Balayage & Ombre »14 questions & answers (+ step by step)

I'm going to my hairdresser Monica soon and dye my hair with balayage technique! Or foilayage technology we will probably do this time. Foilayage / foliage / foliyage, do not know the correct spelling haha. I get a lot of questions about my balayage loops and ombre when I have been to the hairdresser. So now I thought I would go through the difference and show before and after pictures, as well as describe step by step how to do it.

There are very different expressions to keep track of: Balayage, foilayage, ombre, sombre & brombre. After this post, you will understand what all these words mean! :)

The balayage technique can be done in all colors, the most common being blonde balayage loops. If you are looking for someone who is really cruel at balayage in the Stockholm or Uppsala area, you must go to Monica Werner at Color and the Shape!

What is Balayage?What is Ombre?

balayage sombre

Here you see my hair the last time Monica bleached me. A sombre made with foilayage technique! What that means you will have learned after this post! :)

What is balayage & ombre?

The post is divided into balayage & ombre, I explain partly the difference but also what the two variants are for something. And shows lots of pictures and gives good tips! I also explain a bit quickly sombre & brombre and how the styles differ as well as foil loops and foilayage.

Click on the links below to jump to the section you want to read more about or scroll further down to read the entire post :)

balayage frisör stockholm uppsala

All about Balayage:

Contents Balayage:
  1. What is balayage?
  2. How to do balayage?
  3. How long does balayage last?
  4. Can you dye balayage at home?
  5. How long does balayage take?
  6. How much does it cost to dye balayage?
  7. Can you dye balayage on short hair?
  8. Balayage step by step

ombre brombre sombre balayage

Here you see a balayage coloring that Monica did on me in redder tones!

What is Balayage?

Balayage comes from the French word "balayer" which means "sweep". The Balayage technique got its name from the long, sweeping movements used to apply color to the hair.

So balayage is one paint technology to dye hair. The color is applied vertically with a sweeping motion, which means that the straws are colored differently and the transitions between dark and light become almost impossible to distinguish. You can say that you brush your hair freely instead of e.g. work with foil and loops. The result is a very natural hair color and is often used to get a sun-kissed look with e.g. light or blonde loops. Usually with the customer's own natural hair color at the bottom.

This technique is mainly used to color styles such as. ombre, sombre & brombre. So you can not get the "color balayage" because balayage is the technology itself you do the coloring with :)

How to do Balayage?

The Balayage technique is a loop technique that is done freehand by brushing loops vertically with a sweeping motion in different tones.

rosa balayage slingor rose
Image source: Color and the Shape

There are several different balayage techniques and variations.

How long does Balayage last?

In addition to giving a more vivid, natural result and depth in the coloring, I also love it because it lasts a very long time! At least if you do as I do and save my natural hair color at the bottom.

I usually go to the hairdresser twice a year and it still looks nice even at the next hairdresser's visit.

Because you dye fine transitions between dark and light in a natural way, balayage does not need as much maintenance as a regular dyeing. You do not have to go to the hairdresser and dye the growth every month, because you do not have to dye all the way down to the scalp :)

outgrowth ombre avoid outgrowth

Here are pictures from my last hairdresser visit. On the model I have grown in 8 months and still it looks good! My outgrowth blends nicely with the lighter lengths.

I have been going to Monica Werner since 2014 and before that I always used to completely bleach the growth of another hairdresser. You saw my outgrowth in the picture above after 8 months, check this outgrowth after only 2-3 months:

dark outgrowth, stripe

If you bleach / dye the whole hair, the growth will be like a straight line. I therefore felt satisfied only for 3-4 weeks, because then I had a clear stripe at the bottom.

Many blog pictures from this time are cropped in the middle of the forehead, then you know that I had a clear outgrowth that I wanted to cut away from the picture :)

I also had a period with a little darker base color and then loops instead. But even that gives a sharp outgrowth because my natural hair color still differs significantly. The result is then three different ribbons with colors 1. min outgrown 2. the base color with a few loops and 3. the fully bleached lengths.

Like this:

outgrown loops scalp blonde

In the left picture you see these "three bands" of different colors.

It's so nice nowadays that I always save a piece of my own hair color at the bottom and color it in a nice way. In this way, I never have a clear outgrowth, the only thing that happens is that the transition ends up further and further down the lengths as the hair grows.

Can you dye Balayage at home?

You can dye balayage at home, but it is difficult, especially on its own so you will probably still need help.

I bleached my friend's hair with home bleaching and balayage technique, it turned out nice overall but in some areas it became a bit uneven if you lifted the hair and looked closely. Then I am still quite experienced and thorough, it is simply difficult if you are not a hairdresser and have practiced a lot!

It is not really as simple as curling your hair at home with a comb or brush. Getting a really nice balayage requires years of experience and interest in hair & color. But if you have a sense of color & shape and are a little creative, everything works! If you want to color balayage at home, I recommend starting with natural colors. It is much easier to work with different shades of blonde and brown than to jump directly to purple or green.

