news.com.au checkout: What we’re loving this week
Although we’re only a few weeks into 2024, you bet we’ve spent most of it adding to cart. From beauty faves to tech and home buys, here’s what we’ve been loving.
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No surprises here but we love online shopping.
But when you shop for a living (yes, sorry we know our jobs are … hard), it takes something truly amazing to wow us. Only the best will do!
So when we find something we love, we want to shout about it. And that’s what we’re doing here.
Although we’re only a few weeks into the new year, you bet we’ve spent most of the start of 2024 adding to cart.
If you’re counting down to the Taylor Swift Eras tour, we’ve found the “must-have” item you’ll need for the concert (even if it seems a little weird for non-fans) – and for a bargain price!
Plus, if your New Year resolution was to start bringing lunch to the office, we’ve found an “epic multi-compartment, sleek and frankly gorgeous bento box” that will actually make you want to meal prep.
Our news.com.au checkout Editor Hannah Paine is pregnant so of course she’s been testing out a bunch of products that any mum-to-be will want to snap up immediately – from a supportive pregnancy pillow to comfy maternity leggings.
The team also spent the summer break trying out a slate of new beauty releases and rediscovering old favourites. Here’s everything else the news.com.au checkout team has been loving lately.
Happy shopping!
Friendship Bracelet Kits, $27.99 at Amazon
“Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour is only a month away and I couldn’t be more excited. Aside from getting my outfit organised, the most important thing on my to-do list is making friendship bracelets. In Swift’s song You’re On Your Own Kid from her most recent album Midnights, she sings, “So make the friendship bracelets” and Swifties are nothing if not obedient and so it has now become a tradition at her concerts for fans to trade friendship bracelets with each other — even celebrities like Gigi Hadid are doing it. I got this pack and this one, and both have everything you need to make the perfect bracelets so that you’re ready come February.” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
Instax Fujifilm Mini12 Instant Camera, $99 (down from $119.95) at Amazon
“This month, my two daughters are loving their new Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Cameras they got for Christmas. Aged 12 and 16 years, they were both super keen for an instant camera. After lengthy research, I went with Instax – the reviews were amazing, Amazon’s price was competitive and they offer irresistible pastel tones – I chose blue and lilac. I also got a spare box of refill photographic paper. Huge success as the girls get to capture the moment with an actual photo that they can keep, share with a friend or pin on their notice board. Totally retro, but these days, it’s what the young ones are loving!” – Susannah Hardy, Parenting Shopping Writer
Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm, $35 at Sephora
“As someone who hates wearing anything other than a clear or lightly tinted lip balm, I have been loving this glossy lip balm from Rare Beauty. It doesn’t feel sticky or tacky, rather it’s smooth and hydrating, and the colour and high shine finish is just pure perfection. It’s great for everyday use and the perfect finishing touch for any makeup look. I typically apply my usual lip balm and pop this gloss over the top for extra moisturisation and colour.” – Harriet Amurao, Shopping Writer
Sunday Riley B3 Nice Niacinamide Serum, $109.16 at Revolve
“I was gifted a bottle of this amazing niacinamide serum from Sunday Riley sometime last year, and ended up (reluctantly) purchasing it myself because I fell absolutely in love – and I say that because it comes with a hefty price tag. Sitting at just over $100 a pop, this serum is not something I plan to buy on a regular basis, but one I will certainly treat my skin to once or twice a year. Niacinamide is meant to help with skin texture and reduce both redness and pore appearance. Every night I use this, I wake up in the morning with a brand new face. My skin looks so smooth and bright, I am absolutely obsessed. I also love to pop a layer of this on before retinol, and I find it really helps accelerate the benefits without irritating my skin.” – Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, $59 at Sephora
“If you’re like me and have dry, sensitive skin, this cleanser from Fresh will be your new holy grail. Not only is it incredibly gentle and hydrating, but it leaves my face feeling clean without that tight, stripped feeling. It has a smooth gel-like consistency and light earthy scent, and it gently removes my makeup effectively. I sometimes like to follow up with this cleanser after an oil cleanser and my skin is as soft as a baby’s butt afterwards.” – Harriet Amurao, Shopping Writer
Premium Bento Lunch Box, $39.99 at Amazon
“Cozzy livs has got me so I’m cutting out my ridic $30-40 a day food buys (that’s a $10 midmorning toast dash, $20 lunch and a $3-5 arvo snack). No matter how poor it’s making me, it’s not enough for me to bring my dodgy container game to work. Imagine my delight when I found this epic multi-compartment, sleek and frankly gorgeous bento box? I can carry breakfast, lunch and a snack every day, save $150 a week/$600 a month and become the next Warren Buffett. Oh and it came with a load of ideas for what to pack it with – WIN! Prepping this fine array of food (which looks squished because I forgot to snap before I closed the box) took me five mins. Too easy.” – Kara Byers, Partnerships Editor
Kobo Clare 2E, $249.95 at Kobo
“This e-reader has well and truly saved my reading slump. If you’ve not heard of the Kobo before it is probably the Kindle’s main competitor and works in a very similar fashion. However, for me, what sets the Kobo apart is that you can borrow ebooks from your local library. All you need is a library card and the world of books is open to you. And yes, it’s for free. So unlike the Kindle where you have to pay for each book, on the Kobo you can simply borrow a book for free. You have the book for 21 days which in most cases is plenty of time. Honestly, it’s by far my favourite purchase of the last six months.” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
Shark SpeedStyle Rapid Gloss Finisher & High-Velocity Dryer, $299 (down from $559) at The Good Guys
“I’ve had my old hair dryer for several years now and to be honest, I thought it was doing a fine job. I mean it’s just drying hair, how different can the tools be? But I was wrong. The Shark hair dryer has completely changed my hair care routine. Firstly, it dries my hair so much faster than my old dryer – a huge timesaver as I have long hair that reaches well past my shoulders. But what I absolutely love about the Shark SpeedStyle is all the different attachments it comes with that allows me – a person that is not very good at doing their hair – the ability to create a salon-like blow dry at home. I am obsessed with the Finisher attachment that literally smooths away frizz and flyaways leaving you with ultra sleek hair. The QuickSmooth Brush and Express Touchup Brush attachments are perfect for giving you volume and that classic freshly blow dried look I am forever seeking. While the Shark SpeedStyle is an investment, just know it’s much more than just a hair dryer. You essentially get five tools in one that helps you easily and quickly style your hair at home.”
