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GET-TOGETHER PHOTOS:
WHAT'S YOUR
IZZY & LIV STYLE?
Brown Sugar Babes
Show Love
IT ’ S THE
Sisterhood FOR US
5 WAY S T O OW N YO U R
Culture, Confidence, and Soul Ultimate 90s Nostalgia
Celebrating
P L AY L I S T
5
WAY S
5 Years!
to Exemplify Sisterhood THE BROWN SUGAR BABE WAY
5 YEARS OF BROWN SUGAR BABE BEAUTIES
Brown Sugar Box Through The Years
Inside the
Celebrating 5 Years!
C
ue Tony! Toni! Toné! It’s the 5 Year Anniversary of The Brown Sugar
Box! When we released the very first Edition in April 2017, we had no clue what the response would be. Never did we imagine women from all over would send us thoughtful messages about the indescribable joy of receiving their boxes and discovering products that reflected their very existence. Never did we imagine we would build a community of more than 20,000 women in our Brown Sugar Lounge, where real-life connections and sisterhood are fostered. It is a safe space where Black womanhood is celebrated. Representation is what we strive for. We want you to know that you are seen, you are heard, and you are valued. We get butterflies every month in eager anticipation of your unboxing videos, reviews, and posts on social media. You make our work worthwhile. We’re more than a lifestyle brand delivering products for women of color. We are a family. We’ve shipped out hundreds of thousands of boxes over the last five years and counting. Thank you for being on this journey with us.
Issa Statement Mini Satchel Bag, $32 (1 OF 4)
Compact in size and versatile in style, this bag is the perfect accessory. This quick grab-andgo purse holds your keys, coins, and lipstick for the most casual of appearances. You’ll get 1 of 4 designs: Unbossed, Queen Things, Still I Rise, and Fearless.
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Brown Sugar Girls Notebook, $15
Y’all can’t get enough of the Bubble Gum Girls, and we love it! In April of 2017, we gave y’all a “Bubble Gum Beauty” Notebook and in February of 2018, it was the “Phenomenal Women Notebook.” Well, guess what? Now we're giving you a notebook and the cover is filled with some of the most iconic Bubble Gum Girls. Journal or jot down notes. You decide!
APRIL 2022 "You Got Anything Stronger?" By Gabrielle Union, $28
Raw, vulnerable, and powerful are what describe this New York Times Best Seller. The girls here at Izzy & Liv collectively agreed that it was only right to include our sis, Gabrielle Union's latest book in our 5th anniversary box, as a follow-up to our 1st anniversary box from April 2018. We will say this-- if you couldn't put " We’re Going to Need More Wine" down, don't even bother trying to put this one down.
We Promise You: 5-6 Items at an $85 value
This month’s value:
$141
Living Life Like It’s Golden Mug, $15 (1 OF 2 )
Y’all loved the “Living Life Like It’s Golden Tee” so much that we had to bring y’all a mug to complement it! If you are an OG Brown Sugar Babe, you remember getting that tee in your very first Brown Sugar Box back in April of 2017. We also remember how much y’all loved the “Jet Beauty of the Week” Travel Coffee Mug in our August 2017 box so we’re giving you the best of both worlds with our “Living Life Like It’s Golden Mug.” Sip your beverages hot or cold and live life like it’s golden.
Black Girl Illustrated 100-Piece Art Card Set, $28
We’re giving you iconic Izzy & Liv images and bringing on all the Black girl magic vibes. We’re mixing some nostalgia with some updated prints to bring you art card sets. Drop them in the mail to reconnect with an old friend, hang them as decor, or add them to your scrapbook collection. You’ll receive 100 4x6 full-color cards.
Brown Sugar Girl Extended T-shirt, $30 (1 OF 4 )
We know how much you love our Brown Sugar Girls. For years you have been asking for tees featuring the Brown Sugar girls, and what better time to deliver than now! This month’s tee is all about reflecting your effortless style, beauty, and grace. You’ll receive 1 of 4 designs: Radiance-Brianna, Strength-Nia, Resilience–Kenya, or Confidence-Imani.
