flaxseed hair gel

1 c. spring water, or boiled water (to keep out impurities)
2 Tbsp flaxseed
2 drops essential oil for fragrance (optional, but avoid using the citris types-lemon, tangerine,lime etc-they are phototoxic when exposed to light within 12 of application)


*all optional:
a few drops of vitamin e moisture
2 Tbsp aloe vera juice for moisture,
1/4-1/2 t epsom salf-curl enhancer (
1/2 t. hemp oil or shea butter (makes it more of a cream than gel)
1/2 tsp honey or agave necter for hold and moisture
1/2 tsp beneficial oil (sweet almond oil, or apricot kernal oil for example)
1/4 tsp xanthan gum for added thickness

Combine water and flaxseed in a small pot over med heat and bring to a boil. stiring continuously wait till the white foam apears add keep stirring on heat for about another minute or two. Then take off heat and immediately pour into a bowl through fine strainer. you may need to stir in the strainer to get more out.
you can repeat this process using the same seeds and get more gel out. I did it 3 or 4 times with the same batch.
once the gel has cooled, stir in your Essential oil, and other mix in's a put the gel into a jar or squirt bottle. and put in the fridge till you are ready to use. without preservatives it lasts about a week or two in the fridge. But if you made more you can keep it in the freezer and unthaw the amount you need. takes about 6-8 minutes to make.

This stuff is really cheep to make. You can get flaxseed at a grocery store in bulk for .50 cent a pound or at a nature store. the higher the quality of seeds the more you can reuse them. It is great stuff but you will need to use about 2 oz. at at time. Fights the frizz, and has lasting hold and is very light in your hair. Many girls on naturallycurly.com swear by it. One of them sells it on etsy for 15$ for 8oz. good stuff and costs pennies to make.

*** read comments before you make it for tips

Extra Gentle yogurt mask

*Really good for sensitive skin. Gently softens and tones, use lowfat or nonfat yogurt.

1/4 c. yogurt
1/4 cucumber peeled

Blender yogurt and cucumber in a blender or food processor. pour in a bowl.
Wash face first and then place a warm washcloth over your face for a few minutes to open pores. Apply using a cotton pad- mask will be runny- all over face and neck avoiding eye area. Lay back and let it work for 10-15 min. Then rinse with warm water.*Use only once a week.

Strawberry Mask

* Strawberries have natural astringent qualities, and tighten and tone skin.
3-4 mashed strawberries. (frozen work too, just thaw)

Wash face first and then place a warm washcloth over your face for a few minutes to open pores. Apply to all over face and neck avoiding eye area. Lay back and let it work for 10-15 min. If mask is chunky, use washcloth to gently wipe off face, or shake into a garbage can to avoid clogging the sink. Then rinse with warm water.*Use only once a week.

Apple Mask

*All skin types. Softens and tones.

1/2 grated apple
1 tsp honey
1 tbsp uncooked regular oatmeal (grind in a food processor)

Combine all ingredients. Wash face first and then place a warm washcloth over your face for a few minutes to open pores. Lay back and apply all over face and neck avoiding eye area. let it work for 10-15 min. If mask is chunky, use washcloth to gently wipe off face, or shake into a garbage can to avoid clogging the sink. Then rinse with warm water.*Use only once a week.

Banana Honey Mask

*All skin types. Softens and moisturizes.

1 Ripe banana
1 Tbsp honey

Mash together.
Wash face first and then place a warm washcloth over your face for a few minutes to open pores. Apply to all over face and neck avoiding eye area. Lay back and let it work for 10-15 min. If mask is chunky, use washcloth to gently wipe off face, or shake into a garbage can to avoid clogging the sink. Then rinse with warm water.*Use only once a week.

Honey Souffle Mask

Tightens pours, and gently hydrates skin. Keep all raw egg from broken skin.

1 egg white
1 tsp honey
2 drops lavender essential oil (optional)

In a small bowl, beat the egg white until frothy and peaks form. Gently fold in honey and essential oil if using any.

Wash face first and then place a warm washcloth over your face for a few minutes to open pores. Apply to all over face and neck avoiding eye area. Lay back and let it work for 10-15 min. If mask is chunky, use washcloth to gently wipe off face, or shake into a garbage can to avoid clogging the sink. Then rinse with warm water.*Use only once a week.

Oatmeal Honey Mask

All skin types, helps soften, tone, moisturize and clears blackheads.

3 Tbs regular uncooked oatmeal grind to flour
2 Tbs Honey

Combine in a bowl.

Wash face first and then place a warm washcloth over your face for a few minutes to open pores. Apply to all over face and neck avoiding eye area. Lay back and let it work for 10-15 min. If mask is chunky, use washcloth to gently wipe off face, or shake into a garbage can to avoid clogging the sink. Then rinse with warm water.*Use only once a week.

Oatmeal Mask

All skin types, if skin is dry use whole milk or cream, otherwise use low fat or nonfat milk. Oatmeal will soften and tone your skin.