Then I also recommend a hairdresser for the sake of hair quality, bleaching wears out the hair so much and not everyone's hair is used for home bleaching. Many home bleaches result in yellow and worn hair only :)

pink hair blonde pastel

Here is actually a coloring I did on my niece at home! I have no picture before the bleaching, it was done a few days before. But you see her natural hair color at the bottom. Then we put on light pink afterwards. No hairdressing results directly, but perfectly ok anyway :)

How long does Balayage take?

The time required varies depending on the hair quality and length, but you should at least count on at least 3 hours to dye the balayage.

How fast it is possible to brush the color depends on your hair, then the effect time is also different depending on your hair quality and how much you want to lighten the hair.

For my hair, it takes even longer, like 6 hours in total. I do not have that long but quite thick and a lot of hair. Then the effect time is quite long, both on the bleaching but then also a neutralizing toning to get a cooler tone on the hair.

And so Monica usually styles her hair and takes pictures and so on. And a lot of talk :) So the total time is longer than what the dyeing itself takes.

balayage before and after

Here you see the result of balayage technology! More natural than the foilayage technology (the pictures at the beginning of the post) which fades much brighter thanks to foil.

How much does it cost to dye Balayage?

The price for balayage coloring is from SEK 2,000 - SEK 8,000 and depends on the quality and length of the hair and which hairdresser you choose.

Monica (who I go to) on Color and the Shape in Uppsala has an hourly price of SEK 890 and after consultation she can give an approximate price picture of the time she thinks it will take. You often get what you pay for, so I do not recommend choosing a hairdresser by price. Rather choose a hairdresser based on recommendations and photos on social media.

Also keep in mind that if you get a good result with balayage dyeing, it is not so expensive in the long run, because you do not have to book a new appointment for a very long time. I would manage a whole year without dyeing and at my old hairdresser I paid 700 SEK every other month to fix the growth = 4200 SEK per year. This corresponds to a treatment of over 4.5 hours at Monica.

Check out Monica's instagram, how cruel changes she does not make:

balayage ombre blonde hairdresser uppsala

A clip from Monica's instagram ⤴

And if you want to do balayage in Stockholm, I recommend that you take the train to Uppsala and do with Monica instead :) It is definitely worth it!

Can you dye Balayage on short hair?

Balayage technique can be dyed on short hair as well, however, it depends on how you define short hair.

The length of the hair must still be long enough to work with! The biggest difference between coloring short hair instead of long hair is that with short hair it goes faster and becomes cheaper :)

Balayage step by step at home or at the salon

You can dye balayage at home or at the hairdresser, I wish I could have shown step by step on balayage technology that Monica did. I only have this picture but I also posted a film further down where you can clearly see how it goes. :)

balayage step by step ombre

But as you can see in the picture, you make many thin but wide passes. Monica brushes higher up closer to the face and saves more base color on the back of the head.

  1. I usually do deep cleaning at home before and wash off all silicone products. So that the bleaching will hurt evenly and effectively!
  2. Monica mixes bleaching and Olaplex
  3. .. which she then brushes in her hair with these sweeping movements
  4. The hair is plasticized during the pain period
  5. In the shampooing, she puts in a neutralizing toning. All bleached hair becomes a little banana yellow in tone before neutralizing.

Then it's ready!

Movie on balayage step by step at home:

There are probably many other youtube videos that show step by step on both balayage and foliayage that you can watch as well! :)

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All about Ombre:

Contents Ombre:
  1. What is ombre?
  2. How to dye ombre?
  3. How long does ombre last?
  4. Can you dye ombre at home?
  5. How long does it take to dye ombre?
  6. How much does ombre cost?
  7. Can you dye ombre on short hair?

ombre in different colors

What is Ombre?

As you can see in the picture above, ombre is a different base color than the lengths.

Like balayage, ombre also comes from the French and means "shadow". The ombre technology got its name from "shading" the colors in each other from light to dark or an inverted ombre from dark to light.

Unlike balayage, ombre is more of a style to dye your hair.

You make a hair color that goes horizontally over the entire hair and blends in naturally with the base color. Ombre usually goes all the way down to the tops as well.

Ombre can be dyed on dark & light hair, you usually see blonde or brown shades of ombre but there are all sorts such as. purple & gray curls in blonde hair. :)

How to dye Ombre?

Ombre can be done with several different techniques, the most common is balayage but foliage, foil loops or other freehand brushing also works.

How long does Ombre last?

Ombre lasts a very long time if you save your natural base color. Then you do not have to go every month and color the growth. Thanks to that, not so many hairdresser visits are required because ombre grows naturally and there are no sharp lines that look unnatural.

