news.com.au checkout: What we’re loving this week
Launching this week, the new serum from a cult skincare brand has already gotten rave reviews for combating dullness and making skin “radiant and glowy”.
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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 groundbreaking new serum from cult skincare brand, La Roche Posay, which shopping writer Philippa Tonkin has been absolutely loving for lightening dark spots and combating dull skin for a radiant glow.
From books and games to beauty favourites, here’s everything else the news.com.au checkout team has been loving lately. Happy shopping!
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Niacinamide Serum for Dark Spots 30ml, $79.95 at Adore Beauty
“I was lucky enough to be able to trial this groundbreaking new serum from cult skincare brand, La Roche Posay, ahead of its launch earlier this week. This hyperpigmentation serum is designed to soothe and visibly reduce skin imperfections, correct dark spots and stop dark spots from appearing. It sounds pretty impressive so I was excited to put it to the test and see if it actually holds up. I’ve been using it every morning and night now for about three weeks and I love it. Despite the powerful ingredients, I had zero issues concerning irritation and was able to jump straight in. The serum itself is super lightweight and melts easily into the skin. There is no tackiness or sticky residue left behind either which is always a plus. In terms of my results, I’ve noticed most clearly that my acne scarring has visibly reduced. I used to have some dark spots around my lips and chin and they’ve now lightened considerably. More generally, coming into winter and the colder months I’m used to my skin looking a bit dull around this time of year but instead, my skin tone is not only even but also radiant and glowy. This is a buy I will definitely repurchase when I run out.” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
Stanley Quencher H2.0 1.2L, $80 at THE ICONIC
“I am an unashamed basic b*tch and I have finally jumped on the Stanley cup bandwagon and hand on my heart, my life is all the better for it. This cup has changed my life, it keeps water crisp and cold for hours, the handle is sturdy and for some reason drinking water out of a straw is so much easier. My favourite bit? The lid easily unscrews which makes refilling a breeze, while a previous Stanley dupe I owned had a suction lid which was hard to get on and off.” – Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
Paula’s Choice 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant, $47 at Paula’s Choice
“I’ve been loving the new Paula’s Choice liquid exfoliant, with 6% mandelic acid and 2% lactic acid. I used to be wildly neglectful when it came to exfoliating my face – maybe give it a scrub with my body exfoliating glove now and then; whack some exfoliating wipes over it once a week. Disgraceful. But since I got my hands on Paula’s Choice’s liquid exfoliant, exfoliating has basically become my whole personality. I use a reusable makeup pad to wipe a few drops of this Skin Perfecting exfoliant over my whole face and neck after cleansing at night. If I’ve been lazy with said cleansing, this exfoliating ritual might even grab the last remnants of some makeup or stubborn zinc around my face. Then, I follow with the rest of my nightly skincare and repeat pretty much every night. I did work up to this, starting with just twice a week so as not to shock my skin into exfoliating mode, but now I find it leaves my skin feeling super smooth and fresh the next day. It’s easy, doesn’t create waste in the form of wipes, is ever so gentle in renewing my skin under the surface.” – Jessica Smith, eCommerce Health and Wellness Writer
Instax Wide Link Smartphone Printer, $184.30 (down from $229) at Amazon
“I took this bad boy with me overseas for a month and literally have nothing negative to say about it. This printer was incredibly handy especially during family gatherings as I could choose the photo I wanted to print out and didn’t have to wait for the photo to develop to see whether I had blinked mid photo or not. Plus, it was great being able to give copies to my relatives.
