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  • A Quick Guide to Neurotoxin Injections (a.k.a. Botox)

    In the pursuit of smoother, youthful-looking skin, many of us turn to cosmetic treatments like neurotoxin injections. These injections, commonly known by brand names like Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin®, are popular for their ability to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. If you're considering this treatment or have already scheduled your appointment, it's natural to have questions about what to expect and how to care for your skin afterward. Don't worry—I'm here to guide you through it all, ensuring your journey to rejuvenated skin is smooth (ah! see what I did there?!) and successful. Before the Appointment: Preparation is Key Before your appointment, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure optimal results. First and foremost, it's essential to communicate openly with your treatment provider about your desired outcomes and any concerns you may have. This will help them tailor the treatment to your specific needs and expectations. Additionally, your provider may advise you to avoid certain medications and supplements that can thin the blood, such as aspirin or fish oil, a few days prior to your appointment. Alcohol consumption should also be minimized to reduce the risk of bruising at the injection site. During the Appointment: A Quick and Painless Procedure When the day of your appointment arrives, you can rest assured that neurotoxin injections are a quick and relatively painless procedure. We'll start with some before photos, and discuss your goals, addressing any last - minute questions you may have. We'll discuss dose options, and product options and what makes them unique to suit your goals. Lastly, we will mark on a treatment sheet and your face to ensure proper placement. Once you're ready, we will carefully administer the injections to the targeted area - such as between the brow, across the forehead, or around the eyes. Thanks to advancements in technology and techniques, discomfort during the procedure is minimal if not completely pain free, for most individuals. You may feel a slight pinch at the injection site, but it typically subsides quickly. Before you know it, the procedure will be complete, and you'll be on your way to smoother, more youthful-looking skin. After the Appointment: Caring for Your Skin After receiving neurotoxin injections, it's essential to take proper care of your skin to maximize results and minimize any potential side effects. Here are a few tips to keep in mind: First 4-6 hours post treatment: Do not lay down for the first 4-6 hours. This is important to prevent spread of the neuromodulator used. The first 24 hours: Avoid massaging/rubbing the treated area You can excersize lightly, but avoid intense physical activity - anything that might make your sweaty Avoid saunas, hot tubs, and extended long showers and baths Avoid hats or headbands that are tight around the head Avoid alcohol and medication that thin your blood such as asprin The first 2 weeks: Do not have any facial massage or other cosmetic treatments Follow-Up: Monitoring Results and Planning for Touch-Ups In the days following your neurotoxin injections, you can expect to see gradual improvements in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Results typically begin to show within 2-7 days and continue to improve over the next two weeks. While individual results may vary, most people enjoy the benefits of smoother, more youthful-looking skin for 3-4 months before a touch up. To ensure your satisfaction with the results, be sure to schedule a follow-up appointment with your treatment provider 2 weeks after your injections so we can assess the results, make any adjustments needed, and of course - take after photos so you can see them! Consult Your Provider: Your Partner in Skin Health Throughout your neurotoxin injection journey, your treatment provider is your partner in achieving your skincare goals. If you have any questions, concerns, or experience unexpected reactions following treatment, don't hesitate to reach out to them for guidance and support. Your provider is dedicated to helping you look and feel your best. Are you ready to say hello to smoother, more youthful-looking skin? Schedule your neurotoxin injection appointment today. Not sure yet? That's okay too! Book the neurotoxin injection appointment, and we will use it as a consult time. If after we chat, you decide you'd like to try it, great - but if not, that's okay too! We are here to help you reach your skincare goals, whatever that looks like for you!

  • 8 Tips for Spray Tan Newbies -and - Regulars - season 2, episode 6

    how to get an even, long-lasting spray tan Spray tans work by applying a sunless tanning solution to the skin, whose active ingredient is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). When DHA comes into contact with your skin, it reacts with the proteins in your skin’s outermost layer to create a bronze color. Often we are asked what the best way to prep for the tan and take care of it afterward. We carry a line of products specifically for prep and post-care, but here are a few extra tips to get you started! 1- Exfoliate properly: Many individuals skip or inadequately exfoliate their skin before a spray tan. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, ensuring an even application and preventing the tan from clinging to dry patches or uneven areas. 2- Don’t moisturize or use moisturizing body washes prior to your tan: doing so before a spray tan can create a barrier on the skin, hindering the tan's absorption. 3- Shave or wax at least 24 hours prior to your tan appointment: right before a spray tan can open up the pores and lead to uneven color absorption, leaving what I (un)fondly refer to as “strawberry dot skin” 4- On the day of your tan, remove makeup, and deodorant and don’t use perfume: deodorant can leave a barrier between your skin and the solution, and perfume leave dots wherever it was sprayed. To ensure an even tan, don’t use either on the day of your appointment. Now that you’ve been sprayed: 1 - wear loose, dark clothing or clothing you don’t mind staining, until your first rinse: this ensures there are no “rub” lines where your clothes might remove some of the spray tan solution 2 - Don’t use shower gel or or soap in your first rinse: just use water. And when you think you’re done rinsing, keep rinsing for 60-90 seconds. I can almost guarantee you’ll find somewhere that you didn’t rinse yet 3 - Hydrate your skin with any moisturizer you love after your rinse, and continue to do so for the length of your tan. This helps keep the tan longer, and a more even sloughing as well 4 - when the spray tan inevitably starts to fade (insert sad here) - it's time to start exfoliating so you can come back for more! (insert happy here!) Remember, every individual's skin is different, so results can vary. If you have any concerns or questions, don't hesitate to consult with one of our certified tanning technicians before the session. Email Me Like What You're Learning? Buy Me A Coffee