If you make ombre with a completely different base color than your own, then you will outgrow it after 1-2 months. The hair grows about 1 centimeter a month.

red ombre pink balayage

Can you dye Ombre at home?

It is possible to dye ombre at home and there are several different techniques to achieve an ombre dyeing at home.

My tip is to use a technology you are most comfortable with, e.g. balayage is a bit more difficult and requires more practice. The simplest is probably to apply the paint / bleach on the entire tops / lengths, and then make loops up to the bottom paint. To avoid a clear edge between dark and light, you can let some loops and parts go further up than others and so on.

This method is used, among other things, when dyeing loops at home without a hood. There are several good guides to coloring ombre at home step by step, you will not find in Swedish so try searching in English and you will be guaranteed!

I myself prefer to dye ombre at the hairdresser :) Especially important because I bleach, it becomes much more gentle at the hairdresser.

How long does it take to dye Ombre?

Dyeing ombre should be counted on at least 3 hours, however, this can vary greatly depending on the length of the hair, hair quality and the hairdresser who performs the job.

How much does Ombre cost?

How much does it cost to dye your hair ombre? The price is anything from SEK 1,000 - SEK 8,000 and depends on the quality and length of the hair and which hairdresser you choose. As well as what technology the hairdresser uses, making ombré with balayage technology takes longer = more expensive.

Can you dye ombre on short hair?

It is possible to dye ombre on short hair, the difference if you do it on short hair is that it is cheaper and does not take as long. :)

Difference between Sombre & Brombre?

sombre brombre soft ombre brown ombre
Image source: Color and the Shape

What is sombre?

Sombre or "soft ombre" as it is also called, is a variant of ombre.

Sombre is a little smoother than an ombre and the contrast between light and dark is not as sharp. The transitions between the shades are very soft and all the tones blend more into each other. You can do sombre both at home and at the hairdresser.

difference between ombre and balayage sombre

Here you see the difference between ombre and sombre. Both have a darker base color and lighter lengths. In the left picture, the transition is clearer = ombre. In the right picture it is softer and impossible to see where the border goes = sombre.

What is brombre?

Brombre or "brown ombre" as it is also called, is as it sounds a brown ombre.

The tones in blackberry are usually very dark bottom color that turns brown and ends with light brown in the tops. You can make brombre both at home and at the hairdresser.

Prices for sombre & brombre are at the same level as for an ombre.

fine hair despite long outgrown foil loops, foliayage, foliage, foliyage

What are Foil Loops & Foilayage?

What is meant by foil loops?

Foil loops are a technique where you use foil to package the hair color and loops. The foil package is then allowed to work for the desired time. The foil partly means that the color does not smudge in the rest of the hair, but also makes the bleaching ache more effectively, which gives an even lighter result.

The technique for foil loops can vary greatly and is a useful loop technique that most hairdressers use.

If you do not want to use a hood, you can make foil loops at home as well. If you intend to do it on your own, it can be good to have someone who can help.

What is Foilayage?

Foilayage is balayage, but instead of working with freehand and sweeping on the hair color, you use foil to package the hair color.

The difference is that with foil loops, the result is lighter, this is because the foil packages generate heat and make the bleaching take more on the hair.

Summary Balayage vs Ombre, Sombre & Brombre

In short, ombre, sombre & brombre styles are different from balayage, foliage and foil loops which are techniques. You can use balayage technology to make ombre, sombre & brombre, but you can also make ombre, sombre & brombre using foil and loops.

Monica has done different techniques on me, sometimes she has done regular balayage but also foliayage sometimes. She has attended (and continues to attend) trainings for all different color techniques so she is really good!

I love balayage and foliyage and think it works so well for me as it requires minimal entertainment! If you go to a good hairdresser, it costs a lot, but it is definitely worth it if you do not have to visit the hairdresser as often.

How do you know which one to wear?

Tell the hairdresser what you want for results, e.g. pictures are a good way to show. Then the hairdresser chooses which technique is suitable for that particular result and your conditions depending on how your hair color looks, etc. :)

blonde balayage ombre nordic ash blonde result
Image source: Color and the Shape

If you want to do balayage in Uppsala, I highly recommend contacting Monica Werner at Color and the Shape, she's so good! To book an appointment with her, you must either call, visit the salon or do an online consultation. If you want to do balayage in Stockholm, I still recommend Monica Werner! You can simply go to Uppsala! :)

Hope you got wiser by my post about balayage, foliayage, ombre, sombre & brombre! If you have any questions or concerns, just leave a comment below!

Also read:

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Pimples on the back - 6 tips to avoid & treat dorsal pimples

Pimples on the back (like acne on the face) are simply an inflammation of the sebaceous glands on the skin. Pimples on the back are caused by various factors such as stress, hormones, increased sebum production, release of inflammatory substances in the skin, hyperkeratosis and colonization of bacteria in the skin.

This eventually leads to inflammation of the sebaceous glands and forms a pimple.

