May 2021 Brown Sugar Box Mini Magazine

MAY 2021 $125 RETAIL VALUE

Hair Play

5 BRAID STYLES

Mane We’re Rocking This Summer

for Any Day

4 Ways To Accessorize Your Hair

The

edition

AN ODE TO NEO SOUL

Playlist

4 WAYS TO

Nurture, Protect, and Love

ON YOUR HAIR AND SKIN

5 Hair Habits That Might Be Causing Damage

Mane Inside the

S

hort or long, curly or straight, bundles or buzzed, Black women can rock ALL styles.

Afro-textured hair knows no limitations.

From bantu knots to blowouts and every look in between, we’ve long mastered versatility. Our divine crowns depict generations of freedom and survival. To all the kinky girls around the world, your hair reaffirms resilience. Handle her with care. The MANE Edition of your May Brown Sugar box is a glorious celebration of Black hair packed with your new favorite hair care essentials. We’ve also passed along a few tips to keep your precious coils looking healthy.

So Chic Organic Goats Milk Handcream, $20 (1 OF 2 SETS) It’s true what they say, Black don’t crack, but with all this hand washing during the pandemic, your hands need an extra layer of protection from the dryness caused by soaps. We’ll give you a hand in staying moisturized. The Organic Goats Milk Handcream will restore the softness and leave your hands feeling silky after each application. You’ll receive one of two 3oz sets: Floral (black raspberry vanilla and botanical garden) or Fruit (lavender lemon and cocoa mango.)

Throw It Back Satin Hair Scrunchies, $10 (1 OF 2 SETS OF 6) We just took a trip back to the ‘90s and brought back adorable satin hair scrunchies.

Who are we kidding? Scrunchies NEVER went out of style. Rock a ponytail or pull it back in a messy bun. You’ll receive a set of 6 satin hair ties. (2 prints with rabbit ears, 2 prints without rabbit ears, 2 solid colors.)

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I Am Not My Hair Tee, $25 “I am not my hair. I am not my skin. I am the soul that lies within.” Word to India.

Arie! This comfy crew neck tee says it all so that you never have to. Made with 100% cotton.

We Promise You: 5-6 Items at an $85 value

This month’s value:

$125

Came Thru Drippin’ Shower Cap, $22 (1 OF 6 DESIGNS) Nothing like a nice relaxing shower after a long day...that is until you get out and realize the moisture brought out the frizzes. Protect ya edges and the nape of your neck. The Came Thru Drippin’ Shower Cap is great for bathtime and holding your hair in place while you apply makeup.

100% waterproof nylon. Care instructions: Machine wash cold. Do not bleach. Line dry. Do not iron.

Restorative Skin & Hair Moroccan Oil, $20 Your hair is exposed to a significant amount of heat during the summer months making it increasingly difficult to lock in moisture which can lead to breakage. We’ve got the dry scalp remedy!

This Restorative Moroccan Oil contains moisture-retaining properties to awaken dehydrated hair. Size: 3.4 fluid ounces.

Ingredients: Isododecane, Mineral Oil, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone, Cyclopentamethicone, Camellia Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Fragrance.

Such a Lady Wide Comb, Parting Comb and Detangling Brush Trio, $16 (1 OF 4 DESIGNS)

Print Pictured: Cultured Queens

Wash day feels like an Olympic sport. Go for the gold, sis! We’ve added three hair essentials to get the job done. You’ll get a wide tooth comb, parting comb, and detangling brush in one of four designs: Afro Queen, Culture Confidence Soul, Cultured Queens, and Purple Reign. (Each item is 9’’ x 4’’.)

Sleeky Girl Edge Brush, $12 Give a Black girl an edge brush and you’ll see artwork appear before your very eyes.

Those tiny yet fierce baby hairs are gloriously laid to perfection. Apply your favorite gel or edge control product to the Sleeky Girl Edge Brush and awaken a perfectly contoured baby hair aesthetic.

