Brown Sugar Box is a monthly women of color lifestyle subscription by the shop Izzy & Liv that promises a total retail value of $85+. Here's how they describe it:
As a Brown Sugar Box Subscriber, you’ll get a box filled with the BEST of Izzy & Liv including best sellers, new releases, and limited edition (subscriber-only) products.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Brown Sugar Box
The Subscription Box: Brown Sugar Box
The Cost: $39.95 a month + $4.95 shipping
LIMITED TIME DEAL: Use code GIVEMESUGAR to save $5 off your first box
The Products: “Your box will include 5-6 products every month. You will always get at least one Izzy & Liv tee, tank or sweatshirt along with other fabulous items -- and as often as we can, we will include items from other black-owned businesses we love!”
Ships to: The United States for $4.95 and International for $12.95.
Brown Sugar April 2018 Review
Included in the box is a mini magazine with various articles for my reading enjoyment and this month marks their one year anniversary:
This month's theme is "Birthday Edition."
Bonus: 5x7 Print
Enclosed in this month’s box is a 5x7 print card with a quote from Oprah Winfrey:
Think Like A Queen. A Queen Is Not Afraid To Fall. Failure Is Another Stepping Stone To Greatness.
“Queen For The Day” Tee - Listed Value $28.00
This short sleeve black t-shirt has “Queen For The Day” in gold and white inscribed on the front of the tee with a gold crown above “Queen.” The t-shirt is 100% ringspun cotton, made in India and printed in the USA. Their monthly tees are my favorite item in the box, and I look forward to receiving each month. I will rock this shirt during my birthday month.
“Hello Gorgeous”Ceramic Jewelry Tray - Listed Value $14.00
This small ceramic jewelry tray came in black and white with gold trim in the shape of a talking bubble. The ceramic tray has a small heart and “hello gorgeous” etched onto the bottom of the tray. The tray is small enough to hold my rings and earrings.
“Bad & Boozy”Travel Wine Tumbler - Retail Value $9.99, Listed Value $18.00
This double walled insulated sippy cup has a floating stem, BPA free, and I will need to hand wash. The lid resembles the sippy cup lids my son had when he was young, and it has a different feel from the tumbler lids I have had before. The opening is smaller but still effective to enjoy my wine. The front of the wine tumbler says, “Bad and Boozy” and Izzy & Liv’s Brown Sugar Box. Also, the tumbler holds about 10oz of liquid. I enjoy all varietals of wine and this tumbler is perfect for on the go or to pack for my upcoming trips.
We’re Going To Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union - Retail Value $26.99, Listed Value $26.00 (found here for $16.43)
Gabrielle's book reads as if you're hanging out with an old friend. Her stories weave a tapestry of humor, insightfulness, and honesty. I live in the town Gabrielle moved to when she was in second grade, and her memories rang true. I look forward to finishing and getting to know her better.
From Amazon:
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work
Named a Best Book of the Year by The Root
Chosen by Emma Straub as a Best New Celebrity Memoir
“A book of essays as raw and honest as anyone has ever produced.” — Lena Dunham, Lenny Letter
In the spirit of Amy Poehler’s Yes Please, Lena Dunham’s Not That Kind of Girl, and Roxane Gay's Bad Feminist, a powerful collection of essays about gender, sexuality, race, beauty, Hollywood, and what it means to be a modern woman.
One month before the release of the highly anticipated film The Birth of a Nation, actress Gabrielle Union shook the world with a vulnerable and impassioned editorial in which she urged our society to have compassion for victims of sexual violence. In the wake of rape allegations made against the director and actor Nate Parker, Union—a forty-four-year-old actress who launched her career with roles in iconic ’90s movies—instantly became the insightful, outspoken actress that Hollywood has been desperately awaiting. With honesty and heartbreaking wisdom, she revealed her trauma as a victim of sexual assault: "It is for you that I am speaking. This is real. We are real."
In this moving collection of thought-provoking essays infused with her unique wisdom and deep humor, Union uses that same fearlessness to tell astonishingly personal and true stories about power, color, gender, feminism, and fame. Union tackles a range of experiences, including bullying, beauty standards, and competition between women in Hollywood, growing up in white California suburbia and then spending summers with her black relatives in Nebraska, coping with crushes, puberty, and the divorce of her parents. Genuine and perceptive, Union bravely lays herself bare, uncovering a complex and courageous life of self-doubt and self-discovery with incredible poise and brutal honesty. Throughout, she compels us to be ethical and empathetic and reminds us of the importance of confidence, self-awareness, and the power of sharing truth, laughter, and support.
