May 2011 Birchbox! TWO different shipments!!

Hello, Beautiful!

I wanted to post this on Wednesday (which is the day I received both shipments), but I've been sick. I apologize for getting this up so late, since most of you probably already received your Birchbox shipments by now. Better late than never!

Last month I decided to order a second Birchbox shipment each month, under my husband's name. I selected different options in the beauty profile section and as a result I received two different shipments! I'm super thrilled to have more products to try each month... and in reality, my husband actually does use some of the products I receive (not the makeup, obviously), so I don't feel like I'm "cheating" or buying more than I should.
Continue reading to check out all the details of May's Birchbox shipments...

You can check out past Birchbox shipments here:  January 2011 -- February 2011 -- March 2011 -- April 2011

*** Before I continue, if you don't know what Birchbox is then you really should check out their website. You pay $10 a month (or you can sign up for a year and get a slight discount). Each month you're sent between 4 and 6 deluxe samples of various products from various brands. You do not receive any full sized products, but you can buy the full sized versions from Birchbox (you earn points for doing so).

* click on an image to view it larger *


Shipment One: May 2011 Birchbox

The included info card:

Now I'll break it down, product-by-product...

JOUER Moisturizing Lip Gloss

in the shade Glisten

Description: A gorgeous gloss that conquers dryness and ho-hum style in a single, shimmery swoop.

My Thoughts: The shade description on Jouer's website says the shade Glisten a sheer sparkling pink, but I think it's more of a sheer sparkling peach, or peachy pink. Either way, it's a pretty wearable shade. I haven't used it on my lips yet because right now I'm still sick and my lips are extremely chapped. I'll test this out in the near future.

Sample Size: 0.06 fl oz

Full Size: 0.23 fl oz @ $20

Sample Size Value: $5.22

JOUER Luminizing Moisture Tint

in the shade Pearl and in the shade Golden

Description: No description listed on the card, as these are considered bonuses. It says it is an oil-free, SPF 20 lightweight tinted moisturizer good for all skin types.

My Thoughts: I'm actually very excited to try these out! I've never heard of the brand Jouer before and even though their lipgloss is pretty, I'm more excited to try these out! I will do a separate post with swatches, review and before & after pics.

Sample Size: 0.03 fl oz each packet (two packets)

Full Size: I couldn't find how many ounces the full sized tube contained, but I'm going to assume it's the typical 1 fl oz @ $38

Sample Size Value: $1.14 each packet; total $2.28

DDF Wrinkle Resist Plus Pore Minimizer

Description: This gel-like serum works to hydrate skin and shrink pores, and fights off wrinkles with potent peptides. Apply to clean skin morning and night, before moisturizer or SPF.

My Thoughts: I was super excited to receive a DDF product in this month's shipment. DDF is the best skincare line, at least the best skincare line for my skin type. I don't own this product yet, and this sample size will last me a long while. I'll start using this immediately in my nightime routine.

Sample Size: 0.23 fl oz

Full Size: 1.7 oz @ $85

Sample Size Value: $11.50

AHAVA Deadsea Water Mineral Body Lotion

Description: This light moisturizer sinks in quickly to add marathon moisture -- natural aloe and witch hazel give it an energizing scent.

My Thoughts: This has a nice light scent I could tolerate and made my skin feel soft and smooth.

Sample Size: 1.3 fl oz

Full Size: 8.5 fl oz @ $24

Sample Size Value: $3.67

SERGE LUTENS Nuit de Cellophane eau de parfum

Description: A modern take on the fruity floral: fresh green and tart mandarin notes combine with creamy rose and jasmine.

My Thoughts: I'm not a big fragrance fan, as most give me an instant headache and sadly this is a scent I just can't tolerate right now. My scent preference does change from time to time, so maybe in the future I'll like it, but it looks like this will be given away to someone.

Sample Size: 1 ml

Full Size: 50 ml @ $120

Sample Size Value: $2.40

TINY PRINTS greeting card

Description: We're hooked on Tiny Prints, which lets you customize all their adorable greeting cards, from birthday wishes to thank you notes.

My Thoughts: The card I received was simple yet really cute. I love the design and would likely buy this design in the future for thank-you cards.