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5 WAY S T O OW N YO U R
Culture, Confidence,
and Soul By Girl Tyler
I
zzy & Liv strives to amplify Black women through empowering products and messages. We embrace our tagline, "Culture, Confidence, and Soul." Those intangibles are the greatest currency in this space. These three simple words make up the special sauce that bonds our Brown Sugar community. Our goal is to walk it just like we talk it, and so should you. Accountability is key! We're here to hold a mirror up along your path to self-discovery. Here are five ways to harness your culture, confidence, and soul.
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READ BL ACK BOOKS Soak up fiction and non-fiction across all genres. Dabble in scifi. Immerse yourself in poetry. Find your sense of wonder. Reading books by Black authors allows you to embrace all aspects of culture while being open to fresh perspectives. Black stories provide mental stimulation while deepening our thoughts on society and stretching the depths of our empathy. Share your favorite titles far and wide. Do it for the culture. You’ll start to notice surface level conversations shift to thought provoking discussions that just might drive positive change for you and the people around you.
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REDEFINE THE "STRONG BL ACK WOMAN" MY TH Black girls are raised to be strong Black women. This world is a tough place, but you’ve got strength and resilience to lead the way. The twists and turns are difficult to control, so you'll need a soft place to land. Embrace your delicate side, sis. Be vocal about your feelings and never feel ashamed to share your experiences. When the world feels rigid and nearly impossible to navigate, rest remember that you were born with the tools to survive anything that may come your way. You don't have to be strong every breaking moment or pretend to have it all together. Express yourself in ways that feel most genuine to you and not from a defensive space. Vulnerability yields understanding.
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EXPLORE BODY ACCEPTANCE There is no such thing as the perfect body. Tall or short? Skinny or thick? 3c or 4c hair? You can't contour your way out of the face you have, and social media filters won’t turn you into a model. The list goes on and on with the wild trends we follow just to appear "put together." Although there is no such thing as a perfect body, to some extent, we're all
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guilty of chasing a false standard of beauty to achieve false satisfaction. Soon another trend comes along and we’re on to the next. Here’s a little secret: It’s impossible to keep up with the ever-changing standards of beauty. Learning to accept your looks as is, is an art form and an act of resistance against the negative messages Black women have been forced to accept since the day we were born. Your body is the only one you have, so learn to love it, and be nice to yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually.
a little longer than we'd like to admit. Here's a simple hack for keeping your soul happy. Stop, take a deep breath, and focus on previous moments of joy. This simple practice is an instant mood booster. Revisit the days when you felt free and prioritize getting back to those peaceful moments. Doing more of what you love with the people you love will make your soul smile.
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DO THE INNER WORK Confidence comes from within. Make time to get to know what makes you tick. Interrogate your thoughts. Healing comes through introspection. Deposit words of affirmation into your spirit. Reject self-deprecating thoughts and language. Journal through the process. Shifting your thoughts can pull you out of a dark place. Inner work is not an overnight job. No number of self-help books can light the way to unleash your renewed sense of self. Only you can do that. There’s no greater feeling than experiencing your life through a fresh lens.
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REMINISCE ON YOUR HAPPIEST DAYS Some days it is challenging to fight the funk. No matter what they say, you can't always "fake it until you make it." When overwhelming feelings rise to the surface, you should never ignore your body, signaling possible burnout. We've all been there before, even
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How many Brown Sugar Boxes have there been in total? Well including our kid's quarterly boxes, we’ve curated a total of 89 Brown Sugar Boxes!
THROUGH THE YE ARS
F
rom day one our goal has been to make sure that the things Black women love are reflected in the things Black women buy. Each Brown Sugar Box has been curated with love , care, thought and intention – making sure you as a Black women are always the first thought. In 2014, Izzy & Liv was founded and in 2017, we became “The Home of the Brown Sugar Box.” Our very first edition of the Brown Sugar Box shipped out in April 2017 and this year marks our 5th year curating this box – and we haven’t missed a single month. Can you believe it? Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves to make sure the growth is real! Take a journey with us to explore a few Brown Sugar Boxes from the past. How many do you have?
