What the news.com.au checkout team is loving this week
We tested the new viral beauty item that’s been dubbed “setting spray in a bottle”.
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more
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 newly released Huda Beauty Easy Bake Setting Spray. It’s my new “secret” to make up lasting well over 12 hours, while making your skin look mate and totally flawless and poreless.
Happy shopping!
WHAT THE NEWS.COM.AU CHECKOUT TEAM IS LOVING THIS WEEK
Huda Beauty Easy Bake Setting Spray, $53 at Sephora
”I’ve been on a real Huda Beauty kick, the range of incredible pressed and setting powders have been in my go-to rotation lately. So when I heard about the drop of the Easy Bake Setting spray – dubbed “setting spray in a bottle” – I knew I had to get my hands on it.
And the first time I tried it was actually for a wedding, so in the image above, you can see how my makeup looked when first applied at 10am and then on the left, my makeup at the end of the night at 12am.
After over 12 hours of incredible long lasting wear, my makeup did not budge! And that was after a day full of laughing, crying, sweating and eating.
This setting spray needs a good shake beforehand to mix all the rice starch in the bottle. The result? Matte, blurred, poreless and flawed skin. Oh and it doesn’t leave your skin feeling dry and uncomfortable. This is my new must-have for a full face of glam makeup, you need to get your hands on it!” – Marina Tatas, Senior Shopping Writer
“I am big into the idea of meal prep – that’s right, the idea of it – not so much the reality. Of course I would love to pre-prepare all of my breakfasts, lunches and snacks on a Sunday but let’s be honest, sometimes there’s just no time.
And, let me tell you, I don’t exactly have the budget to skip meal prep entirely. (We are talking about $40 a day spent on food if I do)
My go-to compromise has become YouFoodz. I buy a box of eight every few weeks to have for lunch so I don’t have to spend so long on meal prep or so much money on keeping myself alive on work days. It has heaps of different meals to choose from – as well as different dietary options like ‘High Protein’ and ‘Calorie Smart’ – so you can make it fit your goals and lifestyle too. Plus there are always special offers, deals and coupons to take advantage of, so it ends up being really economical.
Now, I’ll admit, it doesn’t quite taste the same as home cooking but the convenience, time saved, overall stress reduction and variety? Totally worth it.” – Kara Byers, eCommerce Content Lead
Laneige Bouncy & Firm Serum, $65 at Sephora
“If you’re looking for a serum that not only hydrates the skin but also plumps, firms and smooths this is the one for you. I’ve been trialling this serum for a few weeks now and I’m obsessed. I’ve found my skin is so much bouncier and the glow is seriously impressive. Peony and collagen complex work together with peptide water in the serum’s 24,000 mini capsules to provide deep hydration. After an eight week trial, 100 per cent of testers agreed that their skin felt smoother while 90 per cent said it felt firmer. And if all of that isn’t good enough for you, the formulation is also incredibly similar to the Dior Prestige La Micro-Huile de Rose Activated Serum.” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
Smash Microwave Safe Stainless Steel Bento Lunch Box, $24.80 at Amazon Australia
“This is the lunch box that got me through uni – and I’m still using it today. It’s sturdy, easy to clean, and perfect for packing meals that stop me from buying lunch out every day. Totally worth it if you’re trying to save money.
I love that it’s made from stainless steel – it feels sturdy, safe, and most importantly, lightweight. The three compartments make it easy to pack a full lunch without everything mixing together, and the size slips into my bag without adding too much bulk.
It’s microwave safe as long as you remove the lid, though the stainless steel does get hot, so be careful. The lid comes with a silicone seal that keeps it mostly leak-proof, but like most ‘leakproof’ products, you never really know until something spills. After about four years, the seal isn’t quite what it used to be, so I usually play it safe by popping the whole thing in a plastic bag or keeping sauces in a separate container.