I have written a larger post about pimples & acne, click here. Among other things, I go deeper into what a pimple is, studies on pimples and diet, etc.

I myself get bigger pimples on my back depending on my bike and when I am stressed I get lots of small pimples! Often a few on the upper arm as well.

pimples on the back

When I'm abroad I get a lot less pimples, I think it's because of a mixture of sun and relaxation. However, I have pimples on my back here too if you zoom in;) Especially one that ends up right in the shadow of my shoulder blade. Yes! Lol.

How to get rid of pimples on the back?

The skin on the back is incredibly thick, which increases the risk of blocking the pores, which can partly lead to pimples on the back.

Here I have listed some common reasons for getting pimples on your back and what you can do to counteract it:

1. Dina hair care products can clog the pores of the back. When you shower and wash your hair, hair wrap and conditioner that runs down the back can clog the pores and lead to pimples on the back.

Solution: Wash your back thoroughly the last thing you do before going out of the shower, after rinsing out your conditioner.

2. To not shower directly after the gym can cause pimples on the back. Letting sweat and dirt grow on your back for a long time clogs the pores.

Solution: Make sure to shower immediately after the gym and wear clean workout clothes every session.

3. To carry tight clothing or tight-fitting backpacks can cause pimples on the back. This is because tight-fitting clothes and backpacks create heat, sweat and friction, which irritates the skin and can clog the pores.

Solution: If you wear tight clothing, make sure that the material can breathe properly and that you do not go too long between washes. If you often carry the backpack on your back, you can try to sometimes replace it with a handbag or shoulder bag.

Bad or oily sunscreens can clog the pores and be the cause of pimples on the back.

Solution: It's good to lubricate yourself, so you should not skip it! But instead choose a quality sunscreen that works for your skin without clogging pores.

5. What you eat and drinking can affect and lead to pimples on the back. Among other things, I go through foods with a high GI and milk & milk products in my second post, which can lead to or worsen acne.

Solution: Eat more "natural food", ie food from nature that is not processed and skip milk and dairy products. Whey protein can also be a cause of pimples on the back.

6. Stress & hormones can affect how much pimples you have on your back. Stress creates an imbalance in the body and is the cause of many ailments. Hormones can increase the production of sebum, which in turn leads to increased amounts of skin bacteria and clogged pores.

Solution: Review your life choices and think about what you can do to reduce the levels of stress in your life. Sometimes it can be difficult, but a tip is to start with small changes, which over time leads to reduced stress. If it is hormonal, you should review what supplements and medications you are taking and consult your doctor about how it can be improved.

I hope you got some good tips and advice for pimples on your back! If you have any tips that work that I did not list here, feel free to comment below so I can add it! Below I have listed the products that work best against pimples on the back! :)

Products that work best for me:

Enzyme peeling against pimples on the back:

What has given me the best results is an enzyme peel that I use on my back and shoulders a few times a week, but not every day. Ida Warg - Vitalizing Enzyme Body Peel (adlink).

I get pimples from the shoulders and down the top of the arms, which I think is partly hormonal, so it does not disappear completely, but it has become much smaller since I started with this peeling!

Soothing spot treatment on pimples:

When a pimple still appears, I dabble Indy Beauty SOS spot treatment (adlink) then it disappears much faster.

I have had a pimple that broke out properly despite these two products, but all the little ones have almost stopped coming completely and the few that have come disappear in almost a day!

Treat pimples on the back with acid:

I can also recommend treating with some type of acid. It removes dead skin cells and thus reduces the risk of sebum and cells clogging the pores. For example. is Pixi Glow Tonic (link) great!

treat pimples on the back

There are also many over-the-counter alternatives to treating pimples. However, one should try to find the reason why the pimples appear and not just treat with tablets and creams.

Also read my second post about acne & pimplesWhy do you get acne & how can it be treated?

Hugs! :)

Acne & Pimples - Why Do You Get It & How Can It Be Treated?

I got pimples very early, even before I became a teenager. Why do you get it and how can it be treated? This is a common question I get! If you suffer from acne and seek help, read my entire post to take note of the facts I found / my experiences.

When you know why you get pimples and what they are, it can be easier to find a treatment for acne that works.

Today they do not actually bother me at all. If I get a big and evil, it's just over of course but I'm never completely finn-free, but it does not matter to me anymore :)

But it is actually thanks to the pimples that I became interested in makeup from the beginning! At first I only had a small powder box with me to school, but the more pimples I got the more makeup I put on. Then I got to the level that I had to use blush, bronzer too so as not to look like a ghost of all the coverage. :) Then I realized that this is actually fun!

What is acne & pimples and how can I treat it?

Table of Contents:

What is acne?

Acne or pimples as it is also called, is simply an inflammation of the sebaceous glands on the skin. Common areas that suffer from acne are the face, back, chest and neck but it can also affect other areas.

