news.com.au checkout: What we’re loving this week
From affordable fashion picks to must-have travel essentials, here’s what the news.com.au checkout team is loving this week.
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At news.com.au checkout shopping isn’t just our job, it’s our passion.
We can’t get enough of a good sale, plus if we love a product, we won’t stop raving about it.
Here we’ve rounded up all our favourite products we’ve tried and tested lately — our top pick is the Pleated Wide Pants from Uniqlo.
Coming in at just under $60, our shopping writer Philippa Tonkin has named the TikTok-viral pants a “fashion miracle” and promising they are “insanely comfortable”.
Here’s everything else the news.com.au checkout team has been loving lately.
Happy shopping!
WHAT THE NEWS.COM.AU CHECKOUT TEAM IS LOVING THIS WEEK
Pleated Wide Pants, $59.90 at Uniqlo
“After seeing these pants go viral on TikTok, I finally bought a pair around March last year and since then they have become a true staple in my wardrobe. They are insanely comfortable, much more than you’d expect from a typical work pant, but also so stylish too. I wore them on a long haul flight to and from Europe last year and not once did I feel any unwanted digging in. The price is also hard to look past. It’s very rare that you can buy a pair of pants for this quality under $100, let alone under $60. I have them in the grey but am very tempted to buy the black too. And if you’re still not convinced, they don’t require any ironing and are machine washable. It’s a fashion miracle. ” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
Nudestix Hydrating Peptide Lip Butter, $34 at Sephora
“When these little lippies landed on my desk, I thought here we go, another lip balm. But boy was I wrong … I can’t stop applying these to my lips. They’re formulated with ripe avocado and shea butters to melt into your lips and they feel oh so nourishing and soft. There’s four gorgeous shades to choose from and I’m obsessed with the scents – they are so sweet and delicious! This is a must-have for dry, flaky lips.” – Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
Bellroy Tokyo Tote (Second Edition), $199 at The Iconic
“I don’t normally travel with a tote as I’d prefer a backpack to keep my hands free, however the Bellroy Tokyo Tote has completely changed my mind. It has seven organisational compartments, some of which are flexible, and is super roomy. I easily popped everything my daughter and I needed for a day out (water bottle, snacks, change of clothes, wallet, phone) and it never felt clumsy or inconvenient for me to take things out as I knew exactly where everything was housed. I loved the outer pocket which is deeper than expected and is where I popped our passports while in transit. I also loved how each compartment is completely enclosed which saved a drippy water bottle from ruining everything in my bag.” – Stephanie Yip, eCommerce Travel Writer
Abrand Carrie Jeans in Teri Black, $139.95 at Glue Store
“My non-negotiables for denim are as follows: high-waisted, not cuffed, thick structure, zip closure and no acid wash. Then I stumbled upon the Carrie Jeans.
They’re the perfect combination between baggy and form-fitting, while the straight leg cut makes them super versatile - dress them down with sneakers and a t-shirt or dress them up with heels and a nice top. I recommend investing a little more when it comes to denim, as cheaper brands tend to use a thinner material that’ll cause the pants to loose their shape after just a few wears. While brands like Abrand, Neuw and Levi’s should last you years on high-rotation.