  • Everyday Style School interview

    To say that I am *extremely* excited to share this with you is an understatement. I started listening to the Everyday Style School podcast back in 2020 when I was trying to learn how to dress my new mom bod. I was struggling to find my style now that life revolved around a tiny human. My sister recommended the show, and I've been a die-hard fan ever since. Jen's masterclasses and membership are 100% jam-packed full of information I refer back to time and again. So all of that being said, when Jennifer became a client of mine about a year ago, I was fangirling big time...and when she asked me to be a guest professor on the show, I jumped at the chance to share real-world tricks and tips with her other listeners, because I *KNOW* first hand how much she impacts people and how much she cares. Without further rambling from me....here's the episode. You'll find links to everything we talk about below :) Everyday Style Website in case you want to learn more about Jen and what she offers Links for products mentioned in the episode: Hydrating Serums Amber Budd Treat//1000 Aloe Vera Antioxidants Amber Budd Treat//ResistPlus (Vitamin C and Ferulic) Licorice Root Serum Niacinamide Powder Exfoliants Amber Budd Exfoliate//Polish Dermalogica Microfoliant Some Drugstore Faves Oil of Olay Cleanser ELF Holy Hydration Cream Tools LED Red Light - Anti Aging LED Blue Light - Acne Dr Pen A6S Ultrasonic Skin Scrubber HIgh Frequency Peptide Serum Amber Budd Treat//Rejuvenate Retinol alternative Bakuchiol Serum Eye Cream Eye Cream SPF- email me for professional acne skin spf Bare Republic Lip Care Amber Budd Lip//Conditioner ELF Holy Hydration Lip Mask Sarah Happ Lip Bare Minerals Well-Rested (shade is called Under Eye) Thanks for listening, and don't forget to rate the show wherever you listen to podcasts! XOXO

  • Neck & Dec - the forgotten area - season 2, episode 2

    The neck and decolletage area is often overlooked when it comes to skincare. Unfortunately, this can lead to signs of premature aging like wrinkles, sagging, and discoloration. It's important to take extra care of your neck and decolletage skin for a healthy, youthful appearance. Aging on the neck and decolletage is caused by a combination of factors, including sun exposure, reduced collagen production, hormonal changes, and gravity. Prolonged time looking down at screens can also contribute to these signs of aging - often referred to as "tech neck". Here are some tips for keeping your neck and decolletage looking youthful: - Protect your skin from the sun. Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 whenever you're outdoors - yes summer AND winter AND spring AND fall! 365, friends! - Cleanse and moisturize the area every day. You can choose products specifically formulated for the neck and decollete or you can use what you're already using on your face - either works great! - Use a retinol or glycolic acid cream to promote collagen production and reduce wrinkles. - Get regular professional treatments such as microneedling, rezenerate (our RezSignature facial is a fave!) or chemical peels to repair damage and improve skin tone. - To prevent tech neck, make sure you are taking regular breaks from screens throughout the day and avoid hunching over your phone. Even better, keep your tech at eye level so you aren't even bending improperly! Doing neck stretching every hour can help prevent issues and improve posture. What questions do you have about treating neck and decollete skin? Email me via the link below or follow me on Insta and DM me there! Lets Get Social - Follow me on Instagram! Email Me Buy Me A Coffee

