The Clunkster

Wellness

Act + Acre's Essentials

Beauty, Beauty Review, Cruelty-Free, WellnessKristenComment

Once upon a time, I stepped out of my shower and smelled something disgusting. I had just washed my hair and body, so it couldn’t have been me, right? Wrong! My hair smelled like a bottle of expired Nair. 

I quickly started Googling: “Why does my hair smell?” “Smelly hair after a shower” “My hair smells bad after shampooing.” 

Well, it turns out that my night-showering lifestyle had caught up to me. I knew that sleeping with wet hair could cause breakage, but it turns out that it can also cause *drumroll* mildew

Yes, you read that right! If you sleep with wet hair, there’s a good chance that you’ll grow mildew in your hair. In! Your! Hair! 

Now, it’s not confirmed that I was actually growing mildew in my hair. But the thought was enough to scare me into switching up my routine. I remembered a brand I used to sell at Naked Retail: Act + Acre. The focus of their products was all about scalp health. I knew from reciting my shpiel to customers that they were truly an amazing brand. So, I ordered a pack of The Essentials and excitedly awaited my ticket to non-smelly hair.

Act + Acre is a brand created for all hair types with the Earth in mind. Usually, shampoo and conditioner are made by mixing all the ingredients in a huge vat and using lots of heat. This method boils out all the nutrients in the ingredients that are essential for your hair. 

Instead, Act + Acre uses a cold-processed method, which involves - you guessed it - cold water and high pressure. This consumes 90% less energy than the typical heat method. It’s better for the Earth and better for you and your hair. 

The cleanse (aka shampoo), conditioner, and scalp detox that I purchased smell freakin’ amazing. It’s a very subtle, natural scent of ylang-ylang and basil. Of course, their ingredients are as high-quality as their eco-friendly ideals.

I was most excited to try the Scalp Detox because I had never heard of anything like it. It’s made to get all the product buildup out of your scalp. This helps your hair grow more since your hair follicles aren’t clogged with the crap in dry shampoo and other products. Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp! 

On the days I wash my hair, I start with the Scalp Detox. I section my hair off and apply the oil directly to my scalp. Sometimes I put some in my hands and rub it on harder to reach areas. 

I leave the Detox on for about twenty minutes. In that time, I’ll do my skincare routine, brush my teeth, take my vitamins, and scroll through Instagram for a bit. By that time, I’m all set to jump in the shower and wash it out of my hair with the cleanse.

The Cleanse works like a normal shampoo, but it’s really important to rinse and repeat. The first application doesn’t suds up as much, but the second time around, holy moly, do you feel clean. And that’s without sulfates, which is usually what makes a product suds up! 

The Conditioner is pretty standard as well: apply it mid-shaft to ends and leave for five minutes. I’ll usually wash my body and shave my legs while it’s setting. 

Across all the products, a little goes a long, long way. I’ve had all of these for around six months and I’m barely a third of the way through all the bottles. Moderation is key with the Detox, since using too much may make your hair oily. But for the Cleanse and Conditioner, all you need is a quarter size and a lot of water. An added bonus is that your hair stays cleaner longer, so you wash less. I typically wash my hair once a week, but I’ve been able to let it go a little longer while using Act + Acre

I can confidently say that my hair is twelve times healthier after using Act + Acre. No exaggeration! Sometimes I’ll look in the mirror at my hair and I’m actually amazed at how good it looks when I haven’t done anything else to it. It’s wild.

And the best part? My hair doesn’t smell anymore! Act + Acre is for a sure a ride or die brand for me. I highly recommend it!

Supergoop! Glowscreen

Beauty Review, Cruelty-Free, WellnessKristenComment

Settle in gang, I need to tell you about this legendary sunscreen from Supergoop! For reference, every time I type the word Supergoop!, I’m actually yelling it in my head. It’s pretty fun.

I heard about Supergoop! a while ago, but had never given their sunscreen a try. In the past, I’ve used whatever I have in the house, which is usually something from Neutrogena, or Kiss My Face. I used to be a strong sunscreen advocate, but over time, I’ve gotten super lazy and I always forget to use it. 

