APRIL 2022
Basking in Your
DISCOVER YOUR
GLOW UP
INNER GLOW DIVA
Car ef r ee
ir l Bl ack G P L AY L
Feel Good Quotes
IST
to Live By
Glow
Affirmations to Bring Out Your Inner Beauty
Glow
E
veryone seems to be super obsessed with skincare routines on IG and Tik Tok, spending hundreds of dollars to achieve “the perfect look.” First, this is unrealistic — no matter how many filters you use, your face is your face, and we happen to love yours! Second, Black women and girls have a secret weapon that automatically draws eyeballs to our looks: melanin. You can’t download it on an app, buy it in stores, or learn how to fake it in a YouTube tutorial. Your complexion is glorious! With melanin comes a radiant glow that the beauty industry has promised for over 100 years. Sorry not sorry! Black girls have been blessed with a rich spectrum of brown and black shades. In the Glow Edition of the Brown Sugar Box, we’re giving you a few items to illuminate your natural beauty, inside and out. The weather is shifting, which means brighter days are ahead for you. Shine your light this month. The world needs more of you. Glow on, girl!
Strawberry Kisses Creamy Dreamy Whipped Soap Take your skin to a creamy tropical paradise with the sweet scent of strawberry kiwi. This 2-in-1 cleanser and moisturizer is sure to have your skin feeling good. Lather up!
I Woke Up Like This Satin Bonnet (1 of 2) Ever wake up in the morning and said, “I should’ve tied my hair up?” Same here, sis. Never fret over morning hair again. Your new satin bonnet will hold your style in place while you sleep, protecting your edges, even if you’re a heavy snoozer. You’ll receive Abstract Afro Queen or Melanin Queen.
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Sleep, Dream, Text, Repeat Satin Pillowcase You’re a leading lady every night, starring in a major motion picture of your dreams. We already know what you’re thinking about the moment you wake up… checking your phone for notifications. This pillowcase has your name on it.
Abstract Afro T-shirt Black girls are a work of art, and your hair is a masterpiece. This tee brings out your unique style. Be unapologetic in displaying your colorful personality.
Glow & Moisturize Dry Body Brush Your skin is recovering from a harsh winter and ready to glow this spring. This dry body brush may help gently remove dead skin cells to renew your skin’s surface for a smooth feel. Use before showering as an exfoliator.
A Tribe Called Queens Press on Nails (1 of 3) Can we say pro manicure in less than 10 minutes? Say less! No more chipped polish and with easy removal your nails are going to be poppin! You’ll receive 24 nails and nail glue so get ready to have some fun. You’ll receive 1 of 3 colors: Coral, Ash Blue, or Bold.
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Basking in Your
GLOW UP By Saeeda Ruffin
Y
oung Black queens are just radiant. You instinctively know how to let folks see that you’ve got it going on and that you’re not scared to be unapologetically you. Young Sisters, we LOVE that about y’all! Truth be told, you are all beautiful, each in your own way. Even more amazing is how your beauty resonates from within! Everybody goes through a really challenging period growing up. There may even be times when you aren’t 100% comfortable in your own skin. Thankfully, that doesn’t last forever! After that chapter is over, young Black queens hit their glow up like BAM! That’s when you are ready to let the light and beauty inside you come all the way through for the world to see. Trust us when we say you won’t have to broadcast how much you’ve changed and grown because everybody will see it in you! Embrace your transformation into the teen queen that you have become, and step into this new chapter of your life with positivity and a feeling of empowerment! Put that glow up in full effect. Here’s how to make sure you understand the “glow up” assignment every day!
→ Start your day with a bomb morning routine. Get clean with your Izzy & Liv Strawberry Kisses Creamy Dreamy Whipped Soap. It’ll have you feeling all types of good! Eat a healthy breakfast to get your mind and body ready for the day. → Get focused. Get ready to face whatever the day brings your way. Feeling rushed, unprepared, or not in control can wreak havoc on your day. Avoid that feeling by creating a morning ritual that has you ready to rule the day. Then, DO IT every day.