– Melody Teh, news.com.au checkout Deputy Editor
NAK Hair ORI Lab Gloss Serum, $42.95 at Adore Beauty
“With fine, blonde hair I’m very particular when it comes to what hair oils I use – I’ve invested in many a hair oil only to find it made my hair look more greasy than glossy. But not this one. It’s ultra lightweight, makes my hair super soft and shiny. I like to warm it up in my hands and apply to my mid-lengths when my hair is damp before blow drying or I use it to give myself a slick-back bun instead of pomade.” – Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
Olaplex N. 4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo, $54 at Adore Beauty
“As a self-proclaimed lazy hair girly, I’ve tried my fair share of dry shampoos. I am very glad to have found this pick from Olaplex because I absolutely adore the way it makes my hair feel. Other products make my hair feel super chalky, but this one actually absorbs the oil while giving my hair that super clean feeling again. And the volume it gives … it is seriously next to none. It is on the pricier side, but I do think it works much better – and is probably much better for your hair health – than more affordable picks.” – Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
Emamaco 7/8 Pocket Maternity Leggings, $40 (down from $139.99) at Emamaco
“When I first became pregnant I was firmly of the mind that I wouldn’t need maternity clothes until I was say, 30, 35 weeks. Oh what a sweet naive idiot I was. I finally caved and bought these leggings at 18 weeks and boy am I glad I did. They’re compression style without digging in and have plenty of room for your bump to grow. I wear mine for reformer pilates and find them super flattering and most importantly, comfortable.” – Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
Sleepybelly Pregnancy Pillow, $139.95 at The Memo
“Not all pregnancy pillows are created equal and I have to say the Sleepy Belly is the absolute GOAT for me. I tried out a larger U-shaped pillow which is great for a bit of extra support while watching TV on the couch. But I found it a bit too bulky to sleep with and it didn’t give my bump the support it needed while sleeping on my side. I love this pillow because it makes sleeping on my side so much more comfortable and it’s designed to stop you from accidentally rolling on your back which is important for the later stages of pregnancy. Plus my fiance loves it because he doesn’t feel like I’ve constructed a pillow fort between the two of us anymore.” – Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
Pure Mama Magnesium Body Rub, $65 at The Memo
“Combined with a good pregnancy pillow this cream has been an absolutely life saver when it comes to easing my aches and ultimately helping me get a better night’s sleep. Before getting into bed every night I massage it into any sore points – my calves, thighs, hips and lower back usually. Not only is it a nice little act of self-care before bed, but it’s helped me feel less stiff and sore while sleeping.” – Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
Bondi Wash Bench Spray, $25 at THE ICONIC
“When it comes to bench spray, I’ve never really given it much thought before if I’m being completely honest. I’ll normally just pick up one from Woolies that’s on sale. But I’ve recently started using the Bondi Wash Bench Spray and don’t think I can ever go back. This non-toxic, multipurpose spray not only kills 99.99 per cent of germs but it also smells amazing. The Tasmanian Pepper & Lavender scent is not too overpowering to distract from other scents in your home but also doesn’t smell like chemicals like other cleaning sprays I’ve used in the past. Plus, it’s safe to use on almost any surface.” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
Lanolips Coconutter and Lanolin Hand Cream Intense, $16.95 at Lanolips
“I already know and love Lanolips for their intensely hydrating lip balms but I didn’t realise they also do hand creams. Like their lip products, this hand cream is deeply moisturising. Containing triple lanolin, it is the only hand cream I’ve found that truly leaves my hands feeling soft and supple but without that icky, slimy feeling. It’s the best hand cream I’ve tried so far – although it comes out thick, it sinks into the skin nicely and it has a nice subtle scent. As you can see I’ve squeezed every last drop out of the bottle, but that just means I get to try one of the other delicious scents it comes in!” – Melody Teh, news.com.au checkout Deputy Editor
Urban Jungle Midas Touch Body Lotion, $38 at Sephora
“This is my new favourite body moisturiser for super glowy skin. It’s formulated with apricot seed oil to hydrate, while the niacinamide works on brightening and evening out your complexion. This is a new release from Urban Jungle Beauty, which I was lucky enough to test ahead of its official launch. It also comes with a matching body wash that I also love.” – Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
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