What the news.com.au checkout: team are loving this week
Loved by everyone’s favourite IT girl Hailey Bieber, we decided to give the surprising beauty product a red-hot go.
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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 interestingly enough, a $55 lip balm that’s got the big ol’ tick of approval from none other than IT girl Hailey Bieber.
Shopping writer Philippa Tonkin has been loving the Ormedic Balancing Lip Enhancement Complex from Image Skincare – 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
Ormedic Balancing Lip Enhancement Complex, $54.95 at Image Skincare
”I’ve had this lip balm for probably around six months now but I’ve only started to properly use it in the past few weeks and OMG, I’m obsessed. I don’t know why I wasn’t using it sooner. My lips have never been so soft. Even with the wind that Sydney loves to throw at us, my previously perpetually dry and cracked lips are in their best condition yet. Plus, it’s so nice to apply. As a girl who has probably tried over 50 different lipbalms in their life, this has definitely got to the up there as one of the best. Plus, Hailey Bieber is also a fan and if it’s good enough for her then it is definitely good enough for me” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
SANDIARIO Matcha Set, $49.99 at Amazon Australia
“As a self-proclaimed matcha connoisseur, I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with sub-par matcha that taste like literal milk, aren’t a rich green and criminally set me back upwards of $14. So, I took matters into my own hands and have been making my matcha’s at home with this handy matcha making kit. It comes with everything you need for the perfect matcha – a bamboo whisk and spoon, whisk stand and spoon stand, mini sieve, ceramic bowl and lastly, a tea cloth – I love that this kit only cost me $45 but is great quality and super cute!” – Harriet Amurao, Shopping Writer
Galaxy Z Fip6, from $74.96 per month (over 24 months) or $1799 at Samsung
“Like most things we’ve brought back from the early 2000s, I never really understood the resurgence of the flip phone. But after a few weeks with Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Flip, I finally see the appeal.
The tiny phone is super easy to carry around, offers snappy performance, and has a lot of fun features to play with. It comes with all the same AI features we saw on the Galaxy S24 Ultra earlier this year, including Circle to Search and Transcription, along with a new mode that turns your selfies into cartoons and sketches.
The cameras are my favourite part, though, producing photos that are just as good (if not better) than my iPhone 15 Pro. Thanks to the Flip’s unique form factor, I can also take selfies or group shots with the superior back camera by folding the phone into a sitting position. I can even hold my palm up to the camera when I’m ready for it to take a photograph, and it will activate a countdown timer, saving me from having to run and pose.” – Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Tech Writer
Gia Maxi Dress, $159 at Runaway The Label
“You can stop looking for the perfect wedding guest dress now, I found it for you. Runaway The Label have just released their ‘Bridal Collection’ and I have fallen madly in love with their Gia dress. The fabric feels beautiful on and it’s the perfect combination of sophistication meets flirty.
