August 2018 Mini Magazine

Brown Sugar

Box

From 0 to 100: How to Build Confidence

4 Black Owned

Nail Polish Brands

How To Rock the Pastel Makeup Trend

AUGUST 2018

Working While Black

5 Ways

To Stay Booked & Busy

$120 BOX VALUE

www.izzyandliv.com WWW.IZZYANDLIV.COM

INSIDE YOUR We Promise: 5-6 items at an $85 value

02

IZZY & LIV MATTE LIPSTICK TRIO (RETAIL VALUE $22) Your makeup kit can’t be complete without these beautifully, bold lip colors. U Betta Werk is a striking red, and this lipstick trio can help you transition from a morning-ready “Sashay, Shante” or a fun “After Party” cocktail.

CAT-EYE SUNGLASSES [ONE OF 2 COLORS] (RETAIL VALUE $13) Many of us wear our sunglasses to block out the sun and maybe a few haters, but you’ll receive nothing but love in these frames! A trend that recycles every few years, this style is forever. Whether you’re feeling invincible with nine lives or ready to strut across a cat walk, these cat-eye sunglasses are trendy and a wardrobe must. They also come equipped with a sleek microfiber pouch that can help keep your frames clean!

03 04

This month’s box has a $120 retail value!

“EVERYTHING DID” T-SHIRT (RETAIL VALUE $28) Oh, you fancy, huh! Are you walking around with a new manicure or a fresh twist-out? Drake’s “Fancy” has us all ready to keep our “nails done, hair done, everything did.”

For all the Brown Sugar Babes who are feelin’ themselves, this exclusive tee is the perfect start to your next outfit.

01

A. JOY ROSE GOLD BODY OIL (RETAIL VALUE $12) You might say, “I’m living my life like its golden,” but what about your skin? Our melanin glows by itself, but sometimes it can use a boost! The thirst might be real for some but not your skin. A. Joy’s Rose Gold Body Oil will not only leave your skin hydrated, but it will also leave you shining brighter than the sun.

06

www.izzyandliv.com

SELFIE STICK [ONE OF 2 COLORS] (RETAIL VALUE $16) Who needs a personal photographer? You won’t! Capturing the moment might be hard if you’re only working with a smartphone, but our personalized Izzy & Liv selfie stick will allow you to live your best life. Regardless of whether you’re taking an outfit shot or chronicling the views on your latest vacation, this selfie stick will help you take a snapshot of all your future memories. *please contactsupport@izzyandliv.com with any customer service inquiries

Hopefully by now you’ve soaked in enough sun from the summer! If not, you still have a few weeks left before the weather starts to change up in some regions

POP SOCKET (RETAIL VALUE $5) Tired of finding or creating a makeshift stand to hold your phone? We are too! From streaming your favorite TV show to video chatting with a friend, you might look for anything to balance your phone on. Look no further. Doubling as both a collapsible grip and stand for your phone, this customized Brown Sugar Girl pop socket is the missing piece you’ll never be able to live without.

of the country. If you haven’t already, girl it’s time to get your glow up on! In this month’s edition, we’ve featured some products to make you feel fancier than you already are. We are talking DIVA MODE in full effect! This is “don’t cheat yourself, treat yourself” type of action we’re talking about.

From your crown on down, we’ve pretty much got you covered. This month’s “Everything Did” shirt will have you humming Drake’s throwback song “Fancy” -- and yes chile, you are fancy! Those lips are gonna be poppin’ with

07

your new matte lipstick trio that is definitely not meant for you to play it safe. We told you it’s time to glow girl.

But first, pop out your new phone mirror to make sure you’ve applied the proper beat on the go. Now it’s time to throw on your cat eye sunglasses because whether it’s the sun kissing your melanin, or haters on your page, you are sure to be in diva mode once you pop these glasses on. They can’t see you boo-boo!

PHONE MIRROR (RETAIL VALUE $12) Mirror, mirror on the… phone. Where’s my crown and where’s my throne? No one has time to question the mirror on their wall, but you can check if you’re still a queen everywhere you go. The perfect accessory to add some style to your life, this mirror can easily pop on and off your phone without leaving behind any residue.

https://ajoysignatureproducts.com/

05

Glow Up

AUGUST BOX

Don’t forget to take a selfie! That won’t be a problem with your new selfie stick. You’ll be hitting all the angles and good lighting especially from the extra glow from your A. Joy Rose Gold Body Oil. Your hands might be a little slippery but you won’t drop your phone this go round especially if you’re using your signature Izzy & Liv pop socket. Now it will be easier to spot Brown Sugar Babes in a crowd anywhere. That’s right, we’re taking over for the ‘99 and the 2000.

08

“I LOVE MY HAIR” WOODEN COMB (RETAIL VALUE $12) From natural 4c kinks to straight, relaxed hair, black hair comes in all different styles.

