Product Review: Flaxseed gel

Picture from LetMeLetYouKnow

So, I tried this out for the first time a few days ago. I made it using 1 part flaxseeds to 8 parts water followed by a bit of extra virgin olive oil and extra virgin coconut oil after straining out the gel.

This product acts like a gel, yes, it did it's job. HOWEVER, it left my hair flaky and looking dirty. It was so bad that I had to cowash my hair TWICE (after covering it up to go for a mini party to celebrate my friend's court wedding). The flakes were crazy!

Despite the flaking, the gel left my hair feeling soft, moisturised and nice, actually. I liked what it did for my hair.

I'm sorry, I'm jumping around here.

Applying the gel was not really messy. It was an easy application. I do plan on retrying this product before I completely write it off. The next time I use it, I'll use less on each section and pray that that leads to no flakes and still defined curls and a good hold and set.

So, this was a short review. Shorter than even I expected.

Remember, products work differently for people and I know quite a number of ladies who did not experience flaking from using this gel (and I know others who got dry hair from it. Not sure how that happened, but hey! we all have different hair!) :)

Rosemary Hair Tonic

I made a bottle of a rosemary hair tonic on Sunday and I must say, it's great! I used it after I washed out my DC. I had made a herbal cleanser/tonic some time ago, it was also great, but I think I prefer this one.


Now, we all know that rosemary is great when it comes to preventing, or curing dandruff, an itchy scalp, dry scalp, other scalp issues, thinning hair/hair loss and rosemary also is used to stimulate hair growth naturally.


So, here's my rosemary hair tonic recipe!




Rosemary Hair Tonic


Ingredients

• bottled or distilled water water
• dried rosemary leaves

Directions

• Pour some of the rosemary leaves into a pot/pan
• Pour some water into that same pot/pan. Note that the amount of water you pour in depends on the strength you want the tonic. I just add a little above the surface of the leaves in the pt/pan.
• Heat up the water and once it starts boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for a few minutes (not long, though, you really don't need to let it simmer for up to 10 minutes)
• Turn off the heat and leave it to cool off with the lid on.
• Choose to either sieve it or leave the rosemary leaves in it. I left mine in.
• After washing, co-washing, cleansing, moisturising your hair... spill it slowly on your head, being careful so it reaches all points of scalp.
• Don't rinse off. 

Rosemary Hair Tonic (old recipe)

Ingredients

• bottled or distilled water water
• dried rosemary leaves
• dried basil/thyme leaves
• dried sage leaves
• Water (distilled or bottled)
• An oil (Canola oil, Rapeseed oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Coconut oil, or Jojoba Oil)
• Lemon Juice (optional)
• Aloe vera gel
• Vitamin E oil (optional) (preservative)

Directions

• Boil some distilled or bottled water.
• Eyeball the herbs (the main herb/the herb with the greatest quantity should be the rosemary) and pour them into the boiling water.
• Pull the boiling water and herbs off the stove.
• Let the herb mixture sit for 30-40 minutes.
• Add the oil (I used the EVOO and canola in really small quantities) after the mix has been sitting for 30 minutes.
• After 40 minutes (10 minutes after the last step), add some lemon juice.
• Strain the herbal mixture into a bowl.
• Mix in some aloe vera gel and vitamin E oil then transfer the mix into a bottle and store in a cool, dry place.
• Choose to either sieve it or leave the leaves in it. I left mine in.
• After washing, co-washing, cleansing, moisturising your hair... spill it slowly on your head, being careful so it reaches all points of scalp.
• Don't rinse off. 

Both tonics have quite a long shelf life. I've had the one with the old recipe for over 2 months and it's still good. Also, it doesn't really require refrigeration, but if you want to keep your in the fridge, that's fine.

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So! I hope you enjoyed reading this and if you ever try out these tonics, please send me a review :)

~Sam