Now that I have the Carrie’s, I honestly don’t know how I went this long without a nice pair of black denim jeans.” - Claudia Coy, Social Media Producer
13” Grease Splatter Guard, $17.99 at Amazon Australia
”After enduring one hot oil splash too many, I hunted down this grease splatter guard on Amazon - and I cannot recommend it enough. At 13-inches, it easily sits on top of my pots and frying pans, protecting my skin (and kitchen tiles) from nasty grease splatters. It’s thin enough to store in the cupboard underneath my frying pans, and has little feet to stop it from making a mess on my countertop. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe, so I can shove it in the bottom drawer of my dishwasher and forget all about it - no tedious scrubbing required.” - Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Technology Reporter
Classpass membership, prices vary
“I recently mustered up all the courage in me and quit my gym membership, for one reason. Classpass. I joined Classpass about a year ago because your girl needs some variety and entertainment in her fitness regimen. The same grey building full of sweaty gym buffs and incomprehensible metal machines just wasn’t cutting it for me anymore. I wanted to be a pilates princess, but without forking out the wild dollars each week. Cue, Classpass. For $100 per month*, I can go to two classes per week, depending on their credit cost. I love doing a combo of F45 and reformer pilates, but depending on what’s available in your area, you can hit up anything from hot yoga, to a boathouse session, to even a facial or massage. I love the Classpass app’s ease of use, and the fact that I can try a new class wherever I am, even while travelling. *(Using a corporate discount plan)” – Jessica Smith, eCommerce Health and Wellness Writer
Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara in Black, $43 at Sephora
“If I I’m being completely honest, I am not a huge mascara fan. I know some people who can’t leave the house without it but personally I only really wear it when I’m going out. And a perhaps bigger confession, I’m not a fan of tubing mascara. I never understood the hype as to why everyone loved it. Personally, I actually find it way harder to get off than regular mascara. Give me Panda eyes any day. However, this Tartelette Tubing Mascara has really changed the game. I’m obsessed. Not only is it SO easy to apply and not once has left me with clumpy spider lashes but it never flakes off and to my shock horror, comes off so easily. I’m seriously a changed woman. I could not recommend this enough.” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
Super Glow Invisible Face Serum SPF50, $39 at MCoBeauty
“I’m always on the lookout for facial sunscreens and was very happy to discover MCoBeauty’s new Super Glow Invisible Face Serum SPF50. This is a super light face gel that simply slides on with absolutely no white cast – and feels great on skin. Not only does it give much needed sun protection, but also gives dry skin some much needed vitamin E. The fact that it’s a serum means that it leaves my face feeling soft and dewy and not dried out. And with so little time to get ready in the morning, I need my beauty regimen to be as quick as possible. This serum is like a dream come true when trying to get out the door. Also a reasonable price that fits the budget. Definitely ticks all my facial sunscreen boxes.” – Susannah Hardy, Parenting Shopping Writer
Always read the label and read the directions for use. Avoid prolonged exposure in the sun and wear protective clothing, hats and eyewear when exposed to the sun. Frequent reapplication is required for effective sun protection.
iClever IC-HS25 Kids Headphones Cat Ear, $39.99 at Amazon Australia
“Kidspot’s Parenting Writer Susannah Hardy put me onto these headphones as I was looking for a fun, reliable pair for my toddler on the plane. They come in a variety of colours and patterns (we chose pink/purple as it’s her favourite colour) and were an absolute hit with my kid from the moment she opened the box. She loved that the ears lit up and I loved that I couldn’t hear the Frozen soundtrack as she watched the movie three times in a row on the flight.” – Stephanie Yip, eCommerce Travel Writer
Mellow Recovery Clog, $89.99 at Crocs
“I’ve just re-discovered Crocs in a big way - not the classic clog, I did those the first time around - but the Mellow Recovery Clog. I recently got the chance to try out a pair in a cream colour (Stucco) and I’m in love! You just slip into them like a slide but they have a closed toe with a sleek finish. I’ve been wearing them all the time and not just around the house, but also out and about. And now the weather is cooling down, I’m even wearing them with socks! They look great with wide-legged jeans or pants, and are super comfy, lightweight and stylish. Who knew a shoe could be so much? Very happy!” Susannah Hardy, Parenting Shopping Writer
Magic Hydration Revival Cleanser, $52 at Charlotte Tilbury
“It takes a lot for a face cleanser to impress me – really, they go straight down the drain – but I used up this pick from Charlotte Tilbury right to the very last drop. It’s a three-in-one foaming cleanser that’s designed to hydrate, revive and prime your skin. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid and peptides, so it doesn’t dry my skin out, but rather injects it with some much needed hydration.” – Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle, $22.99 at Amazon Australia
“I read this book on a recent flight and finished it one go, I was that hooked. Forewarning though, it’s definitely not a lighthearted rom-com. The premise is that Dannie, the main character, has a strict five year plan and on the evening of her engagement she has an incredibly realistic dream set five years in the future where she wakes up living and engaged to a different man. Lo and behold, 4.5 years later she runs into said man who turns out to be her best friend’s new boyfriend. I thought this would be a fun little novel to get me through my flight. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I was well and truly a wreck by the time I was done. The writing is so heartbreaking and so poignant and what I thought would be a romantic love story actually turns into a beautiful story about female friendship. I wouldn’t say this book changed my life but I would definitely recommend for a quick read to get you out of a reading slump.” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
More Coverage
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