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Braid Styles We’re Rocking This Summer

By Girl Tyler

B

lack women have worn various braid patterns since the beginning of time. It’s kinda our thing, you know? Braids are a year-round delight however they’re super prevalent during the summer months. Everyone is making up for lost time this summer and it’s never too early to start pulling together your braided looks. Check out the styles we’re rocking June-September!

Low braided pony Life is all about tough decisions: middle part or side part? Hmmm. Once you decide, pull it all back for a long braided pony. Go for an eye-catching length.

Rapunzel had no limitations, why should you?

Micro braids Feels like 2001 all over again. This time the possibilities are endless.

Which microbraids will you choose? Go bohemian, multi-colored, side-swept, platinum blonde, in a bob, loose ends...you name it!

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MAY 2021

Braided updo This low-maintenance style is a stunning look for bridesmaids, perfect for women with active lifestyles, and the get-up-andgo style when you’re pressed for time.

(Add in hair jewelry for a bedazzled feel.)

Cornrow knotless braids Protective styling at its finest. Braid it straight back or make this classic look POP with a zig-zag design.

Box braids Box braids never went out of style! They were made for us. (Word to M-O-ES-H-A! Shout out to the ‘90s teens!) Don’t get too BOXed in though. There are a gazillion ways to style box braids. (Pro tip: Crochet in a few curly pieces for a more goddess look!)

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4 Ways To

Nurture, Protect, and Love On Your Hair and Skin

By Saeeda Ruffin

T

hey need love! That’s right. Your hair and skin need to be treated with dignity, respect, and yes, plenty of love. To be honest, Sis, most people do the bare minimum when it comes to caring for their hair and skin. While they go to the salon, the daily care is often less than stellar. You are busy. We get it. But, you can’t be so busy that you leave your hair and skin to chance. They need you.

For many, their hair and skin “routines” often cause more harm than good because they are more about convenience than actual care. There are plenty of “edge less” folks out there who thought that pulling their hair back, between styling, was the only way to go. Guess you live and learn. But, no one wants to see any of our beautiful sisters out there struggling to look and feel good because their hair is jacked or their skin is crusty. Nope! If this is you or someone you know, you need H.E.L.P. The following 4 ways to nurture, protect, and love on your hair and skin could make all the difference in the world!

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MAY 2021

H -Hydrate Hydration is essential for life. Simply drinking lots of water to stave off dehydration can greatly impact your hair and skin. Water is a must.

Without taking in enough water, the body starts to react poorly and will, literally, use every drop that it has inside of it. This can lead to super dry skin and dry brittle hair. So, drink up... and always provide some water for your hair. Yes, hair loves moisture.

Spritz your hair on a regular, or daily, basis and seal with an oil. Making these two super basic changes could give your hair and skin the lifeline that they need to look their best.

E - Exfoliate Beyond just showering, your skin needs to be exfoliated. Every day, your skin is exposed to the elements such as the sun, toxins, and dirt in the air. Your skin does NOT like these. By gently exfoliating using a scrub product such as a sugar scrub or an actual loofah type cleaner, you are removing the top layer of skin that has been affected by the environment, and letting that beautiful underlayer come through.

For some, exfoliating gives them an almost instant glow up.

L - Lock In That Moisture

While you may know that you need an oil to lock in the moisture in your hair, you may not realize that you need it for locking in the moisture in your skin also. One of the ways that you can best nurture your skin is to give it a nice massage with your favorite oil or body butter after you shower. Dry, cracked skin is actually a health hazard, as it can expose your

body to potential infections. Nobody wants that to happen. A queen’s skin should be supple, soft, and radiant.

This summer, don’t get caught out there with ashy feet and elbows.

You need to have that ash on lock, for real.

P - Protect One of the best ways to shield and protect your skin from the sun, which is its natural nemesis, is to wear sunscreen. Yes, black people need to wear sunscreen, Sis. While the melanin in our body serves to naturally protect from UV rays, it doesn’t totally manage the effect of the sun on your skin. So, slather on that sunscreen whenever you are going out. It should be a skin routine staple, not just for summer, but for every day.

