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9/05/2011

VIVACIOUS HAIR: Moisturizing Aloe/Flax Hair Gel


Here's the home made hair gel I make and use on my all natural curly hair. If you make this gel, I personally guarantee:
NO greasy feeling!
NO crunch!
NO flaking! 
and I pinky promise it will...
Prevent Frizz! 
Prevent dry scalp!
Locks in Moisture!
Helps prevent split ends!
Helps your hair to grow!
Maintains a light hold!
Provides a healthy shine!
And it does all of this while looking like nothing is even there!

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup distilled water
  • 2 tbsp raw organic flax seeds
  • 2 tbsp aloe vera (from the aloe vera plant)
  • 2 drops of scented oil (I use mango/peach oil-but choose a scent you like) (optional)
  • 1 tbsp of extra virgin coconut oil (optional)
  • 1 tbsp of raw shea butter (optional)

Before I get started with how to prepare it. I thought I'd share how this is healthy and moisturizing for your hair and scalp... 

Flaxseeds are very rich in Omega-3 oils. Those essential fatty acids are so important for our health, and the health of our skin and HAIR! People who use flaxseeds on their hair are reporting that there are notable differences in helping to prevent hair loss as well as strengthening the hair. There are also reports that the scalp feels good and produces nice, healthy, vibrant, strong hair.

Aloe Vera is very good for you hair. This is no secret. It's used in almost every hair product. But did you know what its good for? It moisturizes the hair and gives it shine, while helping the hair grow. It is reported that many use aloe vera on their hair to stop hair loss. But actually it stops hair loss and helps the hair to grow!

Coconut Oil is one of my favorite staples. I use it in everything from food to skin to hair. Its good for moisturizing with its wonderful vitamin E components, but its really good for its microbial action at the roots of your hair. It prevents hair loss and promotes hair growth, while making it soft. Using this is like walking around with conditioner on your hair all day long. Last but certainly not least, coconut oil provides the protein your hair needs to grow vibrant and strong.

Shea Butter is great for locking in moisture. Its a misconception that it provides moisture-when it doesn't. What it actually does is lock the moisture in. By using it raw, you get the full nutrients of vitamins A and E, which are both components to hair growth. It helps to prevent breakage, repairs and mends split ends, while absorbing quickly and not leaving you with a sticky residue. Added benefits of Shea butter is that it helps heal a variety of scalp problems, including dry scalp, psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis and protects hair from weather damage caused by wind, humidity, and extreme dryness, and repairs such damage.

Now on to our Moisturizing Aloe/Flax Hair Gel Recipe...

 
PREP

Fillet the aloe vera plant cutting off the green outer layer from the inside. This is similar to filleting a fish. Cut about 2 tbsp’s worth.



 
BOIL WATER, FLAX AND ALOE

When the water is boiling put in the flax seeds and the aloe vera piece. Stir repeatedly until it thickens. Trust me you’ll know when this happens.  Keep stirring. Let it get sticky and thick. And just when you’re completely grossed out and it looks like a pot of snot…its ready! (sorry I forgot to take a pic of the flax and aloe actually boiling...doh!)


 
ADD OPTIONS

In your mixing bowl add the shea butter and the coconut oil in your mixing bowl, add your scented oil. You want to do this, because as you pour in the hot mixture it will melt the shea butter for easier mixing.


 
STRAIN

Put a strainer over the bowl in such a way that you can have both hands free. Pour your hot gel mixture over the strainer. Strain the flax aloe mix, while stirring repeatedly in the strainer to ensure that the gooey mixture strains all the way through. This can be time consuming and tedious. And can take up to 10-15 mins if you do it correctly, so make sure you have on some good music to sing and dance to while you’re straining. I like to strain until most of the goo has literally soaked through...you won’t get it all, but try to get as much as you can.
This is the gel straining into the shea butter, coconut oil and scented oil. See the shea butter melting?
 
TIP: When you’re done, you can freeze the left over flax/aloe mix and use it in a smoothie, bread, veggie burgers or crackers. No chemicals have been added to it…its just flaxseeds and aloe vera…its good for you!


 
MIX

With a fork, whip all of this stuff. You’ll see your gel mixture thicken before your very eyes. You’re whipping it to make sure your oils are mixed thoroughly through. If you used everything in my ingredient list, it should turn a yellowish color and should smell so yummy while you’re mixing it, you won’t even know you’re mixing. Enjoy the aroma therapy and mix it by hand for about 5 mins, or until its mixed all the way through.


 
SET

Pour the mixture into the bowl you want to store it in. Let it set in the refrigerator for at least an hour before use.


STORAGE

Refrigeration storage has a 2-3 week lifespan. Room temperature storage has a week lifespan. I typically store in the refrigerator and take it out 10-15 minutes before I use it. (So in the morning when I wake up, I take it out the fridge…go shower or bath and when I’m ready to comb my hair, the gel is room temperature and ready for use.) If you added the scented fragrance, you’ll find it will make your hair smell so dreamy!

Oh...and, if you added the shea butter...don't worry if your gel comes out a little buttery, simply rub it together with your hands and then apply it on your hair. Your body heat will re-melt the shea butter. 


Enjoy! 


Here’s some pictures of the gel on my all natural curly hair!
 

The back of my hair. I parted it so you can see it from root to tip.


This is the front side of my hairline.
Here's my hairline before the gel.



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