How to Make Your Own Scented Hair Gel

I have worked as a beauty therapist, a freelance makeup artist, and a retail store manager for a fashion, beauty, and crafts store.

Why Should You Use Hair Gel?

Hair gel is one of the most popular hair styling products used today by both men and women throughout the world. It is used primarily to add a degree of hold to the hair, from light hold to extra-strong hold. Many fans of these products will also use gel to keep the hair smooth (the greased back looks) and in place for a variety of reasons including personal style and hat-wearing.

I have used branded hair gels for years but have never thought of making a my own until now! Making your own hair gel using scented oils is easily done at home and needs very few ingredients.

What Are the Benefits of Homemade Gel?

• All-natural
• Very effective
• Saves you money
• No added chemicals
• Quick and easy to make
• You choose the fragrance
• Can be made in small quantities
• Strength of hold is determined by you

Key Ingredients

What You Need:

• Gelatin
• Essential Oil
• Flaxseed
• Aloe Vera

Gelatin

Well known as an ingredient used in cooking, gelatin (also known as gelatine) is classed as a food and is a colourless, flavourless, translucent, brittle (in dried form) solid form of collagen derived from animal by-products.

Gelatin used in the home comes in sheet, powder or granular form. Sheets require pre-soaking in water before use, whereas the powder and granules may be used as they are.

For hair gel, my recommendation is to use the powder or organic powder form.

Gelatin is one of those products that is used in a great variety of ways which include cosmetics, sandpaper, glues, as a gelling agent in food, for thickening soups and sauces and in pharmaceutical capsules.

Flaxseed

From the plant flax, which is used to produce linen, flax seeds are readily available in health food stores as they are an incredibly beneficial addition to the diet.

There are two colourings of flax seeds, brown and a yellow/golden seed. Both may be eaten but the brown flaxseed is best known as an ingredient in paint, cattle feed and fibre.

Linseed oil or flaxseed is a vegetable oil produced from flax seeds, found in oil paints and varnishes.

Aloe Vera

The aloe vera plant is one we should all have in the home as it has a multitude of benefits and uses.

Pure 100% aloe vera gel may be used as a hair gel on its own or may be used as an additional ingredient to homemade gels.

Other ways of utilizing it in homemade hair treatments are as a nourishing shampoo, a natural conditioner, in dandruff control and in promoting hair growth. Using it in gel or juice form, aloe vera is an exceptionally effective plant.

How to Make Scented Hair Gel

Ingredients

• 1 cup of water
• ½ tsp unflavoured gelatine
• ½ tsp aloe vera gel
• 1 or 2 drops essential oil

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Equipment You'll Need

• Saucepan
• Bowl
• Jar or Container with lid
• Spoon/Spatula

Instructions

1. Pour the cup of water into your saucepan and heat just before it boils. Remove from heat and pour into the bowl.
2. Add your gelatin, aloe vera and essential oil of choice.
3. Stir well until smooth thick. If it is still a bit thin for you, add some more gelatine powder by sprinkling it into the mixture until you are happy with the consistency and allow it to cool completely.
4. Use a clean jar or plastic container to store the hair gel and keep refrigerated in-between applications.
5. It must be used between 1-2 weeks.

Tips:

• As it is preservative-free, it must be stored in the fridge. Remove and discard any gel once you start to see a crust forming or gel becoming thinner.
• Recycle jars and plastic containers, clean thoroughly and use for your hair gel.
• If you want larger quantities of hair gel you may double up on measurements easily.
• Ideal gift for a hair gel fan, include a label for information on storing and how to use.
• The recipe may be made without aloe vera for a stiffer holding gel.

How to Make Flaxseed Hair Gel

Ingredients

• 1 cup distilled water
• 3 tbsp flaxseed
• 2-4 drops essential oil of choice

Equipment You'll Need

• Saucepan
• Bowl
• Mesh Sieve
• Jar or Container with lid
• Spoon/Spatula

Instructions

1. Add the water and flaxseed into your saucepan and bring it to boil quickly.
2. Remove immediately from the heat.
3. Leave untouched for 30 mins as the liquid thickens.
4. Strain through the mesh sieve into your jar or container and leave to cool.
5. Once cooled completely, add essential oil stirring after each drop.
6. Store covered container in the fridge.
7. Use within 1-2 weeks.