The only drawback as with most simply designed stainless steel bento boxes is that the compartments aren’t fully sealed off – so if you pack something saucy, it might seep into the others. That said, it’s still one of the best lunch boxes I will continue to use!” – Cindy Du, eCommerce Producer
Tonies Playtime Puppy Starter Set, $204.99 at Myer
“We got a Toniebox for my almost three-year-old daughter and honestly, it’s been one of the best things we’ve added to our toy shelf. It’s a screen-free, imagination-building music and story player that’s soft, squishy and super easy for little hands to use.
My little one figured it out in seconds – while I was still reading the instructions. You just pop a Tonie character on top (they’re these adorable handpainted figurines) and it starts playing stories or songs straight away. Volume’s controlled by squeezing the ears, and you can tap the sides to skip chapters.
There’s a huge range of Tonies to choose from – everything from The Gruffalo and Elsa to PAW Patrol and Peter Rabbit. You can also get Creative Tonies that let you record your own content. We’ve used ours to save silly songs we’ve made up together, and we’re planning to get long-distance relatives to record stories too. Each Tonie has hours of content, and there’s loads of free options – The Wiggles, Emma Memma and our current obsession: Mini Raver (just make sure you buy a Creative Tonie to go with your box).
We’ve since bought a few extra characters – including Peppa Pig and Frozen, of course – and we’re eyeing the carry bag and foldable headphones next to keep everything together and make travelling with it that bit easier.
I did baulk at the price initially, but it’s been worth every cent. It’s built to last (yes it has been dropped on the floor and survived) and it’s replaced my need to fall back on the TV and tablet. I used to rely on screens when I needed to get ready, make dinner or do chores – and always felt a bit guilty about it. Now, I don’t have to as the Toniebox keeps her occupied and (mostly) sat still without a screen.” – Kara Byers, eCommerce Content Lead
Devotion by D & G Devotion EDP Male, from $139 at Myer
“Dolce & Gabbana’s Devotion has found a permanent a spot in my evening rotation of cologne. On first impressions, this Eau de Parfum has woody, spicy notes which quickly set the mood. I’d normally pick something lighter but there’s something special about this cologne. Think date night, dinner somewhere dimly lit, or a special occasion where you want to feel sharp. The White Lotus has definitely made resort vibes cool again, and this scent taps right into that. Devotion is elevated, exotic, and a little indulgent. The bottle is a standout too, with gold accents and sculptural detail that looks great on the dresser.” – Troy Nankervis, Shopping Writer
“I’d never really used non-stick pans – but recently I’ve tested a few and I’m an absolute convert, I can’t live without them. But I have to say, the Essteele Per Benessere Ceramic Nonstick Induction Open Skillet is my absolute favourite. Not only does it have a non-stick ceramic surface that scrambles eggs to perfection, it’s a handy size that’s quite deep, so ideal for pan frying chicken or whipping up a quick stir fry. It works beautifully on our gas stove, it heats up quickly and cooks evenly and the non-stick surface, true to name, doesn’t stick! It’s also a breeze to clean and can even go in the dishwasher. I have a few frying pans to choose from but this has become my go-to and not just for me but all the family. I think we use it every single day at the moment. It’s certainly getting a workout but luckily it’s such good quality and so durable, you wouldn’t even know.” – Susannah Hardy, Partnerships Writer
Hyaluronic Happikiss Lipstick in Pillow Talk, $54 at Charlotte Tilbury
“This new lipbalm from Charlotte Tilbury has been on constant rotation ever since I got it. I find that it’s the perfect amount of pigmentation for both work and going out and thanks to the hyaluronic acid, it also leave my lips feeling super soft too. Fair warning though, it’s in a non-retractable tube and I stupidly wound it up a fair way when I first opened it. But considering that’s my only gripe, I would 100 per cent say this is worth every cent.” – Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
Anker 737 Power Bank, $189 at Amazon Australia
“I never remember to charge my phone – not at night, not at my desk – so it’s almost always out of battery. I have a standard portable charger that lasts about a day, but like my phone, it was never charged either.
