Every vintage girl dreams of shiny healthy hair and bouncy curls that will keep for days , there’s nothing worse than your curls dropping after a night in hair rollers, am I right?
We are always looking for that perfect setting lotion that will make our efforts worth it. Maybe you have already tried every single setting lotion in the market and still haven’t found your Holy Grail.
In that case, there’s something you really need to try: homemade flaxseed lotion/gel. I’ve been using this as a gel for about 2 years now and I absolutely swear by it, forget about strong chemicals that will dry your hair. This keeps my hair and scalp healthy and I make the most of my set with many days of decent curls to play with. Honestly, keep any other thing away from my hair.
Maybe try this method before going for a perm
While this may not work for everyone, it’s really easy and inexpensive to make and it’s definitely worth a try. If it doesn’t work for you can always throw those seeds in your salad!
Flaxseed are packed with omega-3 fatty acids that will nourish both your hair and scalp, and they contain antioxidants and protein to keep your hair strong. Making this at home means no artificial ingredients and you’ll know exactly what you are putting on your hair. It is also Curly Girl method friendly if you are following it. So really no drawbacks here.
This is like super trendy just now in some circles but it's a very old recipe that has been used for decades before hair products were available for everyone.
Are you ready to try? Let's go.
The recipe is very simple and all you need is a tablespoon of flaxseeds (make sure you're using the whole ones) and a cup of water. I like to add a few drops of essential oils (lavender is my favourite) but it's not necessary.
Mix everything in a saucepan, bring to boil and simmer while stirring occasionally for 5 to 10 minutes. You might want to experiment with the consistency depending on your hair type. Some people prefer a more watery lotion they can use with a spray bottle, but if you have thick hair like me you’d probably need it on the thick side. For me egg white consistency is best and I put mine in a pump bottle and apply it with my hands. Again, experiment a bit until you find what works best for you.
Once you’re happy with the consistency remove it from the heat and use a strainer to remove the seeds. Don’t wait too much for this step or it will be harder to remove them!
If you're using any essential oils you can add them now, the gel it self is odourless so I like using lavender or jojoba oil. This step is completely optional but I like using lavender in mine.
Once cool you can transfer it to a spray/pump bottle once cool (a funnel comes in handy here). Be careful if your using a plastic container, let it cool well first.
And we're done! The mixture keeps well in the fridge for a good 3 weeks. Just use it as your regular setting lotion, it can also be used as a styling gel. Your hair might feel slightly crunchy once dry but, worry not, it will be nice and soft after brushing it.
Hello curls!
Hope you're found this information useful. Let us know in the comments if you've tried it and if you have any tips yourself. Happy setting!
By Irene @muchacha_vintage
Such a handy recipe! Your curls always look gorgeous!!!
I can confirm that this recipe is amazing. Leaves hair soft and shiny once you have scrunched out the crunch. Even use it on my hair pieces. Thank you for sharing it with me x