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Brown Sugar Box “Old Hollywood Glam” Review + Coupon – March 2019

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Closed Box

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

Brown Sugar Box is a monthly woman of color lifestyle subscription box offering tees, accessories, and lifestyle products designed by and made for Women of Color.

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Opened Box

Each Brown Sugar Box includes a graphic 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).

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - All Items Unboxed

About Brown Sugar Box

The Subscription Box: Brown Sugar Box

The Cost: $39.95 per month + $4.95 shipping

LIMITED TIME DEAL: Use code FIRSTTIME20 to save 20% off your first box!

The Products: 1 graphic tee plus 4-5 additional full-size lifestyle products

Ships to: 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 “Old Hollywood Glam” Review

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Magazine Front

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 the women of Old Hollywood, like Earth Kitt, Ella Fitzgerald, and Diahann Carroll who were breaking barriers and setting trends all while looking absolutely fabulous.

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Magazine 1

This article describes the theme of this month’s box which is perfect for Women’s History Month. The opposite page lists all of the items included in this month’s box to help you glam up any occasion.

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Magazine 2

This article highlights five fashion trends inspired by old Hollywood icons. I am here for all of them especially the belted jumpsuit!

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Magazine 3

Featured are women who have dedicated their lives to fight for fairness and rights for women. I’m inspired by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and I’ve read a number her books. I highly recommend Americanah.

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Magazine 4

This article describes the beauty standards and lists some beauty tips from the 1950s. Honestly, I prefer my modern-day skin routine. No cold cream or tea bags for me!

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Magazine 5

Featured are quotes from Hollywood greats. My favorite is Cicely Tyson's "Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew." Style Guides were introduced last month and I love this addition to the mini magazine. The cutest suggestion is pairing the brooch in this month's box with the faux fur collar from the December box.

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Magazine 6

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.

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Magazine 7

This Old Hollywood Playlist sounds like the perfect background music for a super chill day of writing, relaxing and cooking the perfect dinner for two. There's also a page with Brown Sugar Box FAQs.

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Magazine Back

The back cover of the magazine has a picture of a beautiful black woman on the perfect spring day and invites you to join the Izzy & Liv members-only lounge on Facebook.

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - T-Shirt 1 Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - T-Shirt 2

Timeless Women” Tribute Tee – Listed Retail Value $28

In honor of Women's History Month, this t-shirt was meant to honor the beautiful black women of old Hollywood. Instead, it fell short of this mission. First, the names of multiple women on the tee were misspelled. This is such a huge mistake! In an email to subscribers, the Izzy & Liv team spoke to the error and are reprinting and shipping corrected replacement shirts. Although they have not provided a definite timeline, I appreciate that they acknowledged the error and are correcting this mistake. But, still!

Secondly, I always love the t-shirts but this looks more like a mass-produced family reunion tee than what I’ve come to expect from Izzy & Liv. In a box all about glam, why choose such a plain looking tee? I expected glitter and gold, sprinkle, and a little pizzazz - all of which I’ve seen in past shirts. Ignoring the spelling errors, this t-shirt still isn’t a hit.

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Mirror 1 Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Mirror 2 Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Mirror 3

Handheld – Listed Retail Value $12

How cute! Of the three options, this mirror depiction of a 1950’s beauty is the one I loved the best! It can be used in hand or handless by folding the handle back to prop it up. The picture of this mirror in the mini magazine shows a gold finish but the one I received has a silver finish. I actually like it better this way. Of course, Izzy & Liv branded the mirror but in this case, it's done tastefully so I don't mind.

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Clutch 1 Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Clutch 2 Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Clutch 3 Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Clutch 4

Party Clutch – Listed Retail Value $21

This shimmery clutch comes in gold, silver, pink and black. I received the pink and it’s my favorite of the four! It’s really quite cute with the gold chain and gold faux diamond clasp. This is probably the best and most well-made clutch, purse or bag included in the Brown Sugar Box. I’m definitely using this!

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Brooch 1 Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Brooch 2 Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Brooch 3

Classic Brooch – Listed Retail Value $10

Bummer! I really wanted the Bumblebee design of the four available styles. But, I did get my favorite mirror and clutch so, I really can't complain. While not my favorite, this classic brooch with a gold stem, leaves, and pink flowers is charming.

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Brush Set 1 Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Brush Set 2

5 Piece Makeup Brush Set – Listed Retail Value $18

I don't wear makeup every day so I'm rarely applying flawless foundation or the perfect smoky eye but I do appreciate a good brush on the occasion that I'm getting glammed up for the evening. I also love that the brushes have sayings like "you are beautiful", "you better work", and "slay!".

Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Necklace 1 Brown Sugar Box March 2019 - Necklace 2

Reverse Collar Necklace – Listed Retail Value $22

I don’t think that I’ve seen a reverse collar necklace before but I like it. It’s different and not too overwhelming or costumey. I will need to try to stretch it out a bit because it’s not very comfortable but I can totally see myself rocking this!

Verdict: This was almost an A+ box! I’ve been a Brown Sugar Box subscriber from the very beginning so I’ve seen every box. It’s no secret that it’s one of my favorites and a brand with a mission that I love to support. This box is honestly one of the nicest boxes I've seen in a very long time.