As far as protecting your hair, there are a number of ways to do that.

From wearing a protective hairstyle that puts minimal strain on your tresses to keeping your hair covered at night, everything that you do to protect your hair will pay off. Just like most people, hair hates stress.

So, if you do your best to reduce or eliminate stress on your hair by avoiding too many tight hair ties, keeping pulling to a minimal, sleeping with it uncovered and uncombed, and leaving off heat as much as possible, your hair will thank you with healthier looking and luscious locks.

Take this H.E.L.P. to heart, and you are destined to look and feel fabulous this summer! Now, that’s how you truly love on your hair and skin.

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Hair Play for Any Day

By Saeeda Ruffin

4 Ways To Accessorize Your Hair

I

f you are like most people, you CANNOT wait for summer! After a whole year of being cooped up and on lock down due to the pandemic, cabin fever is at an all-time high. Folks want to get out, and they want to look good when they finally make their escape.

That definitely includes making sure that your hair is on point. In fact, some of you may appreciate a little hair inspiration to get your crown looking as brilliant as ever.

It’s summer time, so have some fun with your hair and look. You can have “hair play” any day by changing things up with a few fresh ideas.

Summer ain’t even going to be ready for you when you come through with your hair looking fit for a queen. To get you started, here are 4 ways to accessorize your hair:

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Color You Bold

Why not switch up your hair color for a real change? Coloring your hair is a commitment that some shy away from.

Well, fear no more! There are plenty of temporary hair coloring products that will enhance your locks without stressing you or your hair out. One product, Hair Paint Wax, is making serious inroads amongst the sistas when it comes to giving hair a splash of color. It is an awesome and easy-to-use option. So, go ahead and choose a bold and funky hair color, Sis. This time, you’re gonna go BIG with your summer hair look!

MAY 2021

Put A Ring On It

Sis, those tiny gold hair rings or cuffs and can give your hair the ultimate summer goddess treatment.

They really bring out the best in braids and locs.

Twinkling with any flash of light, that sparkle will give your hair a real glow up. You can use them sparingly or all over your head. It’s your choice. Either way, you know, for sure, that you are going to look blacknificent!

Give Your Hair Pin-terest

Hair pins have made a comeback! Yesss! The time has come to pull out those hair pins and use them to actually accessorize and style your hair. They can be used to do a faux “slick down” effect on your hair. Simply place multiple hairpins on your hair, spaced out equally along the area that you want to lay flat. Hair pins can be criss-crossed to make designs on your hair, or you can get the fancy ones and use them to prop up the sides of your hair for a faux-hawk. Back in the day, they tried to hide the hair pins in their styles. No more! They look super cute making their appearance, out in the open, all over your hair.

Bundle Up

You probably never thought of hair extensions as actual hair accessories. Well, they can be if you are trying to create different styles. But, to do that, you are going to need to have some bundles on hand to do some hair magic. One way to use hair to accessorize your style is to take hair braid extensions and wrap them around your own bantu knots to create bigger knots, or wrap a large scale hair braid around your head like an actual crown or headband. You can also use colored hair braids to wrap ponytails or puffs.

Now, you’ve got the ideas and tools to give your hair some summer sass. Get creative and enjoy the process. After a year on lock, you deserve every moment possible to flash your diva-tude and style. Do your thing!

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5 Hair Habits That Might Be Causing Damage

By Girl Tyler

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MAY 2021

I

t seems as though we’re busier these days now more than ever before. Even if you work from home, there’s simply not enough time to carry a full workload and maintain personal housekeeping. That being said, you’re probably skimping out on precious self-care time. How much TLC did you pour into your hair this week? Many of us are fully committed to wash days and religiously keep our manes maintained, but it’s the little habits in between that might be causing unexpected damaged.