  • Lose Fat, Tighten Skin - Is Cryo T Shock IT? - season 2, episode 3

    Hi there! Today we are going to talk about Cryo T Shock - what it is, how it works, who might benefit from it, what to expect, and more…. First up, what is Cryo T shock The name, admittedly, sounds a little scary…who wants “shock” in the title, right? But What that refers to is cryo Thermal shock -alternating cold and warm temperatures - to target fat deposits and tighten loose skin. It is a non-invasive, safe alternative to surgical procedures like liposuction and tummy tucks. It’s a safe and effective treatment that can be used on multiple areas of the body, such as the abdomen, arms, thighs and buttocks and is suitable for a variety of different skin types and ages. It’s particularly beneficial to those who have stubborn fat deposits that dieting or exercise just won’t seem to move. Or for those who just can’t seem to get rid of the extra 5-10 pounds. In addition to reducing fat cells, CryoT Shock can also tighten loose or sagging skin. How does it work? During the therapy, your fat cells will first be exposed to warm temperatures and then a prolonged period of cold. The cells will then be heated again, activating a process called apoptosis which is natural controlled cell death Then the body naturally flushes the fat cells out through the bloodstream and then the lymphatic system in a few days to weeks following the treatment. What to expect: Before your treatment, we discuss what are of the body you want to treat, and take before photos, and a photo with Addicell (I’ll explain what that is in a moment) We’ll have you sit or lay depending which area is being treated, and apply a conducting gel. You will likely experience mild discomfort as the cold temperatures are applied to the target areas. But the feeling goes away after a pass or two and then its just cold. Some people do notice a sort of “numb” feeling afterward for a few days, but thats a normal part of the process and will diminish over time as your body adjusts. After your session, we will take after photos, and send those to you. Within 6 hours of a fat reduction treatment, you’ll need to stimulate your lymphatic system by either working out, sitting in an infrared sauna, dry brushing or getting a massage. - most of our clients choose the sauna because we offer it complimentary when getting cryo body treatments. You’ll need 5 sessions for lasting results, but you’ll see some results right away, and some clients are seeing such great results that they choose to do a few more than 5 just to keep that momentum going. What questions do you have for me about body contouring? Send me an email from the link below! Email Me Buy Me A Coffee

  • 5 Simple Tips for Healthy and Hydrated Skin - season 2, episode 1

    Whether you're a skincare enthusiast or just starting your journey toward healthier skin, these five tips will set you on the path to a vibrant and hydrated complexion. Join us and unlock the secrets to glowing skin that will boost your confidence and leave you feeling beautiful inside and out. Drink plenty of water Hydrating skin is an important part of a healthy skincare routine, and one essential and is often overlooked, despite the fact that something like 72% of adults are chronically dehydrated! Our bodies are made up of roughly 70-80 water when we are born, to 60-70% water in adulthood, so having an adequate intake ensures that our cells are functioning optimally. A great way to increase your consumption is to fill a reusable bottle or cup and have it nearby at all times! Easier said than done. I have to switch out my waterbottle every couple of days or it becomes almost “invisible” to me. Also try setting reminders on your phone to remind yourself to drink water every so often in order to get in the right amount per day. What's the right amount? Roughly 50% of your body weight in ounces. So if you’re 150 pounds as an example, you’d aim for 75 ounces of water. Adding in one more cup (8ounces) for every half hour of intense sweating - whether through working out, being outside in the heat, or sitting in a sauna Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher Sun exposure is a part of every day of our lives, unless we live somewhere that has days of the year without sunlight. Cleveland Clinic states: Cumulative sun exposure causes basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer, while episodes of severe blistering sunburns, usually before age 18, can cause melanoma later in life. Most people don't think much about how daily exposure affects our skin, but it's important to remember that proper protection is critical! The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day because it helps protect your skin from sunburn and premature aging, such as wrinkles and spots. This also helps prevent the breakdown of Elastin in the skin, which is basically the scaffolding within our skin tissue. Exfoliate your skin regularly Exfoliation is an important part of any skincare routine. Think about your skin cells like shingles on a roof - they overlap to protect from weather and elements. Our skin cells do the same. Due to a sticky substance called intracellular cement, the dead cells don't exfoliate off as fast as we need them to as we age. Babies have the most gorgeous glowing skin naturally - they’re full of water, and the cells naturally exfoliate off roughly every 14 days. As we age, that slows to every 40-56 days. Regular exfoliating helps remove the buildup of dead skin cells which can clog pores and lead to dullness and dryness. Exfoliating also encourages cell turnover, resulting in a brighter, more even complexion. This not only improves the look of your skin but also helps to reduce breakouts and uneven texture. Start with exfoliating 1-2 times a week with a gentle exfoliant. A link to my favorite is here: Eat More Fruits and Veggies Eating more fruits and vegetables has been scientifically proven to be an essential part of a healthy skincare routine. Not only are these nutrient-dense foods full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber which help to reduce inflammation, they are also full of naturally occurring water that is perfect for maintaining hydrated skin. Eating these nutritious essentials will not only help your skin look better, but it will also help you feel your best from the inside out. Not sure where to start? Begin by adding a variety of colors into your daily meals - green leafy veggies like spinach and kale for healthy cell production, red tomatoes for lycopene for wrinkle-fighting benefits, orange oranges or sweet potatoes for their Vitamin C content that protects against free radicals, and blueberries, strawberries or cranberries as a great source of flavonoids which aids in collagen renewal. Get enough sleep Sleep is essential for healthy and glowing skin. It's called beauty rest for a reason. When we sleep our skin cells repair themselves, removing the excess dirt, oil and bacteria from our skin to give us a more vibrant look. Without enough sleep, our bodies produce too much cortisol, which can cause inflammation and hinder production of collagen. A few benefits of getting enough shut eye? Reduced dark circles and general puffiness in the face. Fewer Wrinkles. And less sagging. Seems like a great way to start to me! Bonus Tip: Caffeine isn’t bad, and Drinking Alcohol Is. Caffeine is a diuretic, yes, but it still generally has enough water in it to balance itself out, if you are getting enough other water to begin with. However, Alcohol doesn’t. I’m not going to tell you to stop drinking. We all get to make our own choices. I recently decided to take a step back and reevaluate my relationship with alcohol - but this isn’t about that. What it does relate to though, is how much better my skin looked within two days of stopping drinking. Alcohol releases a histamine that dilates capillaries - this is especially noticeable with people who are prone to redness in the skin, or rosacea. It Dehydrates the skin which causes it to look pale, dull, flaky, and more prone to dark circles. Our body is smart - it prioritizes the vital organs it needs to survive - the heart, liver, kidneys, etc. So it's going to pull all the water to where it *needs* it, which means our skin gets dehydrated first, and stays that way until we are rehydrated again. It's a vicious cycle if you’re drinking alcohol every day. Thank you for tuning in to the Skincare Fairy Godmothe. I hope that you found today's discussion informative and helpful in your skincare journey. Remember, taking care of your skin is not just about the products you use, but also about adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as drinking enough water, getting enough sleep, and protecting your skin from the sun. Whats one thing you'll implement today to get Healthier, more Hydrated skin? Email Me Buy Me A Coffee

