There are many styling products for your natural curls, whether you have Afro or slightly curly hair. You may want to try a natural alternative. You have probably already heard of flaxseed gel for curls. Flaxseed gel is no longer an insider tip; you can use it as a hair treatment for curls or for styling. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn how to make the gel (including recipe), how to use it on Afro hair, how to give your curls more bounce with this home remedy and what else you should pay attention to.
Why flaxseed gel for curls?
When cooked, flaxseeds develop a natural mucilage, a kind of gel. This starchy mass is perfect for to style curly hair and serves as a hair treatment for curls . When it dries, it gives your curls bounce, the home remedy is perfect for that. At the same time, linseed contains valuable ingredients such as omega-three fatty acids, which let your natural curls shine naturally and work as a DIY hair treatment. Flaxseeds are also taken for medicinal purposes; it is therefore a very mild and effective natural styling product. It does not dry out your hair, but on the contrary works like a hair treatment for curls. Another point that speaks for flaxseeds as a home remedy for the natural bounce of your curls is that it is very cheap. You can buy a bag of flaxseeds for less than two euros, and you can use it to make a lot of flaxseed gel for curls. For the recipe you only need 30g of flaxseed grains.
Make your own flaxseed gel as a hair treatment for curls
The natural gel for your Afro curls is super easy and quick to make. You only need a few ingredients and a few tools that you definitely have at home.
Recipe for linseed gel made from whole linseed grains
Ingredients:
- 30 g whole flaxseeds
- 250 ml water
You also need:
- a cooking pot
- a spoon
- a fine sieve
Directions:
Put the flaxseeds together with the water in a sufficiently large pot and bring to the boil. Stirring occasionally, cook the flaxseeds with the lid open for about 8-10 minutes. Make sure that nothing boils over, because the sticky mass can make a big mess. Now turn off the stove and leave the whole thing on the stove with the lid closed for about 20-30 minutes. Flaxseed gel should now have a visibly gelatinous and slimy consistency, similar to raw egg white.
A notice:
Don't let the mixture stand for too long, it needs to be hot before you process it further. Now pour the flaxseed gel through a fine sieve into a container, such as an empty screw-top jar. Make sure it is clean, because flaxseed gel does not keep for long and any contamination reduces its shelf life.
Once the gel has cooled, it is ready to use as a natural home remedy to make your curls bounce.
Extra tip:
If you soak the flaxseeds in water overnight, it will go even faster. Then you can also use a little more water and make a larger amount of gel with the same amount of flaxseeds. Just try out what works better.
Shelf life of the flaxseed hair treatment for curls
There is some misinformation online about the shelf life of flaxseed gel. You probably won't be able to keep it in the fridge for two weeks or more; in our experience, it goes bad after about 5-7 days. It will then start to smell musty and if it is tipped over, it will even stink. That's why you need to use it up quickly.
The storage in the refrigerator is very important. However, you can easily freeze it in a suitable plastic bottle. This way you will always have fresh linseed gel for curls ready, which you only have to let thaw.
How to use flaxseed gel for curls
Four steps to better curl care and less frizz. This is how you use the DIY hair treatment.
- Wash hair: Wash and care for your Afro or curly hair as usual, for example you can use our Intense Hydration Shampoo and the Ultra Moisturizing Conditioner. Our products moisturize your hair and are free from harmful ingredients such as parabens or silicone.
- Apply flaxseed gel: After washing, spread the flaxseed gel through damp hair. Put some on your hands and spread it generously from the roots to the ends of your hair. You can even use so much that your hair is completely soaked in it. This also depends on how thick your homemade flaxseed gel is. If it is thicker, use a little less, if it is very runny, you can use more.
Knead your curls really well to distribute everything perfectly
TIP: For easier application, you can also pour the flaxseed gel for curls into a plastic bottle with a small opening (for example an empty shampoo bottle), which is easier to dose. Some people also use a pump dispenser. Do you have very long hair? Then simply dip it in a bowl with the gel. Use your hands to distribute the gel evenly throughout your hair.
- Drying hair: Now let the hair dry as usual. For Afro curls, we recommend letting it air dry or using a diffuser, as you normally do. Read our Guide to the Curly Girl Method .
Once your hair is dry, you will see the difference. Your curls may be very hard, depending on how thick the gel was. But don't worry, flaxseed gel will not dry out your hair, on the contrary, it will act as a hair treatment for curls. - Use hair oil (optional): If you are not satisfied with the result, just add a few drops of hair oil of your choice or a natural plant oil. We recommend our Hair Oil . Gently knead the oil into your hair to give it a beautiful shine.
Alternatively, you can tap the gel out of your hair a little bit, it depends on your hair structure and the result you want. If your curls aren't that strong, you can use a coarse comb here.
Use flaxseed gel sparingly as a refresher
Alternatively, you can use flaxseed gel for styling your hair. It works like a normal cosmetic product. Simply put a small amount in the palms of your hands and knead your curls with it. This way you can also use it as a refresher in between.
Conclusion: Natural flaxseed gel is a great home remedy for caring for and styling natural curls. It is worth trying this home remedy for curl bounce.
Frequently asked questions about flaxseed gel
Here we answer some questions about flaxseed gel. If you have any further questions, please contact us via our Contact form . We will be happy to help you.
Can I put flaxseed gel on dry hair?
Yes, you can also work flaxseed gel into dry hair to freshen up or style it. If it doesn't spread easily, just add a little water or hair oil.
How to make flaxseed gel for curls?
Flaxseed gel as a hair treatment for curls is made from flaxseeds and water. You can find instructions and the recipe further up in this article.
How often should I use flaxseed gel for hair?
You can use the gel as often as you like as a home remedy to make your curls bounce. Since every Afro hair is different, just try it out and experiment with this great natural product.
What are the benefits of flaxseed gel for Afro curls?
Flaxseed gel gives your curls more bounce and definition. You can style them with it and they have more hold. In addition, it contains nourishing nutrients, protects the hair and provides moisture.
What does flaxseed gel smell like?
Fresh flaxseed gel has almost no odor. As it gets older, it can smell musty or rancid; then it is bad and should no longer be used. If you want, you can add a few drops of essential oil.
Can I use flaxseed gel if I have a dry and itchy scalp?
Yes, flaxseed gel can be used even for dry and itchy scalp. When applied to the hair, the natural ingredients in flaxseed gel can help soothe and moisturize the scalp.