It also has incredible app support that’s easy to use and allows you to edit the photos and make collages – which I had a tonne of fun with. I also enjoyed making my own polaroid postcards by printing out some scenic photos I took and adding the location to the photo. Seriously such a great investment and it would make a great gift too!” – Harriet Amurao, Shopping Writer
P.E Nation Recalibrate Leggings, $119 at THE ICONIC
“Years ago, I bought a pair of leggings from P.E. Nation and to be completely honest I wasn’t a huge fan. The material was thick-ish and they just didn’t sit right on my waist. Ever since then, I’ve been reluctant to try out another style. But I finally decided to take the plunge and now I finally know what I’ve been missing out on all these years. The Recalibrate leggings are potentially some of the comfiest I’ve ever worn. Featuring a high-rise waistband with an elastic tie, they’re made from the perfect thickness ensuring no unfortunate see-through action but also not too hot to work out in either. If you’re a Lululemon fan, I would say they have a similar feel to the Fast and Free but are a touch thicker which I appreciate as personally, the Fast and Free just don’t have enough coverage for me.” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
Glossier You Rollerball, $54 at Glossier
“I’m always on the hunt for my ‘signature scent’ as I tend to change it up during the seasons and my current signature scent for autumn/winter is Glossier You. It’s equal parts musky, spicy and sweet with a warm and woody touch that isn’t overpowering. The scent really lingers on my skin and clothes for a while and I’ve received quite a few compliments since wearing it. Plus, the rollerball is super convenient for travel and makes it easy to apply.” – Harriet Amurao, Shopping Writer
Quay No Apologies Sunglasses, $125 at Quay
“I’ve been loving this pair of Quay sunglasses sick. I picked them during a PR showing a few weeks back and they’ve quickly become my new favourite thing. I got LASIK eye surgery late last year and ever since, my eyes have become super sensitive to the sun – so sunglasses are a necessity. These keep my eyes protected while also looking super chic; I find the shape of the frame is super flattering and the brown colour is absolutely gorgeous.” – Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
GEM Crisp Mint Whitening Pen, $19.95 at Myer
“I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of a teeth whitening pen, but this is the first one I’ve tried and I’m pretty damn impressed. Teeth whitening can be scary because my teeth can sometimes feel quite sensitive, but this product did not let that happen. It’s super easy to use – I’ve been painting on the liquid every night after brushing my teeth and waking up to a brighter looking smile. Not only is it a cute package, but it’s also under $20 which I think is pretty damn reasonable. You must try!” – Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
Bondi Boost Pink Salt Scalp Scrub, $34.95 at Adore Beauty
“I fell in love with this Bondi Boost Pink Salt Scalp Scrub on the first use. I got on the scalp scrub train a little while ago because I felt like my hair needed to be cleaned right down to the roots, and this is the best scalp scrub I’ve tried so far. It doubles as a shampoo, so I use this as my first wash, and go in with my Wella hair repair set for a second shampoo and condition after that. I try to section my hair as I go and use fingerfuls of the salt scrub in each section, massaging it down to the scalp. After it’s all applied, I’ll give my hair a good massage all around as though I am shampooing my hair, and then wash out. By the time I’m onto my second shampoo with Wella, my hair already feels clean down at the roots. I love how thoroughly this cleans my hair and I’ve found a proper wash like this will last me a week with maybe just one or two days toward the end needing a dry shampoo touch up. The only downside of the Bondi Boost Salt Scrub is that I left my precious tub of it in a hotel room last week and my scalp and I have felt the loss ever since. But you can bet I’ll be getting my hands on some more of the pink salt goodness ASAP.” – Jessica Smith, eCommerce Health and Wellness Writer
Aesthetics Rx B Serum 30ml, $119 at Adore Beauty
“I love a good niacinamide serum and after reading so many great reviews on this one I was so keen to try. Perfect for all skin types and designed to hydrate and banish redness from the complexion, this vitamin B serum is a must-try. I’ve been using it for over a month now and can always see a difference the morning after using. It’s also pumped with hyaluronic acid to keep your skin looking plump and bouncy. I will say the Aesthetics Rx B serum is pricey – sitting at $119 – and while I think it is an amazing serum, you could also wait for it to go on sale at Adore Beauty.” – Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
