Space NK Apothecary

I know the whole notion of Space NK being any kind of ‘apothecary’ is ludicrous and slightly pretentious, but despite that I can’t help loving this shop. The glass shelves are stocked with gorgeous products that make all kinds of wonderful promises about fading dark circles, erasing fine lines and brightening up your skin. I could spend way, way too much money in here, though — nearly everything is expensive, they stock ranges that can be hard to find elsewhere on the high street, and practically everything is beautifully packaged.
From REN and Kiehl’s to NARS to Eve Lom, the carefully selected products they stock are from innovators and specialists around the world — and while they may not live up to all of their promises, I’d still love to be able to afford to stock my entire bathroom cabinet with stuff from this shop.
The staff are immediately at your side when you step in through the door, to see if they can help — and while they are pretty good at finding products to suit your skin type, they’re also pretty persuasive: on a couple of occasions I’ve found myself parting with more cash than I’d intended, for products that were really out of my price range! That’s good sales assistants for you, I guess, and since their skin always look so glowing and healthy they’re also a pretty good advert for the shop.

Space is one of those shops that I wish all my beauty and skincare products could come from, but in reality, is the place I go to ogle the likes of brand such as Nars, Laura Mercier and Eve Lom, occasionally treating myself in the process.
I was first drawn into this shop when on the hunt for a particular colour of Nars eye pencil. Like another reviewer, it just so happened that I picked a day to visit when the heavens had opened and I had missioned up Park Street in the rain, entering cold, wet and very pink cheeked.
After an initial, mildly worried look from the two shop assistants, I got underway with my search and once said assistants realised I was an eager customer and not a human-​sized wet tomato they were very friendly and helpful, checking stock to help me find the product I needed.
After that first experience I have made an effort to go in looking a little more presentable, which tends to grant me better service from the start. The range of luxury skincare and beauty products is probably the best in Bristol and just looking in here is as exciting as making a purchase. Great for gifts and occasional treats!

Revolting fact about me #102 is that I have very dry lips — come rain or come shine. I’ve tried smothering them with Vaseline, Nivea and the like but nothing works. Annoyingly my face seems to have expensive tastes and the only thing that solves my woes is Kiehl’s Lip balm at the staggering price of £12. The only store that seems to stock it in the whole of Bristol is Space NK * (* This is possible VERY incorrect — and I’ll happily be proven wrong)
Space NK is like a department store dedicated solely to lotions, potions and cosmetics and I LOVE it. Granted, 95% of it is completely out of my budget, but it’s a great place to window shop. The shop is laid out well with bright white counters and shelves of beautifully decorated packaging. The shop assistants are good models for their products with clear, radiant skin and shiny sleek hair — very helpful and will listen attentively to find you the best suited products.

I wouldn’t normally frequent such shops, muttering something about overpriced potions, however I found that this is one of two shops in Bristol that stocks the gorgeous Lipstick Queen brand. With the other being Harvey Nicks, which frankly I’m terrified of going into, this was the lesser of two evils.
I had been cycling in the rain that morning so looked somewhat akin to a drowned rodent dressed in rags yet was helped out with a smile from one of the perfectly presented staff (but she wasn’t orange like the department store ladies!). I couldn’t decide between two colours so she offered to put them on me which is a very strange experience but helpful nonetheless. She knew her stuff about the product as well. I got my lipstick put into a cute little bag that reminds you you’ve shopped somewhere elegant.

I was quite pleased when Space NK decided to open a Bristol branch. I enjoyed visiting the Covent Garden London store and this branch is almost as large and has many fabulous items for sale.
They carry such brands as: NARS, Philosophy, Kiel’s, Ren, Stila, and many more upmarket products. The shop is well located, clean and has a welcoming feel.

This shop stocks all those high-​end beauty brands that you love but can’t find anywhere else — MAC, NARS, Shu Uemura etc. The shop is beautiful — cleanly minimalistic and exactly the kind of place you want to be buying makeup from (even if it is VERY expensive).
The staff are, as expected, really well presentedbut they’re also friendly and helpful too. I asked for a product that was out of stock and the girl offered to go to try and find it, and when she couldn’t she offered to take my number and ring me when it came inwhich she did two days later. Can’t ask for more!