I’ve been shopping for weeks for a ‘black tie’ wedding dress and I’d be too embarrassed to tell you how many hours I’ve spent trawling through Depop for an affordable option. But this is it, the perfect wedding guest dress.” – Claudia Coy, Social Media Producer
Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster, $89 at Paula’s Choice
“I’ve gone through a few bottles of this stuff and let me tell you, it is liquid gold. The Pro Collagen Multi Peptide Booster from Paula’s Choice is one of the most hydrating, soothing and repairing serums I’ve ever tried. Formulated with a bunch of – you guessed it – peptides, this lightweight and silky serum works almost instantly and absorbs quickly. One thing I will say, I feel as if the dropper can be improved – the serum is almost a little too thick and can sometimes get stuck in the dropper but besides that, I am truly obsessed.” – Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
Palmer’s Shea Formula Raw Shea Body Oil, $6.49 at Amazon
“My skin has been so dry and this Palmer’s Body Oil has been a true lifesaver, otherwise I swear I’d look like a scaly lizard. After showering, I’ll moisturise and then slap this body oil on to really lock in all the moisture. My skin has not only been super hydrated but also so smooth and silky. The oil absorbs quickly but be warned, it’s still a body oil so there will be some oily residue depending on how much you put on. Best of all though, this body oil smells so luscious. It’s sweet and delicious but not too overpowering. It honestly spells like you’re a luxurious spa.” - Melody Teh, Acting Editor
Vitamix Explorian Series E310 High Performance Super Blender, $499 (down from $699) at Myer
”I’ve officially reached the age where kitchen gadgets are exciting – and this Vitamix blender is my new favourite. Its ten speeds handle anything I throw at it – whether it’s hard stuff like nuts and ice, or hot veggies straight out of the oven. But the best part is I don’t have to clean it. Well, technically I do, but I don’t need to take it apart or deal with the sharp blades. I just pour in some warm water and a squeeze of dish soap, flick it on, and it cleans itself. What’s not to love?” – Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Tech Writer
Protein Shake + Iron, $39.99 at Athena Nutrition
“I recently started trying out some products from female-focused supplement brand Athena Sports Nutrition, and have been loving the Protein Shake + Iron. A low-carb protein powder with iron, Vitamin C and digestive enzymes, this has become a staple in my morning smoothie and tastes incredibly good. Normally, protein powders add a powdery, artificial sort of taste to anything they touch, but this protein powder from Athena is actually enjoyable. I’ve loved adding this to a banana smoothie of a morning after working out, and it keeps me full all the way to lunch, which is a great bonus.” – Jessica Smith, eCommerce Health & Wellness Writer
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Treatment, $74.95 at Adore Beauty
“It’s not a new product, but the Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Product was recently newly introduced to me and all I can say is that I am simply wowed. I applied this liquid exfoliant to my legs and hands in hopes of smoothing out some bumpy areas of skin, and within one week, my skin was smoother than ever, bumps nowhere to be seen. This product is like magic, and no one can tell me otherwise. I now use the exfoliant, containing AHA glycolic acid to erase dead skin cells, on my face a few times a week (it’s very powerful, so I try not to go overboard), and I have been loving the smoothness, brightness and clarity in my skin as a result. ” – Jessica Smith, eCommerce Health & Wellness Writer
Circulon ScratchDefense A1 Nonstick Induction Frypan 25.4cm in Grey, $159.95 at Myer
“After my $15 IKEA frying pan finally bit the dust (RIP), I decided to be a proper grown up and invest in this Circulon one. The small/medium size pan feels super durable and has so far lived up to its ‘extreme non-stick’ promise. It’s the perfect size for omelettes or quick fry ups, and it’s also super easy to clean. 10/10.” – Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Tech Writer
BRITA Water Filter Jug Style XL 3.6L, $49.95 at Amazon
“I don’t have a water filter at home so I usually just drink water from the tap. While that’s been perfectly fine, I have lately been thinking of getting some type of water filter jug to improve the taste of my tap water and just have that peace of mind. Brita was my go-to as a well known and trusted brand. The XL style jug is great - it holds a lot of water so no need to refill too often, it’s lightweight and therefore it’s easy to pour, and it fits in your fridge door. But most importantly of all, the water tastes fresh and clean. This jug also has a sensor that tells you when it’s time to change your filter, which is a handy feature as I never remember when to do those things.” - Melody Teh, Acting Edtior
Made in UK 991v2 Trainers, $330 at New Balance
