably mag sulfate & honey, although I am a bit nervous about using a humectant given the current weather.

Anyway, maybe this has been discussed already in this huge thread, but the problem I had was handling the finished gel. I got about a cup, but this morning I couldn't scoop out a portion. It all held together in one big blob, & I couldn't really separate out what I wanted. I wound up putting a series of tiny amounts on--basically, what stuck to my fingers. This was frustrating & time consuming, so if I can't solve this problem the FSG won't work for me.

The consistency was not superthick, but not super-runny either. I was wary of overcooking so tried to be careful. Maybe a more solid gel would have been easier to handle though (but not to strain).

Could my method be at fault? I soaked 1/4 cup seed in 1 cup water for about 7 hours. Then I added another cup of water (b/c I heard it's easier to strain in that proportion) & cooked. It strained pretty easily through a strainer, although I was not able to get the last bit out of the seeds--the leftovers still obviously had a lot of liquid in them. I transferred them to a knee high but couldn't get a drop more out.

Any insight on how to improve for next time? Thanks!

kathymack · 05-02-2011, 05:33 AM

If you have an immersion blender, it's great to use to break up the "worms" of FSG. I also recommend using a thickener. My favorite is Hydroethylcellulose.

Make sure that you're using enough FSG. It's the one product that I use a lot. I didn't like it until I used enough--for me, that's 1/2 to an ounce! The other thing is that you need to add things to get the ultimate result. I make really large batches, add my usual ingredients and freeze it in 4 oz portions. When I defrost it, I may/may not add some other things depending on the season.

I can only use it every 5 days (I probably only use it once a week because of that.) If I use it (or anything else) too much, it just doesn't work.

swtndspcy · 05-02-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathymack

Make sure that you're using enough FSG. It's the one product that I use a lot. I didn't like it until I used enough--for me, that's 1/2 to an ounce! The other thing is that you need to add things to get the ultimate result. I make really large batches, add my usual ingredients and freeze it in 4 oz portions. When I defrost it, I may/may not add some other things depending on the season.

That is one thing about plain nothing added FSG, you can pour the whole mess on your head and it won't be too much!

NancyV908 · 05-03-2011, 02:30 PM

Kathymack & swtndspcy--

Thanks. Yup, you're right. On day 2 (after adding a bit of honey) I slathered on a huge amount of the FSG. My curls were great!

I wasn't sure if it was the amount or the honey helping, so today I put on less. The results weren't as good.

So it does look like I'll need a ton of this stuff! I'm glad it's cheap. I'll keep experimenting with additives, but clearly I'll need to be making megabatches. Good thing I have a freezer in the basement!

HippieChic · 05-03-2011, 06:59 PM

I've been off the board for a long time and just recently came back after having the only gel I ever really liked discontinued. AAARRGGHHH! We all know that feeling! Tried this recipe and WOW I'm not missing my gel anymore. I did the 1/4 cup golden flax seeds and 1 cup distilled water recipe. I added some aloe and honey and a bit one of the multiple perfume oils I have. This stuff is amazing and cheap! I found flax seeds for $1.59 lb at my local health food store. I have shine bounce and no frizz. I don't even need a leave in! I got second day hair that was actually better than day 1. I have found that I can even add some after drying to tame any problem areas. I'm so happy I don't have to purchase expensive gel any longer.

Thank you girls for all your trials and experiments!

Curls=Beauty · 05-04-2011, 10:43 PM

This is da bomb! I love it! I've tried it before and liked it and for some reason discontinued using it.

I used a half cup flax seeds to two cups marshmallow root infused water and added two lemons that were cut into chunks (the lemons give more hold). I threw all that into the pot and followed the directions. After I strained it I added 1/4 tsp. agave nectar, 1/8 tsp. citric acid, 1 tsp. xanthum gum, and sweet orange essential oil to scent.

I made it a couple days ago, out of frustration, and can't believe I ever stopped using it. This gives me the best results out of anything I've ever tried! I made a curl cream out of this by combing equal parts of FSG with homemade aloe vera butter.

april_4_us · 06-05-2011, 08:26 AM

does anyone sell this or do you have to make it???
april

missbanjo · 06-05-2011, 09:10 AM

BotticelliBabe, the OP of the thread, sells it on Etsy Natural healthy haircare for every hair by BotticelliBotanicals .

Morgan_Adcock · 06-07-2011, 03:27 PM

BotticelliBabe, the originator of this thread, makes and sells this, but hers is not the only, or original FSG.

Jessicurl began with flaxseed gel which Jess started making and wrote about here many years ago. Hers was the one available when I started CGing, which I fell in love with, and use if I'm not making my own.

I think BB offers more options, but I'm happy with straight up Rockin Ringlets, and like Jess's other products, which I can combine shipping on.

jerrY · 06-11-2011, 08:18 PM

I made it a couple days ago, out of frustration, and can't believe I ever stopped using it. This gives me the best results out of anything I've ever tried! I made a curl cream out of this by combing equal parts of FSG with homemade aloe vera butter.[/QUOTE]

Sounds wonderful. How do you make your homemade aloe vera butter?