We’re all trying to let our hair thrive and survive and a wooden comb is what you need!

You’ll prove that “I love my hair” with this comb. With soft and polished bristles, their smooth touch will prevent breakage and keep your locks growing. www.izzyandliv.com

By Alexandria Daniels

P

eople who are “booked and busy” are the ones who take life in their hands. They are successful. They always have a goal to achieve. They’re focused on becoming a better version of themselves and creating a fulfilling life. Usually, these kinds of people are organized; they always have somewhere to be and someone to meet. Being busy can make us feel out of whack but the key is to be productive! No matter what area of life, you want to do things that are worthy of your time and energy. Are you ready to invest in yourself while making your life a bit more interesting and satisfactory? Then get your pen and planner ready! Here are a few things you can do:

FIND SOMETHING YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT The best place to start is to figure out what your passions are. What excites you when you wake up every morning? What lights your fire? If you don’t know, explore your interests. If music is something you love, try picking up an instrument. If you love reading and catch yourself feeling inspired to write a piece of your own, do it! You’re never too old to discover your true passion. You may not find it overnight but once you do you will have a reason to stay busy. www.izzyandliv.com

Invest In Yourself!

5 Ways to Stay Booked & Busy

GO BACK TO SCHOOL If taking a small, short-term course isn’t enough and you feel you are ready to get a degree, invest in your education!

You will be busy for sure but you will be in the company of other students who are going through a similar journey.

MAKE TIME FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS Making time for your friends and family is the best way to stay booked and busy. Maybe work has been taking up more of your time to the point that it’s all you think about, which can lead to the downfall of many relationships.

Maintaining good relationships with loved ones should definitely be a priority. Have a weekly girls’ night out! Plan events, vacations, or lunch dates with the people you love.

HAVE A WORKOUT Taking care of your physical health is a good priority to maintain. If you are someone who enjoys working out, block off certain hours to hit the gym. Even if you don’t like going to the gym, make time in your schedule to do some physical activity. There’s no shame in saying no to happy hour in favor for a pilates session.

Staying “booked and busy” doesn’t necessarily have to correlate to your career!

As long as you’re filling your time with things you love, you’re succeeding!

TAKE A CLASS One great way to always stay booked in your schedule is by signing up for a class. It can be anything from yoga and makeup to cooking and pottery classes.

It shows you are open minded, ready to learn, and that you are investing in yourself. This can go for online courses too. Just try to get out into the world and meet new people who share your new interest.

You’re never too old to discover your true passion. www.izzyandliv.com

Working While Black...

By Jouviane Alexandre

The struggle is real

“A

ll girls rock.

If you’re the only minority or black person at your job, it’s easy to feel as if you’re the “token.” Don’t let this get to you. If you know that you’re qualified, let your work speak

“black women are forced to rise above the struggles, and sometimes disdain, that they might face in the workplace. “

for you. Regardless of the reason you were hired, make your superiors and make your counterparts aware that you’re there to stay – and slay.

Black girls, we just on another level.” Have truer words ever been spoken? Rihanna was

KNOWING YOUR COUNTERPARTS HAVE

definitely on to something when she spoke

A HIGHER SALARY

these words at the 2016 BET Black Girls Rock! event. Black girls (or women) are on an-

For those black women working in a space

other level and we prove it every single day.

with few (if any) minorities, salary knowledge

From doctors to teachers to entrepreneurs,

might not be something you know, but be-

black women are forced to rise above the

cause of the state of America, you can prob-

In the United States, there are two things that automatically put you at a disadvantage

struggles, and sometimes disdain, that they

ably take an accurate guess. It’s national

– being black and being a woman. For black women, this especially affects us in the

might face in the workplace. These are some

knowledge that men make more money than

workplace. Duke University conducted a social psychology study in 2012 which further

common struggles you might be forced to

women performing the same job. In fact, the

supports this. It showed that black women suffer from “double jeopardy.” While this

deal with, but today, we’re rising above it.

wage gap sits at around 20%. While you

just sounds like the second round of Alex Trebek’s show, this phrase means that black

could be doing the same job as everyone

women are viewed more negatively for mistakes versus black men and white women.