Since getting the Anker PowerCore 20K, my life has changed. It gives me 5-6 full phone charges across the week, meaning I only need to recharge the battery pack once a week. The battery itself charges quickly too, and it comes with an adaptor for fast charging.
Just keep in mind it’s bulkier than a standard portable charger but perfect for throwing into a backpack for travel or commuting, but not really a pocket-sized option.
If you’re constantly running low like me, this is 100 per cent worth it.” – Cindy Du, eCommerce Producer
Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary, $135 at First Choice Liquor
“One of my favourite ways to wind down after a big week is with a bourbon on the rocks, and the Wild Turkey Master’s Keep 70th Anniversary Edition is a standout. It marks 70 years of Jimmy Russell’s legacy as a master distiller, and it shows. Aged eight years, it’s bold, rich, and smooth, with notes of caramel, vanilla, and a hint of spice. You can have it neat to get the full flavour, or over ice if you want to mellow it out. The bottle itself feels luxe and weighty, perfect as a gift or a treat-yourself moment. If you’re into bourbon or just want something a bit special, this one’s worth it.” – Troy Nankervis, Shopping Writer
Belkin SoundForm Mini Kids Wireless Headphones with Built in Microphone, $71.69 at Amazon Australia
“My four-year-old has a pair of wired headphones that she absolutely adores (who can say no to cat ears, right?) but they’re a pain on planes – particularly when she wants to get out of her seat to go to the toilet or stretch her legs. That’s where these wireless headphones have come in handy. Running off bluetooth, they’re made for little ears, come in cute colours (yes to pink!), have stickers for customisation and can be popped off in a flash without having to wind all those fussy cables up. My only remark is that they don’t fold into themselves like other headphones do, but that’s a small price to pay for the convenience of being wire free here.” – Stephanie Yip, Travel Writer
Royal Doulton Pacifc 16 Piece Set Blue/White, $399 at Myer
“I’ve had this dinner set for three years and still love it. The coastal-inspired design feels relaxed but elegant, perfect for everyday meals. Each piece is light yet sturdy, and the porcelain has held up beautifully over time. The blue is just right – soft, calm, and timeless. If you’re looking for a dinner set that’s both practical and stylish, this one is a winner.” – Cindy Du, eCommerce Producer
American Crew Matte Clay Duo, $29.95 at Amazon Australia
“I’ve recently been using American Crew’s 3-in-1 Tea Tree Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body Wash and the Matte Clay, and I’m pretty sold. The 3-in-1 Tea Tree is perfect for travel, leaving your hair shiny without feeling heavy, and the skin soft and fresh. I love tea tree, and the scent is super refreshing, and not too overpowering. Meantime, the Matte Clay has been great for styling my hair. It gives a nice medium hold with a matte finish, and you don’t actually need much, just a small amount works, and it’s great on both wet or dry hair. I usually throw it in after the shower, and it holds up well all day. Honestly, if you’re tight on space and need reliable, solid products while travelling, this duo is a win. American Crew really nailed it!” – Troy Nankervis, Shopping Writer
If you want to get epic sales, shopping tips and guides delivered to your inbox every week, sign up to our free shopping newsletter.
‘Life-changing’ advice millions swear by
Dubbed a “thought leader” by Oprah Winfrey, Gabby Bernstein’s advice has changed the lives of millions of people worldwide.
60 best gifts she’ll love this Mother’s Day
Find the perfect gift and make this Mother’s Day one to remember.
‘Best gift ever’: $50 buy that ‘won me over’
Shoppers are raving about this “unique gift idea” that’s perfect for those hard to buy for.
‘Hooked’: Best romantic fiction books for your 2025 reading list
Our curated selection of the best romantic fiction books to read, from classics to new releases, and with personal reviews.