CF Fabulous Finds: Urban Aid Kits
As college students, we are one of the most targeted age groups out there for advertisers. Everything from furniture to clothing to beauty products is specifically packaged and aimed at us, which would be so much better if most of us weren’t living on such tight budgets!
Therefore, in this bi-weekly column I’ll let you know about some products that I think are really worth spending your money on. I’ll be looking at pieces that are essential for college students, great bargain finds, and things that I just love!
There’s nothing like the feeling of picking out the perfect outfit on a Monday morning…only to have a button pop off your shirt during your first class. Or to spill coffee all over it. Or to realize you forgot to put on deodorant in your rush to leave that morning! Or… well, you know, the list goes on.
Unfortunately, we have all had and will continue to have “those days” when nothing seems to go right. That’s why my fabulous finds for this week are the products from Urban Aid, a completely genius brand that will help you out on those disastrous days.
Why I Love Urban Aid Kits
- Urban Aid is a company developed by women around our ages who realized how helpful it would be to have some aid in dealing with the trials of our day-to-day lives. They have kits for many of the “oops” situations we college girls may find ourselves in, such as clothing malfunctions, unexpected sleepovers, and even period problems!
- These kits include a variety of little items that you’ve probably thought of buying or bringing before, but somehow never seem to have on hand when you need them! For example, their basic “On the Go Kit” in the picture above has an emery board, dental floss, a sewing kit, a hairband, two bandages, and a stain treating towelette. So useful!
- As a bonus, these kits are cheap! That fully stocked “On the Go Kit” I described above is only $9.50, and the most expensive kit they sell is only $39.00 (which may seem expensive but is totally worth it, as this “Arrival Survival Kit” includes a tee shirt, underwear, deodorant, and other essentials in case your luggage ever gets lost while traveling). For the amount of super-useful products that come in each compact kit, the price is absolutely worth it.
My favorite kits include the original “On the Go Kit” described above, the “Travel Fix Kit” (which includes the perfect amount of items for a weekend getaway), and the “Oops Kits” (1 and 2), which are absolute lifesavers if you have some klutzy tendencies like me!
Besides stocking up on a couple of these kits for yourself, invest in some for super clever and personalized holiday gifts. Choose one of the travel-inspired kits for a friend who loves to go on trips or the “On the Go Kit: Sports” for an athletic friend. These kits are really easy to find, as the company’s website lists all of the retailers selling these products. You can also buy the products right off the site!
What Do You Think?
Would you buy one of the Urban Aid kits? Which one do you think is most useful? Do you have any similar products that are perfect for college girls on the go? Have you ever tried one of these kits? Share your thoughts in the comments!
And if you have any products that you think deserve a spot in “CF Fabulous Finds,” let me know! We may feature yours in the next edition.
Posted on on November 11, 2009 / Filed Under: Shopping / Tags: CF Fabulous Finds, Cheap, Fashion Fixes, Kits, Product Review, Travel
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charlotte
Wouldn’t it be cheaper to pack these type of items yourself in a baggie instead of buying the kit?
Kenna
This is a cute idea! I agree about how it would be cheaper to pack these things yourself, but they do make great/cute gifts!
Kelsey
Yeah it probably is cheaper. I’m so glad you posted this though, cause I was just wondering about Christmas gifts for my girlfriends.
I think I’m going to put together personalized kits for them. A phone card and gas money for my friend who always gets stranded. A period survival kit with tampons, pain killers, extra underwear and chocolate.
The site was perfect for ideas!
Lizzy
Wow I am going to check that out, it looks so absolutely useful. Of course one could probably attempt to make a home-made version, but who has the time :)
Mel
I have my own emergency kit that is always in my backpack or purse. It’s in a little cosmetic bag and I have lip balm, lip gloss, hair pins, hair tie, hand cream, sunblock stick, tide-to-go pen, tampons/pads (if I have my period or if its approaching), eye drops, spare contact lenses (I wear disposable ones), gum, and a penknife. When I’m wearing new shoes I also put in a blister block stick and if I’m going to be busy all day I’ll throw in a granola bar if I get hungry.
