Urban List Recommends

Welcome to the most fabulous corner of the internet—Urban List's destination for the picks of the beauty crop. This month, our fave haircare has a glow up, there's new scents galore, indie brands are having a *moment* and a new immersive beauty space. 

When it comes to Secret Santa, nailing the brief is an art form. This edit proves you can find something thoughtful and cool without blowing the $50 budget.

More time and energy to focus on the bigger hauora (wellbeing) picture.

Okay, so we both know he's going to say "nothing" or "just whatever" or "I don't mind not doing prezzies this year". Or some other good-hearted but, nonetheless, unhelpful nonsense that leaves you scrolling through endless manosphere slop. Blokes are just about the hardest people to buy for. The only people that are harder are Kiwi blokes. That's why I've compiled the ultimate list of NZ gifts for the man in your life this Christmas.

To make things easy for you, we’ve created this list of the best places to buy your Christmas tree this year—now you have no reason to procrastinate!

We love a good market, especially one with the word 'Christmas' attached! So hop in the car, crank up the Mariah (your secret's safe with us) and head along to one of these incredible Christmas markets coming to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this holiday season.

The term ‘Mother Knows Best’ probably came from her exquisite taste. Until we can give them the world, we’ve got slick gifts for mums this Christmas. 

Shop our selection of the best Christmas gift ideas this side of the North Pole.

From morning brews to late night snacks, the kitchen is the heart of the home, so it's important to get it right. 

We're here to help you sort the good from the great and to dig up the most unmissable Black Friday sales.

No, it's not just you—eBikes are everywhere right now.

Mark your calendars because Friday, September 19 is about to feel like Christmas morning for tech lovers. Apple’s gone and launched not one, not two, but three brand-new iPhones, and each one is coming for our wallets in a different way.

Let's give it up for Australian talent. There's no denying that a whole heap of the best fashion labels right now are Aussie born and bred.

Wellington prides itself on its cafe culture—and we’ll be the first to say it’s justified.

Euro summer FOMO hitting hard? Not on our watch. No, seriously, we’ve got our alarms set—and our city hitlists stacked—to pounce on the next suite of Singapore Airlines’ special fares for Europe 2026. 

NZFW's 2025 Return was a feast for the eyes—group chats, moodboards and credit card bills too. 

If you didn't realise already, Father's Day is fast approaching. Well, actually, it's right around the corner—7 September, to be exact—there's your reminder. What makes matters tricky is how tough Kiwi blokes can be buy for. That's why I've come up with the very best list of gifts to get a Kiwi dad for Father's Day.

Cue the clacky heels, New Zealand Fashion Week Kahuria is back—finally. Handpicked shows, pop-ups, places to hide inbetween—we’ve got everything you need to stack your day between trips to shows at Shed 10.

Pampering yourself doesn’t come much better than a sleek set of nails. 

Activewear is the holy grail of the wardrobe. 

If there's one food trend that's defined 2025 thus far, it's Dubai or knafeh chocolate. What started as a candy bar bringing together pistachio cream, tahini, and kataifi (a type of shredded pastry) inside a crackable, paint-splattered chocolate shell, created by Sarah Hamouda of Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai—has inspired an infinte number of copcats across the globe, and just as many sweet treats (think cookies, pastries, even cocktails). 

Cue the Macklemore flashbacks. It's clear that thrift shopping—correction, op shopping—is f**kin’ awesome. Especially in Auckland, with the best op shops per capita, so we say. 

How Pairama Wright found connection to his Māori heritage through food, and the magic of a one-tin traybake.

Few things in life come close to the excitement of receiving jewellery. The box, the silky lining, the glamour of it all—nothing compares. Here are a few of our favourite jewellers in Tāmaki Makaurau for you to chase that thrill. 

While Ruapehu is known as the go-to destination during winter months for keen skiers and snowboarders, the autumn months are just as good. 

When it comes to finding beautiful gems, trinkets, and treasures, look no further than New Zealand’s best jewellers. From a little to-me-from-me piece to finding the ring for your loved one, there’s a shiny keepsake waiting to be uncovered. 

Whether you'd love to spend your weekend gazing at art-adorned walls with a quizzical look on your face thinking ‘what the heck is that!?’ or simply elevate your mind by marvelling at stunning artwork then we have found the best places for you.

Connection through fashion, nude bike shorts and finding your glow.

From the Smokefree Rockquest stage to the billboards of Times Square.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a last-minute supermarket flower run (we’ve all been there), this year we’re thinking a little more local.

When you want fresh, flavour-packed fare, nothing hits the spot better than a feed of Japanese (disagree with me, and we might just have to go a round of karate or worse, sumo). Jokes aside, this is great news for those living in Ōtautahi, Christchurch—because you guys have some of the country's best Japanese eateries, sitting right on your doorstep.