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→ Speak life to yourself. That’s right! Creating and repeating positive affirmations will help you appreciate who you are and what you’re capable of doing. Say them out loud and believe them. That positive energy will show in your walk, in your talk, and how you flow throughout your day. → Dress for success. Your style should help you express your confidence and make you feel as if you can do ANYTHING! If you are hype about yourself on the inside, you will look FABULOUS on the outside; and when you look good, you feel good!
→ Spread positivity into the atmosphere. Do things for other people. Your kindness and willingness to give to others shows just how sweet you really are. When you do good, it comes back to you, and people get a chance to see the real you. Young queens, there is more to you than meets the eye. You are full of true beauty and strength and you are blessed with enormous potential. Use all your gifts to become the young woman you want to be. You are extraordinary. Believe that. It’s time to glow up!
DISCOVER YOUR INNER GLOW
Diva By Saeeda Ruffin
T
here’s no denying it, you already possess everything you need to be an amazing young woman. That’s right. The best you possible… the most awesome you ever…the total package. We already know that about you, young queen, but do you know this about yourself? You should and if you don’t, one day very soon, you will. Your greatest assets as a teenager are your confidence, self-love, optimistic outlook, and phenomenal personality. These four things are super important because they will help you conquer each day in a positive way, with a sense of purpose. In fact, these assets are really what make up your inner-core — which is where you will discover your Inner Glow Diva. Your inner Glow Diva is the fantastically fabulous and fearless young queen that lives inside you. She is that part of you that makes you believe you are as amazing as you think you are! Your Inner Glow Diva gives you the confidence to feel you can be the best, do the best, and deserve to receive the best. Oh, Yes! That part of you is FIERCE! Here’s what you can do to get in touch with your Inner Glow Diva and unleash her:
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Step Outside Of Your Comfort Zone It’s good to try new things. Whether it’s a new hairstyle, new nail designs (those Izzy & Liv Press on Nails got you covered!), or a different style of clothing, break free from your regular shmegular.’ Your inner Glow Diva loves to flex looks! Appreciate Your Natural Beauty Makeup can be fun to wear, but you are beautiful whether you have it on or not. Your natural beauty is more than enough! That doesn’t mean you can’t do things to complement your look, just know that you don’t HAVE to. Your lips, your hair, your complexion, and your body are enough just as they are! Get Creative Give yourself time to explore your creative side. Being able to express yourself can make a huge difference in your overall self-confidence. Find a new hobby or take your current hobbies to the next level. Just be sure to let your artistry, originality, and imagination flow. Your artistic works may just inspire others to do the same. Stand In Your Uniqueness You are the only you on the entire planet, so revel in the fact that you are exceptional and special just being you! Don’t let the world tell you who you are or who you should be. A Glow Diva never accepts that! Embrace the things that make you an individual. Make Your Presence Felt One thing that your Inner Glow Diva needs is an opportunity to shine! Be proud of who you are, your accomplishments, and contributions. Speak with boldness and confidence. Try not to shy away from chances to stand out from the crowd. Your ideas, your thoughts, and your talents are worth being expressed and shared. Know that and present yourself accordingly. Make sure you give your inner Glow Diva space to flourish…every single day.
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Affirmations to Bring Out Your Inner Beauty By Girl Tyler
Y
ou have a choice when you wake up every morning. Will you choose to be pessimistic, or will you lean toward positive thinking? Not everyone is a morning person. We get it! For some of us, it takes a little longer to wake up on the bright side of the bed, but the only way to conquer the day is to start with a clean slate. Shake off whatever went wrong yesterday and move past any worries about the day ahead. Take each moment as it comes. The best way to get going is to dig deep inside and allow your inner beauty to radiate through self-talk. The words you speak to yourself are far more important than those you say in front of a crowd. How you see yourself is how others will see you. Take charge of your thoughts. Memorize and recite these 22 affirmations to keep you motivated every morning.
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There is no one in this world quite like me. I am here for a purpose.
2.
My feelings are valid.
3.
My beauty flows from within.
4.
Beauty is defined by me, not by what I see on social media.
5.
I promise to speak my truth today, even if my voice shakes.
6.
My inner feelings are a reflection of my outward expression.
7.
Happiness looks good on me.
8.
Every part of me is worthy of love and respect.
9.
Life is not a race. I will take my time and put forth my best efforts.
10.