There are two standout things about this box for me. First, this is the first box I've received where I didn't like the tee shirt. It's usually my favorite item in every box. It's still quite unbelievable that they misspelled some of the names. But, hey, mistakes happen, they owned it, and they’re fixing it. That’s usually all that I expect. However, I do wish that they would just scrape and redo this whole t-shirt. It needs to be glamorous!

Secondly, there was a drastic increase in quality in this month’s box. I feel like lately, I've been lamenting about the quality of the items in the box. So many of them appeared cheaply made. But, it's not the case in this box. The mirror, brooch, and necklace are sturdy, there are no hanging strings or messy stitching with the clutch, and no shedding bristles on the brushes. The quality definitely took a huge step in the right direction.

Overall, this Hollywood glam box is top notch. I can’t wait to see what Izzy & Liv has in store for us next month!

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.

LIMITED TIME DEAL: Use code FIRSTTIME20 to save 20% off your first box!

Value Breakdown: The listed retail value of this box is $111. At $44.90 a box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item: 

  • “Timeless Women” Tribute Tee – $11.32
  • Handheld Mirror – $4.86
  • Party Clutch – $8.49
  • Classic Brooch – $4.06
  • 5 Piece Makeup Brush Set – $7.29
  • Reverse Collar Necklace – $8.90

Check out all of our Brown Sugar Box reviews and more women of color subscription boxes, along with the best women's subscription boxes of 2019!

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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"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. Your box will include 5-6 products every month. You will always get at least one Izzy & Liv tee, tank or sweatshirt al... read more.

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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19 comments

Ash_Kay

Despite the disappointing shirt (and it’s great that they’re rectifying it), this looks like an awesome box! I really want to get my budget together and be a subscriber of this box. I can’t wait to get one of these in the mail. Thank you so much for your review! It’s always great reading and seeing what you get every month.

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Shatae

Next month is the anniversary box. I’m too excited!

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Joan

I got the pink clutch, the glam lady with the cigarette holder mirror in silver tone, the butterfly brooch and the silver necklace.

I definitely feel the glamour vibe in this box. Everything makes me want to wear it. The next fancy event I have, I’ll need to find an outfit to match my pink purse. Since sweater season is over, it limits my brooch wearing, but I like your idea of wearing your brooch with an everyday blouse. I don’t use makeup brushes, so my sister gets another sub box gift.

Now about the shirt. All I could think of was the Sanford & Son line about messing with the Horne, but mistakes happen. The shirt makes me think it’s a film festival I’m going to see. Some sparkles would have been nice.

Thank you for the review and the ideas.

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Shatae

Joan, I hollered! LOL at Sanford & Son!

I think they handled this mistake well – that’s all I really expected.

I think I’ve found the perfect outfit to wear with the clutch.

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DawnS

I searched Beita from the brush set, not sure why they used that word. 2 items having misspellings is pretty bad.

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Shatae

I posted in the Brown Sugar Lounge to see if “beita” was intentional or if it was just a misspelling but the post was removed. So, I’m going to go with a mispelling and yes, that is pretty bad.

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JennR

That’s too bad about the shirt. I’m a huge fan of classic films and the “golden era” of Hollywood, but I’m also an artist. That theme had so much potential for a great shirt, it’s a shame they put so little effort into the graphic design.

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Shatae

I agree JennR! This month’s shirt should have been fabulous! I have an idea of how I would have liked it too look but the results are all pink and glittery, LOL! As an artist and designer, what would you have gone with?

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Katy

I think the You Better Work brush is misspelled too. I’m a major word-English-grammar nerd so that is a huge pet peeve of mine in anything I buy.

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DawnS

That’s right! Beita?? What is that? From just looking the word up it is a Palestinian town or a virus that attacks your phone. What is it with companies misspelling things.

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Shatae

Not a virus attack! LOL! Yes – the misspelling is a bummer but the brushes are so cute and sturdy.

LisaFalana

Good review. I thought it was a solid box. I got the bumble bee brooch and it is really cute. I saw it’s on the I&L site for purchase.

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Shatae

So jealous LisaFalana! I may have to grab the bumble bee brooch but then, when was the last time I wore a brooch?! Decisions.Decisions.Decisions.

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ReeRee

Thanks for your review!

BSB continues to disappoint me each month. I do not want to cancel but it looks like it’s coming soon.

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Lola O

Yes based on what they provided in this box, I would be upset that I spent $40 on these items. Sense of style is so personal, so sending handbags and clutches should only be based on an individual questionnaire by the company. I’ll have to pass on this company for the time being.

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Shatae

ReeRee and Lola O, I do think they are taking a chance when they include too many wearable items and accessories because it’s bound not to be someone’s taste – so some will love it and others will hate it. I also wish that would allow people to pick the color options they want instead of it being random. The clutch in this month’s box was super cute though. It’s the nicest clutch/ handbag that’s been included in any of the boxes IMO.

alienpundit

I love the mirror!

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Shatae

Me too alienpundit! It’s super cute.

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