My Surprisingly Impressive Experience Shopping Space NK for High-End Beauty
As a self-professed beauty junkie who‘s tried her fair share of skincare and makeup, I consider myself somewhat of an expert on cosmetics retailers. From ubiquitous stores like Sephora and Ulta to luxury destinations like Bluemercury, I‘ve shopped more beauty aisles than I can count.
So when a fellow beauty lover first told me about Space NK, I‘ll admit – I was skeptical. Had I really been missing out on this supposed skincare mecca all these years? Well, I had to find out…
And I‘m so glad I did! Because as it turns out, Space NK offers an impressively curated selection of cutting-edge beauty brands you simply can‘t find elsewhere. I‘m officially hooked after experiencing their standout customer service and trying the transformative formulas for myself.
Intrigued to hear all about Space NK from a genuine devotee? Keep reading for my complete insider review!
An Overview of Space NK: The Posh Beauty Retailer You Need to Know
First, let‘s brush up on the basics. Founded in 1993 by industry veteran Nicky Kinnaird, Space NK began as a single beauty boutique on London‘s chic Covent Garden. Kinnaird spotted a gap for a retailer offering hard-to-find, cutting edge beauty brands all in one place. And so the concept for Space NK was born.
Nearly 30 years later, and Space NK now boasts:
- 130+ brick-and-mortar locations across the UK and US
- An eCommerce site shipping to the UK, US, France and Ireland
- A social following of over 388k on Instagram and 84k on Facebook
- Multi-million dollar annual sales both online and in-stores
- 500+ beauty brands stocked from luxury stalwarts to niche newcomers
Today‘s Space NK remains true to Kinnaird original vision. They scout and curate the most in-demand makeup, skincare, haircare and fragrance brands, making them accessible to beauty aficionados worldwide.
Think coveted labels like Olaplex, Sol de Janeiro, Augustinus Bader, Charlotte Tilbury and The Ordinary. Alongside exclusive launches from the next generation of buzzed-about brands.
As for their ethos? Space NK positions itself as "The Modern Apothecary" blending an edited selection of science-backed formulas with expert advice.
A glance at some of Space NK‘s top-selling skincare products
And with an emphasis on clean clinical ingredients over filler, their products bridge the gap between dermatologist offices and department store counters.
Intrigued so far? Well, wait until we dive into the coveted products that have won over my beauty-loving heart…
Space NK Product Review: Why I‘m Obsessed
Between their targeted serums, gloss-worthy makeup and hair saviors, I truly can‘t pick just one hero product from Space NK‘s lineup. So I‘ll fangirl over the five that have earned permanent spots on my overcrowded shelves.
1. Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
This luminous foundation/highlighter hybrid blurs imperfections while reflecting light for the most flattering filter-like glow. And I can confirm – it makes skin look airbrushed and lit from within!
I mix a few drops into my foundation or wear alone for a supernatural glow. And the flexibility to build coverage from light to full is brilliant. At $44 it‘s pricey, but a little goes a long way.
Fans liken Charlotte Tilbury‘s Instagram-famous filter in a bottle to "liquid moonlight" and I have to agree! My complexion looks more radiant and rested whenever I smooth this over my face.
2. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream
If I had to pick one moisturizer to use for life, this would be it. Packed with THD ascorbate (a more stable form of vitamin C) alongside vitamin E, aloe vera and glycolic acid, it tackles all my skin concerns.
It brightens, hydrates AND smooths texture with both immediate and cumulative results. And did I mention the divine citrus scent? I swear my skin guzzles up every last nourishing drop of this featherlight gel-cream hybrid.
At $22 for a 5 ml jar, it‘s an investment but I notice a visible difference when I use this daily. Brighter, bouncier skin worth every penny!
3. Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
This body cream smells like a tropical vacation thanks to notes of salted caramel, pistachio and coconut. And I swear it makes my skin feel inexplicably perkier and smoothed every time I lather it on!
The rich formula leaves a subtle sheen without feeling greasy. Plus it contains caffeine and aminos to tighten the skin. I smooth it everywhere from heels to elbows after showering and my dryness disappears instantly.
A little Bum Bum cream transports me to a Brazilian beach whenever I catch a whiff. And gives my skin a soft, nourished look that beats any typical body lotion. This might just be my favorite body moisturizer ever!
4. Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
If you battle any kind of hair damage from breakage to split ends, Olaplex‘s bonding shampoo is non-negotiable. It contains Olaplex’s patented bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate that re-links broken bonds in hair strands.
I use the No.4 shampoo alongside the No.5 conditioner and my hair has never looked better! All my heat-styling damage and split ends have disappeared. And I notice way less breakage and frizz even brushing wet hair.
