Olive Oil and Flaxseed for Frizzy Hair!

Hello!

Happy Spring!

Its finally looking a little more green here in Maryland! It is spring when we should be considering new beginnings and being grateful for the return of the sun. The daffodils and hyacinths are blooming, birds are chirping, the air is much more moist, and well, here come the frizzies.

If you check out my pic on the sidebar, you'll see I have naturally curly hair. This hair type is prone to frizz due to the nature of its growth pattern, not to mention its tendency towards dryness and breakage.

So I had my first big frizz day after a jaunt in my garden, and stood in the mirror waiting for my beauty angels to come up with a solution. Those over-the-counter frizz remedies haven't worked for me, and the cleanest ones rely on dimethicone, while most have horrible petro fragrances and other unknown chemicals included.

I went back about my business when it hit me - olive oil! Thanks beauty angels! I have always used olive oil to combat the dry ends that long hair suffers from, so I figured it would be great idea to put some on my hair before showering to at least seal some moisture in it.

I took about 1/2 a teaspoon of cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil and worked it through my hair. Someone with shorter hair would use half as much. Then I put my hair up in a bun/twist and did a little more gardening. About an hour later, I was off to the shower to wash it out. When I took my hair down, I was so surprised! My hair laid across my shoulder perfectly, with little frizz! I didn't need to wash my hair to get it to settle down! I just used my styling gel (homemade, recipe follows) after the shower and had a great hair day!

The Process

Remember first that we're all individual in our physical make up, so results may vary. In other words, don't try this for the first time before an event or date, test it first when you have extra time and can experiment.

Begin with hair that has just started to frizz. If your hair is over the top frizzed, I would recommend washing and detangling first.

Use a quality brand of cold pressed, virgin or extra virgin olive oil. I like Bertoli.

The amount of oil depends on your hair's length and texture. Less is more. Like I said, I used only about 1/2 teaspoon and I have waist length coarse hair. I would say 1/4 teaspoon if you have shoulder length coarse curly hair, and still a bit less if your hair is average. If your hair is fine or straight, use very, very little, as what makes this work; I'm finding, is that the olive oil weighs the hair down a bit.

Olive oil does have an odor. I find it pleasant, but you can add a drop of essential oil to cover the scent. The heavier scents like patchouli, clove, and frankincense are a good complement, but do a little experimenting to see what works for you...just one drop though. Grapefruit essential oil is another frizz fighter, but more than a drop can irritate sensitive skin.

Note: The reason I recommend cold pressed virgin or extra virgin olive oil is that the other types have often been treated with chemicals. If it is super cheap, its not worth it. The virgin is much healthier for you outside, not to mention inside!

Rub the olive oil in your hands. If you are using a larger amount, you may have to do two applications to avoid dripping. Gently work the oil over your hair, payimg extra attention to the ends. Wrap your hair tightly around your head, and secure with pins or put the hair into a twist or bun. Leave the hair up for an hour or so.

Take your hair down and evaluate. Use some styling gel to smooth your tresses into place, and to seal any oil residue in. Check to make sure there is not excess oil residue on the hair that may affect clothes or upholstery.

You can use an even smaller amount of olive oil on wet hair before styling for the same result. I always recommend a hair gel to control frizzy hair and help it survive the humidity changes that cause frizz.

This is my new favorite way to enjoy olive oil! My hair loves it!

More on Olive Oil

Olive oil has phytocompounds in it called polyphenols which are getting a lot of buzz on the beauty scene these days. You'll notice it on many product labels. Polyphneols work similar to antioxidants to combat aging. Olive oil resists becoming rancid, and is better for you than other vegetable oils, in my opinion. Other oils become rancid rapidly on the shelf and in the body, creating free radicals that contribute to aging and disease. I love olive oil on baked potatoes, bread, mozzarella, and roasted veggies. A good way to get a internal beauty treatment. Due to my olive oil consumption, I rarely have to moisturize my body skin.

More Uses

You can do a deep conditioning treatment on the hair by really saturating the hair and scalp with olive oil, putting on a plastic cap and leaving it on for 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. You'll have to use more shampoo than usual to remove the excess from the hair.
This treatment has a reputation for stimulating hair growth, but I am unsure this is proven.

For long hair, you can work a small amount on dry or damaged ends before going to bed at night, fixes the stiff, dried out look.

Human skin responds very well to olive oil. No wonder the Greeks bathed with it. The key is using small amounts to avoid being greasy. It absorbs well, and takes away the flakiness that watery lotions often leave behind.

Olive oil can be used with a cotton puff/ball to remove makeup, even waterproof eye makeup.

Make Your Own Hair Gel

Here is my secret to controlled curly hair for the past 24 years. Straight hair can benefit as well.

While flax seeds are getting a lot of media attention because of their high omega three content, its the natural mucilage, or plant glue on the outside of the seeds that makes it so perfect for a hair gel. This is an affordable hair gel too, since a bag of flax seeds usually costs less than five bucks and is good for at least three batches of gel.

You'll need:

One cup of whole flaxseeds. Regular dark flaxseeds work better than the yellow golden.

About 3 tablespoons of vodka, though I have used rum with good results.

A few drops of essential oil. I use ylang ylang and clove.(will explain the magic of this scent in another post)

3-4 cups of water. Less for thicker gel.

Boil the water in a deep saucepan.

When the water comes to a boil, slowly add the seeds and reduce the heat to a simmer. You'll see the mixture begin to thicken. Watch it closely until used to the procedure to avoid burning at the bottom or over thickening. When the flax mix is just slightly thinner than the hair gel strength you like, take it off the heat, let it sit for a minute or so, and strain into a container that can withstand heat and refrigeration. Be very careful with the hot gel, as it really adheres and can cause a burn.

A metal mesh strainer with holes smaller than the flax seeds is best to strain the mixture with, so if you don't have one; purchase it after you get the seeds to be sure of the size. This is another inexpensive item and it will last for years. Do not buy the type that can double as a tea strainer, the holes are too small.

If you lack the strainer, or don't want to invest before you try, you can use a fork to punch holes all over a bottom corner of a heavy zip lock gallon size bag as a makeshift strainer. You will need a careful friend to hold it open so there is no danger of getting burned by the hot gel.

Once the flax gel is in its container, stir the vodka in a bit at a time until thoroughly mixed. The addition of the alcohol is optional, but it keeps the flax from flaking. Stir in a few drops (3-8) of essential oil, and its ready to go. This gel will keep well in the fridge for at least a week.

As you can see, this stuff is by no means pretty, but it works! Remember, due to the alcohol content of this mix, it is flammable until it dries.

Tip - If you have very unruly, curly, frizzy hair, work the gel into every part of your locks, not just the surface. Use a large tooth comb or a wide pick to separate the curls, combing straight downward. Squeeze, don't rub any excess moisture from the hair with a towel, and let the hair air dry until the gel feels a little "crispy"
before blow drying. Letting the hair air dry with a lot of flax like this takes a while, but you'll have super-firm, bouncy hold that lasts, even in summer.

Enjoy!