news.com.au checkout: What we’re loving this week
From new beauty releases to a game-changing mini portable blender, here’s everything the news.com.au checkout team has been loving lately.
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No surprises here but we love online shopping.
With just a click of a button, you can get everything and anything delivered straight to your door. We love the convenience.
Maybe it’s the change of seasons, maybe it’s sales season revving up again, but the news.com.au checkout team have been shopping up a storm lately.
From new beauty releases to the portable mini blender that’s been a game-changer, here’s everything the news.com.au has been loving lately.
We were also lucky enough to try the just released high-end press on gel nails from small Aussie nail business Esmio, which not only look incredible but has saved one of our writers hundreds of dollars at the nail salon.
Happy shopping!
Gojelle The Hailey Petal Glaze Press On Nails, $39 at Esmio
“As someone who tends to bite their nails, having my nails done is kinda the only thing that gets me to really stop. But like everyone else, I know all too well that the cost of living is rising and hitting up the nail salon every few weeks just isn’t within my budget anymore. However, Esmio have just come out with their Gojelle High End Gel Press On Nails and I was given the opportunity to test them out.
TLDR: they do NOT disappoint.
Gojelle have a range of styles available but I’ve been wearing the Hailey Bieber-esque glazed doughnut style set and I absolutely love them. The nails are incredibly high quality and sturdy, and I truly put their durability to the test – from packing for a trip (iykyk the struggle with zipping anything up) and unboxing packages to washing the dishes and showering, and not a single nail budged nor did it have any chips or cracks.
The press ons are packed in a slim and compact box, and come with a cuticle stick, alcohol prep pads, nail glue, adhesive tabs (for when you don’t want to use glue) and a two-in-one buffer and nail file. They’re super convenient for travelling and for those on-the-go, and the instructions on the bottom of the box are very straightforward.
If on the odd occasion, a nail or two randomly pops off, it’s honestly no problem because it’s so easy to reapply with the nail glue or adhesives – in this case, I used the nail glue and they’ve held up really well. They’re also not hard or painful to remove.
So if you’ve got a last minute event, are trying to cut down on expenses or simply don’t have the patience to paint them yourself – these Gojelle press ons are a winner!”
– Harriet Amurao, Shopping Writer
Ole Henriksen Transform Double Rewind Pro-Grade 0.3% Retinol Serum, $105 at Sephora
“I’ve been a fan of the Ole Henriksen brand for six to seven years now and I am normally obsessed with every new launch – and the new retinol is no exception. Ideal for both beginners and retinol regulars, this professional grade serum is formulated with two potent retinoids as well as soothing aloe vera to transform and protect your skin. I noticed a difference in my skin texture and tone the next morning after using this, and I can see this becoming a staple in my skincare routine.” – Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
Ninja Blast Portable Blender, $99 at Myer
“When it comes to breakfast on a work day, if I am being completely honest I’ve never been the best at it. I’ll stick to something for a week or two and then get bored and go back to skipping breakfast. Enter: the Ninja Blast. Since coming back to work after the new year, I’ve been making myself a smoothie everyday and I’m still not sick of it. As soon as I wake up, the first thing I do is head to the kitchen to make myself a smoothie. It takes next to no time at all and I then drink it as I am getting ready. I love that I can drink it straight out of the blender and don’t have to dirty another glass and that it’s portable too so I can carry it around my apartment with ease.” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, $649.95 at Myer
“I’ve been reluctant to trade out my trusty Bose Headphones 700 (even with their years worth of battle scars), but the new QuietComfort Ultras have finally convinced me it’s time. I’ve been using the pair for a few months now and I’m honestly in love with them. The noise-cancelling is second to none, they sound great and they’re super plushy and lightweight. They’re definitely pricey, but they’re still $250 cheaper than Apple’s popular AirPods Max, and I reckon they’re every bit as good.” – Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Technology Reporter
Aveda Botanical Repair Leave In Treatment, $67 at THE ICONIC
“I am absolutely loving Aveda’s botanical repair strengthening leave-in treatment. I have very thick, dry hair that is in constant need of treatment. Unfortunately I don’t always have the time. So, I was thrilled to receive this gorgeous product as a Christmas present (someone knows me well!). I simply wash my hair as normal and while it’s still damp I apply the treatment. Simple as that. I then dry and style my hair as normal and it definitely makes a difference. My hair feels softer, smoother and less dry, even after a blow dry. There’s no rinsing as it’s a leave-in treatment (win-win), and it detangles and treats my hair without leaving it greasy (another win-win). I also have the overnight serum, which is just as quick to use and equally as effective.” – Susannah Hardy, Parenting Shopping Writer
Luk Beautifood Lipstick Crayon, $20 (down from $25) at Nourished Life
“I find it a little difficult to find lip products that last long and aren’t drying, but these Luk Beautifood Lipstick Crayons are one of my favourite beauty products ever. They’re super creamy, buildable and honestly look and feel better than some expensive ‘hydrating’ options. While the shades are limited compared to other brands, each colour is super flattering and gives you instant luscious lips. I always get compliments whenever I pop them on!” – Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito, Shopping Writer