Tiara Headpiece - Listed Value $15.00
This silver jeweled headpiece has a black elastic band that fits securely on my head. The tiara headpiece is a lovely addition to their “birthday edition” box. The jewels on the tiara resemble costume jewelry but don’t look gaudy. The info booklet has two different headpieces the one I received and a jeweled headband, it seems subscribers will receive one of the accessories pictured. I usually don’t wear a headpiece, but I will find an occasion to rock this piece.
Here’s a close-up of the jewels on the tiara headpiece and a part of the elastic band.
Brown Sugar Girl Keychain - Listed Value $6.00
I received a small keychain with Brown Sugar’s signature image, which consists of a WOC winking and her blowing pink bubble gum. The keychain is hard and sturdy and held my car keys plus three more keys.
Set of Six- Brown Sugar Girls Blank Cards - Listed Value$10.00
I received a set of six blank cards and envelopes. The cards have the Brown Sugar Girl’s which is their signature image logo that includes various WOC in a variety of hairstyles and outfits winking and blowing pink bubble gum. The images are from past box covers. The cards are thin and glossy, and the envelopes are paper thin and see through. I love the design and how the showcased their signature image but the paper quality is poor, better quality paper or cardstock would have been better.
The back of the cards has “IZZY & LIZ® Culture. Confidence. Soul™”. I write letters often so this will go in my stationary kit, but I don’t like the advertisement of the box name and motto on the cards. I like my cards to stand out and be unique while these cards are unique the name makes it less personalized.
“Time To Slay” Leather Bracelet Watch - Listed Value $20.00
This white and gold bracelet watch with gold chain wraps around my wrist with snap closure. The bracelet is leather and has “Time To Slay” on the face of the watch. I wrapped the bracelet around my wrist several times and snapped the closure, the bracelet watch was snug, there was some movement on my wrist, but I'm not sure if I will be able to wear all day.
Layered Drop Necklace - Listed Value $12.00
What a treat to receive not one but three accessory pieces in this month’s box. The necklace came in a small brown box, perfect for gifting if you don’t mind “Izzy & Liv®” on the front, with a black foam pad appropriate for a ring which I thought was weird. The gold plated drop necklace is 15in/20in/25in with a chain extender. When I fastened the necklace around my neck, I had to put it on the last extender because it was snug. I was pleasantly surprised at how I liked the necklace on; I will need to find a top or dress to wear the necklace with, any ideas on tops/blouses, or dresses that will pair well with this piece.
Bonus: Bookmark
Enclosed in the box is a bookmark to accompany the book I received. The front of the bookmark is the image from this month’s box and on the back:
THE WOMAN WHO FOLLOWS THE CROWDS WILL USUALLY GO NO FURTHER THAN THE CROWD. THE WOMAN WHO WALKS ALONE IS LIKELY TO FIND HERSELF IN PLACES NO ONE HAS EVER BEEN BEFORE.
I’m not feeling this quote, but it may resonate or inspire someone who reads it.
Verdict: This month’s box has a value of $141.98 - an incredible deal for $39.95 a month plus shipping. Brown Sugar Box came through with a spectacular assortment of products to celebrate their “birthday edition” box. The pieces were thoughtfully curated, and it had a birthday vibe with the tiara, every lady deserves a tiara on their birthday, a necklace and watch to add to your birthday outfit, a wine tumbler to toast to the new year, and an assortment of cards to send thank you’s. It’s a first to receive a hardcover book and such an enjoyable read. I would like to see this sub send products from businesses that a subscriber can patronize in person or online, a lot of times I wonder what business they collaborate with (there is no manufacturer info on the products) and how can I check out more of their collection. Overall, I have been pleased with the assortment of products I have received monthly. The subscription price is on par with other lifestyle boxes, and you receive at least 6-7 items monthly. Brown Sugar Box by Izzie & Liv is one of my favorite WOC beauty/lifestyle boxes!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but sign up for next month's waitlist!
Coupon – Use code GIVEMESUGAR to save $5 off your first box
Value Breakdown: At $44.90 a box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:
- “Queen For The Day” T-Shirt: $8.85
- “Hello Gorgeous” Ceramic Jewelry Tray: $4.43
- “Bad & Boozy”Wine Travel Tumbler: $3.16
- Hardcover Book by Gabrielle Union: $8.54
- Tiara Headpiece: $4.74
- Brown Sugar Girl Keychain: $1.90
- Set of Six Brown Sugar Girl Blank Cards: $3.16
- “Time To Slay” Leather Bracelet Watch: $6.32
- Layered Drop Necklace: $3.79
Check out all of our Brown Sugar Box reviews and more women of color subscription boxes in the Women Subscription Box Directory!
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What do you think of this month’s Brown Sugar Box?
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