FEBRUARY 2021 $136 RETAIL VALUE
10 BLACK GIRL BOSSES WE LOVE TO SEE
Get Brand New
Learning How To
With These 10 At-Home Hobbies
S.L.A.Y
Wit h Grace
You GLOw Girl:
4 DIY Exfoliating Face Scrubs
Slay Sis EDITION
CRUSH ON YOU Playlist
Inside the
SLAY SIS Y
ou didn’t give up on yourself and that’s a true flex! You are crushing it, sis, even on the days when you’re feeling defeated. You keep showing up and delivering the best version of yourself and that’s exactly what the world needs. Staying grounded can be tough these days but we are here to help channel your inner warrior. Keep fighting the good fight. This month’s edition is packed with beauty, style, and self-improvement tips to give you the confidence to slay in all areas of your life. Shine on!
Cicely Tyson: Just as I am, $30
Nobody slayed more than our QUEEN, Miss Cicely Tyson. While we are deeply saddened by her passing, we are blessed and honored to share this gift of her life story in her own words with all of you. With a career stretching across seven decades, her extraordinary talent and career awakened a sense of pride and excellence for Black women. In her memoir "Just As I Am," she opens up about her legendary experiences in Hollywood and refusal to accept derogatory roles intended to dehumanize the life of Black women. This iconic book is a celebration of her life and legacy as a trailblazing artist who is forever etched in Black history. In honor of black history month, we salute this queen. A woman of grace, a woman of class, a woman of integrity, Miss Tyson will be dearly missed. One can only wish to live a life as rich and as full as the 96 years Miss Tyson gave to the world.
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FEBRUARY 2021 “Divine” Eye Shadow Pencil Set, $20 (1 OF 3 SETS OF 6 PENCILS)
The mask game is real! Time to SMIZE it up and add a pop of color to your eyes. This stunning set of 6 thick pencil eyeshadows will enhance your beautiful eyes with a natural contour. Available in three popping sets: Pretty Brown Eyes, A Vibe Called Obsessed and The Bold & Be-You-Tiful.
We Promise You: 5-6 Items at an $85 value
This month’s value:
$136
Chocolate Celestial Glow Under Eye Masks, $15 (PACK OF 5)
Sleep deprivation is the greatest enemy to skin care. Revitalize the brightness in your eyes with a nourishing eye mask. The hydrating serum treats puffiness and dark Skin Flossin’ 3/4 Sleeve circles plus it helps combat wrinkles around the eye. Raglan & Relaxed Fit Tee, $28 Skin flossin’? Check! Lips glossin’? Check! Hair poppin’? Double check! Because you stay ready, this one was designed just for you. Always Fresh, Never Pressed The olive color blends perfectly with your Manicure Sets, $18 (1 OF 5 SETS OF 24 NAILS) skin and serves as a casually chic addition to We know you’ve been working your fingers to the any pair of jeans. Made with 100% cotton. bone and your nails are in desperate need of some TLC. We got you, sis. Shimmer while you work! This DIY manicure set includes 24 nails and nail glue. Available in 5 funky fresh sets: Tribe Called Queens – Mother Earth, Golden Vibes, In Coral, In Bold and Ash Blues.
Fly Girl Fever Lipstick Palettes, $25 (1 OF 3 SETS OF 10 LIP COLORS)
Your new palette is here to save the day. Pucker up to these vibrant colors with an applicator brush and mirror. Available in 3 fly color palettes: Slay Sis, Must Be The Melanin and One in a Million.
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Learning How to
S.L.A.Y.
with Grace by Jarius Edens
I
t’s 2021, and it’s time to SLAY with grace. All of the events, concerns, and opportunities of 2020 revealed that we all can make the most of even unforeseen moments. We can build businesses, educate our children, learn new languages, revolutionize our society, and change the world through our vote and our voice. There is nothing Black women can’t do when they choose to SLAY their goals and the obstacles that are in their way. Black women are ready to do the same in 2021. SLAY this year with ease, intellect, style, and intention. The first step to making this year everything you want it to be, you must stay connected to who you are deep down inside. This means that every Brown Sugar Babe is standing tall in who she is, what she believes, and how she shows up in the world.