KIND Collective Miracle Glo Skin Serum Gold Blush, $20 at Priceline
“I have been loving Kind Collective’s Miracle Glo Serum. I use the Gold Blush shade nearly every day for a nice natural glow. I don’t normally wear a lot of makeup, so this is a great staple for me to add some colour and shimmer to my skin. I dab a tiny bit on my cheekbones after moisturiser and SPF (a little bit goes a long way), and then follow with blush and the rest. It also acts as a bit of a highlighter which is a bonus. If I’m dressing up a bit more and want to really pack things on, I’ll add a light layer over my whole face. Not only does the serum look great and go a long way, it has hyaluronic acid so it’s boosting hydration while looking cute!” – Jessica Smith, eCommerce Health and Wellness Writer
Maison de Sabre The Large Soft Backpack, $429 at Maison de Sabre
“I’ve recently swapped out my old work bag for Maison de Sabre’s new The Large Soft Backpack and am loving how it looks, feels and smells! It’s made from full-grain European leather and feels super luxurious. The structure is rigid and can take a few hard knocks and there’s a dedicated laptop sleeve at back that my laptop falls like honey into. The main compartment is very roomy and there are four smaller compartments inside for those bits and pieces that normally get lost at the bottom of your bag. This backpack closes with a magnetic snap which makes packing and running much easier than my previous backpack which had a zipper enclosure. I also love the hidden back pocket for personal items like my keys, phone or passport.” – Stephanie Yip, eCommere Travel Writer
Ripe Maternity Cindy Rib Pant, $79.95 at THE ICONIC
“It’s incredibly hard to find maternity clothes that (a) aren’t hideous and (b) don’t require you to sign over ownership of your firstborn child to finance them. I can’t recommend these Ripe Maternity pants enough for being stylish and comfy on my growing bump. They are also affordable (and often go on sale at THE ICONIC), plus I’ve gotten so many compliments every time I wear them, which is very nice for the ego when you’re at the rapidly expanding by the minute stage of pregnancy. Made from a breathable polyester and viscose blend, these pants are as comfy as pyjamas while still being dressy enough for the office when I throw a blazer on. Plus, they’re suitable for post-pregnancy recovery.” – Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
Bondi Wash Body Wash 500ml, $35 at THE ICONIC
“I’m all about the little luxuries these days (cozzie livs and everything) and one little change that has absolutely made a difference is having a luxurious body wash. This one from Bondi Wash, who have a range of fragrant, natural Australian products for the home and body, ticks all the boxes. It smells absolutely divine – I have scent three which is a lemon tea tree and mandarin fragrance but there are different ones. Made from plant-derived ingredients, and with aloe vera and vitamin E, this super gentle formulation leaves your skin feeling soft and silky. Using this every day has been a tiny but much needed highlight of my showering routine.” – Melody Teh, news.com.au checkout Deputy Editor
Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment Citrus Sunshine, $29 at Adore Beauty
“From the moment this product touched my lips I was hooked. I’ve always struggled with dry lips and therefore I’m always open to lip treatment recommendations so when our beauty expert Marina Tatas suggested I give this one a whirl, I immediately jumped on it. The product is super lightweight, non-greasy and non-sticky, it just sort of glides on and settles in. It also has a slight citrus scent which is a nice little added bonus. The best part? The effect it’s had on my lips. I find I only need to reapply three-four times a day and the overall look and feel of my lips is so much smoother.” – Claudia Coy, Social Media Producer
The Secret The Cleansing Balm, $65 at The Secret
“As a religious double cleanser, I’ve tried a lot of cleansing balms and oils in my day. This one from The Secret is super luxurious – a little goes a long way and it removes makeup, sunscreen and gunk with absolute ease. It’s also packed with camellia oil, a bunch of emollients and olive squalene, so it feels super hydrating on the skin.” – Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
Rationale The Instant Radiance Mist, $112 at Rationale
“OK I’m the first to admit a face mist is a totally bougie purchase and probably not a necessary addition to your skincare regime. But if you’re like me and love your little life luxuries can I suggest treating yourself to this face mist? In all my years trialling beauty products this is probably the first face mist I’ve used that I can say with confidence has actually made a difference to my skin. I use it to dampen my skin in between in each layer of products and it helps so much with product absorption while giving that perfect ‘glass skin’ finish. Plus it smells amazing thanks to ingredients aloe vera, orange and grape fruit.” – Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
L’OR Espresso Coffee Lungo Profondo – Intensity 8 – 100 Aluminium Capsules, $36 at Amazon
“With rising interest rates, I’ve been looking for ways to save money, but one thing I can’t do without is coffee (naturally). However, when my work colleague told me how he orders L’OR Espresso Coffee pods in bulk on Amazon, I was keen to try. These pods are compatible with Nespresso machines and come in a range of coffee intensities and flavours such as vanilla and caramel. They’re often on special around sale events such as Black Friday, but even now, they cost just $40 for 100 pods, more than half the cost of the competition. It’s even cheaper if you sign up for a regular order. So definitely good value, but the taste? I tried the L’OR Espresso Coffee Lungo Profondo (intensity 8) and I have to say, I was impressed. Good flavour, strong but not bitter. Basically a great cup of coffee for half the price – definitely loving that!” – Susannah Hardy, Parenting Shopping Writer
More Coverage
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