Natural Homemade Hair Gel

November 23rd, 2009 - filed under: The Fashion » Beauty and Cosmetics

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I did it! An all-natural, all-vegan, simple DIY styling product. No more harsh chemicals!

So adding to our arsenal of deodorant, toothpaste, and shampoo/conditioner, we can now tame our fly-aways and fashion our mohawks in an ethical and eco-friendly manner. Trés faboo, non?


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There’s 3 levels of ‘hold’ here:

Level 1, Smoothing Serum
“You want your hair to stay soft and silky, but dry air and static cling are seriously cramping your style.”

No problem! Just apply a small dollop of pure Vitamin E Oil to the center of your palm. Rub your hands together, and then run both palms over your hair, starting at the roots and moving down. A little goes a long way, and don’t use too much or it’ll end up looking oily. For split or dry ends, apply a bit more E directly to the tips.

Level 2, Light Hold
“You’re looking to keep that ponytail in place or set those bangs, despite the blustery wind waiting for you outside.”

For a little bit of action, Vitamin E isn’t enough. You’ll need to get your hands on some pure (99%) Aloe Vera Gelly. Apply it straight, just like you would with any store bought hair product. It’ll offer a gentle hold that won’t look gummy or gunked-up.

Level 3, Hard Helmet
“You like it spikey, pomped, or hawked. You require some serious hold in order to achieve your aesthetic of choice, perfect for the active lifestyle of an activist like you! If only it weren’t made from beeswax or gelatin . . .”

Never fear, my dears – Seaweed is here! The Bonzai Hair Hold is made from Aloe Vera Gel and Japanese Agar Agar. Derived from seaweed, agar is common in foods like jelly desserts, and is also the culture medium used in most bio labs (which is where I first encountered it). It is sold in thin sheets or flakes and is available at health food stores, ethnic markets, or online. Don’t be alarmed by the initial investment – a little goes a looooong way, and a bag will last you for years.


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For a ‘normal hold’ hair gel, use the Agar Agar at the concentration listed on the package. For an even tougher product (perhaps to take on your liberty spikes?), you can mix up a batch at 150% or 200% concentration.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Agar Agar (concentration of choice)
1/4 cup Aloe Vera Gelly
10 (+/-) drops Essential Oil of choice (for aroma only)

Instructions:
Prepare 1/2 cup of Agar Agar as instructed on the package, usually by simmering and stirring. When all the agar flakes are dissolved, remove from heat and whisk in the Aloe Vera and Essential Oil. Transfer the solution to a container of your choice and refrigerate, at least 6 hours or overnight.


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Once the agar is set, you’re good to go! Store the in bathroom as normal.


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This stuff is awesome, I’ve been using it to set my mess for about a week, with absolutely no complaints. I love it, and I’m so glad to share it with you!

BONZAI!!!
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12 Comments to Natural Homemade Hair Gel

1

sarah

23 November, 2009

YES!!!!! I knew I could count on you! I’ve been waiting so long for this… I am a pomade fan, but seeing as how we have similar hairstyles (short/spiky) if it works for you it should work for me. Oh wait, my husband wanted me to grow my hair out so now it’s longer… arghghh. I can make it for him though ;) So simple, don’t know why I never thought of it before… Good work!!

2

Nathan

24 November, 2009

And is there some reason you’re not marketing these concoctions you come up with?

3

Sayward

24 November, 2009

@ sarah – I’m growing my hair out too (sort of . . . maybe . . . ), but I’ve never gone long without needing ‘product’. Such a good thing to have around. I’m glad you’re excited! And, I hope it works for ya!

@ Nathan – Seriously! Believe me I’ve thought about it, in some form or another. Just not enough hours in the day, man.

4

Minna

25 November, 2009

What exactly is vitamin E oil? What is it made from?

That hair gel looks yummy (:

5

Angela

25 November, 2009

I am so excited to try this! I have been sans hair products for years now but for Halloween I broke down and put gel (left in the back of a drawer from when I actually used the stuff) in my hair as part of my costume. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked my hair but didn’t want to buy any more poisonous hair gel. How timely that you should post this! Thanks

6

Sayward

30 November, 2009

@ Minna – Vitamin E is a vitamin, also called tocopherol. It’s a necessary vitamin and the RDA is between 15-19 mg / day. Vitamin E is found in seeds and nuts as well as many vegetable oils.

@ Angela – Yay! You’re welcome. =) I hope it works out for you – let me know how it goes!

7

Eternal*Voyageur @ Venusia*Glow

8 December, 2009

Is that Vit E out of capsules ? Or can you buy it in little bottles ? Another Q: isn’t it sticky ?

8

Sayward

9 December, 2009

@ Eternal*Voyageur @ Venusia*Glow – I use Vitamin E oil that comes in a bottle, but you could squeeze it out of capsules as well (though most gel caps are not vegan, just FYI). But it’s the exact same stuff. =)

I wouldn’t say *sticky*, so much as . . . oily?

9

Lauren

1 January, 2010

Wow, this is incredibly useful! The only organic styling cream I know is being phased out and my permed hair can’t live without product. Thank you so much for sharing this. :)

10

Sayward

1 January, 2010

@ Lauren – My pleasure! I hope it works well for you. =)

11

Wendy

8 January, 2010

I was wondering if you have thought of anything that is more molding…such as the molding gels out there that are white. My husband uses them and likes the fact that it is a good hold, soft and not crunchy! Just wondering thank!

12

Sayward

18 January, 2010

@ Wendy – It’s something I’ve thought about but as of now I haven’t been able to come up with any homemade solutions, besides beeswax (not vegan) or petroleum jelly (a product of the oil industry). Boo! But I’m still working on it, and I know I’ll get there! =D