  • Late Fall // Early Winter...What Are We Looking Forward To?

    Like many of you (especially if you're also in the upper midwest) we take a lot of the winter to indulge in our favorite indoor activities...podcasts, movies, music, books, magazines, etc… we even have our own holiday playlist on Spotify (link HERE) that we update every year. (note: there's some sweary words on this list, so "earmuffs" when the kiddos are present, if that's your jam) With that in mind, we thought we would share the things we are looking forward to this late Fall//Winter season so you can join in the fun. Let us know your favorites and upcoming excitement so we can check those out too! Taylor is looking forward to: Minnesota Wild games The New (and long-awaited) Avatar Movie, The Way of Water (Dec 16, 2022) Heidi (our resident media expert) is looking forward to: TV: Miss Scarlet and the Duke (PBS Masterpiece) Emily in Paris (Netflix, December 21) Great british baking show (Netflix) Enterglactic (Netflix) Blockbuster (Netflix) Abbott elementary (Hulu) Albums: Tswift Midnights (oct 21, 2022) Kid Cudi Entergalactic (sept 30, 2022) MIA Mata (Oct 14, 2022) Arctic Monkey the car ( Oct 21, 2022) Movies: The Woman King (sept 16, 2022) Catherine Called Birdie (Prime) Glass Onion: A knives out mystery (netflix) Moonage Daydream Hocus Pocus 2 (disney +) Concerts // Fine Art Better than Ezra concert in Chicago (October) Minneapolis Institute of Art: Botticelli Exhibit (through January 8) Amber is looking forward to: Being an Elf ALLLLL season long, and driving around looking at Christmas lights Watching White Christmas, Elf and The Holiday T Swift Midnights Album Better than Ezra Concert in Chicago (October) Whenever Ted Lasso comes back Prince Harry's book, Spare (January 10, 2023) Emily in Paris (Dec 21, Netflix)

  • Important Update for our Clients about Tint and Henna

    Dear valued clients, As a business owner, I have given great thought to what the main pillars of the Amber Budd Atelier brand are: safety, honesty, generosity, education, and kindness. Your health and happiness are why you come to me for services, and providing a safe environment with safe products is especially important to me. In the last 24 hours, I learned that all of the brow and lash tints available in the US have a potentially unsafe ingredient in them. I made the immediate decision to remove all tint and henna services from our menu until we can secure what we now know to be a much safer option from Germany. As a business owner, this makes my stomach turn, but we don't know what we don't know. My job is to make the best choices I can about our services and products. When I find out something isn't up to our safety standards, I remove it immediately and act to find other solutions. If you have an upcoming tint appointment, I will reach out individually to discuss your options. I am not sure how long it will take to receive our safer product from Germany. Please rest assured that the products for the Amber Budd skincare line are manufactured at a lab in Canada that has extremely high safety and health standards for their ingredients. I sincerely thank you for your continued trust in myself and my team and I look forward to serving you soon. If you have any questions, please let me know. Amber info@amberbudd.com