To help you glow in 2025, we’ve teamed up with the legends at Revlon to bring you a list of the latest and greatest beauty buys, books and fragrances to help you feel your best. 

If you’re anything like us, you know that one of life’s greatest pleasures is trawling through a bookstore to discover your next read.

The North Shore is as much for eating out and drinking, as it is for hitting the beach. If you don't believe us, check out the more than 55 spots we've carefully curated by suburb below, ranging from old-fashioned pubs, bakeries and burger joints to chic wine bars, cafes, and bistros.

Pantone has been selecting its Colour of the Year for more than a decade now and in 2025, that honour goes to Mocha Mousse (PANTONE 17-1230). According to the official Pantone website, this is a “warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort.”

It's official—Onehunga is one of Auckland's most hip albeit underrated suburbs. Studded with historic buildings and delightful villas, this charming neighbourhood has really amped things up in recent years on the eating-out front, with a host of top-notch bars, restaurants and cafés coming to the fore.

From bubble skirts to 'that' tank, these are the season's pieces to curate a wardrobe for every occasion

Beer—it makes the world a better place and lucky for us hop lovers, Auckland’s craft beer scene is absolutely booming. 

Christmas is indeed the most wonderful time of the year and our fave part of the festivities is decorating the tree. That said, we've searched out the very best Christmas decorations money can buy, and we think you'll be impressed. From pop stars and film characters to pretend treats and treats proper (or at least, baubles filled with them), there's a lot to get excited about.

It’s all about choosing brands based on our own values—not just the dollar value of a product.

Welcome to 2024, where advent calendars are as big of a deal for adults as they are for children, and filled with so much more than cheap choccy. We're talking beauty products, booze, and even treats for in the bedroom (there's a reason Santa has a naughty list).

From limited edition beer collabs and linen pants to packable day packs, and an edition outdoor oven, check out our hit list of the best Father's Day gifts to shop this year. 

Psst, we’ll let you in on a secret—heaven is a place on earth. From mainland Fiji, a scenic two-hour boat ride will take you to the magical Yasawa Islands. The word Yasawa, meaning ‘heaven’, is a totally apt translation for the breathtaking vistas seen before your very eyes.

The crew at Kathmandu have dropped a new range just in time for winter, with a whole slew of gear designed to keep your body warm and your wardrobe rotation fresh.

In the season known to wreak havoc on your skin and beauty rituals, it’s all about working smarter, not harder. Here are the holy-grailers to do the heavy lifting for your face, hair and body.

Dogs don’t ask for much and that’s all the more reason to treat them to the finer things in life.

Popping that pretty question can be a nerve-racking time—we get that. What should be a piece of cake, however, is picking out that sparkling little something to seal the deal with. Here’s your definitive list of the best places to shop for engagement rings in New Zealand.

Find the perfect Mother's Day gift for the most important woman in your life. Our hand-picked selection of unique and thoughtful gifts is sure to make her day.

Forget what you know about the Southern Lights. Aurora Australis? Please…we have something much more exciting for you! Come Queen’s Birthday weekend, Queenstown’s waterfront is set to transform into a magical forest wonderland, lit up with interactive light sculptures and illuminated art installations.

At long last, women’s sport is taking centre stage and we are here. for. it. As we head into the cooler months, all eyes are on our Black Ferns and their highly-anticipated 2024 test calendar. 

Run clubs are gaining popularity and for good reason. Fitspo is dead—and real, authentic, cool breeze, crisp air, blood pumping, good-for-you activity is in. 

It would be LUBE not to.

The first Afterpay Day sale of 2024 officially kicks off in New Zealand on Thursday 14 March. Shop the best deals on fashion, beauty, and homewares. Get discounts from top brands like The North Face, Culture Kings, Glassons, and more. 

Sophie and Sam Hurley dreamt up Honest Wolf after searching for a niche in the market they could cater to using their farm’s existing resources.

Upgrade everything from picnic dates to love-making with these great gifts.

Chances are there’s a whisky connoisseur in your life. They’re deeply passionate about their spirit of choice and could talk your ear off about whisky-this and whisky-that. But what on earth do you get them as a meaningful Christmas gift?

Summer is finally here and we couldn’t be more ready to frolic in the waves and relax on the beach. We’ve looked high and low to find the most sustainable swimwear labels around, that are ocean-friendly and will have you feeling great all summer long.

We’ve always been a fan of a pyjama party and, while we’re not a fan of Christmas carols outside of December, we absolutely condone a sneaky transition to festive PJs. Let’s be honest, the festive PJ season really begins at Midwinter Christmas anyway. Here are the best pyjamas to rock around the Christmas tree in this December. 

We sat down with him to talk about his creative process, maintaining his artistry and his bold new project with Doritos designing their latest packaging. 