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FEBRUARY 2021
How do you SLAY 2021?
S:
Stay Present. There are no rewards for remaining in the past, and there are no answers in trying to determine the future. When we decide to stay present, we understand the art of gratefulness while noticing the opportunities right in front of us. For the rest of 2021, stay present as you build your empire and knock down those doors. Stay present by showing gratitude each morning, focusing on what you can do right now in the moment, and seizing chances when they present themselves to you. The best gift you can give yourself is to stay present.
L:
Listen more. The greatest element of communication is listening. Let’s make learning the #1 priority for 2021. Listen more, sis. Take time and hear what others have to say without the push to find a response. Oftentimes, when we listen with our hearts, we open ourselves up to greater opportunities. Take 2021 by the ears and focus on what you hear more than what you speak. Listening is learning, and learning is growth.
A:
Activate Your Gift. Find your thing, and ACTIVATE it! That’s what you were placed on this earth to do. Activate your gift, and share it with the world. You have so much to give, and it starts with acknowledging the gift, bringing it to the forefront, and igniting it for the world to see. You have the gift inside of you, and 2021 is the year to let it out.
Y:
Yield to Joy. Allow 2021 to be your year of JOY. Take in the moments that make you smile, laugh, and feel undeniably free. We’ve seen enough heartache to know that joy is the answer. Take time this year to keep a JOY JOURNAL and focus on the things that make your heart smile. Do more of those activities. Whether it’s dancing or holding virtual business conferences, yield to joy this year.
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FEBRUARY 2021
YOU GLOW GIRL:
4 DIY Exfoliating Face Scrubs By Girl Tyler
H
ey, girl! Your pores are begging for some good lovin’. We know you miss your regular facials and with all this work from home stuff, you haven't made much time for self-care or skincare. Instead of spending a ton on harsh exfoliants with harmful chemicals, here are a few natural at-home recipes to alleviate congested pores while brightening your skin.
Brown Sugar Honey Scrub
Brown Sugar Peach Scrub
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar • 1 tablespoon raw honey • 1 tablespoon olive or coconut oil
• ⅔ cup brown sugar • 2 unpeeled mashed peaches • 1 tablespoon olive oil
Brown Sugar Vanilla Scrub
Brown Sugar Coffee Scrub
• • • •
• • • •
1 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup coconut or almond oil ½ teaspoon vitamin E oil
¼ cup brown sugar ¾ cup coffee grounds 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ⅓ cup coconut oil
Pour the ingredients into a bowl and mix with a spoon until you reach the desired consistency. (Note: You don't want it to be too thick or too runny. Alter ingredients as needed.) Be gentle and lightly scrub in circular motions for 30 seconds then rinse off with lukewarm water. When you're done, follow-up with a moisturizer for your skin type. Hydration is key because exfoliation can cause dry skin irritation. Make time in your regular beauty routine to exfoliate at least once but no more than twice a week.
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Get Brand New With These 10 At-Home Hobbies By Girl Tyler 2020 proved that we have more time on our hands than we thought. You’ve spent hours upon hours scrolling into oblivion and binge-watching your favorite movies and shows. Transform your quarantine time into a creative oasis. These low-cost hobbies will keep you occupied and once you master them, you just might have a profitable side-hustle on your hands.
1 All-natural soapmaking Go the environmentallyfriendly route and skip the perfumes and artificial dyes. No lye, soapmaking is a sensual hobby that gives you the freedom to explore your own unique blend of scents and ingredients. 2 Learn a new instrument Tired of your same playlist rotation? Time for a new music scene. You were a total badass on the flute back in the day. The music is in you, why not fill your home with your own sweet sounds. Learning a new musical instrument is a time commitment so this is one that you’ll want to stick with and practice consistently.
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3 Become fluent in another language Mastering another language is a rewarding challenge that requires time and patience. And the pay-off? Bilingual workers tend to make more in their profession. And from a social perspective, you'll open yourself up to connect with people from various cultures and backgrounds.
