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CampusCube for Girls “Smart Start” Care Package Review + Coupon – September 2018

Taryn Lowman
ByTaryn LowmanAug 23, 2018 | 23 comments

Campus Cube Box

CampusCube
5 overall rating
5 Ratings | 0 Reviews

CampusCube is a college care package subscription box that contains "healthy, delicious, fun & useful items guaranteed to make your favorite student smile!" Each CampusCube includes healthy snacks, useful gadgets, and personal care items, while the box upcycles into useful, colorful dorm room storage. They also donate a portion of every sale to national scholarship organizations.

Campus Cube box open campus cube box inside

CampusCube offers Girls and Guys subscription options and ships monthly themed care packages from September until May. Birthday, Exams, and Healthy Care Packages are also available.

A preview of what's inside these boxes can be found here.

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

This review is of the Girl's College Care Package, which is $39.95 + shipping.

campus cube box contents

About CampusCube

The Subscription Box: CampusCube

The Cost: $39.95 plus $4.95 shipping

ACTIVE DEAL: Save $5 off your first regular cube order
CODE: MSA5

The Products: Snacks, gadgets, and personal care items for your college student

Ships to: U.S. only

CampusCube for Girls "Smart Start" Care Package Review

While it has been a few years since I was in college, I remember those days vividly and depended on care packages from my parents as I went to school five hours away from home. Let's see what this month's box brought us!

campus cube kind bar campus cube kind bar open

Kind Healthy Grains Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt, 1.2 oz. - Buy a box of 5 for $3.09 (found here for $2.50)

At first bite I did not love this, but as I went on the flavor and texture really grew on me! The maple and pumpkin seeds reminded me of the fall and added a lovely crunch. I didn't get a huge punch of sea salt flavor, instead, the maple is really what was the shining star for me. This is a great snack to eat going from class to class or just something you could eat as a quick breakfast with some yogurt.

campus cube notepad and pen campus cube notepad and pen open

Notepad and Pen

I thought this looked familiar, I received this same notepad back in my March box. However, this time around, I found attached to the rings was a pen that writes in bright blue! The notepad is great for making lists or taking quick notes. I could see myself using this back in college during one of my internships, or something that we would have had out in our house to leave notes for each other (I lived with 5 girls so notes were key). I still have the notepad that I received in my past box so I think I am going to gift this to my niece who is about to start her freshman year of high school!

campus cube shower gel campus cube shower gel back

You Are Amazing Exfoliating Body Scrub and Wash in Juicy Grapefruit

This scrub and body wash is microbead-free that brushes away dry skin. The grapefruit scent really wakes you up so this is perfect to use early in the morning to get your day going. My skin has been through a lot this summer being at the pool in the sun, using lots of sunscreen so I needed something extra that could help bring back my smooth skin. The wash felt cleansing with a great foaming action while still feeling like it exfoliated in a big way! This is a great treat for someone that might not have a ton of time for "self-care" while focusing on being back at school.

campus cube toiletry campus cube toiletry open campus cube shampoo and conditioner campus cube shampoo and conditioner back

Love Beauty & Planet Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Shampoo & Conditioner Travel Set with Toiletry Bag - Buy 3 fl oz shampoo here for $1.99, Buy 3 fl oz conditioner here for $1.99

I wasn't able to find this exact travel set online, but I did find the shampoo and conditioners sold separately. I do love that it came in a set with the toiletry because you can never have too many, especially while being away at school. The bag itself is small, but it would be perfect for makeup or to use for an overnight trip. Plus, if you spill anything inside, cleanup will be super easy! The shampoo and conditioner have a sweet yet floral scent that is very feminine. The set is meant for fine hair to add volume and bounty. I have the exact opposite of fine hair so I don't think this is going to work on my long curly locks, but I am going to pass this along to my friend that is always looking for extra volume!

campus cube smoothie powder campus cube smoothie powder back

Olly Superfood Protein Smoothie x2, 1.4 oz. – Buy a 22.5 oz container for $27.99

These protein smoothie packs are made to be an easy way to make a healthy drink. All you have to do is mix the powder with a liquid like milk, water, coconut milk, almond milk, etc. No need to use a blender or even add ice if you don’t want to. However, I received these in the CampusCube Guy's box and did not enjoy these making it the way the back instructed. I decided to add this powder to a blender with some ice, and while it was better, this still wasn't my favorite protein smoothie. The texture was still very grainy and the flavors were extremely tart.