It gently cleanses without stripping color or moisture too. At $30 it‘s not cheap but you only need a little each wash, so one bottle lasts ages. My hair is stronger and shinier thanks to this baller shampoo – I‘d buy again!
5. The Ordinary AHA 30% BHA 2% Peeling Solution
This 10-minute facial transforms congested skin overnight thanks to a powerhouse combo of glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids. It chemical exfoliates away dead skin cells, debris and oils for clearer, glowier complexion.
I use this hardcore peel weekly and it leaves my skin unbelievably smooth. Fine lines, acne scars and enlarged pores look reduced. And it preps my skin beautifully for better makeup application.
At $8 for a 30 ml bottle, this stuff is almost too good to be true! The Ordinary is one of my favorite budget beauty brands but this peel pumps up results like a luxury serum. My glowing endorsements all around.
Just a few of the skincare products I‘m currently obsessed with thanks to Space NK!
I could truly sing Space NK‘s praises all day but hopefully you get the idea – the products live up the hype! I‘ve yet to try something from their shelves I didn‘t enjoy.
Even my guy has become a Space NK convert after trying their highly-rated shave creams and grooming range!
But stellar products aside, here‘s what really sets this beauty haven apart in an oversaturated market…
Why I Recommend Shopping Space NK Over Competitors
Space NK may not be as ubiquitous as Sephora or Ulta. But they edge out the mega beauty giants with standout service and exclusive finds you won‘t spot elsewhere!
Let‘s compare some key metrics:
| Space NK | Sephora | Cult Beauty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Brands | 500+ | 300+ | 200+ |
| Trend-Led Finds | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Prestige Makeup | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Niche Fragrance | ✅ | Limited | ❌ |
| Clean Beauty | ✅ | Growing Assortment | ✅ |
| Haircare Range | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Return Policy | 28 days | 60 days | 14 days |
| Loyalty Program | ❌ | ✅ Beauty Insider | ❌ |
As you can see, Space NK competes nicely with even the largest beauty retailers!
They may not operate loyalty programs or mammoth stores like Sephora. But their curation stands out by tapping exciting niche brands you won‘t easily find elsewhere.
I‘m talking Venn, Mara Skincare, Rose Inc and more under-the-radar labels not yet available at mainstream stores. Space NK scouts these rising stars early, letting you discover new favorites before they hit big.
And compared to a site like Cult Beauty, Space NK places a heavier focus on makeup alongside skincare. This makes them a one-stop for all beauty categories!
Factor in raved-about customer service and risk-free returns? And in my eyes, Space NK edges out even the biggest names as a premier beauty destination!
Let‘s talk perks…
Why I Love Shopping at Space NK: Perks & Policies
Like any self-respecting beauty junkie, incentives matter when I shop! Between gifts-with-purchase, discounted launch exclusives and other freebie finds, I love maximizing value from retailers.
And Space NK makes splurging all the sweeter with perks like:
- 15% off first orders for new customers
- Seasonal sales and beauty events
- A student discount scheme
- Free delivery over £40
- Complimentary samples with purchases
- The option to pay later with ClearPay and Klarna
- Bonus gifts, tote bags and more with big brand launches and holiday sales
Plus their policies facilitate easy browsing and returns:
- User-friendly website with special offers and personalized product recos
- A smooth mobile site/app experience for on-the-go beauty hunting
- 28 days to return most items if unsuitable, even after trying
- Click & collect options from local stores after ordering online
I especially appreciate Space NK‘s fuss-free returns compared to a retailer like Cult Beauty. Unlike fast fashion, I can‘t always predict how cosmetics perform until I try them out on my skin and hair type.
So nearly a month to test out products and still send back anything that misses the mark offers great peace of mind!
Space NK Review: Final Verdict
If you can‘t tell by now, I‘m clearly over the moon for Space NK! Between the access to buzzed-about beauty brands, stellar customer service and risk-free returns, they make shopping for skincare and cosmetics genuinely fun.
After over two decades in the game, Space NK shows no signs of slowing down in curating the best in cutting-edge formulations. I discover new Scottish founders, clean formulations and products personalized to my needs every time I browse.
So if you‘re beauty-obsessed like me and love discovering new brands before they hit Sephora shelves, I couldn‘t recommend Space NK more. Their edited selection cuts through overwhelming options to spotlight what‘s really worth trying now.
Consider them your insider source to coveted formulas for glowing skin, luscious hair and Insta-worthy makeup!
Have you shopped Space NK before? Or still deciding if it‘s worth a first order? Share your questions below!