It sounds like a lot, but it all fits in one fairly small bag (probably 5×7 inches) and has saved me many a time. Everything in it is stuff that I already had and was either lying around my room or already in the bottom of my purse. This way everything stays together and I just grab the bag whenever I’m switching to backpack to purse.
Emily
very nice! I could definitely be interested in getting a kit specially made. I usually just carry a bunch of random stuff around with me in my totebag.
it gets kind of ridiculous especially when I fly. I hate flying.
Julie
great gift ideas!!
As the holidays quicly approach, i’d love to see CF’s takes on gift ideas for everyone on our lists :)
Alaina
This is a GREAT gift idea! Personally, I am not interested in these, but there are awesome ideas!
maddie
http://www.msandmrs.com/minimergency.php
i have this kit and i absolutely love it, it comes in handy on a daily basis! plus it’s so tiny and cute and silver :)
Vivi
I think it’s probably cheaper to assemble a survival kit yourself but I love the idea! And I really like Mel’s and Kelsey’s ideas. I might do that too :)
la petite fashionista
these survival kits are a great idea! i definitely could have used the “arrival survival” kit while studying abroad! When we finallyyyy reached Milan my luggage was not so lucky. I didn’t get my bag until 2 days after we got there and needless to say it foreced me to get a little creative with my one outfit.
Jordan
My mother actually made my sister and I each one of these kits for Christmas one year! It was one of the most thoughtful, creative gifts I could ever ask to recieve.
Brooke
^I really like the idea of making them for people, as Jordan mentioned. That would be so much more personal. I would NEVER buy one of these, I keep most of that stuff in my backpack anyway.
beccap
i know this is really random, but you guys at college fashion should definitely do an article about how to get lady gaga’s look (in a more practical, everyday approach, of course). i know a lot of girls (& guys!) idolize her fashion sense and would love ideas on how to apply the icon’s look into their own style.
*eLLa*
Very cool, especially the travel kits for weekends away and i your luggage doesnt arrive I would definitely buy them, so clever!
Carol
This is not THAT useful, cause I could just pack those myself, but it is SO CHARMING!
Hannah
these are so cute. i totally want one now! i remember back in fifth grade they gave us a little survival package for middle school. they were so adorable, as are these! :]
Rachael
I love the design of them, and I think they’d make an excellent present for someone.
I’m prone to clumsy ’spilling coffee’ and forgetting things once I’ve out the house moments but I keep something similar I’ve put together myself in my bag and car. It’s cheaper yes, but not half as cute as these!
Chloe
I’m not a fan of the idea but i guess they’ll look cute. I think it’s much better to assemble one yourself – hell i think it’s much faster than getting out to buy one! plus you’d be able to assemble one with your favourite products too – we all have a preferred brand of tampon/pad, don’t we?
some of us need to travel with hand creams, and some a concealer or oil-blotting sheets etc, it’s better to customise one on your own!
Colleen - NYU
Hey guys!
I’m super impressed by all of your creativity! I think personalizing kits for yourself is a great idea. I personally got one of these in a giftbag last year and thought it was a really cute idea–even thought I got it awhile ago, I still use much of what was in it (it lasts a surprisingly long time)!
I love hearing about your ideas of personalizing the kits–keep them coming! And I will definitely work on incorporating good present ideas into the next couple of articles.
Melanie
I like the idea of the Oops kit 2, because stain remover and an extra tee are always needed, but this just inspires me to just keep those items in my car from now on.
KatetheGrey
I made something similar to this for a friend who was leaving for South Korea for a year. In a cosmetic pouch (polka dots, because she adores them), I managed to fit:
White t-shirt
two pairs of undies
two tampons
a carabiner with a bunch of hair elastics
a travel toothbrush and powdered toothpaste
a packet of shampoo and soap “sheets” (no worrying about security at the airport taking them!)
a packet of mini nail files
and a phone card.
Annnd what do you know! Her luggage didn’t make it to Seoul with her! Safe to say that little send off was well used :)