Baby its cold out there… Brrrr. It’s one of our coldest winters so far, yet our Daily Addict writers have been busy reviewing the lastest and ‘hottest’ new products hitting the shelves. Here is a quick look at our favourites for this winter.
Billie Razors: The Subscription Shave That’s Actually Chic
Billie razors have earned cult status in the US for good reason—they’re the internet’s favorite shave, born from a bold mission to end the pink tax and celebrate body-hair positivity. Co-founded by Aussie Georgina Gooley, Billie disrupted a male-dominated category with razors designed specifically for women’s shaving needs. So we took them for a ‘spin’. First of all I really love the packaging, all cardboard, sassy colours. The 5-blade cartridges flex a little more than leading brands, wrapped in charcoal soap for a glide which feels spa-grade. I didn’t expect to love a razor, but it’s great – the sleek handle, and irritation-free finish was very kind on my skin. It’s cruelty-free, nickel-free, and infused with aloe and shea—plus, they donate 1% of revenue to women’s causes. The bit I really loved was the magnetic holder which has an adhesive pad to stick to the side of my shower. So no more fumbling in my shower holder for a razor covered in gunk. Even better, then include a second sticky pad, if the first one loses its grip. “For legs that deserve better.” Hell yeah. Sign us up! Available in Australia via Billie’s official site, BIG W, and Amazon Australia.
Sushi Izu launches a new sustainable Barramundi range
Move over salmon and tuna—there’s a new fish in town, and it’s unapologetically Aussie. Sushi Izu has launched a bold new range of barramundi sushi, featuring sustainably grown Humpty Doo Barramundi from the Northern Territory. Available nationally across 230 Woolworths locations, the lineup includes crispy inside-out rolls drizzled with sushi sauce, aburi nigiri kissed with yuzu kosho, and a citrusy barramundi ceviche that’s as fresh as it is unexpected. We have now tried all in the range and hands down we loved the scorched aburi nigri. The crispy barra with avo could have been great, but our fish was very dry and the izu sauce (like a tonkatsu) over powered the finely cut sushi. The best way to eat it we found is to use the app to order your sushi which is made freshly for you and then go pick up from your local store. To order jump on here.
T2 – Matcha Flavours
We’re whisking up some winter warmth with T2’s latest Matcha flavours. The new range, based on ceremonial-grade Japanese Matcha, includes Strawberry, White Choc and Peach. While it’s fun using the traditional bamboo whisk and matcha bowl, we’ve also had great results using a milk frother (like the Instant™ Frother Station we previously reviewed). It’s even better for making Matcha Lattes as it heats and froths the milk and mixes in the Matcha in one go. The White Choc Matcha is particularly creamy and indulgent, containing coconut milk powder. The Strawberry and Peach flavours are packed with fruity punch – they also contain lucuma powder, giving them a natural, low-sugar sweetness with extra health benefits. $38 from branches of T2 Australia-wide.
Who Gives a Crap – Dream Edition
We love this brand. It save’s lives donating donate 50% of profits to help achieve clean water and toilets for everyone. Did you know that each day, 1 million trees are cut down to make traditional toilet paper? Nooo!! These babies are made form recycled fibres or bamboo. WGAC have done a tonne of fun collabs, but this one is my fav yet. Glow in the dark toilet paper. No its not on the roll itself. No-one wants their bum illuminated at night, but the wrappers are beautifully illustrated, and light my way to the loo after a stint of charge in the daylight. RRP: $66 (48 rolls), $40 (24 rolls)
Lipton Chai Latte
A hot, sweet, spicy way to defrost from the winter chill, Lipton has brought back its popular – and much lamented when it vanished – instant Chai Latte. Thanks to a viral social media campaign and a Change.org petition, it’s now back on shelves. Somersby local Gillian Allen, who spearheaded the drive to bring it back, also features in the revival. The chai latte is super easy to make, just add boiling water. There are two flavours: Original – this is a mellow, creamy spicy delight, with just the right level of sweetness. Spiced – this has a slightly spicier and more tantalising flavour, with ginger added, and is ultra sweet. Both have the same calories per sachet (around 73kcal) but the Spiced also contains Splenda, hence the much higher sweetness level. Lipton has also created several recipes for the Chai Lattes, such as these Chai Crème Brûlées and Chai Spiced Apple Crumble. Available at selected Coles, $8 for 8 sachets.
