Homemade Leave-In Treatments

When thinking about frizzy hair, we typically picture curls that are completely out of control. Frizz is most common with curly hair, regardless of how fine or coarse the hair is, but can be a problem for others as well. Fly-aways tend to be more common with fine, straight hair. Those of us stuck in the middle with wavy hair might have the best of both worlds in styling options, but we also have more opportunity to develop both frizzy hair and the fly-aways. To solve or treat the frizz or fly-aways, we need to understand the cause behind the hair issues. Most hair issues can be traced to a lack of protein and moisture. High humidity, damage from heat and styling, damage from chemical processes and even over handling your hair can contribute to the problem.

If possible, I suggest either giving up or lowering your use of harsh detergents, chemical dyes or other chemical processes and heated styling tools. The harsh detergents are sulfate heavy shampoos or shampoo bars, which would involve some label reading to avoid. One option is to try some herbal or all natural shampoos or washes in place of a commercial shampoo. You can take it a step further and conditioner-only washing your hair. Conditioners tend to have the same cleansing ingredients as shampoos, simply in lower quantities. So, by coating your hair well with conditioner and letting it sit on your hair during your shower, rinsing it out being the last thing you do before getting out of the shower you can clean and condition your hair at the same time. If you want to do this, I suggest getting some inexpensive conditioner with a scent you like, since you will need to use more than when conditioning normally. Other steps you can take to lessen frizz, fly-aways and other issues include henna or cassia, a deep moisturizing treatment or a shot of protein. Before you through your hands up in despair, because you just cannot give up your hair dryer or favorite shampoo, try some of these homemade products that can help you obtain and maintain healthy, controllable hair that you will love showing off.

Basic Flax Seed Gel
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of flax seeds
1 cup of water

Instructions:
1. Place all of the ingredients in a small saucepan.
2. Simmer the mixture over medium to low heat until the liquid is reduced by half.
3. Strain out the flax seeds and allow the gel to cool. If you would like to add essential oils for fragrance or helpful properties, I would suggest adding a drop or two just as you remove the mixture from the heat to cool.
4. Keep the gel refrigerated and use as you would a commercial hair gel. You can double this recipe if you desire, but I suggest starting with a small batch for your first attempt. Flax Seed Gel is a solution that can take the place of commercial hair gels. This recipe can help smooth down any flyways and give curls or waves definition. As a bonus, it is very good for maintaining healthy hair and will not flake.

Enhanced Flax Seed Gel
Ingredients:
3 Tablespoons of flax seeds
2 Cup of water
2 Vitamin E capsules
1/4 Cup of aloe gel

Instructions:
1. Boil together flax seeds and one cup of water for around four minutes.
2. Strain the mixture with a mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
3. Add one cup of water to the used flax seeds and boil for another six minutes.
4. Strain the mixture and let it cool a bit.
5. Add the vitamin E capsules and aloe gel.
6. Refrigerate the gel and then use as you would any commercial hair gel.

Defrizzing Spray
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons of aloe gel
1 Teaspoon of jojoba oil
1 Teaspoon of glycerin (optional)
Distilled water
Essential oils of choice

Instructions:
1. Add the aloe gel, jojoba oil, glycerin (if desired) and any desired essential oils in a four-ounce mister. The glycerin will help add shine, but is not essential. If you have carrier oil that you would rather use, feel free to make substitutions. The same goes for essential oils. My personal favorites for hair are rosemary, mint and lemongrass but you should feel free to use your personal favorites.
2. Add distilled water to the mister until full and shake it well. Tap water can be used instead of distilled water, and it will still do the job perfectly. However, the spray seems to keep better when made with distilled water.
3. I recommend refrigerating for storage and always shake well before each use. The spray can be used as a de-tangler as well as a frizz soother on wet or dry hair. It can also be used for dry shaving your legs. If you leave out all of the essential oils, you can also use the spray to remove eye makeup.

Coconut Hair Butter
Ingredients:
8 Ounces of melted extra virgin coconut oil
2 Ounces of jojoba oil
10 Drops vanilla essential oil (optional)
10 Drops sandalwood essential oil (optional)
Sterilized wide-mouth jar(s)

Instructions:
1. Mix all of the ingredients well in a bowl. Stir the ingredients very well. You can make substitutions with the essential oils and jojoba oil, but it is the properties of the coconut oil that are essential in achieving the desired consistence, so do not experiment with substitutions there.
2. Pour the mixture into the sterilized wide-mouth jar(s). If you cannot find truly wide-mouth jars, make sure you use something that will allow you to get the thick hair butter out of the jar.
3. Let the jars sit until the mixture solidifies. The results should have the consistency of soft butter at seventy degrees. Be sure to store it in a cool place or it will melt.
4. To use the hair butter, melt a little dab in your hands and apply to wet or dry hair. The treatment will help keep your hair soft and free of splits. Just remember that a little bit goes a very long way. So start with tiny amounts and add more as needed rather than finding yourself over-saturated.

Butter Hair Cream
Ingredients
1 Ounce of sweet almond oil
2 Ounce of jojoba oil
8 Ounce of cocoa butter or Shea butter
Essential oils of your choice (optional)
Sterilized wide-mouth jar(s)

Instructions:
1. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir very well.
2. Pour the mixture into sterilized wide-mouth jar(s). If you cannot find truly wide-mouth jars, make sure you use something that will allow you to get the thick hair butter out of the jar.
3. Let the jar(s) sit until the mixture solidifies. It should have the consistency of soft butter at seventy degrees. Remember to store the cream in a cool location or it we melt.
4. To use the hair cream, warm a little but in your hands and apply to wet or dry hair to keep ends soft and free of splits. Like with any oil based treatments or leave-ins, a little goes a very long way.

Conditioning Butter
Ingredients:
1/4 Cup of unrefined coconut oil (solid at room temperature)
1/4 Cup of coco butter
1/4 Cup of mango butter
1/4 Cup of Shea butter

Instructions:
1. Add all of the ingredients except for the coconut oil to a glass container and heat in the microwave until fully melted.
2. Add the coconut oil to the mixture and stir. If the coconut oil does not melt completely, then reheat in short increments until it is completely melted.
3. Stir the mixture well and let it cool slightly.
4. Pour the blend into sterilized wide-mouth jar(s). If you cannot find truly wide-mouth jars, make sure you use something that will allow you to get the thick hair butter out of the jar.
5. Let the mixture solidify completely. Please store in a cool place.
6. To use the hair cream, warm a little but in your hands and apply to wet or dry hair. It will sooth fly-aways while making hair soft and shiny. This mixture is extremely rich and a tiny dab will go a long way. This butter is great for both hair and skin use.