  • Amber featured in Sun This Week paper

    During small business week 2022, our founder Amber was honored with the Entrepreneur of the Year award. Click the link below to read the beautiful article from the Burnsville Sun This Week paper! https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_thisweek/community/burnsville/chamber-honors-restaurateur-skin-spa-owner/article_5bb82166-d30c-11ec-8490-af17dc2545c1.html

  • What order should I apply my skincare?

    In today's treatment room, we're going to cover what order to apply products and why. If you're a client of mine or if you've read my book, we've probably touched on this once or twice, but I think it's still a really good thing to re-cement in our brains every once in a while. So let's start with the breakdown of our basic routine: a basic routine is a cleanser, toner, treatment, eye cream, moisturizer and SPF. Step 1: Cleanser This one's pretty self-explanatory. You obviously want to clean the skin before you do anything else, so I decided I would toss in a few more cleansing tips for you since this section is shorter. Cleansing tip 1: you're probably using too much cleanser. A pea size to a dime size amount is really all that you need... And if you feel like you don't have enough, try adding a little more water before you add more product, you might just not have enough water to get enough slip on the skin to allow the product to move around Cleansing tip 2: Move the product around on your face For 60 to 90 seconds each time you cleaned to break up dirt, debris, oil, pollution, make up or anything else that happens to be on the skin. Cleansing tip 3: I've had people asked if they needed to clean their skin in the morning and night, or just one or the other? The answer isn’t super simple…maybe, maybe not. I always recommend a full routine at night, but some people can get away with not doing a full cleanse in the morning and just starting with their toner. Step 2: Toner that brings me to step two in our routine, toner... I've said it for years, I'll keep saying it until everybody that I know is using toner. Toner is the unsung hero of skincare. Unfortunately, I think for a long time toner got a bad rap because of the skin burning, dehydrating astringents of the 80s and 90s, but what I'm talking about is a pH rebalancing liquid that brings skin back to the proper pH after cleansing, helps to remove any extra mineral build up from washing the face with water and preps your skin to absorb product in the next steps. I cannot state this enough. Toner is not optional in a good skin care routine... I said what I said, I meant what I said. Step 3: Treatment these are things like your vitamin c, retinol, hyaluronic… these should be applied between tone and moisturizer, they have a smaller molecule size, so If you apply them after the moisturizer, they won't penetrate through, they'll just sit on top making a mess. In most cases these are the more expensive items in our skin care routines because they have the smaller molecule, more active ingredients. So you really want to make sure that they're in the right spot so that they're getting into your skin and not just sitting on top of that moisturizer wasted. Step 4: Eye Cream If you aren't using one, start today. I don't care how young or old you are. It's never too early and it's never too late. Apply your eye cream on your orbital bone - that's the bone that is like a circle kind of shape around your eye – don’t put it any closer to the eyeball. Your eye muscle, the orbicularis oculi, twitches all day and all night, so it will bring the eye cream inward where it needs to be, your job is just to put that I cram right to the edge of that eye bone. Step five: moisturizer oil and/or SPF Finish your skin hair routine with what your skin needs. Do you prefer an oil or a cream, or if its day time, consider whether or not you need a moisturizer during the day, or if you can get away with just SPF. The SPF we use at the spa has skin care ingredients in it, so it's able to replace a moisturizer during the day for a lot of my clients, unless they have really, really dry skin. I wanted to bring up a couple of things that have become popular in the last few years: a cleansing oil or balm, and a micellar water. These are used prior to Step One to remove makeup. Does everybody need a cleansing oil or micellar water? No, definitely not, but if you do wear a lot of make-up, especially if it's a heavy cream or liquid makeup, you probably will like the way your skin looks better long-term, if you do use one. It will help to break up all of the make-up on the skin, then you follow with your cleanse. Lastly, I wanted to leave you with two tips to follow as general guidelines if we didn’t cover something specific here already: tip one, the thinner the product, the earlier in your routine it would go, the thicker the product, the later in your routine it goes. Now that's a really general rule of thumb, but it will help if you're ever in a position where you aren't entirely sure where it should go. And the second tip is, I alluded to it earlier, but when skin is damp, it's more receptive to absorbing product, so always, always, always apply products on damp skin - even your body - if you apply your body lotion or oil right after drying off from the shower or the bath it will absorb better. Did you learn something new here today? Leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram @amberbudd and tell me about it!