campus cube latte mix campus cube latte mix back

Starbucks VIA Instant Caffe Mocha, 1.30 oz. – Buy a box of 5 for $5.86

I remember being in college and taking a trip to Starbucks was a huge luxury, I rarely went unless my parents were in town visiting and they could pay for me. Money is tight in college and fun little coffee drinks can be something that you really feel guilty spending your money on, which is why I love that this was included this month! I just wish that more came in the box to really make it a big treat! Caffe mocha is that perfect mix of creamy chocolate with lots of caffeine, a lovely treat to have on hand.

campus cube coffee bar campus cube coffee bar back campus cube coffee bar open

Eat Your Coffee Fudgy Mocha Latte, 1.6 oz. - Buy a box of 8 for $18.99

I have been seeing these little coffee bars around lately, but I haven't had a chance to try one yet until now! It says that this little bar has the same amount of caffeine that you would get in one cup of coffee so don't drink it with your morning coffee. This was a bit too bitter for my taste, but I enjoyed the fudgy chocolate flavor that came through on each bite. I just love drinking a warm cup of coffee so I couldn't see myself eating a bar instead of drinking the real thing, but I thought this was so fun to try!

campus cube trail mix campus cube trail mix open

Creative Snacks Co. Coffee Shop, 3 oz.

This was my ultimate snack mix! It is filled with almonds, cashews, chocolate chunks, chocolate covered espresso beans, and dark chocolate shavings. So much chocolate in one bag! I loved the crunch that the peanuts provided and all of the sweet chocolate goodness. This is the type of snack that you could have found me enjoying walking to class because it fills you up while giving you so much energy.

campus cube granola campus cube granola back campus cube granola open

Hudson Henry Granola in Maple, Pecans, & Coconut, 3 oz. - Buy a 3, 12 oz. bags for $33.97

Some of the main ingredients in this granola are rolled oats, maple syrup, coconut, and olive oil. When I saw that coconut was one of the ingredients I was a bit nervous because I usually never like anything with coconut in it. However, I didn't get a ton of the coconut texture or even taste, it was there just not in an overpowering way that was enough to turn me off. Each rolled oats cluster was so rich and sweet. I could see myself snacking on this while working in the library for a filling snack!

campus cube hair wrap campus cube hair wrap back campus cube hair wrap 1 campus cube hair wrap 2 campus cube hair wrap 3

Sleek'e Micro Fiber Hair Wrap - Retail Value $18

I bought a microfiber hair wrap a few years ago and I'm still in love with mine! I always tell my girlfriends if they like to dry their hair naturally that they have to ditch using a towel and get a microfiber hair wrap. They are easy to wrap your hair in, they stay in place with the clasp and button, and they are super comfortable to sleep in if you want to go to bed with wet hair. I have naturally curly hair and I love the way that the wrap helps my hair to dry. I used this brand and felt that it was very similiar to the one I already use, so I love it! This would be a wonderful item to have had in college because I was often struggling to do my hair in between my hectic life so this would have allowed me to go to bed with wet hair easily without any fuss.

Verdict: This month's CampusCube was a fun mixture of products and snacks! I loved seeing so many beauty products that are always great to have on hand when you are starting back to school. I was a little disappointed to see some repeat items from previous boxes, but there weren't too many repeats to make it too noticeable. While not all of the products worked for me specifically like the shampoo and conditioner, they are great quality items that would make great gifts for friends! I think this is a fun way to send something special to a niece or neighbor that you might not be in touch with all that often to know exactly what they want or need, so you can send a care package knowing they are going to get a fun curation of products and snacks! 

To Wrap Up:

Can I still get this box if I sign up today? Yes, this box is available!

Coupon - For a limited time, save $5 off any order with code MSA5

Value Breakdown: The cost of this box comes to $44.90, including shipping fees. I received a total of 10 items in this box which averages out to $4.49 per item.  

Check out all of our CampusCube reviews and the Women's Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What do you think of CampusCube?

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CampusCube offers a box for girls as well as guys, and several one-off purchases as well! A great college care package subscription containing healthy, delicious, fun & useful items guaranteed to make your favorite student smile!... and each box upcycles into colorful dorm room storage... read more.
Taryn Lowman
Taryn Lowman
Taryn's passion for subscription boxes started when she was gifted a monthly Birchbox. She is excited to discover more Mom and baby boxes to share with her family!