MAY 2017
The FIRST EVER Brown Sugar Box
APRIL 2017
BLESSED MODE EDITION
JULY 2017
Our 1st Summer Theme
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NOVEMBER 2017
APRIL 2022 NEW YEAR
JANUARY 2018
DECEMBER 2017
APRIL 2018
ROUND THE WAY GIRL EDITION
1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
FEBRUARY 2018
MAY 2018
SEPTEMBER 2018
JULY 2018
NOVEMBER 2018
OCTOBER 2018
SHERO EDITON
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JANUARY 2019
FEBRUARY 2019 CAN’T STOP, WON’T STOP
MARCH 2019
APRIL 2019
OLD HOLLYWOOD EDITION
DECEMBER 2019
SEPTEMBER 2019 STILL I RISE EDITION
JANUARY 2020 SPARKLING SUGAR EDITION
FEBRUARY 2020
NOVEMBER 2020 BACK GIRL WINNING EDITION
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DINNER PARTY EDITION
APRIL 2022 DECEMBER 2020
SLAY SIS EDITION
FEBRUARY 2021 WINTER CHIC EDITION
MANE EDITION
MARCH 2021 SHE'S LIT EDITION
MAY 2021
SEPTEMBER 2021 AUGUST 2021
JULY 2021
RELAXATION EDITION
GIRLS NIGHT IN EDITION
JANUARY 2022 APRIL 2022
5 YEAR BOXIVERSARY!
OCTOBER 2021
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5
WAY S
to Exemplify Sisterhood T H E B R OW N S U G A R B A B E WAY By Saeeda Ruffin
W
hat does five years of real sisterhood look like? It looks like a lot of you fabulous queens making connections, sharing your stories, supporting one another, becoming an irreplaceable part of this journey, and reveling in this special community that we have built together. You are the embodiment of true Black beauty and unity. This sisterhood which you have helped build is a great example of what Black women can do when they are confident, passionate, and live life unapologetically, with soul. This 5 year-anniversary of the Brown Sugar Box means so much more to us because of YOU. Cue that Kool & The Gang classic because it’s a celebration.
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In honor of the incredible culture of friendship, sisterhood and support Brown Sugar Babes like you have exemplified over the years, here are 5 ways to celebrate the sweetness of sisterhood the Brown Sugar Babe way. INSPIRE A SISTER Become a catalyst that inspires another woman to step into her own greatness! Encourage her to break free from everyone else’s expectations and find her own groove. Be a mentor, a confidante, and a true sister along the way. Your words and confidence in her may be just the inspiration she needs to level up. The sister you inspire could become one of the most successful and influential Black women of all time!
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SHARE SUCCESSES Be bold when it comes to sharing your own accomplishments. It is important to talk about the great things you do because that helps other Black women to see and believe in the possibilities. Talk about those wins, toast to your accomplishments, and don’t feel bad about it! Those successes are for the culture! CELEBR ATE A SISTER Put your favorite girl’s greatness on blast! That doesn’t mean to put “her business” all out there for everybody. When she has a victory that she feels comfortable showcasing, show her how proud you are and shout her good news from the mountaintops. Take her to her favorite celebration place or load her up with her favorite things. You already know that Izzy & Liv got you covered when it comes to celebrating a queen! No matter what you choose to do, just strive to give her the attention she deserves. SUPPORT & LOVE A SISTER Whether it’s a new business venture, an artistic endeavor, or even just a lifestyle change, do your best to be supportive. It can be hard getting over your own fears and doubts to begin a new chapter in your life. That’s why it’s extremely important to offer encouragement and comfort, as well
as your knowledge and experience to other sisters. Buy her product. Attend her event. Just do what you can to let her know you’re there for her. There is one thing on this planet that everyone needs, and that is love. The best way to celebrate sisterhood is to show another Black woman that she is appreciated and loved. Shower her with praise. Show her kindness. Let her know that her presence means something to someone in this world. If we all commit to doing that for each other, oh, how sweet it will be! Cheers to that! MAKE TIME FOR YOUR TRIBE You have each other and that sisterhood is absolutely priceless. It’s so easy to get bogged down with life, but you don’t want to take each other for granted. Set aside time for your crew and really go all in on the fun and friendship. It doesn’t matter whether you get all fab for an event, explore new Black businesses together, or do your favorite “crawl” across the city, just get together, and let it do what it do! You will be thankful for those moments to connect, refresh, relate, and enjoy each other.