Pimples are caused by a bacterium that lives on the skin and feeds on sebum, dead skin cells and residues from the skin. 

If there is an increased production of nutrients for the bacterium, it increases in number and size and releases enzymes and proteins. These enzymes and proteins damage the cell structure of the sebaceous glands and lead to inflammation and the appearance of blackheads. Further clogging of the pore increases the inflammation which then forms a pimple.

Different types of acne:
  • Acne vulgaris - Common pimple, larger more inflamed pimples.
  • Comedonica acne - Blackheads, hardly any inflammation.
  • Papulopustulosa acne - Inflamed pustules & papules (pimples).
  • Acne nodulocystica - More severe acne, lumps in the skin.
  • Acne conglobata - The most serious form of acne. All of the above symptoms, large inflamed acne cysts.

If you get a recurring pimple in the same place, it is a sebaceous cyst that occurs when the sebaceous gland is clogged.

acne & pimples treatment

Here you see my jaw :) I do not usually have this much and small, however. Has more often fewer but larger and more scattered.

Why do you get acne & pimples?

Acne is caused by various factors. For example, increased sebum production as sebum and dead skin cells can clog the pores and create an inflammation = pimple.

It can also be due to stress, hormones, release of inflammatory substances in the skin, hyperkeratosis (a skin problem that causes thick skin) and colonization of anaerobic propionibacterium acnes (ie an Anaerobic bacterium in the skin).

Acne is also most likely an impact on our diet and environment in the short and long term.

I found a study on acne vulgaris where it was established that it is a disease in Western civilizations. It had examined the number of acne cases from 2 non-western populations: Kitavan islanders in Papua New Guinea and Aché hunter-gatherers in Paraguay. Of the more than 1,200 people examined, they showed no symptoms of acne (neither mild nor severe). 

The study also shows connections between other groups who before they were introduced to Western foods did not have cases of acne.

Which quite clearly shows that pimples mainly have to do with diet and the environment. Whether you then develop severe acne or not may have to do with genetics and hormones.

The study in its entirety can be read on the JAMA Network:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/479093

The link between acne and diet:

I also found another study where they go through different foods and acne.

They investigated the link between acne and milk & dairy products. Among other things, the study carried out on more than 10,000 girls and boys in their teens showed that a higher intake of milk & milk products increased the amount of pimples in people.

Eating foods with a high GI (glycemic index) also seems to be associated with acne. In the study, people with pimples had a diet with a much higher GI than that of people without pimples.

Examples of foods that have a high GI are soft drinks, juices, sweets, pastries and white bread.

Both studies can be read in English here:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4884775/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27061046/

How to get rid of acne & pimples?

There is no easy method to get rid of acne, as pimples can be based on several causes. That's a bit of the problem. I think my pimples are due to 1. high sebum production 2. hormones and 3. I eat healthy overall but yes there will be a lot of dairy products and then gottis on the evening twig;) I also notice directly on my skin when I am stressed! The skin even tells before the brain.

So if you're looking for a miracle cure for acne, I do not have it. However, I have all the other information that will hopefully be helpful!

Today there are many different creams, treatments, tablets and other remedies & medications for acne. Whether they work to counteract acne or just relieve it, may differ from person to person and from product to product. If you find a product that helps, it's great! But many times you just treat the symptoms instead of finding the root of the problem.

It is also possible to use antibiotics in severe cases to reduce the symptoms. It is usually a long course that lasts 3 months. But whether it is treated with creams, tablets or antibiotics, it is important to get to the root of the problem.

I know several who have taken tablets for acne (I have not tested myself) e.g. Isotretinoin. Although they work, there are many side effects. For example, that you get extremely dry instead, I know someone who could not use a towel on her face anymore because the skin broke and she got blisters around her lips. But to get an insight into the different variants that exist and different side effects / benefits, I recommend that you google specifically on this :)

Over-the-counter drugs containing benzoyl peroxide can also be used for mild and moderate acne and these work by opening the pores and reducing the number of bacteria on the skin (anaerobic propionibacterium acnes). And can be a great way to get rid of pimples quickly. Basiron e.g. is such a cream that many like!

There is also much to suggest that laser treatment for inflamed acne is an effective method as it reduces the bacterial content and inflammation in the skin.

What can I do to treat acne & pimples?

  • I have found several studies that point to a clear link between acne and diet, especially foods with a high GI (glycemic index) and milk & dairy products.
  • Even studies in which non-Western populations who lived on only "natural food" did not have any acne at all.
  • Studies also show that omega 3 fats, antioxidants & vitamins as well as selenium & zinc and other minerals improve skin conditions.

So the simple answer should be to eat more "natural food" (ie food that is not processed) and eat less of things that have a high GI and / or are broken down and reduce the intake of milk & milk products.