But during quarantine, I read an article about how important it is to use sunscreen even when we’re not going outdoors. The main reason is that windows block UVB rays, but not UVA rays, which are more harmful to your skin. But another, which I learned somewhere on my Instagram feed, was that the blue light from our various screens is harmful to our skin as well as our eyes. So, I searched Sephora for a sunscreen that would protect me from UVA rays and blue light, and stumbled upon Supergoop!’s Glowscreen

The Ingredients

Where do I start with this magic potion? The ingredients are *chef’s kiss* beautiful. All of Supergoop!’s products are cruelty-free. They try to use the cleanest ingredients possible, and they even have a “no list” full of ingredients they’ll never use. The main ingredients are a “Hydration Cocktail” (hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and niacinamide), cocoa peptides, which help block blue light, and sea lavender, a powerful antioxidant that also aids in hydration. 

The Formula

The main draw to Glowscreen is that it leaves you with a dewy finish. I don’t like looking dewy, and I didn’t realize that this was supposed to be a dewy formula until after I received it. But I tried it anyway, and I actually loved it. I was afraid it would make me look sweaty (which is usually the case), but it blends into my skin so nicely and gives it a nice little glow. 

It also smells so, so good. I’m a big fan of sunscreen smelling like sunscreen, instead of something fruity and weird. 

And, a little goes a long way! I’ve been using my tube every day for a little over two months now, and there’s still a ton left. The tube suggests using a dime size, but I usually use less. 

The Results

It really, really works. I haven’t gotten one sunburn on my face since I started using it. The true test was when I went for a motorcycle ride with my dad. I applied Glowscreen to my face but didn’t put sunscreen on the rest of my body because as previously mentioned, I can be lazy and forgetful. I got a killer sunburn on my neck, chest, and scalp, but absolutely nothing on my face.

It was a good reminder that sunscreen works! It protects you and your skin! I just watched a Tik Tok of a girl who had a huge scar on her back because she had a teeny, cancerous mole that needed to be removed. We need to take care of ourselves. Making sunscreen a step in my skincare routine has helped me remember to put it on every day. It sits in my cabinet with the rest of my products. Glowscreen also works as a primer for your makeup, which is a huge bonus. There’s literally no reason not to use it. I know there’s still a lot to learn about sunscreen, and that sometimes it can get confusing. But Supergoop! is a company that makes sun care fun.

If you couldn’t tell from this glowing (haha!) review, I very highly recommend Glowscreen. I just purchased some scalp sunscreen from Supergoop!, and I’m so excited to try it. I’ll let you know how it goes! (I’m assuming that it’ll go very well).

biovène barcelona's boob and butt masks

Beauty, Beauty Review, Cruelty-Free, Sponsored, WellnessKristenComment

Once upon a time, I received a package from Biovène Barcelona that was full of skincare goodies, like a Glow Ampoule, a Retinol Youth Night Repair Mask, and… boob and butt masks?! Are you as surprised as I was? Great, we’re on the same page. I knew Biovène made so many products to help you and your skin feel healthy and beautiful, but to be honest, the thought of a boob or butt mask had never crossed my mind. 

Cut to me reading the directions and ingredients, doing lots of Googling, and sending Snapchats to my friends (“yes, they actually sent me an ASS MASK!”). Dear reader, I was very pleasantly surprised. So, we’re gonna have some TnA time on The Clunkster today. 


But(t) Why?

Think about it for a second: we put so many serums, creams, toners, patches, masks, cleansers, oils, etc. on our faces to keep our skin looking good and feeling healthy. But what happens to the rest of our body? I love my boobs and butt as much as (if not more than) I love my face, so why am I not paying the same attention to them? While I was typing this, I thought about my poor butt, which I’m sitting on right now. I sit on it all the time in so many different places, I lay on it when I sleep, she’s got a lot going on. If you were face-planting into various surfaces all day, wouldn’t you wanna show your face some love? So why not your butt? Only I’ll get you feeling bad for a butt, I swear. 


Baby Got Back Booty Mask

Let’s start from the bottom. The Baby Got Back Booty Mask has more of a scrub-like consistency. It’s meant to exfoliate, restore, and invigorate the skin on your booty. Ingredients like Australian Pink Clay, Carrot Seed Oil, Rose Petals, and Jojoba Oil cleanse and shrink your pores, so nothing gross makes its home on your beautiful bum. Like I said before, we sit in a lot of weird places. We all know the sensation of the occasional butt zit. It’s not fun! The only thing I want on my butt is a nice handprint. KIDDING! 