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IT ’S THE
Sisterhood
FOR US
“Ain’t Nobody Fresher Than Our Clique” is the motto over here! From girls’ nights, dinners, sip and paints, book club meetings, to virtual check-ins with your sisters - our Brown Sugar Box, has helped foster a community where once perfect strangers become real-life sister-friends. Sisterhood is deeply rooted in our DNA and if there’s one thing we know about our Brown Sugar Babes, it’s that you will find each other no matter where you are. Take a trip with us down memory lane as we showcase past get-togethers.
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WHAT'S YOUR
By Girl Tyler
G
Style?
etting your Brown Sugar Box feels like Christmas morning 12 times a year. It doesn't matter if you were naughty or nice; the goods just keep coming because you deserve nice things! We're not a one-sizefits-all kind of company when it comes to style. We believe in the beauty and diversity of all body types. Here at Izzy & Liv, we are intentional about the items we choose for your box. Fun Fact: We plan out most of our Brown Sugar Box themes and products at least 6 months in advance. As the culture shifts, so do we! Each box is a nod to every kind of Brown Sugar Babe. From our day one babes to the newcomers, we got a little sumthin' sumthin' for everybody! Go beyond the box and take our style quiz to find out which Izzy & Liv look is your perfect fit.
3. You win $1,000 in a raffle. What’s your next move? a. Hit “check out” in that online cart you’ve been eyeing for weeks. b. Move the funds into a savings account. c. Go crazy in Target? d. Call the girls and book a flight for your girl’s trip.
1. It’s a Saturday night. Your best girlfriend calls and invites you out for a spontaneous evening. a. You don’t even let her finish the sentence. You’re already in the closet picking out your outfit. b. You missed the call because you were asleep. c. “I’ll go, but I’m not dressing up.” d. Spontaneous? Ew. Nope. Next caller!
5. How long does it take you to get dressed for a quick store run? a. An hour b. Quick store run? That’s what delivery is for. c. 15 minutes. d. Zero time because you’re not going inside. You chose curbside pickup!
2. Your new bae invites you to church. How would you proceed? a. Pull out your Sunday best. b. New bae? I’m solo dolo in these streets, and I like it that way! c. Ask, “Is this a come as you are function?”. d. You’ll go, but as long as the pastor gets you out by noon.
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4. You oversleep for work. Do you: a. Wind up even later because you had a difficult time finding something to wear? b. Hit snooze? c. Get there when you get there? They can wait. d. Send an email notifying everyone that you’ll be using PTO today?
6. Which auntie are you? a. The bougie auntie b. The chill auntie c. The young auntie d. The fast auntie 7. Which era of music is your favorite? a. 1980’s b. 1970’s c. 2000’s d. 1990’s
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Mostly A’s: You’re a fashion icon in your world. We love to see it! Rip the runway with some Brown Sugar drip. Add these Izzy & Liv items to your collection: Africa Camo Dreams tunic button-up blouse. Pair it with a Peace Luxe Melanin clutch set.
Mostly B’s: Rest is non-negotiable for you. Okay, sleeping beauty! You’re a loungewear kind of gal. Add these Izzy & Liv items to your collection: You need a Tribal Angles kimono in your life. Throw in a pair of Motherland Magic footsies!
Mostly C’s: You’re the coolest in the crew and your dope t-shirt collection is unmatched. You belong in our graphic tee shop! Add some Izzy & Liv graphic tees to your collection. The Black Girl Power t-shirt has your name written all over it!
Mostly D’s: Physically you’re here, but mentally you’re on an exotic getaway in a sunny paradise. Our vacation gear is calling your name. Add these Izzy & Liv items to your collection: Queen Flawless Melanin swimsuit and don't forget to pick up our Golden Vibes Press On manicure set!
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WHAT SHE SAID:
Brown Sugar Babes
Show Love
Absolutely LOVE everything about The Brown Sugar Box from the Awesome items to the sistahood of the Brown Sugar Lounge. It is certainly money well spent. –ALISHA M.
