What the news.com.au checkout team are loving this week
Shoppers say the affordable Uniqlo top is an “identical dupe” for the cult fave Lululemon Align top.
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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 that we’ve tried and tested lately — our top pick is the Uniqlo AIRism Active Cropped Sleeveless Bra Top. It retails for a very budget-friendly price point of $39.90, and our shopping writer Philippa claims it’s an identical dupe to the cult-fave Lululemon Align Tank that will cost you more than double the price.
We’ve also discovered Stretch Me Co. Sipper Straws - an expandable, retractable straw made from metal with a silicone tip - which our content lead Kara has been loving them ever since she got them.
Happy shopping!
WHAT THE NEWS.COM.AU CHECKOUT TEAM IS LOVING THIS WEEK
AIRism Active Cropped Sleeveless Bra Top, $39.90 at Uniqlo
“To say I was sceptical of this Uniqlo activewear top would be an understatement. It comes with a built-in bra and as anyone with a larger chest will know normally that means very little support or coverage. But I popped it on and was immediately surprised by the support it offered. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t wear this top running or to a HIIT class involving a lot of jumping but for yoga or pilates, it definitely does the job. Plus, it also is a pretty identical dupe for the best-selling Lululemon Align Tank and at more than half the price. And the lululemon top says it is only suitable for A/B cup whereas I can personally attest that the Uniqlo is suitable for bigger busts. I wore it to my usual lunchtime pilates at work and the girls all said that it made my boobs look great. So if you’re looking for a compliment, this is the way to go.” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
Spontaneous Sipper Pack, $69.99 at Stretch Me Co.
“Nothing scream summer fun like drinking out of a straw. Those long, cold icy drinks in a glass, a straw popped straight into a can - it’s a vibe. But let’s be real - paper straws are the absolute worst. They barely last the entirety of a drink before they go soggy and turn to mush. Gross. And yes, this is a first world problem, but life’s hard enough without a costly drink out being mored by a crappy straw. I was very over limp straws when I found Stretch Me Co straws - an expandable, retractable straw made from metal with a silicone tip that’s both easy to carry around and a delight to drink from! I bought the Spontaneous Sipper pack, which includes two stretch sticks and one pack of 16 silicone tips. I carry both straws on me, the pink for me, the purple for my drink-stealing two year old (she chose who got what colour) and have been loving life ever since. Because if I’m going to splash out $6 on an iced coffee I do really want to finish the thing! And these straws let me do that. Join me in this newfoundjoy.” - Kara Byers, Content Lead
BeautyScreen SPF50 Peptide Foundation Tint, $54.95 at Naked Sundays
”So I’ve found my new favourite everyday foundation. The new BeautyScreen from Naked Sundays is a foundation tint that offers a fluid-like formulation in 13 buildable and flexible shades. It’s packed with skin-loving ingredients like polyglutamic acid, niacinamide, squalene and peptides. I also find that it’s super long-wearing – I can wear it all day long and it doesn’t budge, plus it feels like nothing on the skin. I wore it everyday on my recent honeymoon to Bali and in that intense humidity, it held up amazing! You need to give this a go.” – Marina Tatas, 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.