1)

Forgetting to Wrap Your Hair at Night Headwraps and bonnets are great for preserving styles, but they’re extremely important for maintaining healthy roots. We all strike poses in our sleep, tossing and turning all throughout the night which can be distressing to your hair. (Pro tip: Grab satin pillowcases!) Doing this night after night without a shield causes tearing and matted hair that can be a monster to detangle. Tack on another 60 seconds to your day and make sure your hair is wrapped before you hit the bed.

2)

Excessive Protective Styles They’re fun and easy to maintain but what are you really protecting if the hair underneath isn’t getting a chance to breathe? Most protective styles are meant to be worn 2-4 weeks max and even then, it’s important to moisturize.

(Pro tip: Mix water and a leave-in conditioner into a spray bottle then lightly hydrate your scalp.)

3)

Skipping Out On a Trim Split ends happen to the best of us. Hair experts recommend having your ends trimmed at least every 8-12 weeks. Neglecting to do so can lead to thinning and further damage down the road. In extreme cases, you’ll have to cut off more in the long run. (Pro tip: Do not use regular scissors. I repeat, do not use regular scissors. For a salon-quality trim, invest in a good pair of hair shears.)

4)

Product Build-Up Remember those protective styles that we know and love? Overapplying products will weigh down your hair, causing build-up, and blocking any chance to absorb the proper nutrients it needs to grow. Product buildup is not cute! Make sure you’re washing your hair on a regular cadence and taking the time to read the labels. The products you’re using may not be for your hair type or helping you to achieve your length goals.

5)

Excessive Heat This one is a no-brainer, but misbehaving hair can cause you to lean on heat styling tools as a crutch. Over time, you’ll notice brittle ends and an overall change to your hair texture and natural curl pattern. Reach for a heat protectant or build in time to finger detangle then air dry. (Pro tip: Hairstyling wet hair is a big no-no! Try a hair diffuser on a low setting, but don’t overdo it.)

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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.

MAY 2021

Congratulations to last month’s WINNER! Chinyere 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.

AN ODE TO

NEO SOUL

By Girl Tyler

A

delicious blend of funk with a hint of gospel and the blues, infused with sweet melodies of contemporary R&B, Neo Soul is a profound genre.

This collection of Black poetry ignites passion and ecstacy.

Every note is an intentionally wrapped gift of intoxicating rhythm, pure lyricism, and vibrant instrumentation.

Soul-stirring music that transcends time. An Ode to Neo Soul playlist is a sophisticated mix of artful love without limitation. How sweet the sound. Allow these feel good songs to carry you away to your favorite mental escape.

Welcome to paradise.

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Brown Sugar by D’Angelo On It by Jazmine Sullivan ft. Ari Lennox Chic by Raphael Saadiq ft. Teedra Moses Anything for You by Ledisi With You by Marsha Ambrosius Come Over by Sandra St. Victor John Redcorn by SiR Soul Sista by Bilal The Point of It All by Anthony Hamilton Something Beautiful by Conner Reeves I Am Light by India.Arie Not Discuss It by St. Beauty Can’t Get Enough by Kenny Lattimore You Got Me by The Roots & Erykah Badu Get Up by Amel Larrieux Love Calls by Kem Fool of Me by MeShell NdegeOcello Boyz II Men by Kirby Your Special by Q Wanna Get by Reggie Watts Lala by Lucy Pearl Truth by Dwele Dark Red by Steve Lacy The Way You Do It by Little Brother Give In by 4hero ft. Phonte and Darien Brockington Nakamarra by Hiatus Kaiyote feat. Q-Tip Another Love by Marco McKinnis Band on You by Sy Smith ft. Anthony Hamilton Closer by Goapele Window Seat by Erykah Badu Music by Leela James Pretty Girl hi! by UMI Everything is Everything by Anthony David Funky for You by Common Ft. Bilal and Jill Scott Just Friends (Sunny) by Musiq Soulchild Bag Lady by Erykah Badu No More Rain (In This Cloud) by Angie Stone

MAY 2021

Frequently asked questions

1

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.

2

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.

3

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 ARE HAPPENING I N O U R FAC E B O O K GROUP

You should be there… Members Only Lounge www.facebook.com/groups/izzyandliv