At glykemisktindex.se you can see a list of which foods have a low and high GI, respectively: https://glykemisktindex.se/gi-tabell/. If you want inspiration on recipes with a low GI, I can also recommend Tasteline: https://www.tasteline.com/recept/gi/.

In addition to probably helping against acne, the whole body is happier with good bacteria and natural vitamins & minerals. NOTE! This is not a quick fix, but it requires dedication to change ingrained lifestyles. :)

Also read:

10 tips for pimples & acne:

Fireplace: you do not get pimples because the skin is dirty or unhygienic, but keeping the skin clean from bacteria can relieve acne.

  1. Cleanse the skin every day. Wash off makeup thoroughly! I clean very carefully in the evening, in the morning I only use hot water.
  2. If you have oily skin, feel free to use make-up for oily skin. Light makeup that allows the skin to breathe. Even when you are unmade up, it is good with e.g. a degrading transparent primer. My experience is that if I use e.g. an absorbent powder, I get less pimples, than days I go completely unmade up. I think it's because I get the oil off the skin so that the oil does not clog.
  3. Clean your makeup brushes often, every week!
  4. Also clean your phone, or use headphones when calling.
  5. Wash the pillowcase often.
  6. Moisturize the skin properly. That you should dry out the skin to get rid of pimples is a myth! In addition: fat dissolves fat. So if you have oily skin, feel free to use a face oil in the evening. Only it is so thin / light that it does not clog the pores.
  7. Squeeze with pork clamps. Yes I know "you should not squeeze at all" but people (me too) do anyway - then it is better to squeeze with a pork squeezer instead of the nails which are both sharp and unhygienic. I'm addicted to my pork clamps!
  8. I give you permission to squeeze with pork clamps but do not overdo it! When people talk about "operating" their pimples, I want to cover my ears. If you have to fight, do not do it. Is the fin not ripe? Wait to squeeze. Will it not come out more? Stop squeezing. You get three seconds per pimple, no more;)
  9. A complexion with acne is often also sensitive. Do not use too strong products (test yourself carefully) and use soft towels. Never rub and wear on the skin.
  10. A mild acid is good for removing dead skin cells from the face. It does not have to be a strong acid! For example. is Pixi Glow Tonic (link to my own webshop) great!

Makeup tips for removing pimples:

make up pimples & acneAlso read my post about that make up pimples step by step

I hope my post has been helpful! If questions arise or if you have your own tips and experiences, you are very welcome to share them in the comments field below. Maybe there is a secret tip that someone is sitting on that works extra well against pimples? Feel free to share with you so I can update the text! :)

Hugs!

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Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) - Dietary Supplements, Serum & Food

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Loved Vitamin C! In this post I go through what Vitamin C is good for, talk a little about Vitamin C Serum, supplements, food and everything else around the subject!

I hope you like my more health-oriented posts, beauty is wellness and vice versa - if you feel good, it is visible to the outside as well :)

By the way, did you know that ascorbic acid and vitamin C are the same thing? Ascorbic acid is thus pure C Vitamin Powder.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) in supplements, serums and foods

Table of contents, click on the links to jump to different parts of the post:

  1. What is it good for and why do we need it?
  2. Does it protect against Coronavirus (Covid-19)?
  3. Does it help with colds?
  4. How much per day should you get in?
  5. Overdose & symptoms, is it dangerous?
  6. What contains most of the vitamin?
  7. Which Dietary Supplement Should I Choose?
  8. Serum for the face, why?
  9. Can you dye your hair with ascorbic acid?

Vitamin C food, drink, serum, supplements

My new everyday routine: Vitamin C drink! Always in fine glasses, but not always in the spa;)

What is Vitamin C good for and why do we need it?

Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron from food and also acts as an antioxidant needed to build the body's bone and cartilage tissue. In addition, it provides protection to the body's other cells.

Lack of Vitamin C can initially cause symptoms of fatigue, weakness and irritation. In severe cases, it can in rare cases cause scurvy with symptoms such as inflammation of the gums, impaired wound healing and susceptibility to infection.

I remember when I went to school, my teacher said "if you only eat noodles you get scurvy, but if you eat noodles with ketchup you can manage" Lol.

Does Vitamin C Protect Against Coronavirus (Covid-19)?

With much else, there are reports that Vitamin C reduces the risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19). But there is currently not enough support for it.

However, there are many indications that low levels of vitamin C can probably increase the risk of becoming infected with Covid-19 and lead to a more difficult course of the disease. However, it can have such a simple explanation as that with all the vitamins, minerals and nutritional deficiencies, the body generally weakens and then makes it even more susceptible to diseases.

However, some studies suggest that very high doses of Vitamin C may be good for treating seriously ill people.

For more info on that, read on this medical article from the National Institutes of Health and the research study of ZhiYong Peng, Zhongnan.

Does Vitamin C Help With Colds?

