Brown Sugar Box is a monthly women of color lifestyle subscription box offering tees, accessories and lifestyle products designed by and made for Women of Color.
Each Brown Sugar Box includes a graphic tank or tee and 4-5 additional full-size products ranging from drinkware, accessories, bags, jewelry, makeup, housewares, and stationery. All items are from black-owned businesses.
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (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 per month + $4.95 shipping
The Products: 1 graphic tee or tank plus 4-5 additional full-size lifestyle products
Ships to: the US for $4.95 and International for $12.95
Good to Know: Boxes are shipped around the 15th of each month. When purchasing a subscription, you have the opportunity to select your t-shirt size and fit preference.
Brown Sugar Box February 2019 “Black History Month – The 70s” Review
Each Brown Sugar Box includes a mini magazine that highlights the theme of the box, list the products included and offers interesting and inspiring articles. This month’s box is all about celebrating Black History Month with an ode to the ‘70s - one of the most iconic decades in Black culture.
This article describes the theme of this month’s box and why the ‘70s were so lit!. The opposite page list all the items included in this month’s box to help you appreciate and embrace the ‘70s culture, fashion, and style.
This article highlights the ‘70s fashion trends that are making a comeback. From bell bottoms to gladiator sandals and satin slip dresses, these trends will have you looking dy-NO-mite!
The next article offers a way to celebrate black history month every day like reading books by black authors, visiting museums and historical landmarks dedicated to black people, and supporting black businesses.
This article is all about black love and list 3 black couples whose relationships have stood the test of time. The Obamas, Washingtons, Hills, and I’ll add the Hutchinsons make black love look easy!
The winter months can be brutal to our skin! This article, or is it an ad, list products that will help keep your skin moisturized and glowing all winter long. I'm surprised at how commercial the suggestions are, but on the flip-side, these products aren't hard to find and are affordable.
Highlighted in this article are black celebrities that are setting the new tone for Hollywood. I absolutely love Issa Rae, am inspired by Ava Duvernay, was impressed with Trevante Rhodes in Bird Box and can’t wait to see Us directed by Jordon Peele.
This is new! This month's magazine includes a style guide for the wearable items in this month's box. Let's see if I can pull off this look! Also new is a promotion for natural hair and body products. I've not seen this type of promotion for items not included in the box or owned by Izzy & Liv.
Brown Sugar Babes are invited to share pictures of themselves on social media for a chance to win a free box. Highlighted are pictures from last month’s box.
Who doesn't need a Soul Glow playlist in their life? I recognize every single song and that's impressive for a person like me who can't remember what I had for breakfast yesterday. There's also a page with Brown Sugar Box FAQs.
The back cover of the magazine has a picture of a beautiful young lady with super fun earrings and invites you to join the Izzy & Liv members-only lounge on Facebook.
“Peace, Love, and Soul” Tee – Listed Retail Value $28
The memorable closing phase on Soul Train, “Peace, Love, and Souuuuuuuul”, brings back only good memories. My parent’s generation really knew how to dance and have a good time. I love the design of this t-shirt and the color. It's a little longer than normal but otherwise, it fits as expected.
“She’s a Brick House” Enamel Pin – Listed Retail Value $8
The Commodores ‘70s hit, Brick House is a classic! “She’s mighty mighty, just lettin’ it all hang out”! Now, the real question is, did the song say “shake it down, shake it down, shake it down down” or .. “shake it now now”?! This pin is super cute but the nostalgia it brings is the best part.
Faux Leather Beret – Listed Retail Value $10
Are berets really coming back in style? If so, it’s going to be a hard pass for me! Plus, this hat isn’t well made or very flattering and it feels gimmicky to include it in this month's box. But, I do acknowledge and respect the work of the Black Panther movement.
‘70s Pattern Socks (1 of 3 options) – Listed Retail Value $7
These groovy socks come in three different designs. I received the “picked afro ladies” which I liked the best. They’re cute and comfortable.
Retro Skinny Scarf – Listed Retail Value $12
I’m not really sure what to do with this skinny scarf so I’ll be consulting the style guide. I do like that it's long and I like the colors. I'm just not sure why Izzy & Liv is so obsessed with branding every single item. The pink Izzy & Liv and Made in China tags will need to be removed. If worn across my waist, it’s long enough to wrap around and tie in a nice sized bow. I was able to wrap it around my head three times and it looks kind of cute as a headband.
Dashiki (1 of 5 options) – Listed Retail Value $27
A traditional African men's shirt dating back to the 12 century, the dashiki made waves in the US in the 1960s and 70s as a symbol of black pride and a way to identify with our African roots. Dashikis have become super fashionable and can now be found in a wide variety of designs for men, women, and children. You can find dashiki inspired shirts, skirts, hair accessories and more. I love the vibrancy of this dashiki. It fits a little large but I think that this is by design and a roomy look is expected.
Verdict: This month’s box was pretty good! I’ve been a Brown Sugar Box subscriber from the very beginning. Izzy & Liv is a brand with a mission that I love to support. I’m a sucker for a good theme, and like last month’s box, Brown Sugar box delivered. The ‘70s theme was fun, carried out throughout all the items in the box, and didn't feel gimmicky (with the exception of the beret).
I tend to not like boxes with too many wearable items. But, what I did love was this month's focus on sizing. One of my persistence complaints is the inclusion of One Size items that are inevitably too big for the smallest subscribers and too little for the largest. This month's dashiki came in One Size and One Size Plus and I really appreciate the effort. Of course, I love the t-shirt! I like the burgundy color since jewel tones go well with my skin tone. I'm not a fan of the beret and I'm confused as to what to do with the skinny scarf but I'm digging the pin, socks, and dashiki.
The only real downside to this month’s box is that it was super late. Many of us Brown Sugar Babes ended up paying for next month’s box before this month’s box arrived. I believe it has something to do with a new fulfillment center. If that means that we will get our boxes sooner and shipped around the 15th as promised, then right on!
So, ladies, did I pull off the look?
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but sign up today to receive next month's box.
Value Breakdown: The listed retail value of this box is $92. At $44.90 a box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:
- “Peace, Love, and Soul” Tee – $13.67
- “She’s a Brick House” Enamel Pin – $3.90
- Faux Leather Beret – $4.88
- ‘70s Pattern Socks (1 of 3) – $3.42
- Retro Skinny Scarf – $5.86
- Dashiki (1 or 5) – $13.18
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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