3 Tbsp regular, uncooked oatmeal. Grind to a flour.
2 Tbsp milk or cream (if your skin isn't too dry try powdered milk-add appropriate amount of water)

Combine ingredients.
*Use only once a week. Wash face first and then place a warm washcloth over your face for a few minutes to open pores. Apply to all over face and neck avoiding eye area. Lay back and let it work for 10-15 min. If mask is chunky, use washcloth to gently wipe off face, or shake into a garbage can to avoid clogging the sink. Then rinse with warm water.

Strawberry Almond Scrub

Strawberries have a natural astringent properties that tighten your pores, and leabve your face feeling toned and fresh.

2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground almonds
1 ripe strawberry (or you can use a frozen one just thaw it out)

Mix baking soda and ground almonds. slice a strawberry and mash it all together with a fork to make a paste. Apply to face, rub gently in circular motions avoiding eye area. Rinse with warm water.

Polishing Facial Scrub

Works with all skin types, safe to use every day. Reduces the size of pores. Leaves face soft and clean.

2-3 tsp. baking soda
a little water.

Pour baking soda into hand and make a paste with warm water. Apply to wet skin, rub gently in circular motions avoiding eye area. Rinse with warm water.

Cornmeal exfoliating scrub

Great gentle scrub. But use more than 2-3 times a week.

2-3 tsp of cornmeal
a little water

Pour cornmeal in your hands and add a little water. Stir together with your finger to make a paste. Apply to wet skin, rub gently in circular motions avoiding eye area. Rinse with warm water.

Lavender Mist (Hair and burns)

Lavender has cleansing properties, so it will make your hair smell good but will also give it a quick fix for cleaning and revitalizing. Lavender is really good for burns too (if they are not really serious). It takes away the pain from mild burns like sunburns and I use it when I burn myself cooking.

1/2 gallon water
5 drops pure (not synthetic) lavender essential oil
3 empty spray bottles

Fil a large pot with the water.
Cover, bring to a boil. Simmer for an hour to get rid of impurities, (check occationally to make sure it hasn't boiled away)
remove from heat, add lavender oil, stir and replace lid.
Let steep until cool, and pour into empty spritz bottles.

Spritz as need.

Revitalizing Hair Tonic

The potato-starch-peach combo strengthens and revitalizes damaged, dry or dull hair

3-4 medium potatoes
2 c. water
1 peach peeled

peel and wash potatoes and cut into chunks. add water and refrigerate overnight in a covered bowl. the next day, drain and save the water. (use the potatoes for dinner)
Puree the peach, then mix with the potato water.
apply the mixture to hair and comb through. Leave on for 20-30 minutes
Rinse with water and style as usual.

Deep Scalp Treatment (Hair)

This really exfoliates, and aids a dry, flaking scalp.

1 c. Heavy Cream (or reddi whip)

Pour into palms and then massage into scalp. Wait 5-10 min, then rinse well with cool water.

Home Clairifying Treatment (Hair)

This removes heavy product buildup and leaves hair clean and shiny.

1 Tbs Baking soda
1 c. warm water

Combine in a spray bottle and shake.
Wet condition and blot-dry hair as usual
Spray with mixture, and allow to sit a minute or so, then rinse with cool water.
Blot dry again and style as usual.

Deep Oil treatment (Hair)

This really nurishes the ends of your hair. Especially great in the winter.

1-3 teaspoons olive oil (amount depends on length of hair)
2-4 drops pure essential lavendar oil

Combine oils and apply to the ends of your hair and wrap hair with clear plastic wrap for 30 minutes. Rinse well with:

Lemon juice (amount of a large lemon) combined with usual amount of conditioner.

and then with water.

Deep Pack Chakra (Hair)

Great protein treatment to help strengthen and add life and bounce to your hair. If you have wavy or curly hair, it will help to strengthen your curl pattern. (but if you straighten you hair it will straighten easily)


1Tbsp powdered egg
1 Tbsp powdered milk
1/2 tsp honey (add a few drops of hot water to soften)
1 c pasta water (for added nutrients) or plain boiled water
3 Tbsp heavy cream (optional)

Combine first three ingredients to form a past and then add water. If using the cream add in last. pour over well rinsed (but not freshly shampooed) hair.

Make a turban out of clear plastic wrap, wrap hair and allow mixture to penetrate for 1 hour or more.

Rinse well and condition.

Re-hydration Formula

"Dehydration results from excessive loss of body fluids. dehydration may follow episodes of diarrhea, vomiting, prolonged fever, and any condition where there is a rapid and extreme loss of body fluid. Some signs of diarrhea include: frequent bowel movements that the person cannot control, watery stools, little urine or dark yellow urine, more than normal thirst, dry mouth and tongue, sunken fontanelle, sunken or dry eyes, fast, weak pulse, flushed/dry skin, skin that does not spring back immediately when pinched, lethargy, irritability or confusion. If someone has two or more of the signs of dehydration, it is important to restore fluids as soon as possible. a simple oral re-hydration solution can be made by mixing the following ingredients:"

1/4 teaspoon real salt
1/4 teaspoon no salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 1/2 teaspoons sugar
Mix into 4 cups water

Give the person small sips of the solution every five minutes, even if he vomits, until he begins to urinate normally. The drink can be given with fruit juices as a flavoring. The person may also drink green coconut water, thin vegetable soup/broth, or the water in which rice or barley has been cooked.

(Source: Storage Rocks)