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?
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.
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.
Once the agar is set, you’re good to go! Store the in bathroom as normal.
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!!!
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!!
Nathan
24 November, 2009
And is there some reason you’re not marketing these concoctions you come up with?
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.
Minna
25 November, 2009
What exactly is vitamin E oil? What is it made from?
That hair gel looks yummy (:
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
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!
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 ?
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?
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. :)
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!
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
Aaron McNany
30 March, 2010
Thanks so much for the recipe! I was looking around all over for a good, natural, homemade hair product. Also, your blog is fantastic!
Katta
31 March, 2010
Hello! First I find so much pleasure in reading your post. But down to business, six months ago I found I was pregnant with my first child and had to stop smoking. I’ve developped a bad habit of bitting, chewing and over-licking my lips untill they are chapped, cracked and bloody. I’ve used other chap sticks that are sufficient enough but with as often as I’ve been having to buy it the cash is starting to add up. I was wondering if perhaps you already had a cheap solution you’ve made yourself and posted on your sigh or if you could direct me to an inexpensive lip balm I can buy. I’ve become very aware of the things I’ve been putting on and in my body since I became pregnant and though I’m sure that chapstick would do little harm to my baby it’s denting the hell out of my rather small cash flow. Please help if you find the time what with your new baby and own life about you. I tried to send this via email but didn’t work so I found something with alittle bit of relation in terms of personal upkeep and posted it here.
Sayward
14 April, 2010
@ Katta – Lip balm is a tough one for me, because the vast majority of brands, and also diy recipes, are not vegan (they use beeswax, among others). So for me it’s hard enough to find lip balm period, let alone cheap stuff! I’ve tried a few so-so brands that I wouldn’t really recommend. Sorry!
But congrats on the pregnancy! So exciting!
Linda
22 April, 2010
I use straight coconut oil.
Linda
22 April, 2010
Oops..for lip balm, that is. Not for hair gel, of course.
Naturalbeauty
29 April, 2010
My agar gel looked like an edible food. I love the consistency of yours. What did I do wrong???
Sayward
6 May, 2010
@ Naturalbeaty – What do you mean ‘an edible food’? What was the consistency of yours?
Michael
10 May, 2010
Hey Sayward. My boyfriend is vegan and I LOVE your site. I was so happy to find him recipes for food and even hair-gel and things of that nature!
We got the AgarAgar (Eden Brand) and the Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gel.
My boyfriend combined the Agar Agar and Aloe Vera Gel and cooked it until the Agar Agar dissolved then put it sealed in the fridge overnight, but it was just a hard piece of something and unusable the next morning :(
What did he do wrong? (BTW I think he added water to it for some reason. But not a lot)
Sayward
11 May, 2010
@ Michael – Oh dear, it sounds like you just mixed straight agar agar with aloe, is that correct? I re-read my instructions and I can see how they could be confusing, but when I said ‘1/2 cup Agar Agar’ I meant agar agar dissolved in water, according to the instructions on the package (ie ‘concentration of choice’)
Mixing aloe with a whole half cup of agar flakes would produce an incredibly thick gel – it sounds like maybe that’s what happened?
Michael
12 May, 2010
Yeah that’s exactly what happened! Thank you so much for responding.
Can’t wait to try out more of your recipes. :)
I’ll repost after he remakes it and tell you how it goes, thanks!
23 Comments to Natural Homemade Hair Gel