But speaking of hands on my butt, my favorite part of this mask was applying it in the shower! After you wash with your body wash (to quote Rocio Cervantes, wash your ass!), lather up your booty with the mask and rub in circular motions. Honestly, this made me feel so relaxed and in touch with my body. As I mentioned, please wash your butt, whether you’re using a mask or not. But have you ever spent some serious time showing your butt some love while giving it some nice, healthy ingredients? It’s a nice feeling, and your behind will thank you. 



Booby Berries Hydration Boob Mask

This mask is all about hydration, hydration, hydration! Again, how often do you make sure your chest area is doing well? Hydration is so important for every part of your body, especially coming out of cold and dry months like these. Lather on this mask when you come out of the shower, while your pores are nice and open. While this one is a bit more creamy, it smells like a dream and glides right onto the skin. Liquorice, Blueberry, Strawberry, and Chamomile work their hydrating magic to keep your chest squeaky clean and blemish-free, because tit zits are not the vibe either. 

Since my boobs are on the front of my body, I was able to see its effects more than the Booty Mask. In fact, my skin felt much tighter and firmer, which was a beautiful feeling I didn’t know existed. Though I love both of these products so much, if you’re only in the market for one, the Booby Berries are your best bet. 

I know this isn’t my typical review, but I’m so happy I took a chance on these masks! Thanks so much to Biovène for sending me their amazing products. Make sure to check them out on their website and Amazon. Use the code ITSMYBIO20 for 20% off your order!

bath and bodyworks' sleep black chamomile pillow mist

WellnessKristenComment

When I was almost done with a bottle of Bath and Bodyworks’ “Sleep” lotion from their Aromatherapy collection, my best friend Kennedy, who worked at Bath and Bodyworks, informed me that they were discontinuing the line. I almost cried. 

Flash forward to October 2018, when I received a bottle of Bath and Bodyworks’ Black Chamomile Pillow Mist in my College Fashion Week goodie bag. I then learned that Bath and Bodyworks revived their Aromatherapy line. Once again, I almost cried.

I’ve been using the pillow mist ever since, and I’m in love. I’m a big fan of aromatherapy, and this pillow mist is made with essential oils, so it’s right up my alley. The chamomile scent is so relaxing and almost transports you to dreamland. I love being enveloped in this scent as I fall asleep.

I’m really looking forward to trying the other products in this collection now that I know how much aromatherapy helps me! If you have trouble sleeping, or if you’re just a fan of essential oils and aromatherapy, I highly recommend giving it a try.

six things you should know about menstrual cups

WellnessKristenComment

Hello, my loves! This is something I’ve been wanting to post for a while and never got around to. But I’m so excited to talk to you guys about all the benefits of using a menstrual cup! Before I started using one, everyone would rave about how amazing they were and swore that they would never go back to using tampons and pads. Now, I’m one of those people. I get so excited when people ask me about menstrual cups! To be honest, when I first heard of them, I thought they were so gross. I eventually learned more about them and decided that they were right for me. Read on if you’re on the fence about giving menstrual cups a try, or even if you’re just curious!

Menstrual cups are silicone cups that are inserted in the vagina, like a tampon, during someone’s menstrual cycle. Unlike tampons, which absorb your blood during your cycle, menstrual cups collect your blood. They should be emptied every twelve hours. I’m not a medical professional or expert on menstrual cups; this is all based off my personal experiences, talking to others, and online research! Be sure to click on the hyperlinks throughout this post for more information and sources.


  1. Not All Are Created Equal

The Lena Cup was not the first menstrual cup I tried! I started out with the Diva Cup, which I liked, but it was a little too long for me. It may take a few tries before you find a menstrual cup that works for you and your body. I checked out this amazing, detailed chart of almost every menstrual cup on the market and their measurements before deciding to buy the Lena. I recommend consulting this chart if you’re looking to buy a menstrual cup for the first time, but you’ll definitely find it more helpful when you’ve already used one or some and have a better idea of what you need. The same website also has a quiz that recommends the best menstrual cup for you, that I just took now! I found it pretty fun because I love quizzes, and if I ever decide to switch cup brands I’ll definitely keep them in mind.