I love the young woman I am becoming. The best is yet to come.
11.
Other people’s negative opinions of me are none of my business.
12.
My personality is my greatest asset.
13.
I don’t have to pretend to be something I’m not. My family and true friends love me for me.
14.
The future does not scare me. I have everything within me to succeed.
15.
I am grateful for my life and the people in it.
16.
The perception of others does not determine my self-worth.
17.
Comparing myself to other people is a massive waste of time.
18.
My dreams are worth pursuing no matter how many speed bumps I encounter along the way.
19.
Today, I choose joy over fear.
20. Just as I am kind to others, I will be kind to myself. 21.
I am a voice in this world. My perspective matters.
22. I deserve happiness.
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Carefree Black Girl By Girl Tyler
w
ear your hair up today…or down. Put on a red sweater…or a black graphic tee. Watch your favorite movie or tv show for the ten millionth time…or simply sit in silence. There are no rules, so whatever you choose today, when you set out to do the things that bring you great joy, don’t worry about being judged by others. This is the definition of being carefree. We’ve got a few songs to match your mood forever! The Carefree Black Girl Playlist is a roundup of songs from Black women who rewrote the rules on Black girlhood and broke free from unnecessary boundaries imposed by others. These songs celebrate individuality while appreciating the beauty that makes our culture unique. There isn’t just one way to be a Black girl. We come in all beautiful shapes and sizes, as reflected in this playlist. Do you. Vibe on. Keep the positive energy flowing.
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Swag by Peyton I Am Not My Hair by India Arie Wait a Minute! by Willow Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys Pretty Girl Rock by Keri Hilson Down by Chloe x Halle Experience by Victoria Monét ft. SG Lewis and Khalid Be Thankful for What You Got by Lucky Daye, Big Freedia and BJRNCK Stronger Than You by Steven Universe ft. Estelle Lip Gloss by Lil Mama Unpretty by TLC So Good by Destiny’s Child Escapade by Janet Jackson Teenage Fantasy by Jorja Smith 1, 2 Step by Ciara ft. Missy Elliot Fantasy by Mariah Carey ft. ODB Woman by Nao ft. Lianne La Havas I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston Do My Thing by Estelle ft. Janelle Monáe Black Girl Affirmations (Roots) by AP Rose
Feel Good Quotes to Live By By Racquel Parker
I
t’s hard being a teenager at times, trust us we get it, lil sis. Here are some “feel good quotes” to remember when life gets hectic, and you need a little pick me up. Recite these when you wake up to have a positive outlook on the day. Say them to yourself throughout the day when you need to remember you got this! Incorporate them into your bedtime routine to remind yourself you’re in control and can handle anything life throws your way. Jot them down in your journal, on post-it notes, or store them in your phone so you can reach for them whenever and wherever you need them.
1.
You owe it to yourself to be the best you can be. –Simone Biles
2.
No matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid. –Lupita Nyong ‘o
3.
Once you plant seeds of success, your tree will bear fierce fruit. –Tyra Banks
4.
I see it, I work hard, I grind ‘til I own it. –Beyonce’ Knowles-Carter
5.
Strong is beautiful. –Serena Williams
6.
I always knew that being 100% wholeheartedly me was going to pay off. –Solange Knowles
7.
Do not ever let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter. –Michelle Obama
8.
Everyone experiences different parts of themselves at different times. –Amandla Stenberg
9.
Sometimes it takes a thousand tries to win. –Rihanna
10.
Create the highest, grandest, vision possible for your life because you become what you believe. –Oprah
Here are a couple snapshots from February 2022: Our Brown Sugar Teens are THE BEST! We LOVE all the pictures you shared of them and their boxes! Congratulations to last box’s WINNER! Nina was randomly selected from everyone who shared their last box on social media to WIN her next box FREE. Thank you to everyone who shared! We appreciate you! Don’t forget to share this box using the hashtags #IzzyandLiv #BrownSugarBoxTeens and tag @izzyandliv for your chance to win next month’s giveaway.
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You could be a star in our next Brown Sugar Box Teens magazine! Share your pictures and videos on social media with the hashtag #IzzyandLiv #BrownSugarBoxTeens and tag us @IzzyandLiv