SumaNurica Hexapeptide5 Anti-Wrinkle Eye Serum, $299 at Myer
“My colleague, Melody, raves about this eye serum so I was very excited to try it out for myself. First up, the formula itself is similar in consistency to an essence. I had previously only used eye creams so I wasn’t quite expecting just how lightweight this would be. The product itself is designed to target fine lines and wrinkles, and for complete transparency I am only 25 years old and at the moment, wrinkles are not something I’m currently trying to target. But I do struggle with puffy eyes and sometimes dark circles when I’m feeling especially run down. The night I first applied this, I was sitting on my couch a little while later and genuinely felt that the skin around my eyes felt tighter and more firm. And then the next day when I woke up, my usual puffiness was nowhere to be found. Admittedly, it was a weekend so I was enjoying a sleep in but, nonetheless, I was seriously impressed. And as an added bonus, applying the drops and then using the eye applicator is also a great self-care exercise because it really forces you to take a step back and slow down (which is something I desperately need!).” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
Heartsick by Jessie Stephens, $17.70 at Amazon
“After hearing about this nonfiction book by Australian journalist, Jessie Stephens, for almost two years since it came out in April 2022 I finally decided to sit down and read it. Wow, all I can is this book truly wrecked me. It’s written like a novel but Stephens actually interviewed three separate people and beautifully writes and interweaves their stories of heartbreak in the book. I loved that each chapter she would switch to one of the three main subjects meaning that it would end on a cliffhanger each time forcing you to keep reading to then pick back up with that same character a few chapters down the line. I seriously loved this book and have since been recommending it to everyone I know. While reading, I truly felt ‘heartsick’ (get it?) but even so, it’s an achingly beautiful read that will stay with you for a long time after you put it down.” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
Cult of the Lamb – Nintendo Switch, $59.95 at Amazon
“Now that the temperature is dropping, it’s the perfect time to cosy up on the couch with a great game – and I’ve recently been revisiting one of my favourites. This ominously cute title expertly pairs roguelike gameplay with cosy management elements to fairly hilarious results. The game sees you play as the titular lamb after you’re resurrected by a heretic deity and asked to start a cult in his name. You’ll fight your way through the levels, massacring the nonbelievers as you go, before returning home to cook, clean, craft, perform sermons and sacrifice dissenting followers. This is a cult, after all.” – Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Technology Reporter
THE SNEAKER LAUNDRY Nanotech Shoe Protector Spray, $23.99 at Amazon
“I’ve never really used a protector spray for shoes before but since getting myself a pair of UGGs, I was not about to risk them getting ruined so I decided to try this guy out. Spoiler alert: I love it.
This sneaker spray claims to protect your shoes from liquids, stains and dirt and I can confirm it definitely does that – especially from liquids. I tested it out after doing two coats which is what they recommend (and no there was no discolouration at all). The water was effortlessly beaded off the shoe which was so satisfying to see and it left no water stains whatsoever.” – Harriet Amurao, Shopping Writer
decalmile Koala Wall Stickers, $34.31 and Leopard Safari Wall Stickers, $29.54 at Amazon
“I’m officially in my nesting era which means I’ve been busy getting baby’s room ready (yes, even though he won’t be in there for the first six months). As renters we’re pretty limited as to what we can do in terms of decorating, so I was stoked when my partner found these super cute wall decals on Amazon. They’re cheap, had really good reviews (especially from renters who said they peeled off without damaging the walls) and were so easy to put up. I’m so happy with how they look and there’s so many designs to choose from.” – Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
“My three-year-old has been building tents, tunnels and cubbies out of furniture (thanks, Bluey!) for months so when I saw this Minka House on sale I snapped it up for her. Since building it she’s been obsessed, she brings her toys inside and pretends it’s raining and she even sleeps inside it which has made bedtime a little less painful. I love the size (I can fit inside it with her at a squeeze), the canvas material and the side pockets for her toys and books. It was easy to build and has seen so much fun and enjoyment in its short time already in our house. Highly recommend!” – Stephanie Yip, eCommerce Travel Writer
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