Okay, so, I’ve been messing around with my hair for a while now, trying to get that perfect hold without looking like I dipped my head in glue, you know? I started with some store-bought gels, but they were either too weak or turned my hair into a crunchy mess. So, I thought, why not try making my own? That’s how this whole experiment began.
Mixing Things Up
First, I tried the gelatin route. I grabbed some unflavored gelatin from my kitchen – yeah, the stuff you use for desserts. I mixed it with warm water, just like making jelly. The idea was that the more gelatin I used, the stronger the hold would be. I started with a small amount, dissolved it, and waited for it to cool down and thicken. It was pretty simple, actually.
Testing and Failing
I applied this homemade gel to my hair, and at first, it seemed okay. But it didn’t really hold that well. My hair kinda just flopped back to its usual style after a while. So, next, I doubled the amount of gelatin, thinking this would do the trick. It did get thicker, but my hair ended up feeling like a helmet – super stiff and crunchy. Not exactly the look I was going for. Plus, it didn’t really make my hair shine or anything, just made it hard.
Trying Something New
Then, I remembered reading something about using xanthan gum to thicken liquids, So, I got some of that powder – it’s usually used in gluten-free baking and stuff. I mixed a little bit of this with my basic water and gelatin mix. I had to store it in the fridge, which was a bit of a hassle, and I had to make a new batch like every week or so. But, this one was better. It gave my hair a firmer hold without making it too stiff, and it was easier to style.
Aloe Vera to the Rescue
I also experimented with adding aloe vera gel. You know, the stuff you put on sunburns? I mixed it into my concoction, and it was pretty cool. Aloe vera is great for your hair – it moisturizes and nourishes it. When I added this to my gel mix, my hair felt softer and looked healthier. Plus, it gave the gel a smoother consistency, which made it easier to apply.
Extra Tips
- Blow Dryer: Using a blow dryer helped a lot. After applying the gel, I’d blow-dry my hair, and it would set faster and hold the style better.
- Different Types: I realized that it’s kind of a trial-and-error thing. I tried different combinations of gelatin, xanthan gum, and aloe vera until I found the right mix for my hair.
So, that’s basically my journey of making my own hair gel. It was a lot of experimenting, some fails, but also some wins. I ended up with a gel that holds my hair just how I like it, and it’s made with stuff I know and trust. Plus, it’s kinda fun to make your own stuff, right? If you’re into DIY and wanna control what goes on your hair, give it a shot. Just be ready to play around with the ingredients until you hit that sweet spot.
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