BEING THE “TOKEN” BLACK PERSON We’ve all seen a TV show where they have

BEING BLACK AND BEING A WOMAN

else, black women are often paid less than their white male, white female, and black

The perception of others automatically puts us at this disadvantage, but what do we

male counterparts.

do? As black women, we are forced to be strong. We are forced to be creatives and

their “token black person.” While networks

thinkers and action-takers because there is always someone waiting in the wings to

and producers are probably trying to show

This knowledge can often be a tough pill

their affinity for diversity, we see it for what it

to swallow, but as black women, we perse-

truly is. Throwing a black person into a cast

vere anyway! Hustle hard and keep all your

Regardless of where you work, you’ll always find people trying to dull the shine of black

often seems as a cop-out to prevent any talk

successes in line. Once your annual perfor-

women. All I can say is that they can keep trying, but no one is going to keep us down!

of bias or racism and while this happens on

mance review rolls around, you’ll have all the

TV, this is also mirrored in the workplace.

makings to negotiate that raise.

www.izzyandliv.com

take our position.

www.izzyandliv.com

Bernadette Thompson

4

BlackOwned Nail Polish Brands You Should Know

Shop www.thebnailexperience.com

w

By Alexandria Daniels

hile we’re lovers of fashion and lifestyle, we’re also here for the nail polish! Nail polish is one of those things every woman needs to have in her life. Going to the salon and getting your nails done feels so therapeutic, it almost becomes a ritual. That perfect polish becomes part of our beauty routines. Plus, while they look great, manicures are good for your overall health. No one should be walking around with dirty fingernails!

At Izzy & Liv, we believe in lifting other blackowned businesses. There are many brands out there supplying black customers with affordable chic polishes that will make you feel glamorous.

If you’re ready for a break from O.P.I. or Essie, here’s a quick list of some black-owned nail polish brands we love to love:

www.izzyandliv.com

Bernadette Thompson is a black-owned brand whose nail lacquers can be found on the nails of a variety of celebrities like Tyra Banks and Missy Elliot. She has a line of minimalistic and stylish colors with names like “Baby Face” and odes to “Mint Condition.” Now you can wear the same nail polish as the stars by visiting her site, The B Nail Experience.

D.I.D. Nail Paint Add D.I.D Nail Paint to the list of black-owned nail polish brands that are helping the environment. Created by Adrienne Blanks, D.I.D is a mix of creative self-expression meets social consciousness and responsibility. Her nail polishes are eco-friendly and 100% cruelty-free!

The colors look perfect against our melanin-infused skin ranging from bright bold yellows to earthy brown nudes.

Shop www.getyournailsdid.com

25th and June Nail Elixir What we love about this brand is that it’s vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. Their nail polishes come free of seven chemicals that are found in most nail polishes on the market.

Packaged in cute bottles, 25th & June Nail Elixir has lacquers under fun collections like “Skin Deep” and “Ego Trip”.

Shop www.25thandjune.com

Mischo Beauty The eco-friendly, minimalistic and luxurious brand Mischo Beauty is another black-owned brand every woman needs to have in their nail polish collection! Richly pigmented hues in chic packaging, Mischo Beauty offers beautiful highend lacquers for every kind of women like the cameo streetwise “Sans Souci” or the dark lavender lacquer “Unbroken” that screams “I came to slay!” www.izzyandliv.com Shop www.mischobeauty.com

: 0 10

O T M 0 UILD

B O O R F W T CE HO FIDEN N O C

“N

By Alexandria Daniels

Always Wear A Smile On Your Face Smiling increases your happiness. The more you smile, the more you will begin to feel confident. Sometimes smiling more is all you need to do because body language affects our confidence level. If we are always slouching and looking solemn, people will get the vibe that we are unhappy and want to be left alone. This miscommunication can hurt your confidence. Before you leave the house, make sure you find something to smile about and keep it with you throughout the day.

Have Faith in Yourself As much as we can work on our appearance, we know true confidence comes from within. If we don’t believe we deserve good things in life, no one else will. If you don’t believe you can achieve your goals, then who will? Confidence starts with you. Build up your faith everyday by knowing in your heart that you are amazing and can do anything you put your mind to.

ails done, hair done, everything did!” Whether you’re “done up” or dressed down, confidence is something we should all try to achieve. Confidence is a trait we can always develop and improve at any stage of life. Most us battle with self-confidence at some point. While some people seem to possess it effortlessly, others can struggle with it well into adulthood. In reality, we may not always be confident and that is normal. Confidence is all about doing things that make you feel good about yourself. It’s an inner light that shines when you follow your heart and believe that your life has meaning. If you feel like your confidence is very low, below are several solutions that will build up your confidence from 0 to 100, real quick.

Invest in Good Skin & Hair Care I’m sure some people may say that confidence has nothing to do with the outside. While this can be true, it’s important you feel good on the outside too. An unhealthy appearance can affect your self-confidence. People often hide who they are due to skin issues like acne, hyperpigmentation, or something more serious. These problems can be mirrored in your hair whether it’s problems with breakage or thinning. Investing in skincare and haircare is a good place to start. Find your favorite products that will help you feel better about your skin. Take “spa days” where you do nothing but wash your hair. Wear a facial mask and chill.

When you start taking care of yourself outwardly, you will begin to feel better on the inside.