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23 comments

LM

I agree with everyone. This box really has very little imagination. The big item is the hair towel. The rest are snacks. This is such a disappointment. I would be embarrassed to send this to my daughter.

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AmyM

I’m not going to weigh in on the price debate. I’ll just say I’ve never used a better smelling shampoo and conditioner than the one they included. It was in a Target box a few months back and its smells SO good. Plus the conditioner absorbs really quickly and is easy to rinse out.

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Taryn Lowman

I agree, I loved the smell of the shampoo and conditioner set!

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Mellissa Plowman

I have sent and will be sending my cousins (I have 9 cousins ranging in ages from now 24 to 4) care packages while in college. I’ve done a lot. This is not worth the money unless someone cannot get to any store or doesn’t shop online (but can somehow order this?). Like a grandparent maybe? I don’t know. Lol.

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Taryn Lowman

I do think this is great for someone that doesn’t have the time to run to the store to build their own care package or maybe someone that doesn’t know exactly what the college student might like. I could see myself sending this to my niece who I love but I don’t get to see very often so I’m not always up on what she likes now or needs.

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Dea

Agree. I was disappointed when I read this review because my granddaughter just started college in a very small town, and I was casting around for a sub to gift her. This isn’t it, unfortunately.

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Anna

Amazon has some great prime snack boxes and beauty boxes that aren’t priced to high. Target has a great snack selection that ships free with a $25 order too.
If you’ll be sending a lot of packages I recommend ordering the USPS flat rate bubble mailers for free from their site they ship for $7.25 and I can fit a lot into them.

Dea

Go to Target, fill a box with comparable goodies for $20, and ship for $5 at the post office. The extra $15 can go toward her tuition bill.

This box is such a gotcha. What a shame.

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Taryn Lowman

Thanks for your post!

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Julie

This is yet another review where you’re trying so hard to be nice but would you shell out $45 for this yourself? You write that each item ends up costing $4.49 but 90% of the items you received don’t even RV for $4.49. Shouldn’t that factor in to your overall outlook on a box that you would recommend or not to your readers?

I would love to know what you honestly think of this box if you were to take your actual hard earned money put it next to it and then ask yourself is this something you would be willing to pay for based on the “fun curation” is it worth being duped because it’s that good overall? And while some boxes are because of unique items would you qualify this to fall into that category? Is this how you would want your college student to spend their money on a treat for themselves?

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Cristina

I see where everyone is coming from, but I think you’re are paying for someone to put together these items instead of you having to do it yourself. And since it’s a care package, it’s supposed to be sent to the student, not the student buying it for themselves. This is good for someone too busy to do their own shopping but still want to show they care.

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Amber P

This is pretty light for this box – I agree with what others have said that it’s expensive for what you’re getting. I feel like in the past they’ve done a much better job.

I’d guess they’re not doing so hot.

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Taryn Lowman

Thank you for your post!

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Anna

Target has the smoothie packs listed at $2.50 each
The Via coffee is $1.17
Eat your coffee $2.37
Newegg has the hair wrap for $14.00
You’re amazing body scrub $3.99
Hudson Henry $3.25
Love Beauty & Planet 3.98
Creative Coffee Co $3.27

Everything but the notebook and pen adds up to $37.03

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Taryn Lowman

Thanks for your post! I based my pricing off of where I was able to find the products online, many of the snacks were listed in bulk.

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Anna

This definitely has a Dollar Tree/Big Lot’s vibe. I’d rather pick items from Amazon and send them.
I’d love to see a company do care packages well because I send a lot of care packages to my older parents but end up doing it myself or buying through Amazon or Target.

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Taryn Lowman

Thanks for your post!

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Nicole A.

Cute box, vastly overpriced. Maybe $25-30 shipped at most.

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Taryn Lowman

Thanks for your post!

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Michelle

This is all $tree stuff at best. Way over priced. You could take $40. and make a killer box compared to this.

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Taryn Lowman

Thanks for your feedback!

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Tricia

I sort of got the TJ Maxx/Marshall’s vibe. But you are totally correct, for $40 + shipping, it would be so easy to put together a better box.

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Aarjullor

Yep.

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