There are plenty of online courses and apps for beginners. Learning a new language doesn’t have to be a solo sport. Involve your friends, partner, and kids on this new journey. 4 DJ Time to unleash your inner Spinderella. We know you have fire playlists going all day while you work, but take it up a notch and learn the art of mixing. There are tons of free tutorials and software available for mixing. Once you start feeling yourself, you might as well invest in production software to make your own beats. 5 Upcycling Remember back in the day when your grandma, mama, and aunties were lightweight hoarders?
FEBRUARY 2021 They held onto items that looked like trash to you but actually served a dual purpose for them. Same deal here. Upcycling is a method to turn old things into useful everyday items. Turn old t-shirts into blankets. Use spaghetti sauce jars for candle holders. Transform old jeans into a denim potholder. The list goes on and on. Plus, upcycling is great for the Earth. 6 Crochet
This ain’t your granny’s kind of crocheting. You can make thoughtful gifts, full outfits, and home decor. The possibilities of your imagination paired with yarn and a crochet hook are endless. 7 Write a screenplay Don’t be fooled, several big players in Hollywood never went to film school. A marketable idea and access will take you far but there’s a little more to it. Every good film starts with a good story and the courage to tell it. Follow screenplay blogs and sit in on webinars to learn the nuts and bolts of developing your first screenplay. 8 Jewelry making Handmade jewelry designs are all the rage. Experimentation is key.
Depending on how simple or elaborate you choose to be, jewelry making can get pricey. Before you get started, think about how much you’re willing to spend on quality materials. 9 Learn to code Kids these days come out of the womb with techenabled skills. If they can do it, so can you. There are very basic apps and programs to introduce you to the fundamentals. Learning to code provides a new perspective on problemsolving and how to break down complex issues. An even bigger bonus? Coderelated careers have higher earning potential. Even if you're not in the tech field, the future of automation is on the way. You might as well get ahead of the curve! This one isn’t for the faint of heart but once you get there, you’ll be unstoppable.
10 Photography Don’t run out and buy the most expensive DSLR camera. You already have what you need: a smartphone. Your device packs a powerful punch beyond its basic everyday functions. In recent years, the iPhone and Android debate has revved into high gear over which phones have more robust cameras. Go for a nature walk and snap a few pics. Set up a ring light at home and go self-portrait mode. Capture spontaneous moments and develop your eye for detail.
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10 Black Girl Bosses
We Love To See By Girl Tyler
B
lack women are killing the game on just about every level. Just look at Stacey Abrams. She led the way in Georgia helping the Biden-Harris campaign take the White House. And the rest is history. Political ambitions aside, Black women continue to be the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs running circles around men and other ethnic groups. Although the pandemic brought crush financial defeat across the board, our resilience is worth watching.
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FEBRUARY 2021
Our influence cannot be stripped or contained. Black girls BEEN LIT! Below is a list of 10 women who are all about business and have been known to share the keys to their success along the way. Many of them started off working a 9-to-5 and stepped out on faith after developing a problem-solving product or platform. Follow and support these inspiring entrepreneurs on social media and through their company newsletters.
1. Bea Dixon Founder and CEO of The Honey Pot Company | @iambeadixon
2. Tiffany Aliche Founder of The Budgetnista | @thebudgetnista
3. Shontay Lundy Founder of Black Girl Sunscreen | @shontay_lundy
4. Jasmine Crowe Founder of Goodr | @jasminecrowe
5. Cashmere Nicole Founder and CEO of Beauty Bakerie Makeup | @cakeandcashmere
6. Kashmir Thompson creator of KashmirVIII | @kashmirviii
7. Jessica O. Matthews founder and CEO of Uncharted Power | @jessomatt
8. Naj Austin Founder and CEO of Ethel's Club | @najaustin
9. Arlan Hamilton Founder of Backstage Capital | @arlanwashere
10. Courtney Caldwell Co-Founder and COO of ShearShare | @iamcourtneycaldwell
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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 December 2020.
Congratulations to last month’s WINNER! Shantel B. was randomly selected from sharing Brown Sugar love on social media to WIN her free box. Thank you to everyone who shared! Stay in it to win it and don’t forget to share this box using hashtags #brownsugarbox #izzyandliv for your chance to win next month’s giveaway. BONUS: Join our Facebook Group: The Brown Sugar Lounge, for a SECOND CHANCE to win a free box.
