Brown Sugar Box by Izzy & Liv Review + Coupon – May 2018

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 May 2018 Review

Included in the box is a mini magazine with various articles for my reading enjoyment. This month's theme is “The 90’s Edition.”

“Round The Way Girl” Tee - Listed Value $28.00

This box is known for their tees and the catchy phrases displayed on them. This month tee has “Round The Way Girl” inscribed on the front. The phrase comes from LL Cool J’s song Around The Way Girl. The five signs you were an “Around The Way Girl.” (taken from the info booklet): 1. Your Fashion Sense Was Always Trendy And Extra Bold, 2. You Were A Delicate Mix Of Ratchet And Classy, 3. You Loved Hip Hop, 4. You Were The Original Beauty Guru, and 5. You Weren’t Afraid To Be Yourself. Their tees are 100% ringspun cotton, the quality is good, holds up in the washing machine ( I hang dry my tees) and the images/words displayed on the tees have held up as well. Their tees from previous boxes can be found here for purchase.

Flip-Up Sunglasses - Listed Value $15.00

These sunglasses scream 90’s; the sunglasses inspiration came from the character Dwayne Wayne from the hit tv show A Different World. I’m not a 90’s girl, and these sunglasses weren’t my style back in the day, but I may go out of my comfort zone and give them a try. I’m wearing the sunglasses, as well as the t-shirt, cap, and earrings seen at the end of the review. The sunglasses have UV 400 protection.

Here’s a side view of the sunglasses and the sunglasses lens flipped up.

The sunglasses came in a black polyester pouch with Izzy & Liv® inscribed in silver.

P.Y.T. Hat - Listed Value $23.00

This denim distressed hat has “P.Y.T. (pretty young thing)” on the front. The phrase comes from Michael Jackson’s song P.Y.T. from his Thriller album, and on September 19, 1983, the single debuted. I don’t know how this is a 90’s reference; I’m assuming the actual phrase is a 90’s thing. I was busy being married/ divorced, and a new mom and don’t recall any 90’s phrases or pop culture. I went down memory lane and listened to a few of Micheal’s songs, which was enjoyable as I typed this review. The hat is small, and from the photo below it didn’t fit plus, all my hair didn’t help with the fit.

Hoop Earrings, 2 pairs - Listed Value $18.00

When I first opened the box and saw the earrings two things came to mind these remind me of my sister, and they look cheap. The bamboo style hoops that are larger looked cheap compared to the smaller rope style hoops. These earrings were the style of the 90’s, big hoop earrings the bigger, the better. I wore the smaller rope hoop earrings in the photo below, and I love the style and look. There is a hinged hoop lever to secure on my earlobes on the smaller pair of earrings. The bigger bamboo hoops didn’t have a hinged hoop lever to secure on my ears, a disappointment. I don’t know if you can tell from the photo, but you can see the hinged loop lever is missing. I’m guessing this was a manufacturer error and will reach out to Brown Sugar for a resolution.

Tenderoni Necklace - Listed Value $14.00

Here’s another jewelry item enclosed in this month’s box, Brown Sugar knows how to curate a theme centered box! Subscribers received a nameplate necklace to let the world know before “bae” there was “Tenderoni.” This gold-plated nameplate necklace has “Tenderoni” inscribed in a graffiti style. The word is from Bobby Brown’s song “Tenderoni.” The necklace is not my style; I will pass it on to my sister.

Izzy & Liv Beauty Fly Girl Collection Nail Polish – Listed Value $16.00

Here’s another product from Izzy & Liv’s™ Beauty Collection, I have been unable to find this line on their website or online. Does anyone know where this collection is found? Let me know in the comments! I received four nail polishes silver, “Shimmy Shimmy Ya,” gold, “Hypnotize,” light blue, “Bonita Applebum,” and pale pink, “Candy Rain.”

I didn’t see any of the five free toxic ingredients found in nail polish on the ingredients list. I’m not one to wear colored nail polish, but the quality of the polish seemed okay, and the colors seem fun for summer.

Here I am displaying the colors and please forgive me for the shabby application; I aimed to convey the colors.

Koils by Nature Nourishing Hair And Body Butter, 2oz - Estimated  Value $5.00 (buy an 8oz jar for $19.99)

I received the hair and body butter in marvelous mango; subscribers will receive marvelous mango or sugary sweet in their boxes. It’s super concentrated, thick and creamy; a little goes a long way. I used the product as a body butter, and it tackled my dry skin. This product is rich so be mindful and use less than what you think you need. The scent didn’t have the aroma of mango; it wasn’t the most pleasant smell, but it didn’t hinder me from using and it’s not a lingering scent. There is a coupon code on the lid of the hair and body butter for 20% off on their website.

From Koils by Nature:

Directions: Apply a small amount of the butter on wet or dry hair to nourish, protect, and provide great shine.
Apply a small amount to damp or dry skin, this butter is light and will not weight down your hair or leave your skin without a greasy feel.
This whipped butter is excellent for sealing moisture and will provide excellent shine.
Use sparingly; a little goes a long way!

Here I’m wearing the t-shirt, hat, sunglasses, and earrings.

Verdict: This month’s box has a total listed value of $119 - an incredible deal for $39.95 a month plus shipping. Brown Sugar Box came through with an amazing assortment of 90’s themed products. This month’s box had me feeling nostalgic for Micheal Jackson and Bobby Brown’s music as well the show “A Different World.” This box always comes through with thoughtfully curated boxes. I would love to see an 80’s themed box, the best all-time African-American movies with a DVD included and a NOLA (New Orleans) inspired box. This month’s favorites included the t-shirt, sunglasses, and the rope style earrings. I would like to see this subscription 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: 

• “Round The Way Girl” T-Shirt: $10.56
• Sunglasses: $5.66
• Hat: $8.68
• Hoop Earrings set of two: $6.79
• Necklace: $5.28
• Nail Polish Collection: $6.04
• Hair and Body Butter: $1.89

Check out all of our Brown Sugar Box reviews and more women of color subscription boxes in the Women Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What do you think of this month’s Brown Sugar Box?