Tips:

• Quantity will make approximately 30-40 applications (depending on usage).
• Hair gel will have a gentle hold.
• Good for curly or frizzy hair.
• Use recycled jars or plastic containers only.
• This will take an hour or so from start to finish.
• Aloe vera may be added (1 part aloe vera to 3 parts flaxseed) to provide added nourishment and prevent the hair drying out. Add just before the essential oil.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

How to Make Your Own Scented Hair Gel Comments

joy ash on December 14, 2015:

Hi Suzy

Tried to make this gel and struck 2 problems. I used fresh aloe vera leaf and when adding to the hot water it solidified. The gelatine was not enough to thicken it I added an extra 1/2 tsp and then another. Just wondered what I did wrong. Thanks for your reply Joy

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 08, 2012:

Hi Londonlady,

Appreciate your visit and glad you enjoyed. Savings in home remedies add up for sure and usually are quick and easy. Temptation can be to eat some they are that good!! Thanks for the VU!! :-)

Deya Writes on November 07, 2012:

Haha, I had no idea you could do this! So cool. Thanks for the good information, I see lots of potential savings. Voted up!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 07, 2012:

Hi Paula,

LOL, yep, believe it or not it's a fact and easy peasy to make. Thanks so much for commenting, glad I was able to impart some hair gel 101 to you! Appreciate your support always :-)

Suzie from Carson City on November 07, 2012:

get OUT!!! How very clever, interesting, useful, awesome and sensible!.........What else can I say? Oh, yeah....."THANKS!!"

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 06, 2012:

Hi Glimmer Twin Fan,

Thanks very much for your comments! Good idea for the preteens or party ideas even. I gave your potato jewellery a link on my creative gifts hub as I am mad about that idea by the way! Appreciate your sharing this! :-)

Claudia Mitchell on November 06, 2012:

Fascinating hub. This might be something fun for preteen girls to do at a party or as small Christmas gifts. Shared!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 06, 2012:

Hi teaches,

Glad you found it interesting, I do enjoying seeing what can be made from home that is better, cheaper and can be made by anyone. Appreciate your support as always, many thanks! :-)

Dianna Mendez on November 05, 2012:

I love idea, if I were adventurous I would make my own and it would be fantastic (based upon your advice). What a great topic and you have made it so interesting to follow.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 05, 2012:

Hi Invincible,

Delighted you enjoyed and will be giving it a go! I'm sure you will find it a great alternative to over the counter varieties. Appreciate your comments! :-)

Hitesh Bubbar from New Delhi, India on November 04, 2012:

Such a creative topic. It would be great if someone could make his own gel. I am gonna try my hands on this... Thank YOU! :)

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 04, 2012:

Hi healthwealthmusic,

Appreciate you commenting even though your not a fan of gel. The amount of ingredients in the home and garden that can be used in home treatments is amazing! Thanks for your interest here :-)

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 04, 2012:

Hi Bill,

LOL, . . .ah Bill, I wrote this especially for you! Thought it might add to your already stylish and much loved personality!! Ah well, maybe the next instalment will hit the right spot! Appreciate you reading and commenting, a sign of a true supporter! Hope your weekend was nice and relaxing, see you during the week! :-)

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 04, 2012:

Hi Bill,

Cheers for the great comments! LOL. . . .Martha Stewart I have a long way to go on!! Hair gel is one of those toiletries that are so easy to do and making your own nice smelling one adds to the fun! Appreciate your loyal contribution as always! Thanks for all the votes and sharing! :-)

Ruth R. Martin from Everywhere Online ~ Fingerlakes ~ Upstate New York on November 04, 2012:

Although I am not a big fan of hair gel, I love the natural ingredients you used for these recipes - completely genius!

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on November 04, 2012:

Suzie, no matter how much I like you and respect you, I'm not making scented gel for my hair. LOL I have my reputation to worry about!!!

Lordy, what would Bev think if she found me making scented hair gel for myself? I guess I could make it for her....hmmm....

Great job my friend; I'll have to give this some thought.

Have a great Sunday!

bill

Bill De Giulio from Massachusetts on November 04, 2012:

Hi Suzie. Another winner here. Never knew that hair gel could be made so easily from home. Guess I learned something new today. You are becoming the Martha Stewart of HubPages. VU, sharing, etc....