Vitamin C is an antioxidant and plays an important role in the immune system and we need it to make antibodies. According to studies, slightly higher intakes than they recommend seem to be good against disease, but eating too much vitamin supplement for longer periods can be harmful. You can read more about it in the section "Overdose & Symptoms”.

From an article from Harvard Health Publishing where they examine the link between Vitamin C and the immune system:

Extremely active people, such as e.g. Marathon runners and strength trainers who took at least 200 mg of vitamin C every day seem to reduce the risk of catching a cold by approx. 50%. For "ordinary" people, there was not as clear a connection.

However, taking at least 200 mg of vitamin C per day seems to reduce the duration of cold symptoms by an average of 8% in adults and 14% in children, roughly a minor sick day. Provided that you then get that amount every day.

Source - Harvard Health Publishing & Cochrane Library

So if you are often ill, it can be good to review your vitamin intake and increase it if necessary, either with supplements or through the diet. Often it is enough to just add some fruit & vegetables to their meals. :) Fruit is better than ketchup anyway, haha!

Vitamin C immune system, corona, cover, cold

As you know, I struggle with my sore throats, but now I drink these effervescent tablets Immune support from Life every day with both vitamin C and zinc. It tastes super good and is pink, what more could you ask for? ;)

How much Vitamin C per day should you ingest?

Recommended intake of Vitamin C varies depending on age, according to the National Food Administration, the daily recommendations look like the list below:

  • Infants 6-11 Mon., 12-23 Mon. - 20, 25 milligrams
  • Children 2-5 years, 6-9 years, 10-13 years - 30, 40, 50 milligrams
  • Adults - 75 milligrams
  • Pregnant & Breastfeeding - 85, 100 milligrams

If you eat a varied diet, you get the need for vitamins and have nothing to worry about, it is also unusual in Sweden to have a deficiency of vitamin C. But if you know that you eat too one-sidedly and do not get fruit & vegetables, it can be good to take extra supplements or start eating a little healthier simply! :)

Vitamin C Overdose & Symptoms, Is Vitamin C Dangerous?

It is not particularly dangerous to overdose on Vitamin C because it is a water-soluble vitamin and cannot be stored in the body without excess accompanying the urine. However, you should be a little careful if you have certain diseases such as. kidney stones, in addition to that, even high doses can cause e.g. diarrhea according to the National Food Administration.

However, they have found a study by Alicja Wolk from Karolinska Institutet, where they investigate the connection between cataracts and Vitamin C supplements. The study has been able to show that women who eat higher doses of vitamin C supplements (500-1000 mg +) have an increased risk of getting age-related cataracts. You can read the study at Researchgate.

However, multivitamins, which provide a daily intake of all vitamins, did not show an increased risk of cataracts in women. It seems to be the dosage that is important.

She has also done a study with similar results fixed for men and kidney stones. The same applies there, that multivitamins did not have the same connection as taking high doses of vitamin C supplements.

There is also some link between Dietary Supplements and Cancer (can be read at Cancerfonden.se). This is mainly because antioxidants protect the cells and this also applies to cancer cells. So vitamin supplements (A, E & C) do not necessarily cause cancer but can help it develop if you have it.

What contains the most Vitamin C?

The best way to get Vitamin C is in supplements and in the food we eat. Especially fruits, berries and vegetables are a great source of vitamins!

Some good sources of Vitamin C are Pepper (especially yellow peppers are stuffed and perhaps the best source for it). Which is good because I LOVE peppers! Kale, Kiwi, Sea buckthorn, Guava, Currants, Blueberries, Broccoli, Papaya, Strawberries, Cauliflower & Citrus Fruits.

How much Vitamin C does a pepper contain?
  • Yellow pepper contains 183.5 milligrams per 100 grams, red and green slightly less.
Which fruit contains the most vitamin C?
  • The fruit that contains the most Vitamin C is Kiwi, with its whole 92.7 milligrams per 100 grams.
How Much Vitamin C in an Orange?
  • One orange contains 53.2 milligrams of Vitamin C per 100 g.
How much Vitamin C does a lemon contain?
  • One lemon contains roughly the same amount as an orange, 53 milligrams per 100 grams.
How much Vitamin C does blackcurrant contain?
  • Content of blackcurrants may differ slightly and is from 122.4 - 193.2 milligrams per 100 grams.

The dream is to have a garden with black currants, it's so delicious. I'll have that later when we live in Spain;)

Which Dietary Supplement With Vitamin C Should I Choose?

There are several different dietary supplements to choose from. It is best if you are still looking for vitamin supplements to take one with several different vitamins and minerals. I'm using right now ”multi woman”From Life. It contains 12 vitamins and 8 minerals and 80 mg Vitamin C, which is 100% of the recommended daily intake. Then, as I said, I also take one Immune Support effervescent tablet (the drink) that contains 200% of the recommended daily intake, so I am on a little excess.

Vitamin C serum on the face, why?