Who doesn’t like getting surprised with a bunch of blooms? They’re pretty, smell delightful, and make you feel oh-so-loved. 

We’ve rounded up the best of the best costume shops in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and online so you can dive straight into bringing your fantasy (or worst nightmare) to life and take out that costume competition. 

Could Devonport be Auckland's most charming suburb? Its old-fashioned villas, picturesque gardens and character buildings are straight out of a storybook, while it also happens to be located right beside the sea and beneath the watchful eye of not one, but two volcanic mountains. 

Whether you are wishing to cut down your alcohol intake or are looking to go completely teetotal, here are our favourite non-alcoholic tipples for all the times you’re after a refreshing and tasty beverage, sans hangover.

It's official whānau, IKEA is finally coming to Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Shopping sustainably is becoming easier and easier, with more local NZ brands being launched all the time specifically developed to be way better for the environment than their predecessors. We've filled our list with some of the lesser-known brands, so you can support small business while you build your more sustainable life.

We're going to cut to the chase—JessB is the moment. 

Summer and reading go hand in hand.

It's no secret we love Christmas and all the glitz and glam that comes with it, from beautifully wrapped gifts beneath pretty trees, to swanky end-of-year parties with fancy food and drink. However we also know that, as the Grinch himself discovered, 'Christmas means a little bit more'. It's about spending time with loved ones, creating special memories and most importantly—helping out those less fortunate than ourselves.

Affordable luxury is one of our favourite gifting categories. For the special person in your life who lives and breathes designer, don't feel you need to drop thousands on the latest It Bag to make them smile. Instead, little luxuries, at a fraction of the cost, are where it's at.

Make more conscious gifting decisions this Christmas.

Special events call for extra special outfits. Luckily for us, there are heaps of fancy dress hire shops across New Zealand to help us get our glam on. 

Forget choosing between naughty and nice this Christmas (it’s far too binary anyway) and dive into the pleasuredome with earth-shatteringly good sex toys for solo or two plus person play.

Chances are if you haven’t heard of the power house that is PERA MAY, you’ve definitely clocked her otherworldly designs on your social feed.

Double double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble. The most frightful night of the year approaches—it’s time to get spooky with these actually good Halloween costume ideas. 

In recent times there’s been a welcome shift in tides to bring style and sustainability together thanks to some clever brands adopting planet-savvy changes. 

We’re a tiny bit (read: a lot) obsessed with the work of Tom Gould. Born in Aotearoa and based in New York, the director-slash-photographer has won the world over with his emotive visual storytelling. 

With her beaming smile, a flick of eyeliner and a strong coffee in hand, there's no stopping SAMMIE in her tracks.

Movie lovers and entertainers, we’ve got just the thing to level up your next binge-watching session or weekend crew hang. 

Receiving gifts never gets old, but when you're the one trying to come up with something new and exciting to give—it kinda can. Enter the following companies, who together offer a slew of unique and thoughtful goodies to show that someone spesh that you care.

From August 11 until September 4, R.M.Williams is giving you the chance to score one of five shopping experiences, including a $4,000 voucher and a private styling appointment.

Say goodbye to plastic bottles and hello to healthy hair with Ecostore's new shampoo bars. 

Nestled in the beating heart of Surfers Paradise, we’ve found the perfect place for the ultimate fun day out. Think: epic games, live sport and a total foodie nirvana. So where can you find this awesome spot? Perched on the corner of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Cavill Mall, boasting a 100-metre frontage opposite the world-famous Surfers Paradise Beach, is Paradise Centre. Home to over 90 stores, an alfresco dining precinct and a buzzing entertainment hub, gather your crew and make tracks here stat.

Whether you’re saying congratulations, happy birthday, or just a simple I love you, a beautiful bouquet is always a good idea.

Game Of Thrones might be done and dusted but winter is coming (again) so it’s time to level up your wardrobe. To help you out we’ve hunted high and low for knitwear that delivers on warmth, supports conscious local and international brands and is kind to the environment.  

Aotearoa is home to incredible talent. Music, art, design, hospitality—it's fair to say we have creative inspo in spades. 

After two-ish years of sweatpants (mostly) all day every day, the ‘home couture’ game is strong but sweats and sand don’t mix so we went looking for the best dresses to salute the sun in this summer.

Oh, home isolation. So much free time, so little motivation. Whether you’ve ended up feeling under the weather or you’re just starting to get stir-crazy, we’ve put together some affordable additions to make life stuck at home more bearable.

We all know how important good sleep is, just like we know how important quality bedding is for obtaining that sleep nirvana. Since it can feel a little daunting to navigate the many options on the market right now, we’re here to help. Whether it’s cotton or silk that tickles your fancy, we’ve got something for you!