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Crush W On You
Playlist
By Girl Tyler
elcome to February, the flirtiest month of them all! February always finds a way to heighten our deepest desires and emotions. Lean all the way into it. Love and lust are swarming in the air. You’re never too old to have a crush even if you choose not to act on it. And truth be told, there’s nothing wrong with crushing on yourself. We see you over there looking like a whole snack! The Crush On You playlist is a blend of sensual songs from the past and present day. The sweet velvety vocals, melodic smoothness, and innuendo will make for an evening of passion whether you're alone or with a partner. Unwind and take delight in your wildest fantasies. Don’t worry. No one can disturb this groove. • I Adore You by Caron Wheeler • Kiss Me On My Neck by Erykah Badu • Put It Down by Jazmine Sullivan • Bonita Applebum by A Tribe Called Quest • Want U Around by Omar Apollo ft. Ruel • For Real by Amel Larrieux • (Lay Your Head On My) Pillow by Tony! Toni! Toné! • Go There With You by Victoria Monét • Feel Like Makin' Love by D'Angelo • Ocean Deep by Moonchild • Positions by Ariana Grande • Didja Know by Groove Theory • Seconds of Pleasure by Van Hunt • You're Makin' Me High by Toni Braxton • Be Here by Raphael Saadiq ft. D'Angelo • Vacation by Janine • Work Me Slow by Xscape • Versace on the Floor by Bruno Mars • Old Age by Masego ft. SiR • Unpredictable by Jamie Foxx ft. Ludacris
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FEBRUARY 2021
Frequently asked questions
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Can I change my size preference for future boxes? Yes, you can do so inside your Brown Sugar Box account on izzyandliv. com, or you can email us at support@izzyandliv.com to update your preferences for you.
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When will I be billed for next month’s box? You will be rebilled on the 1st of the month for the next box. You will not be billed for the next box until after the box from the current month has been shipped/ delivered.
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What is your cancellation policy? Your subscription can be cancelled at any time in your Brown Sugar Box Account Settings at izzyandliv.com. If you’ve already been billed for the next box (1st of the month), your cancellation will take affect the next billing cycle. To cancel your subscription, login to your account and click on the Subscription tab, then click “edit” next to your subscription. You can also email us to request that we cancel for you.
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Can I exchange or return items in my box? We cannot accept returns at this time for Brown Sugar Box items, but we welcome your feedback to improve. Email us at support@ izzyandliv.com to share your thoughts. We value your feedback and our mission is to make every Brown Sugar Box more than worth your while! Your feedback will help us to make sure we make this box amazing and valuable as it can be. As far as the item(s), you can always gift them to a friend, coworker, or family member- these items make GREAT gifts! Can I skip a month without cancelling? Yes, you can skip a future month delivery and not be billed for it, without having to cancel your entire subscription. Once logged into your Brown Sugar Box account at izzyandliv. com, you will need to open the “Delivery Schedule” tab. There you will see all upcoming deliveries for your subscription. To skip a delivery you just need to click “Skip” to the right of each relevant delivery. This will only skip that one delivery. To skip multiple deliveries you will need to click “Skip” next to each relevant one. Alternatively, you can email to have us skip deliveries for you.
How can I share photos or unboxing videos with you? Yes! We live for customer feedback & reviews! Just post your pics or video on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube etc. and hashtag #brownsugarbox, #izzyandliv and @izzyandliv. You can also leave a photo review on the Brown Sugar Subscription page! If you make a blog post email us with the link. If your social media is private we will not be able to see your post, so feel free to email us to let us know where to check it out! Something went wrong with my order/ delivery what should I do? Should you have an issue with your box items (damage, received wrong size, etc) you must notify us at support@izzyandliv. com, with photo(s), within 7 days of receipt of your package. After 7 days, we will not be able to process requests related to this month’s box. If your box was returned due to consumer error, please reach out to customer service for reshipment at an additional cost.
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I have feedback or questions, who do I contact? We can be reached at support@izzyandliv.com
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MAGICAL THINGS A R E H A PPE N I N G I N O U R FAC E BOO K G RO U P
You should be there… Members Only Lounge www.facebook.com/groups/izzyandliv