By Izzy & Liv Staff
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hile it is a labor of love, curating your boxes month after month is no easy feat to say the least! When things get stressful and hectic, YOU are what keeps us going. We really love y’all and we couldn’t do it without you. Throughout the years we’ve received so many heartfelt messages, reviews and feedback from you! We’ve rounded up just a few of the most touching! Whether you sent us an email, left a review on our website, or shared with us in the Brown Sugar Lounge we are thankful for the love!
Just to get unexpected gifts monthly to uplift our spirits and to give us things we may never buy for ourselves. This ties us together in sisterhood. –CELESTA W.
I really love my Brown Sugar box! It's such a treat to get items specifically for Black women. I look forward to seeing what I get every month. –KRISTIN F.
This is the BEST box!!!! Last month was great and didn’t think it would get better, but this box has given me LIFE!!!! Love it!!! The BEST subscription box I have ever received (and I have a few box subscriptions, but Izzy & Liv is by far my favorite)!
Every month I wait in anticipation for my Izzy & Liv brown sugar box. I love to see all the items that are a representation of me. My favorite is the tee shirt because I can share that representation with the world.
–TONYA B.
–SHERRILL B.
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This box is my version of self care and it's like Christmas every month. I've been a subscriber for 3 years and I love giving some of my treasures away as gifts. –NICOLE M.
Love, Luv, my monthly box. The joy I feel when I unmask my monthly “I did this for me” gift. Izzy & Liv, thank you for creating and sharing this box with so many of us monthly.
I love my Box b/c it gives me something to look forward to every month. I have a hard time treating myself but this box guarantees that once a month I get to glow up and be unapologetically me!!!!
–FELICIA M.
– KRYSTLE W.
Izzy & Liv is a gift that keeps on giving. I anticipate MY box each month and share some of the items with friends. This way I never forget a birthday or a significant occasion. –RICHIE S.
These boxes make me feel so special every month. Things in it just for me. I am always amazed at how Izzy and Liv put together these boxes each month. Representing Me in a Way that means I'm special. We as Black Sisters need this to bring us together as one. I am glad I joined the family –PENNY T.
I absolutely love my brown sugar monthly boxes! I love the variety of items and the shirts are some of favorites to wear now! One of the best subscriptions ever to invest in! Definitely worth it! –SHAYNA H.
Brown Sugar box is my gift to myself I look forward to each month. Depending on what day it comes I plan a whole date night with myself to open my brown box. For example last month when I received my brown box, I brought some wine, ordered me take out, got a new pajamas set and planned my night with my brown box. My gift for myself every month. –PAR'CARSH P.
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What I love about my monthly Brown Sugar Box is that delivery day feels like my birthday! I subscribed as a form of self care, which is super important these days. As a single mom and caretaker of my mom who is ill I find myself going the extra step to make sure everyone around me is okay, but I sometimes forget to take care of me. Indulging in the box gives me something to look forward for ME! With products that resonate with ME! With images that affirm ME and also make me look dope asf! –TIMA F.
I love so many things about the Brown Sugar Box. I look forward to see what type of shirt I will receive each month. It always has something in it that I may have said I wanted to purchase but can’t see myself spending money on myself. I love that it represents a brown woman as myself. The thing I love most is that the arrival of a BSB box means guaranteed time with my 13yo who always comes to see (open my box so I leave it closed until she gets home) what I have received in each months box so she can see what should be hers. This idea to do these boxes was a great one. –SHANEQUA G.
I love my Brown Sugar boxes because they are inspiring, encouraging and uplifting! I've been subscribed since 2017 and it keeps getting better! The lounge community is amazing group of sisters who love on each other thru these crazy times. Keep them coming please! Self love is key & Izzy definitely pushes us to love our beautiful brown selves
–EBONY C.
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This box has given me so much pride and self esteem! Unique items that truly represent me that I can wear or share as gifts with friends. I started getting this box as a way to treat myself monthly and I just can't and won't stop! I'm so excited to see what each month brings. My daughter is excited about her boxes as well and they make her proud to be a beautiful brown girl that is stylish and reflects who she is inside. –SAMANTHA S.
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It’s my first one too. As I was going through it I felt like someone was saying to me “hey sis, I felt like you could use this.” I love US in all of our brownness and to get a box filled with affirmations of our dopeness feels amazing! –LAI A.