Vitamin C is an antioxidant and stops or prevents environmental and sun damage to cells. You can also take advantage of Vitamin C by having it directly on the skin with serum!

When we eat and drink vitamin C, the skin only gets a small fraction. Using it as a serum on the skin also means that the skin absorbs the vitamin in a more effective way.

Vitamin C on the skin has many benefits and can, among other things, reduce wrinkles, protect collagen and increase production, better wound healing, help protect against sun damage and reduce hyperpigmentation, even out skin tone, protect against impurities and other free radicals.

Can you do a decolorization of the hair with Vitamin C?

If you eventually get green hair or green shifts in your hair, you can get rid of these with the help of Askorbic Acid! I have made a whole post about this, you can find it here: Green hair? Best tips for green shifts in your hair!

In summary so it is always better to have the real deal, so naturally Vitamin C from fruits, berries and vegetables. But you do not always have time to make sure you get everything always and then it can be good to take multivitamin supplements to balance the need.

Not always and not too much, but during certain periods e.g. during part of the winter season when everything is so cold, wet, dark and depressing already! :)

Vitamin C supplements drink effervescent tablet

And overall well-being is important! Here I am in the whirlpool with vitamin drinks on a regular Tuesday afternoon. You have to treat yourself!

Hope my great vitamin post has been helpful to you and that you found the information you were looking for! If you have any questions, thoughts or personal experiences to share, feel free to comment below.

Also read:

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Fendi Sunglasses - Try glasses online

I've done a lot of fun! 1. Choose a pair of Fendi sunglasses (decision anxiety deluxe) and 2. try glasses online!

Yep you heard right! It's winter and you are not allowed to go abroad due to the pandemic, but I am still so happy about this delivery that I almost burst! This day I got home no less than a pair of brand new Fendi sunglasses and I am so happy that I burst !! ♥

Look what stylish sunglasses:

No, but shoot me so good-looking! :) These are called Fendi FF 0242/2 and available for purchase SmartBuyGlasses.com, in addition, they are available in several different colors!

I chose green, how nice? I have some black, dark brown and pink sunglasses so wanted something that is a middle ground. Color but still a bit discreet and that works for any outfit!

Nothing inspires me as much as thinking of spring. Then we take our self-built camper van to Spain for the first time! What should I wear then? A patterned caftan, lots of lipstick and green (!) Fendi sunglasses *spins like a cat*.

Fendi sunglasses

4.5 years ago, I collaborated with SmartBuyGlasses and even then I chose a pair of sunglasses from Fendi. And do you know? I still use them! Love their sunglasses! Check out the hashtag #fendieyewear on Instagram, eye candy!

Check out how beautiful they are:

fendi sunglasses smartbuyglasses sunglasses

I never get tired, they are so use!

High quality sunglasses

How many people wear sunglasses for 4.5 years without them breaking? Here we talk quality for oh what I not been afraid of them. It should be so it is embarrassing to admit, but mine have absolutely constantly been loose in various bags and drawers.

I never have them in a case. It included a case of course but it's long gone, hehe.

fendi eye wear sunglasses sunglasses

Now these are not in stock anymore, but SmartBuyGlasses has lots of new Fendi sunglasses and many, many more brands!

Some luxury brands such as Dior, Rayban, Victoria Beckham, Chloe, Linda Farrow, Gucci, Tom Ford etc.

As well as affordable brands such as Komono, Silhouette and SmartBuy's own collection which also has many very nice frames!

Try glasses online - virtual mirror

test glasses online

This is how these fat bows from Gucci would look on me if I clicked home a couple. Mums!

Among the most fun at Smartbuyglasses.se is that you can test the glasses online. Perfect for seeing the size and shape of your own face. It is actually very difficult to buy glasses online otherwise?

The virtual mirror detects your facial features and gives tips as well. For example. if you have a narrower jaw than forehead, etc. For me, it recommended slightly angular arches, which I can agree with :) I can have round ones if they are large!

You can try glasses online by using either the selfie camera in the mobile or the webcam on the computer. It's very simple!

try glasses online

And this is how I had looked in these from Dior. No but, how cool? Give me! :)

It is not possible to make a virtual mirror on exactly all arches, however. They have so many different frames and colors. So my Fendi sunglasses e.g. does not exist in virtual mirror.

try sunglasses online

Here are two different little rounds. A pair from Chloe and a pair from Versace.

So much fun! And dangerous, you want them all;)

Enter into SmartBuyGlasses.se to try on glasses online and treat yourself to a pair of new regular glasses, or take the opportunity to find cheaper branded sunglasses! So you like me have something to look forward to in the spring :)

In fact, I usually always buy summer clothes on SALE in the winter. This is something that many people talk about doing, but like no one does? Except me, haha!

Same with sunglasses, take care now! ♥

Hug hug!

Also read: 5 makeup tips for glasses

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