I’d also recommend asking friends who have tried menstrual cups about brands they’re a fan of, and reading reviews of different cups online. Reading Lena’s product reviews on Amazon was what really sealed the deal for me, and I haven’t been disappointed!

2. It’s a Little Gross, but Not for Long

When some people learn about the insertion and removal/emptying process with a menstrual cup, they’re understandably a little freaked out. Lena puts it nicely here, with some awesome diagrams that really help beginners. The way I see it, this is something my body does as naturally as sweating and peeing, and I shouldn’t really be afraid of something I’m producing. The blood you dump from your cup is the same blood that you’d see in a tampon or pad. Even if you’re squeamish, I’m sure you’ll get used to it.

3.  You Get to Know Your Cycle

Another thing I really love about menstrual cups is how much I know my cycle now. When you wear tampons and pads, it’s hard to see exactly how much you’re bleeding, but the menstrual cup makes it very straight forward. If you’re bleeding more than usual, you can go to your gynecologist and figure things out as soon as you notice that there’s more blood in your cup.

One worry a lot of people seem to have about menstrual cups is that they won’t hold enough blood. The average person loses a bit more than 60mL of blood during their entire menstrual cycle, and most menstrual cups hold 30mL-50mL. Though you can wear the cups for up to twelve hours at a time (which I’ll get into later), you’ll eventually get used to how your body works with the cup and find an emptying schedule that works for you.

4. They’re Great if You’re Sensitive

Pads and tampons are made with a lot of synthetic stuff that you probably don’t want near your vagina. Most menstrual cups are made with a single material, usually silicone, that’s probably still synthetic, but less harmful for your body. My Lena cup is made of 100% medical-grade silicone that’s typically used for human implantation, aka, something that’s definitely safe to sit in your body for a bit. Lena also makes a Sensitive cup, which I have and love!

5. They Save You a Lot of Money

We all know that tampons and pads can get expensive, especially if you’re a heavy bleeder or have longer periods. While the initial price of a menstrual cup is a little steep, it’s nothing compared to how much money you’ll save on tampons and pads, in my opinion. I still keep them around in case of emergency, but it’s really nice knowing that if I’m wearing my menstrual cup in public and I need to empty it, I’m definitely covered with what I already have.

They also last for a nice amount of time. The shelf lives of all menstrual cups are different depending on the brand and how they’re used, but they usually last for about two to four years. Of course, you should be cleaning your cup whenever you empty it and giving it a deep clean in between cycles. Lena has another wonderful guide on cleaning here.

Additionally, since menstrual cups are reusable, you won’t be throwing out tampons and pads, and you’ll be helping the environment! We love a good environmental impact and an empty bathroom garbage can.

6. You Can Wear Them for Up to Twelve Hours

My favorite thing about menstrual cups is that you can wear them for up to twelve hours. Twelve! This is a big reason why my period has become so much less of a hassle since I switched to menstrual cups. I’ll usually put my cup in at 9:00am and I won’t have to worry about it until I get home at 9:00pm. I never have to empty it in public bathrooms, which I have done before and isn’t the worst thing, but why do that when you can time it as best as you can and be more comfortable in your own bathroom? You can even wear your cup to sleep!

As with anything you’re putting in your vagina (we’re looking at you, vagina crystals), there’s a risk for Toxic Shock Syndrome, or TSS, if you leave it in for too long. Symptoms for TSS, according to Lena’s website, include “sudden high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, sunburn-like rash, fainting or blacking out.” If you have any of these while you have your menstrual cup in, go straight to the hospital! If you’re forgetful, set alarms to remind yourself when to empty your cup.


If menstrual cups are intriguing to you but you’re not sold yet, consider giving SoftDiscs a try! They’re similar to menstrual cups in that they last for twelve hours, but they’re unfortunately not reusable. Also remember that there’s nothing wrong with using a tampon, pad, period underwear, or nothing at all. This is just my new favorite method, and I wanted to share it with you all! If you have any more questions about menstrual cups, you can Google your life away, speak to a medical professional, talk to friends who use menstrual cups, or slide into my DMs!

Let me know what brand of menstrual cup you use in the comments!