Discovering Space NK | Haul & Shopping Experience

Perhaps the worst thing possible has happened to my bank balance! I always thought that Space NK in Manchester was miles away from where I work and I just never seemed to get round to hunting it down on weekends. However, one day I really wanted to go and look at some Hourglass products, which aren’t stocked anywhere else in Manchester, so decided to make the journey. I discovered a shortcut that meant it was about a 7-minute walk away from my office on York Street. Best thing to happen to my beauty stash, worst thing to happen to my bank balance…

I didn’t pick all this stuff up in one go, it was over the course of about a month, but I wanted to do a haul post to show you what I picked up, talk about the brands they stock and the shopping experience in general. In the Manchester store specifically, you’re completely surrounded by windows so there’s natural light pouring in. I find this so helpful for looking at products, as it’s such an annoyance in Selfridges where the beauty hall is essentially underground! I find the atmosphere in there perfect. Even on weekends there are rarely many shoppers, and I love the attitude the staff have. They’re friendly and welcoming however they’re never overbearing and you know they’re there to help if you should need it. There’s no awkwardness if you just want to browse and I’ve never felt pressured into making a big purchase. When I have needed help, the staff were knowledgeable and enthusiastic, plus the fact it isn’t a busy shop means the atmosphere is relaxed and chatty.   

Space NK have a loyalty points scheme called N.Dulge, which allows you to collect 1 point for every pound spent and once you reach 100 this converts to £5 to spend with them online or in-store. This is great as it’s so easy to spend £100 in there you find yourself racking up the points really quickly. The only negatives for me are that you have to reach that threshold for the points to be spend-able and also your £5 N.Centive is only valid for 3 months, which is a bummer as it means (unless you’re a big spender!) you can’t really save them up for a big purchase. However it’s a perk, so you can’t complain too much! It’s just one of those little things that means I will go to them instead of another retailer for the brands they stock.

Space NK stock so many luxury beauty brands you can’t really get anywhere else outside of London such as Diptyque, By Terry, Hourglass and Becca. I did do an online order in their offer where if you spent £40 you got £10 off. I ordered into store for free on the Tuesday and it arrived there that Friday, which isn’t too bad. However, be warned, if you don’t have a local store the standard delivery charge is £5. I’m not sure if there’s a certain amount you can spend to get it free, but to be honest if I’m ordering luxury products it’s not something I expect to pay on top of that.

Now, onto the good stuff: what I’ve bought recently!

Whilst I was down in London and feeling spend-y I made my first purchases. I fell in love with Diptyque's Noisetier Candle (£40) after smelling it in the Diptyque store. When I went to Space NK afterwards and they also had it in stock, I decided that fate was pulling the two of us together. £40 is a lot for a candle but to be honest, sometimes you just want to treat yourself. You can spend £3 on a McDonald's and be satisfied, you can spend £40 on a meal in a nice bistro and get a different type of satisfaction out of it. I have cheap candles I love but sometimes you want something a little more special! In the same trip, I picked up the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light (£38) which I already posted on so you can read my full thoughts and see a swatch here. I have mixed feelings; it's nice but I'm not sure it's life-changing enough to justify the price.

In Space NK's £10 off a £40 order deal (which is still running, I believe so hurry!) I picked up a couple of things online. I treated myself to the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Luminous Flush (£28), and to be honest I wish I'd got myself another shade in this instead of the setting powder! I really like this highlighting fuchsia shade, and there's no glitter in sight but you get a lovely glow. In the same order I got myself the Lipstick Queen Oxymoron Matte Gloss in Honest Politician (£22), which is a gorgeous mauve pot rouge-type product for both lips and cheeks. I am beyond impressed with Lipstick Queen as a brand, so now I've tried a few bits from them I'm going to do a post on how underrated and amazing they are! I was a little naughty and also picked something up when I went to collect the order (I know, I must be stopped...) However it was something I'd had my eye on for a good month and had been saving for. It was Diptyque's Philosykos Eau de Toilette (£75 for 100ml). It was £58 for 50ml or £75 for 100ml, so it was a no-brainer really. I think this incredible fragrance is going to be my go-to for summer as I'm already in love with it! A dangerous Diptyque obsession has begun...

I will be posting my full thoughts on these products very soon so keep an eye out :)

Do you like shopping at Space NK? Which brands of theirs should I check out and what products from them do you have your eye on?

 

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