“The New Balance Made in the UK 991v2 trainers are a very comfortable fit, and they’re lightweight and durable to wear. I like the versatility of this shoe as I can wear it to my gym workouts or casually with a pair of jeans. The top of the shoe and the tongue are soft and cushy, which I like as I find some fits tend to be firm in this area and cause me discomfort. I also like the neutrality of this shoe as it’s very unassuming and gets the job done without too many bells and whistles.” – Troy Nankervis, Shopping Writer
NUDESTIX Nudies Bloom All Over Dewy Color Blush, $60 at Sephora
”Admittedly, I have a million different blushes, however, I’ve been loving this one in the shade Bohemian Rose from Nudestix. It’s a gorgeous mauvey-ish pink shade that adds the perfect flushed finish, and I love how portable it is – so it’s easy to take on the go and it’s super versatile. I love to have this in my bag especially if I’m running late as I can quickly apply it to my cheeks and blend it out with the brush end. I also like to use it to add a bit of colour to my eyelids.” – Harriet Amurao, Shopping Writer
Clarins Hydra Essentiel [HA² + Polyphenols] Supercharged Bi-Phase Serum, $75 at Sephora
![We try the Clarins Hydra Essentiel [HA² + Polyphenols] Supercharged Bi-Phase Serum.](https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/39e351716def52786274ce44f58504d7)
”A hydrating serum is an essential part of a skincare routine, so I was really keen to try this unique bi-phase serum from Clarins. You need to shake the bottle to mix the hydric and lipidic texture, then once you apply, the hydrating properties nourish your skin almost instantly. It’s a super watery texture, so it’s lightweight, dries down quick and mixes well with all sorts of products you layer over the top. This was my first beauty product to try from Clarins and I was pleasantly surprised!” – Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
Fujifilm Instax Mini Liplay Hybrid Instant Camera – Matcha Green, $219 (down from $249) at CameraPro
”My partner and I are really into instant photos at the moment, and we often whip out an old instant camera to snap keepsake shots with family and friends. What we don’t love is wasting expensive film on blurred photos (cost of living crisis and all), making this Fujifilm instax mini LiPlay a great little investment.
The camera combines the usual analog features of an instax with an LCD screen, so we can preview our photos before and after taking them. They then save to built-in memory or a micro SD card, so we can print anytime or make multiple copies (no more fighting over who gets to keep the best shot).
The camera even doubles as a printer, so we can print our favourite smartphone snaps as instant photos via Bluetooth, which is a really cool touch.” – Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Tech Writer
American Crew Shampoo & Conditioner Duo Bundle, $74.99 (down from $195.60) at Above The Collar
”I’ve always loved American Crew hair products (the American Crew Fiber has been my go to for many years) but I’ve never tried out their Shampoo and Conditioner products. I wish that I had sooner, for the last couple of months I’ve been using both of these in tandem and they’re great. Other shampoos have sometimes stripped my hair of its volume and natural oils, thankfully American Crew does the opposite, and leaves my hair looking soft and fresh. They’re also really nailed their formula, which is vegan friendly and smells great with a mixture of citrus and mint, which also has a really nice tingly feeling on your scalp during use. The American Crew Shampoo & Conditioner Duo Bundle is excellent value and you won’t be disappointed.” – Troy Nankervis, Shopping Writer
Mukti Botanique Wash, $36 at Nourished Life
”Mukti’s Body Wash is a fantastic product that I’ve been using the last couple of weeks, and my favourite thing is the scent – it’s made with native botanical extracts including native lemon and mayflower which feel very luxe to use. In fact, all of the products in the range incorporate Australian ingredients and extracts, and it’s Australian made too. Yes, at $36 you’re paying a little more than what might normally spend on body wash, but it’s definitely worth it. The quality is great. It produces a light foam that doesn’t dry out my skin and leaves a very fresh feeling. The shape of the bottle is also great, it’s not too big so it’s great for taking away travelling, and sits well in your bathroom shower caddy.” – Troy Nankervis, Shopping Writer
Hexclad Damascus Steel 20 cm Serrated Bread Knife, $169 at Hexclad
“When my old bread knife recently got so blunt it could barely slice anything, I thought I’d splurge and upgrade my knife set up. And I’m so glad I did. This Hexclad Serrated Bread Knife is honestly a game changer. It slides through bread so easily, even the sturdiest of sourdough crust, and most importantly without crushing the bread. It’s also has an easy to grip handle so slicing bread is truly a breeze meaning more avo toast for me” - Melody Teh, Acting Editor
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