Brown Sugar Box is a monthly woman of color lifestyle subscription, containing exclusively curated tees, accessories, and lifestyle products. Everything is designed by and made for women of color.
Each month's box includes a graphic tee and 4-5 exclusive full-size products ranging from drinkware, accessories, bags, jewelry, makeup, housewares, and stationery from the Izzy & Liv brand.
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 20% off your first box!
CODE: FIRSTTIME20
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
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The first thing I noticed about this box was that it was the fifth-anniversary edition; hooray! Also, the packaging has changed this month. The interior of the box featured a fun, eye-catching tribal pattern, but what stood out to me the most was the bright, vibrant colors of all the contents the very first time I opened the box.
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Each Brown Sugar Box includes a mini-magazine that highlights the theme of the box, lists the products included, and offers interesting and inspiring articles. This month’s box is the 'Celebrating Five Years' edition.
Now, on to the items!
IZZY AND LIV Issa Statement Mini Satchel Bag - Listed Value $32
This Issa Statement Mini Satchel Bag by Izzy and Liv is adorable. It’s a nice structured bag with a magnetic clasp, and I really enjoy the bold mustard yellow color it came in. The faux leather feels nice, sturdy, and is easy to wipe clean. I also really enjoy the size of this bag. It’s perfect for traveling light this summer when all you need is something to hold your phone, keys, lip gloss, and sunscreen in. As a grown woman, am I going to carry around this bag, no matter how adorable it is, that says, “Queen Things” on the front? Most likely not, but I do have some teens in my life who will really enjoy this. Subscribers could have received one of four patterns: Unbossed, Queen Things, Still I Rise, or Fearless. I received ‘Queen Things.’
IZZY AND LIV Brown Sugar Girls Notebook - Listed Value $15
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This spiral-bound notebook features twelve of the most iconic Bubble Gum Girls on the cover. It’s sized five by eight inches, with 50 wide-ruled pages. Sadly, I don’t handwrite much anymore, since my life is almost entirely digital, so this is something I’ll definitely be passing on to a teen in my life, come the start of the school year.
“You Got Anything Stronger?” by Gabrielle Union, 256 pages - Listed Value $28
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I’ve been a Gabrielle Union fan since the days of ‘Bring It On,’ and with everything that she has going on in her life, whether it’s being an SA survivor, health conditions, a complicatedly imperfect relationship, raising a trans child, and being a successful woman of color in Hollywood, I think she has a unique take on life and many interesting stories to share. The book is composed of short anecdotal stories that are designed to allow the reader to connect in some way or another with Gabrielle herself. I found the book to be well written, and I’m definitely interested to read more and more of it as I have the time.
IZZY AND LIV ‘Living Life Like It’s Golden’ Travel Mug - Listed Value $15
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I have pet parrots that are always trying to get into everything that I’m eating or drinking, and they’re specifically curious about caffeinated beverages, despite the fact that caffeine is toxic to them. So, whether I’m on the go or at home, I generally like to keep my coffee, tea, or any caffeinated beverage in a travel cup with a lid. I really like the design, bright color, and the saying on this travel mug. I also really appreciate the double-wall insulation, which keeps me from feeling the heat of my beverage through the cup. I found the lid to fit on snugly and keep everything sealed inside. I also appreciate that the cup is dishwasher safe, BPA-free, and made from reusable and recycled materials. The one thing that did throw me for a loop is that this cup is not microwaveable. I repeat, do not put this cup in the microwave. Subscribers could have received this travel mug in pink or purple. I received it in pink.
IZZY AND LIV Black Girl Illustrated 100-Piece Wall Collage Kit - Listed Value $28
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The art on this illustrated card set is just stunning. I absolutely love the beautiful bright designs celebrating women of color and Black culture. In general, I’m not someone who uses stationary. Most of my life is digital, as I’m sure many of our lives are nowadays, but these illustrations are so eye-catching that I want to find a use for them. I’m thinking of maybe using them as gift notecards, but I’m not sure yet. This set includes 100 four-inch by six-inch prints.
IZZY AND LIV Brown Sugar Girl Extended T-Shirt - Listed Value $30
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I love this! I’m a huge fan of oversized/extended tees. I’m vertically challenged enough that any kind of oversized tee can be worn as a dress by me. Bonus points for whenever they’re this cute. I use them as sleep shirts or for just relaxing around the house in hotter weather. This Izzy and Liv Brown Sugar Girl Extended T-Shirt is perfect. It hits me just above the knees, and it’s 100% cotton, so it definitely keeps me cooler in warmer weather than any of my lounge pants would. I think the print is adorable. The colors are vibrant, and it looks and feels like good quality. This came at the perfect time for me, as we’re entering 90° weather here on the West Coast. Subscribers could have received one of four patterns: Radiance - Brianna, Resilience - Kenya, Strength - Nia, or Confidence - Imani. I received ‘Strength - Nia.’
IZZY AND LIV Luxe Belted Satin Robe - Listed Value $45
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As promised, here is the Luxe Belted Satin Robe from last month’s box. I love how soft and silky the satin is. It’s lightweight and cool. The design is comfortable and loose-fitting and hits below the knees, and it feels luxurious to wear. I really enjoy how fashionable the print is. I’m definitely the most fabulous one rushing out on my block to put the trash cans at the last minute. Subscribers could have received one of seven prints: In Her Glory, Soul Sisters, Tribal Beauty, Aquatic Goddess, Brown Skin Queen, Boho Goddess, or Melanin Faces. I received ‘In Her Glory.’
Verdict
This was an exciting Brown Sugar Box; not only because it’s their fifth anniversary but also because of all the bright, eye-catching content within. I really loved the oversized, extended t-shirt. I found it to be super comfy and perfect for the season. The brightly colored travel cup and mini satchel also brought the festive vibes of this celebration. I will definitely be getting a lot of use out of the travel mug. I enjoy the fun design and how securely the lid fits on. The mini satchel is something I’ll probably pass on, but I really appreciate the size and popping color. I found the illustrations on the wall collage kit (notecards) to be absolutely stunning, and I’m determined to figure out a way to enjoy them. I really enjoyed the inclusion of the Gabrielle Union memoir. I love that this box for women of color is featuring the voice of a strong, successful Black woman. In honor of the anniversary, subscribers received a notebook featuring the 12 most iconic Bubble Gum Girls from the life of the Brown Sugar Box. Lastly, the beautiful satin robe arrived just as promised, and I love how luxurious it is and feels. Overall, I think this was an awesome box for this month. I truly enjoyed everything they curated, and I’m excited for the sixth year ahead.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $39.95 + $5.95 shipping
Value Breakdown:
- Mini Satchel: $32
- Notebook: $15
- Memoir: $28
- Travel Mug: $15
- Wall Collage Kit: $28
- Extended T-Shirt: $30
- Satin Robe: $45
The total value of my box was $148, which is an incredible value for a $39.95 box. Including the cost of last month's Satin Robe ($45), the value would be $193!
Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but order today to receive the May box.
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 20% off your first box!
CODE: FIRSTTIME20
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