Sample Size: 1 card (thank-you card size [3"x5"], but they call it a greeting card)

Full Size: 1 greeting card $1.99 (click here to view this design on the Tiny Prints website)

Sample Size Value: $3.98 (price of card I recieved, plus the one additional FREE gretting card I can redeem). In additon, I also have a code for 50% off an additional purchase.

SHIPMENT QUICK-STATS:

• Value of this month's shipment: $29.05 (value is approximate)
• Total # of items received: 7
• # of skincare items: 2
• # of makeup items: 3
• # of nail care items: 0
• # of hair care items: 0
• # of fragrance: 1
• # of other items: 1

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 * click on an image to view it larger *


Shipment Two: May 2011 Birchbox

The included info card:

Now I'll break it down, product-by-product...

ERNO LASZLO Transphuse Night Serum 

Description: A wrinkle-fighting wonder from the cult skincare brand. Apply to clean skin at night for noticeably smoother, firmer skin.

My Thoughts: I've never tried this brand, so I'm excited to try out this product. Not only that, but look below at the full size price tag! This is a wonderful way to try out a product that I would otherwise never get to try.

Sample Size: 0.10 fl oz 

Full Size: 1 fl oz @ $190

Sample Size Value: $19.00

JOUER Mini Tinted Lip Enhancer

in the shade Champagne 

Description: A satiny moisturizer loaded with healing vitamin E and shea butter, plus plumping peptides.

My Thoughts: I haven't used this yet, but the color isn't really something I would be drawn to, but it's a pretty neutral once swatched.

Sample Size: 0.15 fl oz

Full Size: Not sure of the full sized value, but a three-pack of this mini size is $25
Sample Size Value: $8.33

JOUER Luminizing Moisture Tint
in the shade Glow and in the shade Bronzed
Description: No description listed on the card, as these are considered bonuses. It says it is an oil-free, SPF 20 lightweight tinted moisturizer good for all skin types.

My Thoughts: I'm actually very excited to try these out! I've never heard of the brand Jouer before and even though their lipgloss is pretty, I'm more excited to try these out! I will do a separate post with swatches, review and before & after pics.

Sample Size: 0.03 fl oz each packet (two packets)

Full Size: I couldn't find how many ounces the full sized tube contained, but I'm going to assume it's the typical 1 fl oz @ $38
Sample Size Value: $1.14 each packet; total $2.28

ARCHIPELAGO Pomegranate Soap
Description: A triple-milled (read: ultra-smooth) soap loaded antioxidant-rich white tea and pomegranate to gently clean hands and body.
My Thoughts: I could smell this soap from outside the box... and the scent was not pleasant, at least not to me. When I think of pomegranate scent I don't think of an old woman, but this soap had grandma... maybe hip grandma... all over it. Not my cup of tea, but will be great for my own grandmother.

Sample Size: 1.1 oz

Full Size: 6.8 oz @ $12.50
Sample Size Value: $2.02

BULGARI Mon Jasmin Noir Eau de Parfum

Description: The Italian fragrance house's latest winner waves of ripe fruit with a base of heady jasmine.

My Thoughts: I can't place the scent, but I know it reminds me of something. The scent is pleasant; not over whelming, not overly girly and not grandma-like at all.

Sample Size: 1.5 ml
Full Size: 50 ml @ $80
Sample Size Value: $2.40

TINY PRINTS greeting card
Description: We're hooked on Tiny Prints, which lets you customize all their adorable greeting cards, from birthday wishes to thank you notes.

My Thoughts: The card I received was simple yet really cute. I love the design and would likely buy this design in the future for thank-you cards.

Sample Size: 1 card (thank-you card size [3"x5"], but they call it a greeting card)
Full Size: 1 greeting card $1.99 (click here to view this design on the Tiny Prints website)
Sample Size Value: $3.98 (price of card I recieved, plus the one additional FREE greeting card I can redeem). In addition, I also have a code for 50% off an additional purchase.

SHIPMENT QUICK-STATS:

• Value of this month's shipment: $38.01 (value is approximate)
• Total # of items received: 7
• # of skincare items: 2
• # of makeup items: 3
• # of nail care items: 0  
• # of hair care items: 0
• # of fragrance: 1
• # of other items: 1