Instead, I boil chunks of pineapple, which I always have frozen for the best smoothies in the world made by moi. That I simmer for 20 minutes, adding and dissolving sugar in a 1:3 ratio to the water. The pineapple sufficiently passes on its acidic properties and also adds a little extra fructose to the syrup. Paste has been deliciously crack-resistant thus far.
yes, I did say best smoothies in the world.
photo credit: Beth
Leave it till dye release in a warm corner covered in saran wrap. About four hours before I package it up for use, I add tea tree oil as my terp of choice. About 1 to 11/2 teaspoons for 100g of powder has been suggested, but I always adjust since I rarely make that much. I'd like to play with cajeput and frankincense a bit sometime. I always default to tea tree even though it smells funny because I always think of it as an antiseptic and its healing properties. I used to add lavender because my sister likes it, but honestly I'm not a fan.
So that's all that goes into my paste. All random kitchen ingredients (well, in my home tea tree oil was a common household material). All natural. Always fresh :)
The only other component that may be a part of my henna would be a sealant. A lemon sugar combination is very common and works really well, but I always get annoyed with the stickyness. Instead, I'll use a watered down white glue. Just water and elmer's glue. Completely safe, non-toxic, and washes off in case you've changed your mind. When it comes time to remove the paste, it also makes it much easier to peel off the remaining - all in one! ALL in ONE! Adding glitter makes it even purtier.
Now that's really it. Promise.