  • Summer Reading List 2022

    It’s beach//pool//summer reading list season, and several of us here at the Atelier like big books and we cannot lie. (yes, I’m a nerd, join me?!) so we thought it would be fun to put together our list for you! Want to book club any of these? I sure do! oh my gosh should we start a book club?! Do you think Pizza Hut will sponsor it like the summer reading programs at school when I was a kid? Am I dating myself here? Get to the point AMBER... First Up: Heidi's Picks Marie Antoinette’s Darkest Days: Prisoner no. 280 in the Conciergerie – Will Bashor Non-Fiction, Biography This compelling book begins on the 2nd of August 1793, the day Marie Antoinette was torn from her family's arms and escorted from the Temple to the Conciergerie, a thick-walled fortress turned prison. It was also known as the "waiting room for the guillotine" because prisoners only spent a day or two here before their conviction and subsequent execution. The ex-queen surely knew her days were numbered, but she could never have known that two and a half months would pass before she would finally stand trial and be convicted of the most ungodly charges. Will Bashor traces the final days of the prisoner registered only as Widow Capet, No. 280, a time that was a cruel mixture of grandeur, humiliation, and terror. Marie Antoinette's reign amidst the splendors of the court of Versailles is a familiar story, but her final imprisonment in a fetid, dank dungeon is a little-known coda to a once-charmed life. Her 76 days in this terrifying prison can only be described as the darkest and most horrific of the fallen queen's life, vividly recaptured in this richly researched history. Something Wilder -Christina Lauren Fiction, Romance Growing up the daughter of notorious treasure hunter and absentee father Duke Wilder left Lily without much patience for the profession…or much money in the bank. But Lily is nothing if not resourceful, and now uses Duke’s coveted hand-drawn maps to guide tourists on fake treasure hunts through the red rock canyons of Utah. It pays the bills but doesn’t leave enough to fulfill her dream of buying back the beloved ranch her father sold years ago, and definitely not enough to deal with the sight of the man she once loved walking back into her life with a motley crew of friends ready to hit the trails. Frankly, Lily would like to take him out into the wilderness—and leave him there. Leo Grady knew mirages were a thing in the desert, but they’d barely left civilization when the silhouette of his greatest regret comes into focus in the flickering light of the campfire. Ready to leave the past behind him, Leo wants nothing more than to reconnect with his first and only love. Unfortunately, Lily Wilder is all business, drawing a clear line in the sand: it’s never going to happen. But when the trip goes horribly and hilariously wrong, the group wonders if maybe the legend of the hidden treasure wasn’t a gimmick after all. There’s a chance to right the wrongs—of Duke’s past and their own—but only if Leo and Lily can confront their history and work together. Alone under the stars in the isolated and dangerous mazes of the Canyonlands, Leo and Lily must decide whether they’ll risk their lives and hearts on the adventure of a lifetime. From the author of the “heartfelt and funny” (Publishers Weekly) sensation The Unhoneymooners, this adventure full of second chances, complicated relationships, and the breathtaking beauty of the American Southwest will take fans on one wild ride. Mythos – Stephen Fry Greek Mythology – Fiction? Non-Fiction? Here are the thrills, grandeur, and unabashed fun of the Greek myths, stylishly retold by Stephen Fry. The legendary writer, actor, and comedian breathes life into ancient tales, from Pandora's box to Prometheus's fire, and transforms the adventures of Zeus and the Olympians into emotionally resonant and deeply funny stories, without losing any of their original wonder. Learned notes from the author offer rich cultural context. This volume is a doorway into a captivating world. Next Up: Amber's Picks The Dichotomy of Leadership – Jocko Willink and Leif Babin Non-Fiction, Business//Leadership “Every leader must be ready and willing to take charge, to make hard, crucial calls for the good of the team and the mission. Something much more difficult to understand is that in order to be a good leader, one