Dress Your Best Wake up every morning ready to show up for the world. It doesn’t matter whether you work at an office or you have your own business, getting dressed will boost your confidence. If you don’t like your current wardrobe, considering switching things up. Wear clothes that suit your style and make you feel good about yourself. Wearing your best clothes will boost your confidence by a couple notches. www.izzyandliv.com

Keep Track of Your Accomplishments One cool way to help your confidence skyrocket is by keeping a daily record of everything you’ve accomplished. It can be big wins, like landing the new job you’ve always wanted.

However, be sure to count the small wins too! Writing down what you got done will get you comfortable with the feeling of success which will greatly boost your confidence and self-esteem. Soon enough you’ll notice an abundance of confidence in your abilities.

Confidence seems like an easy thing, but it’s not! Regardless of your age, it’s something that millions of women work on every day. Don’t forget that at Izzy & Liv, we’re all for boosting your “Culture. Confidence. Soul.”

www.izzyandliv.com

how to rock the pastel

MAKEUP TREND

By Jouviane Alexandre

Can I change my size preference for future boxes?

Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone with your lipstick? The fall and winter seasons are

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.

the perfect time for smoky eyes and vampy lips. As we travel through August and prepare for the fall months, pastels are moving to the front of beauty.

Before you start thinking that pastels might not work with your melanin-infused complexion, stop!

Everything works with your skin! All you need to know is how to rock it! Check out our tips on how to rock the pastel makeup trend.

To avoid this, apply an eyeshadow primer before application. It will allow your eyeshadows to pop!

Don’t Choose Too Many Colors At Once

Don’t Go Crazy With the Lip If you

When you wear regular tones of eyeshadow,

plan to wear a pastel look on your eyes,

you’re probably able to finesse a look with tons

don’t get carried away with the lip! Opting for

of different colors on your eyes. This won’t be so

a nude lip will help balance out your look. If

easy when dealing with pastel colors! These col-

you’d prefer to indulge in the pastel trend on

ors are made to stand out, so using too many

your lips, pair it with neutral or minimal eye-

could transform your look from chic to circus in

shadow.

a few swipes! For an easy, effortless look, you should plan to use three colors on your eyes. One

With the launch of Fenty Beauty’s Matte-

should be a transition color and the other two can

moiselle Lipsticks, there’s definitely a grow-

be used to create your look. For perfect pairs, you

ing trend for pastel lipsticks. The collection

could go with purple and pink, green and blue, and

includes lilac and periwinkle blue shades.

red and yellow.

While these shades look beautiful, they work best when paired with neutral eyes.

If you want to splurge on an eyeshadow palette, go with the Natasha Denona Tropic Palette which

Pastels can often be tricky to work with.

includes 15 shades. For those trying to save a

While they have the ability to pop on your

buck, like us, the LORAC Beauties Who Brunch

eyes, they can easily go wrong! And if you’re

Palette is a great alternative with 16 shades.

afraid to rock pastel colors on your lip, pair

Use an Eyeshadow Primer For eyeshadow

them with a slightly darker lip liner to make it blend seamlessly into your look!

wearers, you might notice that colors don’t always appear on your eyes as they do in a palette. This

Makeup is meant to be fun, but the first step

would definitely be the case with pastel eyeshad-

is wearing it with confidence! Don’t let ev-

ows. Since pastels are a “milky” form of the true

eryone else indulge in the pastel trend! Find

color, it could potentially appear ashy when ap-

your colors and make it work.

plied to your skin. www.izzyandliv.com

1

2

When will I be billed for next month’s box?

You will be rebilled on the 25th of the month prior to the next box. So you will be billed for the May box on the 25th of April; for the June box on the 25th of May and so on...

You will not be billed for the next box until after the box from the current month has been shipped/ delivered.

3

What is your cancellation policy?

Your subscription can be cancelled at anytime in your Brown Sugar Box Account Settings at izzyandliv.com.

If you’ve already been billed for the next box (25th 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.

FREQUENTLY Asked Questions

4

Can I exchnage 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!

5

Can I skip a month without cancelling?

Yes, you can skip a future delivery and not be billed for it, without having to cancel your entire subscription. In order to do so, customer service must be contacted at sup If you are requesting to skip more than 2 months, we suggest cancelling your subscription and returning when you are ready to resume.

6

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 hastag #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!

7

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 months box.

8

I have feedback on questions, who do I contact?

We can be reached at support@izzyandliv.com

www.izzyandliv.com

// BE A U T IE S\\ 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 last month’s box.

Congratulations to last month’s WINNER! Andrette Lampkin was randomly selected from among everyone who shared their July 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 month’s box using the 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.

www.izzyandliv.com

www.izzyandliv.com

MEMBERS ONLY LOUNGE >>>

https://www.facebook.com/groups/izzyandliv

www.izzyandliv.com

www.izzyandliv.com

Magical Things Are Happening In Our Facebook Group. You Should Be There...