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Brown Sugar Box “Black History Month – The 70s” Review – February 2019

Brown Sugar Box Review February 2019 - Box Closed Top

Brown Sugar Box by Izzy & Liv
4.7 overall rating
3 Ratings | 3 Reviews

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. 

Brown Sugar Box Review February 2019 - Box Open Top

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).

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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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

Brown Sugar Box Review February 2019 - Magazine 4 Top

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!

Brown Sugar Box Review February 2019 - Magazine 5 Top

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.

Brown Sugar Box Review February 2019 - “She’s a Brick House” Enamel Pin Package Front TopBrown Sugar Box Review February 2019 - “She’s a Brick House” Enamel Pin Package Back TopBrown Sugar Box Review February 2019 - “She’s a Brick House” Enamel Pin Front

“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.

Brown Sugar Box Review February 2019 - Faux Leather Beret TopBrown Sugar Box Review February 2019 - Faux Leather Beret CloserBrown Sugar Box Review February 2019 - Faux Leather Beret Onn Front

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.

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‘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.

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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.

Brown Sugar Box Review February 2019 - Dashiki Package TopBrown Sugar Box Review February 2019 - Dashiki Unpackaged TopBrown Sugar Box Review February 2019 - Dashiki Onn Front

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?

Brown Sugar Box Review February 2019 - '70s Inspired Look Front

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!

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?

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Shatae Hutchinson
Shatae Hutchinson
Hi, I’m Shatae; pronounced shhh-tay! I work in IT Healthcare, I’m married to my high school sweetheart and we have 2 cool kids. I am obsessed with black culture, lifestyle, travel and art made by and featuring women of color. I also love trendy plus-size fashion and accessories, eclectic and bohemian home décor and all things self-care, mental health and fitness. My favorite box is Izzy & Liv’s Brown Sugar Box; a monthly box offering tees, accessories and lifestyle products designed for black women. I also subscribe to TheSelfCareBox, FabFitFun, CauseBox and Merkaela. Being a wife and full-time working mom, subscription boxes are one of the few things that are just for me! They are fun, convenient, reasonably priced and full of surprises.

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28 comments

Latoya Carr

You look beautiful! Great review. I may give them a try!

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ReeRee

I haven’t been a fan of BSB for months, fingers crossed the March and April anniversary will be great before I cancel this sub. I did receive my shipping notifications today for March box.

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Shatae

The first year was SO GOOD! Since, it’s been a rollercoaster of good, bad and ugly! Did you see what happened with the March t-shirts? What do you think about that?

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Emily

You look awesome!

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Shatae

Thanks Emily!

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tam

I love the tshirt, dashiki, and the socks. You look great in everything!

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Shatae

Thanks Tam! The socks were comfortable too.

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StaceStace

Yaaaaaaaaaas! That tee is everything.

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Shatae

It’s one of my favorites, Stace!

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Marion

I also think the beret looks cute on you!

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Shatae

Don’t gas me up Marion, LOL! You all are going to have me in the street looking crazy!

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Katy

Honestly, I think you rock the beret! Love that last outfit.

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Shatae

My husband said “oh, look at you, Black Panther” and raised his fist. I don’t know how to take that, LOL!

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LisaFalana

I agree with the lateness of this box. I have a few subs and this is always the last one to arrive.

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Shatae

Yes! And what’ the deal with the shipping notices? I usually get the notice 2 weeks before I receive the box or on the same day! LOL!

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MzBev

I want that t-shirt!

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Shatae

They sometimes sell overstock are items from the box on their website. I saw the socks on sale a la cart last week. So, *fingers-crossed*.

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Joan

Great job putting together things from different boxes.

I’ve worn the beret and love it. Of course, I already have 3 or 4 berets I bring out every winter. This one being leather like gives me a few more options. The Soul Train t-shirt works very well with the mini-series that just came out. It matches the pair of socks I got. Not sure what I’m going to do with that scarf. Maybe a mother’s day gift?

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Shatae

Good eye Joan! The earrings and bracelet are from older boxes. I tried mimicking the girl in the style guide. I also don’t know what to do with the skinny scarf but a few of the Babes are wearing it like a tie (but in a really feminine way). I might see if I could pull that off that look.

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DawnS

Brick house goes: shake it down, shake it down now. The the second round goes: shake it down, shake it down, shake it down now.
🙂
Great review!

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Joan

Yes, Dawn. That’s exactly what I was going to post.

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Shatae

So both ways were wrong, LOL!

Annie. S.

It’s a relatively expensive monthly subscription- do you think that it’s worth it?

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Shatae

Hi Annie, I think it’s worth the price. Since most of the items are Izzy & Liv branded, we go by the listed value they provide. A few boxes are like this. But, (1) I don’t think the listed values are inflated and (2) when we do the value breakdown by item, the prices are all really reasonable. So, yes, I think it’s worth it. My only consistent complaint is the quality of some of the wearable items. If they can address that then it would be an amazing value.

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Joy L. Jones

I like both shirts a lot! I like the beret just pair it with the right outfit. On any bad hair day im reaching for it.

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Shatae

I agree to Joy! I always love the t-shirts. Still on the fence with this hat, LOL!

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Mary

I think you look great! The beret is super cute!

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Shatae

But I felt so silly in it Mary!

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