Huge Space NK splurge

So yesterday I put up my first UK haul post showing you my Charlotte Tilbury purchases and today I thought I would share with you my Space NK haul.

I do LOVE Space NK.  To me it's like Disneyland for a make up addict like me and my favourite store is the Hans Crescent one right next to Harrods (and also right next to my London office so it's a good job I am not required to travel to London very much!).

I think the beauty of Space NK is that there isn't a counter representative selling their brand on each section.  So it's not like going into Selfridges where on the Estee Lauder counter they only talk about Estee Lauder and on the YSL counter they only talk about YSL.  The shop assistants in Space NK tend to be knowledgeable about pretty much everything meaning you can have a detailed and informative conversation about a variety of brands.  Now don't get me wrong, I am not naive and I know that there are probably brands they are encouraged to 'push' more but I don't feel like I am in a pushy sales environment.

If you're going to Hans Crescent you have to seek out Alice.  Alice is the redhead Kiwi with the impeccable 50's style make up.  And she is lovely.  I always always seek her out because she's honest, plain speaking, knowledgeable and helpful.

With Alice's help and guidance this is what I picked up whilst in London.

The first couple of things were repurchases of two things I have used and loved from Ren.  The first is the No 1 Purity Cleansing Balm which is a great dupe for the much more expensive Rodial Glamtox I rave about and the second was the much hyped, but oh so worth it Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask.  I haven't read one negative review about this gloopy, marmalade like, glow giving 10 minute treat.

More skincare was next in the basket, I wanted to try the much hyped Kiehls SPF50 (I don't wear as much SPF as I should considering where I live) and I was intrigued by the Rodial Hyaluronic toner.  I'm all about the skincare this year and use an exfoliating and a hydrating toner daily.  This would fall into the 'hydrating toner' category and I especially like the fact it's in a spray bottle.

After proclaiming my love for the original 'black' Glamglow mask here, Alice told me the white version is even better!  My original Glamglow is almost finished so I can't wait to try this one next.  I also picked up this serum from Sunday Riley who seems to have come to the forefront of good skincare this year with her highly rated and 'sold out everywhere after Caroline Hirons raved about it' Ceramic Slip cleanser.  I picked up the 'Good Genes' serum after reading a great review on it on the flight over to London.

Everything I have tried from Aesop so far (which have been mainly masks) has been amazing and I really wanted to try a cleanser from them so I went for their 'fabulous face cleanser'.   I've potentially spotted two problems with this cleanser though-no pump to dispense the product and a glass jar-knowing me that could end up smashed all over my shower floor!

Next we talked about new launches and I fell in love with these brand new lipsticks from Lipstick Queen when I swatched them.  The packaging looks like a roman column, heavy, solid and golden and I chose a red and a nude from the range.  What I didn't realise at the time was that these new lipsticks cost an eye watering £35 each!  The most expensive lipstick I have ever bought I suspect and I bought two!  And honestly I don't know what is so special about them, especially as Lipstick Queen polishes normally retail for £20.

There are 6 shades in total and definitely one to whip out when you want to look glam re-applying your lipstick!

The one item I definitely wanted to look at were the Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo's which I knew had just launched in the UK.  If you have seen my recent 5 Mac nudes post you'll know I am on the lookout for the perfect nude.  There weren't too many swatches online so I was keen to see them up close and personal.  I told Alice I was looking for nudes that were NOT 'my lips but better'.  She assured me that none of the 6 shades in the range were and recommended number 6 for my skintone.  I also picked up number 4 and can't wait to try them.  I wish I had picked up number 5 as well though!  I have some N'Dulge reward points to spend so that may be purchased using them!

I also fell for another high end lipstick, this beautiful bright pink shade called Pink Party.  I don't own much from By Terry but this lipstick is so beautifully packaged.  Firstly in comes in it's own purple silk pouch which houses the simple silver metal case.  The bullet has 'Terrybly' engraved into it and the case has By Terry embossed on the inner tube.  Utter luxury.

More lipstick?  Yes (I did purchase 30 in total during the week eek), this time two from Nars-Manhunt and Cat Fight.  Did I buy Cat Fight just because it had the word 'Cat' in it?  Hell yes!

We also talked foundation and Alice told me she had been really impressed with the newly launched Nars Radiant Creamy Compact foundation which comes in a refillable compact.  She advised it's best applied with the sponge but is very easy to build and blend.  I really want to pick up the Nars Sheer Matte foundation next time I am in the UK (we don't get Nars in Dubai).

I utterly adore the Nars duo eyeshadows-I always go for the shimmery, velvet textures over the flat matte textures as they offer much better colour payoff.  I decided to add Cordura and Bellissima to my ever growing collection.

Finally Alice wanted to show me a new palette from Chantecaille.  I don't own anything from Chantecaille, again it's not a brand we have in Dubai.  On first glance I thought it was pretty but nothing special.  If it had cats embossed on it I would buy it regardless but this palette has been designed and embossed with Wild Horses and will benefit the Humane Society of the United States.  It's also limited edition.  Alice said she had felt the same, that it was 'just ok' until she swatched it and was then blown away and she said it was her favourite Fall launch of any brand.  When I swatched the palette myself, it was literally wow and immediate love.  The colours and textues are amazing and I am so excited to own this palette.  The packaging is utterly beautiful too!

Quite a haul and a very enjoyable 30 minutes chatting to Alice and filling my basket.  I haven't had chance to play with all my new purchases yet so let me know what you would like reviewed first!

Good job I am not back in the UK until December so my debit card can cool down again!