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 for 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 January 2018 Review
Included in the box is a mini magazine with various articles for my reading enjoyment. This month’s theme is “Self-Care.”
Donyale Luna Short Sleeve Tee - Listed Value $28.00
This short sleeve black t-shirt is made from 100% ringspun cotton and has the image of Donyale Luna on the front. Paraphrased from Black and Beautiful, A.G. Nauta Couture, and The Cut:
She was born Peggy Ann Freeman in Detroit, Michigan in 1945 and died in 1979 of a drug overdose. She is known for her striking features and being the first black woman to be on the cover of British Vogue in 1966. Before that, she was on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar in 1965 as a sketch, and her racial identity was ambiguous. She was discovered by photographer David McCabe on the streets of Detroit in 1963 as he was photographing Ford cars across from her school; her beauty and height struck him." Charlotte March photographed this image that’s on this month’s t-shirt for Twen magazine in 1966, “Donyale Luna with Earrings.
I have seen the photo around before, and I'm pleased to know the origin of the image. The t-shirt is soft, and the material is lightweight. The fit of the t-shirt could have been roomier in size since its 100% cotton there’s usually shrinkage; I opted to update my t-shirt size for future boxes.
“Wake Up, Pray, Grind, Repeat,” Sleepshirt, One Size Fits All - Listed Value $32.00
This super soft sleepshirt has “Wake Up, Pray, Grind, Repeat” in black and gold lettering on the front. The nightshirt consists of 94% viscose and 6% elastane. It’s one size fits all but was snug and clung to my body. I prefer my nightshirts to be a looser fit.
Floral Satin Kimono Robe - Listed Value $19.00
This 100% polyester multi-colored floral kimono came in assorted colors; subscribers may receive a different floral color. The robe was soft and silky. The robe fits, but I wasn’t able to close it and tie. So, I will wear it loose without tying; the robe came to my thigh. The kimono is a nice addition to the box as well as, the sleep shirt, and mask which makes for a cozy night in with the girls.
Generation One, The Search For Black Wealth DVD - Retail Value $25.00
This DVD discusses wealth in the black culture and the steps needed to build wealth as a community and how to achieve it through the “7 Wealthy Habits”. The 7 habits include 1. The Habit of Adding Value (better to give than receive), 2. The Habit of Leveraging Your Unique Strengths (serve other people by your gifts/talents and create value for others), 3. The Habit of Life Long Learning & Increasing Your Financial Acumen (understanding financial structures), 4. The Habit of Setting & Achieving Goals (if you don’t have a plan, you will be a plan) set up goals that include, an emergency fund, pay off debt, acquire home ownership, establish a retirement account, and a college savings fund for your children, 5. The Habit of Setting Your Financial Future on Auto-Pilot (have money for investments automatically put in an account), 6. The Habit of Viewing Problems As Opportunites, and 7. The Habit of Paying It Forward (leaving a legacy, conversations on building wealth, and having life insurance). The movie was educational and inspiring; there were topics I have heard before, and the structure of money within my community was enlightening.
“Reclaiming My Time” Sleep Mask - Listed Value $10.00
A typical black satin sleep mask with “Reclaiming My Time” inscribed in gold on the front of the mask. The mask was snug and has an elastic strap. I have accumulated a variety of sleep masks from subscription boxes, and I enjoy having an assortment of styles to choose from on a nightly basis.
Reclaiming My Time Notepad - Retail Value $12.00
This 35-page notepad is specific to carving out time for me and writing out ways I will practice self-care. The notepad has five squares that say, “I have joy today because?”, “What are you saying “no” to today?”, “Self-Care,” “5 things that will bring me peace today are?”, and “Make a list of inspiring quotes that provide you with encouragement.” I’m all about lists, and this notepad is perfect, the insightful questions are perfect for reclaiming “me” time.
Voucher at My Swag Boutique - Retail Value $6.00
There’s a code for a free bath bomb at My Swag Boutique’s website. I was able to order the 5 oz. mega bath bomb in pomegranate for free. The code’s retail value is $6.00, and shipping was free. I entered my address and checked out.
Verdict: This month's Brown Sugar Box has a boxed value of $132.00, an incredible deal for a $44.90 box ($39.95 a month plus $4.95 shipping). This box is another favorite and continues to blow me away each month with an assortment of lifestyle items that I have come to love. This month was all about self-care and pampering with a sleep mask, nightshirt, kimono, self-care notebook, and the free bath bomb. The items I loved were the kimono (the floral print is lovely), I’m all about making lists so, the “Reclaim Yourself” notepad was appropriate, the DVD was insightful, and as always I love their monthly tees. If you're looking for a woman's lifestyle box that has an assortment of lifestyle items and products from black-owned businesses, this is the box! The price is on par with other lifestyle boxes, and you receive at least 6-7 items monthly.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, January and February boxes are sold out. Check back here to see when the next box is available.
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:
- Donyale Luna Short Short Sleeve Tee: $9.52
- Wake Up, Pray, Grind, Repeat Sleepshirt: $10.88
- Floral Satin Kimono: $6.46
- DVD: $8.50
- “Reclaiming My Time” Sleep Mask: $3.40
- “Reclaiming My Time” Notepad: $4.08
- Voucher for Bath Bomb: $2.04
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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