Being introduced to the BSB has sparked a different appreciation and love for my culture. I've always been proud to be an African American, always looking and reflecting on our history. But it's different when you can wear your history, support your history and where that history is leading others in the present. And that is what izzy and liv is doing in their own way. I'm grateful. My nieces see me wearing culture appropriate/appreciative items and they are intrigued. Giving them the gift of teen BSB and seeing them wear their culture proudly is generational wealth. Wealth of honoring and respecting who they are. Thanks to izzy & liv for providing this for us and future generations to come. You have left your mark on this world for sure.
I love this company because of the sisterhood it demonstrates and how it helps with self love and unity. I love how detailed the package and quality of the products and I love that it’s blacked owned!! –KELLY C.
–LEE B.
This is more than just a subscription to me, it's medicine to my soul. After losing my mother (my best friend), I lost myself too. I was just going through the motions of everyday life because I had too. I remember the day that I found out about Izzy and Liv, my co-worker knew I loved tea so she bought me in some tea and a set of black and gold sequin pillow covers that she wasn't going to use from one of the boxes. She told me that she gets a box every month with a different theme and it's always a t-shirt and other unique items. I was in need of some kind of pick me up and I decided to order myself one to see what it was about. So, glad I did, it was the best thing I could have done for myself, I look forward to this self-love gift to myself EVERY month, it truly does brighten my spirit. Thank you
–LISA W.
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By Izzy & Liv Staff
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’all, know we love us some nostalgia here at Izzy & Liv! Do you remember the feeling of just getting paid and going out with your girls on a Friday night? We’re talking about those bangers that had you dancing all night long and sweating your perm or press out! This classic mix of 90’s hip hop and R&B is an ode to the days when you were, fierce, fearless, and fly! Y’all know the vibes so let’s take it back one time!
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• Pretty Brown Eyes by Mint Condition
• Fantasy (Remix) by Mariah Carey ft O.D.B.
• Around the Way Girl by LL Cool J
• You’re All I Need by Method Man ft Mary J Blige
• Jam by Michael Jackson • Feels Good by Tony! Toni! Toné! • Gettin' Jiggy Wit It! by The Fresh Prince • Whoomp! (There it is) by Tag Team
• Real Love by Mary J Blige • Remember the Time by Michael Jackson • Come and Talk to Me by Jodeci • Weak by SWV
• Motown Philly by Boyz 2 Men
• It Was a Good Day by Ice Cube
• Nuthin’ but a “G” Thang by Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre
• Candy Rain by Soul 4forReal
• California Love by 2Pac, Roger, & Dr. Dre
• Nobody's Supposed to Be Here by Debroah Cox
• Party Up by DMX • U Don’t Have to Call by Usher • Feel So Good by Mase • Hypnotize by The Notorious B.I.G. • Poison by Bell Biv DeVoe • Whatta Man by Salt N-Pepa • No Scrubs by TLC • Hip Hop Hooray by Naughty by Nature • This is How We Do It by Montell Jordan • The Humpty Dance by Digital Underground • Nuttin’ but Love by Heavy D & The Boys • Nobody by Keith Sweat • Doo Wop (That Thing) by Lauren Hil
• Just Kickin it by Xscape
• Hey Mr. DJ by Zhane • No Ordinary Love by Sade • In My Bed by Dru Hill • Twisted by Keith Sweat • On and On by Erykah Badu • I Get Lonely by Janet Jackson • Sittin’ Up in My Room by Brandy • Are You That Somebody by Aaaliyah • Say My Name by Destiny’s Child • You’re Makin Me High by Toni Braxton • My Lovin by En Vogue • My Boo by Ghost Town DJs
• Rosa Parks by Outkast • C.R.E.A.M. by Wu Tang Clan • Scenario by A Tribe Called Quest • The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) by Missy Elliot
SCAN TO LISTEN TO THIS PLAYLIST AND MORE!
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5 YEARS OF
BROWN SUGAR BABE BEAUTIES Izzy & Liv customers truly are THE BEST! We LOVE seeing your social media posts sharing your boxes each month. Here are a few highlights from the past years.
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YOU SHOULD BE THERE
Members Only Lounge SCAN HERE TO JOIN!