must also be a good follower. This is a dichotomy - a Dichotomy of Leadership. It is, as authors Jocko Willink and Leif Babin explained in their best-selling first audiobook, Extreme Ownership, “Simple, Not Easy”. Now, in The Dichotomy of Leadership, the authors explain the power inherent in the recognition of the fine line that leaders must walk, balancing between two seemingly opposite inclinations. It is with the knowledge and understanding of this balance that a leader can most effectively lead, accomplish the mission, and achieve the goal of every leader and every team: victory. Using examples from the authors' combat and training experience in the SEAL Teams and then showing how each lesson applies to business and in life, Willink and Babin reveal how the use of seemingly opposite principles - leading and following, focusing and detaching, being both aggressive and prudent - require skill, awareness, understanding, and dexterity, all attributes that can be honed. These dichotomies are inherent in many of the concepts introduced in Extreme Ownership and integral to their proper implementation and effectiveness. Dichotomy is essential reading for anyone looking to lead and win. Daisy Jones and the Six – Taylor Jenkins Reid Fiction Everyone knows DAISY JONES & THE SIX, but nobody knows the reason behind their split at the absolute height of their popularity . . . until now. Daisy is a girl coming of age in L.A. in the late sixties, sneaking into clubs on the Sunset Strip, sleeping with rock stars, and dreaming of singing at the Whisky a Go Go. The sex and drugs are thrilling, but it’s the rock ’n’ roll she loves most. By the time she’s twenty, her voice is getting noticed, and she has the kind of heedless beauty that makes people do crazy things. Also getting noticed is The Six, a band led by the brooding Billy Dunne. On the eve of their first tour, his girlfriend Camila finds out she’s pregnant, and with the pressure of impending fatherhood and fame, Billy goes a little wild on the road. Daisy and Billy cross paths when a producer realizes that the key to supercharged success is to put the two together. What happens next will become the stuff of legend. The making of that legend is chronicled in this riveting and unforgettable novel, written as an oral history of one of the biggest bands of the seventies. Taylor Jenkins Reid is a talented writer who takes her work to a new level with Daisy Jones & The Six, brilliantly capturing a place and time in an utterly distinctive voice. Educated – Tara Westover Non-Fiction, Memoir Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of Tara’s older brothers became violent. When another brother got himself into college, Tara decided to try a new kind of life. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she wonder if she’d traveled too far, if there was still a way home. The Storyteller – Dave Grohl Non-Fiction, Autobiography So, I've written a book. Having entertained the idea for years, and even offered a few questionable opportunities ("It's a piece of cake! Just do four hours of interviews, find someone else to write it, put your face on the cover, and voila!") I have decided to tell these stories just as I have always done, in my own voice. The joy that I have felt from chronicling these tales is not unlike listening back to a song that I've recorded and can't wait to share with the world, or reading a primitive journal entry from a stained notebook, or even hearing my voice bounce between the Kiss posters on my wall as a child. This certainly doesn't mean that I'm quitting my day job, but it does give me a place to shed a little light on what it's like to be a kid from Springfield, Virginia, walking through life while living out the crazy dreams I had as young musician. From hitting the road with Scream at 18 years old, to my time in Nirvana and the Foo Fighters, jamming with Iggy Pop or playing at the Academy Awards or dancing with AC/DC and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, drumming for Tom Petty or meeting Sir Paul McCartney at Royal Albert Hall, bedtime stories with Joan Jett or a chance meeting with Little Richard, to flying halfway around the world for one epic night with my daughters...the list goes on. I look forward to focusing the lens through which I see these memories a little sharper for you with much excitement. What are YOU reading this summer?