Me Time 1/2 Zip, $149 at Nimble Activewear
Pair it with: Me Time Pant II, $149 at Nimble Activewear
“This Nimble set is an absolute treat that I’ve been living in since I got it. The material is super soft and warm and the design is chic enough to be worn around the house or on an overnight flight. The pants are a little long on me (mind, I’m 5’1) but the wide waistband can easily be folded over to shorten the length. It washes well, but mind not to pop it in the dryer as it causes the soft material to pill. (That one’s on me for not reading the wash instructions!)” – Stephanie Yip, Travel Writer
Barcelona Top in Hermosa, $99 at Bydee
Pair it with: Lagos Bottom in Hermosa, $79 at Bydee
“This is the first time I’ve tried Bydee Swim after seeing everyone obsessed with it online, and now I get the hype. First off, the quality is amazing. It’s so buttery soft, plus the swim is adorned with all these beautiful charms. I’m also a big fan of all the prints and colours – this Hermosa print in particular combines my two favourite colours and is absolutely gorgeous. Hello vacay!” – Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
Vinturi Wine Aerator With Stand in Black, $84.98 (down from $169.95) at Myer
“As you can see from my love of the Stretch Me Co straws, drinks are my thing. Hence why my partner bought me this Vinturi wine aerator (the one with the stand) and it is my favourite thing at the moment. Wine tastes way better when it has a chance to breathe anfd this gadget make aerating super quick, easy and fun. You just pour your wine through it and it mixes in the perfect amount of air and makes a seriously cool noise too. This set includes a red wine aerator and a non-drip stand, and it works for both red and white wines, without messing with temperature. I also highly recommend this Millon Shiraz too, it’s only $27, fruit forward and has soft tannins so just as enjoyable in the warmer months as it is in winter. And Millon just Winery of the Year at the 2024 Melbourne International Wine Show, so you know it’s good.“ - Kara Byers, Content Lead
L’Occitane Shea Shower Oil, $42 at Adore Beauty
“This hydrating shower oil from L’Occitane feels super luxe and rich on the skin and gently foams up when you rub it in. I’m a big fan of the L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil but this one may just top it. It’s a little bit thicker than the almond one which I like because I can really feel it work to soothe any dry and dehydrated skin which I’ve definitely felt lately thanks to the strong winds Sydney has been experiencing. It’s also infused with 10 per cent shea oil and has a super lovely light fragrance.” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
MANNKITCHEN Pepper Cannon, $349 at Amazon Australia
”If you’re a serious foodie who is serious about seasoning their meals to perfection then you’re going to want to check out the Mannkitchen Pepper Cannon. This is the Rolls Royce of pepper grinders. It looks super sleek, grinds effortlessly and, simply put, has amazing handfeel. The grind range is incredible (6-60+), which you can set and then forget. I love how you don’t have to tire yourself out grinding endlessly as one twist has enough output for a good season. It’s definitely a luxury item, but one I’ll be using for years to come. I don’t think I can ever go back!” – Stephanie Yip, Travel Writer
Andie Ankle Boot, $169.95 at Merry People
“I’ve had Merry People gumboots on my Mother’s Day, birthday and Christmas lists for some time, so I was thrilled to get the opportunity to try their new Andy Ankle Boots – and I absolutely love them. This week I’ve been loving them even more because we had some unexpectedly heavy rain. Everyone else in my family has had wet shoes over the last few days, but not me! I’ve worn them everywhere, to the shops, walking the dog, driving kids to extra-curricular activities. They’re comfy, warm and stylish and best of all, my feet stay nice and dry. I chose the peach colour, which is eye-catching to say the least, and I went up a size as I wasn’t sure, but I have to say the sizes are pretty spot on and I could have stuck with my usual. Still, I like that they’re roomy enough to wear socks with them too. Overall, these boots have been a huge success. So much more than a gumboot, in fact you don’t even have to wait for rain to wear them.” – Susannah Hardy, Partnerships Writer
Tweezerman Pro Curl Lash Curler, $59.95 at Adore Beauty
“Before using this lash curler from Tweezerman, I’ve never been an avid user of the beauty tool. I had one but unless I felt like I was pinching my eyelids to death, it didn’t really do too much. This one has definitely changed the game for me though. It has a narrow top bar which is designed to suit round eyes as well as a thick, curved black pad for not only extra comfort but to help give extra curl. I have fairly short lashes that naturally like to just stick out pretty straight but I love how much this curler is able to make them curl upwards.” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
Parfums de Marly Delina Exclusif EDP, $559 at Myer
”I was recently gifted this absolutely beautiful perfume to use the morning of my wedding and let me just say, I highly recommend this for all my brides-to-be. Of course you can still pick it up if you’re not getting married, but the bottle is so fabulous (and pricey) that it only makes sense to show it off on your wedding day. The fragrance has notes of bergamot, pear and lychee – I find it has a super fresh and floral scent with a touch of sweetness. I love it!” – Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
If you love a discount, make sure you stop by news.com.au Coupons. You’ll find impressive deals across categories from homewares to tech, on brands including THE ICONIC, Myer, Charlotte Tilbury, Adore Beauty and Sephora.
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