Tread Softly Wines: Next Generation Winemaking Rising Star Program
So apparently the wine industry is still a bit of a boys’ club – who knew, right? I mean, besides literally everyone who’s ever watched a wine documentary or been to a vineyard. We love that Tread Softly Wines has launched their Next Generation Winemaking Rising Star Program. This year-long part time gig lets one lucky woman learn from industry mentors, create her own wine from scratch, and discover that sustainable production isn’t just about hugging trees. The application page shares all you need to know so just apply here and go for it. We have a real soft spot for this fabulous brand. Tread Softly are certified sustainable and naturally lighter in alcohol, committed to reducing its carbon footprint by planting an Australian native tree for every case sold. Since 2019, over two million trees (and counting) have been planted. We took home a few bottles to try and the Pinot Grigio – was one of our favourites. It’s delivers freshness and with zesty citrus, green apple, and pear aromas. It is pale straw in colour with a flinty, textured palate and fleshy mouthfeel. The Pinot Noir is very delicate, think cherries, without much spice but gentle tanins which make it rather too quaffable. See the Tread Softly range here.
John Frieda – New Silk Waters Post-Shampoo Rinse
Um, I am confused. We shampoo, then condition right? Wrong! John Frieda has created a third step called ‘Post Shampoo Rinse’. Their latest innovation is called Silk Waters. It uses lamellar technology. What’s that? It uses lamellae layers to deliver conditioning and repairing ingredients to targeted areas of the hair, particularly damaged sections. These ultra-thin layers, create a protective shield, locking in moisture and enhancing shine. My naturally curly, frizzy, rain fuzzed hair could certainly do with taming so I put it to the test. There are two in the range. First up was Frizz Ease infused with Rice Oil. I lathered it up, left it on, then used my normal conditioner after. Blow dried my hair as normal and it was much easier to style and stayed sleeker for longer. The Gold Spun Silk is aimed at Blonde hair The Blonde Gold Spun Silk Illuminating Water is formulated for blonde hair (mine is brown) but it has been damaged by colouring and I noticed a definite improvement in the glossiness. RRP $20.99
Alice Springs Brewing Co: Sustainable Beer in the Heart of the Red Centre
Now this is bloomin’ good Beer. I have reviewed a lot over the years, craft beer is my jam. This brewery has a fair dinkum Aussie story thanks to former Carlton & United sales rep from Melbourne (Kyle Pearson) falling in love with the red centre. Fast forward twenty years, lots of help from his mates and they are the first brewery to serve fresh locally crafted brews in the Red Centre for decades. He has created a solar-powered brewery housed in a former car museum – now retrofitted with a bar, restaurant and event space and is one of the few fully air-conditioned breweries in the country. We took three beers for a spin. Almost Summer is an American Pale Ale – there is some bitterness but balance with tropical fruits like mangos thanks to American Citra, Mosaic and Simcoe hops. Specific Ale – A Pacific Ale, made no where near the Pacific! Its so easy to drink lots of big fruites and well rounded with no hops. Oh! Ginger is perhaps my favourite of the all as I am not a huge fan of ginger ales but this is a cracker – delicately spiced, well balanced, and absolutely smashable. From $22 for a 4 pack, but buy more!
Chocolate in a Bottle
This all sounds a bit strange. A French Sparkling Blanc de Blancs wine infused with the essence of Belgian chocolate and hazelnut. I like sparkling wine, hazelnuts and really good chocolate so what happens when you bring them together? Well first how did this all happen? Flemish sommelier Tom De Bruyn had word in hospitality for years and was passionate about showcasing Belgium produce. He worked with winemaker near Perpignan in the South of France, where the grapes grow in sandy and slate-rich terriors and are then infused with Belgian chocolate and hazelnut extract. The bottle is beautifully packaged in a black and gold box, it looks and feels like a luxury purchase. I pop the cork and pour. The aroma is huge, with the hazelnuts dominating over the chocolate. It has a fine creamy bead. I like wine and also desert wine, but the blend of the two for me didn’t quite hit the mark. I tried this out with my neighbours who absolutely LOVED it! So prepare for the unexpected and see if this is bubble which is uniquely to your taste. $69.95 a bottle, see website for details
Windex®- Fast Shine Foam Glass Cleaner
Australia’s #1 Glass Cleaning brand* Windex has just launched Fast Shine Foam Glass Cleaner. We have tried the others in the range which have the traditional spray gun nozzle. However this Fast Shine Foam Glass Cleaner is actually a lot more fun and makes the process of cleaning easier. We took it for a spin first of all on our glass dining table. A quick push and a circle of foam lands on the table, a quick swipe with a cloth and it cleans really well. Its better than the water formulas that streak, or puddle. It did a great job on my French door windows which are too small for squidgy’s to make a difference. The foam sticks nicely used vertically. Available now at Woolworths, Independent Grocers and Amazon for RRP $7.50 and select Coles stores from September.