  • Spa (and Salon) Etiquette // Podcast Episode 12

    NOTE: This content was originally created for the SKincare Fairy Godmother Podcast, it has been edited for ease of reading In this week's Treatment Room Tuesday, We are going to talk all about spa etiquette - this topic was suggested by a few of my clients at the Atelier, so I’m excited to dig into this a bit. I also asked what YOU want to know about spa etiquette over on my Instagram @amberbudd, and so I’ll be answering those questions also! Let's dig in, huh? Prep to do before coming Remove eye makeup if wearing any Depending on your service you may need to grow out hair, or trim hair, or shower prep for a spray tan. Always ask if you have questions prior to your appointment. What to wear - is it okay to come right from somewhere else? Absolutely! A lot of clients come from the gym, or roll out of bed on a saturday to come in. Be on time And expect the same of your provider. And if you’re planning to be late because you’re in line at Starbucks, please don’t roll in 15 minutes late with a Starbucks in your hand, without one for your provider - bring one for them too. ;) (brownie points!) Can I go somewhere after? I.E. Will I be a hot mess? Yes you can go somewhere else, however not all service providers would say this! I’ve had facials where I ended up with oil all over my hair, but I hated that, so I try really hard to make sure you can leave and go in public decently. What does undress to comfortability mean? Oh, this is SO directed right at me, I tell my clients when they come in for a facial “undress to your comfort level” which means I provide you a facial gown, You can wear that, or you can wear whatever you want - a bra, tank top, whatever. But please still cover your breasts under the gown or the table sheet for modesty, and making sure there are no boundaries crossed. Should I tell her (my service provider) if I’m unhappy? YES! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - I’d want to know if I wasn’t living up to expectations. Please tell us so we can fix it, or troubleshoot with you! Can I bring my kids? We don’t recommend it, even if your salon or spa allows kids. Think of your time as YOU time. Also think of all the hazards for little Tommy or Janie…there's hot wax, chemical peels, scissors, and blades… it's not a place for children unless you can keep an eye on them 100% of the time. Can I use my phone? I don’t have a problem with it, but some establishments are no phone zones. If you have a service with your eyes closed, or you’re having a facial, do you really want someone disturbing your peace? And if you’re having a service around your head, it's really challenging to work around it. (and if you're having lash extensions or lash lifts, that's a NO...your eyes are taped shut...you literally can't.) Also, how often do we have phone-free time these days? TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT! I always joke when my client's phones are ringing “did you want me to get that and tell them you’re busy?” What should you expect from us? Never bullies you Listens well Doesn’t do anything you’re uncomfortable with No inappropriate comments or touch Offers recommendations for home care to enhance and continue your results Should I keep my shoes on? Personally I wouldn’t, but that’s up to you, unless your service provider asks you to specifically remove them, for example if it’s pouring rain outside, they may ask you to remove your shoes so as not to soak through their table coverings, etc Is tipping customary? It is! And it’s greatly appreciated! - Most service providers make about 30% of their take-home pay in tips Occasionally a salon will be a no-tip establishment, and it is very well marked Also, remember if you’re on a membership option that most of the time those don’t have tips built-in, so if you’re the classy tipping type, you can add that separately! What should I do if I’m uncomfortable with what's asked of me? Speak up! You do NOT have to do anything you don’t want to! If your provider doesn’t honor your comfort level, RUN. Know that in some services- example: Brazilian wax - you are signing up to be half-naked on the table, in different positions, but we always maintain our professionalism and will help you find different positions if the ones we are asking for won't work or make you too uncomfortable. Can I speak up if something hurts? Please DO! While we try to be gentle, we can’t feel what you’re feeling, so please say something Red flags to look out for? Inappropriate touch, dirty environment, bullies, double-dipping wax sticks or reusing things that can’t be properly cleaned and sanitized. What makes the job easiest for you? Seriously, remove your eye makeup for facials and eyelash appointments of any kind. This ensures we get the most time with you to perform the service - if we have to spend 5-10 minutes cleaning your eyes, somewhere else has to sacrifice time, like your face massage, or your lash application. TELL US if something has changed in your medical history or routine. This is actually kind of serious because if you add or change something, there is a change of things like skin lifting during a wax, or service being more intense than planned, or lashes not adhering like usual, and the more we know, the more we can help troubleshoot or avoid issues popping up. If we ask that we minimize chit-chat, please know it's not because we don’t want to catch up, it's because we need to focus on something specific and don’t want to cause any unnecessary issues. Is it rude not to want to chit chat, I’m shy! Oh goodness no, it’s not rude, it's YOUR service, YOUR time. Just mention it to your provider, and if they don’t honor that, remind them. And if they still don’t honor your request, you may want to look for a new provider. However I will caveat that sometimes we want to let you know when something is changing, so you aren’t surprised - like if we are coming in hot for extractions! Talking vs not talking // do I have to? Absolutely not! Only talk if you want to, but if you’d prefer not to, just let your service provider know so they can honor your request When should I reschedule? For ALL services: if you’re sick, have herpes/cold sore outbreak, or pink eye For waxing and skincare, add in that you should reschedule if you have a sunburn I’m positive there are other things I’m missing, but please know that if we ask you to reschedule, its because we care, not because we want to embarrass you, or leave you hurting for a wax, ro whatever. If we ask you to reschedule because you’re sick, its for several reasons: If we pass whatever you brought in to other people, that’s not fair to them. If we get sick, we become unemployed for the length of time we have to be out, and state unemployment doesn’t exactly cover the flu or a cold. We are held to standards of hospitals…if we have a fever, diarrhea, or are vomiting, we HAVE to stay home. No questions asked. So please don’t share. What do I do if I need to cancel? First, respect the cancellation policy - ours is 24 hours in advance to avoid any fees being assessed and that's pretty common. We know emergencies come up, and they are unavoidable, but canceling because something “better” came along, or you just don’t feel like it, is not only unkind, but it makes us unemployed for that timeframe if we can’t fill that spot. Second, cancel as SOON as you know you can’t make it, so we have the best chance to fill that spot as possible Alright friends, that’s all for this weeks Treatment Room Tuesday, If you have follow up questions, don’t hesitate to reach out on Instagram @amberbudd - I’d love to connect with you there! Cheers to Glowing skin!

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