Gel Moisturizers...huh?

Q: What the HECK are these Gel Moisturizers I keep seeing?

A: The quick and dirty answer is: Gel Moisturizers are typically water or aloe based moisturizers, which are great for all skin types, for different reasons.

Dry or Aging skin can benefit from the hydration boost of a Gel Moisturizer under their cream moisturizer. A Gel typically has large quantities of Hyaluronic acid in it, which will attract moisture from the air and lock it into skin.

Oily or Acneic skin can benefit from the light texture and non-comedogenic (won’t cause breakouts) factor of the Gel Moisturizer. Many times, oily skin is actually lacking in water, so the Gel will add the water and help balance the skin.

Combination skin can benefit from all of the above at different times and may find a gel moisturizer to be the perfect balance for their skin!

My Favorite is of course Bioelements, the Beyond Hydration. I’ve been using it this summer to help balance my skin. (pro tip: I keep it in the fridge to add to the cooling sensation when applied!)

Another pro tip: Gel moisturizers can be applied OVER most makeup. Just Tap it onto the skin where you need extra hydration through the day.

What product or skincare questions do you have? Send me an email at budd.amber@gmail.com for your questions to be answered on the Atelier Blog.

#amberbudd #esthetician #bioelements #amberbuddatelier #burnsvillemn #sexyskincare #skincare #minnesota #burnsville

Favorites and Fails

Favorites – A few goodies for you to check out!

Bioelements Quick Refiner for Eyes** – this eye treatment is MAGICAL. Yes, I realize I’m prone to exaggeration…but in this case, I’m really not. A thin layer of this and the crows feet fine lines forming on my 30+ face are diminished in ONE NIGHT. I’m not playing around…and neither is this product.

theBalm Balm Dessert** – For years I’ve been looking for a bronzer that doesn’t make me look orange or fake-y. This manages to be the most beautiful tanned glow on my pale alabaster skin without the usual-suspect-orange.

Grande Lash Primer** – hands down my favorite lash primer I’ve ever tried. And I’ve tried a lot. If you’ve got a lash product to sell me, I’ve probably tried it. This has the added benefit of peptide based technology to condition and strengthen your lashes to they are less likely to break during mascara removal or sleep. (because…sigh….yes…I’m a face sleeper, despite the evidence that this causes some wrinkles. I figure it is better for me to sleep than care about a wrinkle or two. Besides…that’s what product is for.)

Simple Micellar Water** – awesome gentle makeup remover. This is step one in my skin care routine at night. Remove makeup with Micellar, wash face with Bioelements Moisture Positive Cleanser, add CreateFirm serum, moisturizer, and eye cream. Boom. Micellar is genius, and I seriously hope Bioelements will release one soon! (one caveat….the bottle doesn’t last very long. Just fyi.)

Prenatal Vitamins** – For those of you who have known me awhile…you know my pixie haircut from last summer. LOVED it…but I miss my ponytails and braids, so I’m growing my hair out. These vitamins have definitely helped my hair grow in faster, I’m convinced.

Fails – I don’t have many of these, I seem to be on a good product kick lately!

Loreal Advanced Haircare Volume Filler Shampoo and Conditioner** – This doesn’t add volume at ALL to my limp fine hair. In fact, if it’s possible, it seems to weigh it down and make it flat and lifeless. One good point, my hair does feel very silky, and that’s lovely…but just…no…

Do YOU have any recent favorites? Leave me a comment on FB for me to check it out! I’m the biggest product junkie out there, and always love a good recommendation!

*Available at the Atelier – call, text or email me if you have questions

**Available at nearly any drugstore, Target, etc…

#minnesota #serums #burnsvillemn #esthetician #bioelements #skincare #burnsville #amberbudd #amberbuddatelier #sexyskincare #makeup #theBalm #GrandeLashMD #FavoritesAndFails

9 Foolproof ways to look healthy during allergy and cold season

We’ve all been there…you wake up after a fitful night of sleep, feeling like you’ve been hit by a mack truck, with puffy, bloodshot eyes, a sore throat, and tender, irritated skin. Yes, that’s right…you’ve been hit by….dun dun dun….A Cold. And of course, this cold couldn’t hit at a worse time, you’ve got a huge presentation at work today, the car needs an oil change, and little Jenny’s dance recital this evening. (Insert your own OH MY GOSH I CAN’T MISS THESE IMPORTANT THINGS list here instead)

So here’s the deal. I can't heal you...I know...wouldn't THAT be an awesome skillset to have?- but I’ll tell you my awesome tips and tricks for not looking like a sickly person and instead your usual sexy person, below. But you’ve got to promise me one thing…get some rest too okay? Don’t push it too hard. Yes, I’ll get you through the day, but by all means, please get a good night sleep.

*1* Put a few drops of Eucalyptus oil on the wall in your shower, the steam will release that awesome nose clearing fragrance into the air for you!

*2* Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Allergy and Cold Meds often have ingredients to…duh…dry out the mucous…which also dries out your skin. Drink plenty of water, and hydrate from the outside with your favorite body oil, and a really rich emollient moisturizer for face. (I’m a fan of good old fashioned coconut oil for body – or your favorite body lotion- and Bioelements Crucial Moisture for face)

*3* If you have had this cold for more than 24 hours and your nose is beginning to give Rudolph a run for his reindeer money, use a dab of hydrocortisone on the affected area before moisturizer. It will help soothe the red, sensitive skin and allow for easier penetration of the moisturizers needed to heal it up.

*4* Make yourself a nice cup of a black tea with lemon and honey, then chill the teabags in the freezer while you’re enjoying the tea. When the tea bags are cold, lay back for a few moments (okay more like 5-10 minutes) with them pressed on your (closed) eyelids. The Caffeine restricts blood vessels, taking down swelling, puffiness, and redness around the eyes. Use a good redness reducing eyedrop for taking the bloodshot look away from those tired eyes. (Rohto and Clear Eye’s work great)

*5* Use a yellow based corrector concealer UNDER your regular concealer around the eyes. Put a very thin layer of the yellow crème where needed, then tap your regular concealer on top for best results. I typically avoid any powdery products when I’m sick, but if you must, powder then set with a makeup mist so the powder doesn’t look cakey. (NYX makes great inexpensive ones for use while sick. If you’re going to use this every day, come talk to me about getting yourself something with more benefits than just coverup!)

*6* In a similar fashion, if you have redness around your nose, you can use a green based corrector concealer under your regular concealer.

*7* Use Waterproof mascara. The instance of being sick, going to a wedding, bring IN a wedding, going through a massive breakup, or having a show on broadway are really the only excuses for waterproof mascara. It’s terrible for your eyelashes, but I understand, a girl needs to make sacrifices when she’s sick and needs to look presentable. Use waterproof for the few days your eyes are watery, but go right back to the usual stuff when you aren’t dripping and sneezing. (I love L’oreal Voluminous Waterproof, it’s a staple in my kit)

*8*Don’t forget the lipbalm. This seems like a simple step, but remember that dried out feeling from the cold and allergy meds? Yeah…that’s going to hit your lips too, so keep them covered with your favorite lip balm

*9* Wear blush. Yes, this seems counter intuitive when you're covering up the rest of the redness in your skin...but those are telltale signs of sick. You need to look like you have a little life in you, which means...BLUSH. Wear it on the apples of your cheeks for the most natural flush, like you just ran a 5k.

That wraps it up…I hope at least one of these gems will help you make it through this allergy and cold season….Feel better soon!

XO

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