There are some good things about Superdrug, one must be fair. Shopping is okay. Well marked isles…read moreand competitive prices. But when it comes to "buying" at Superdrug, it is an experience I never look forward to. I was brought up in a time when the saying ran; "the customer is always right". In other words, the shop and the staff would bend over backwards to make your time with them so pleasant that you would not only be pleased with your purchases, but you'd definitely return for more goods and the genuine warmth of their personality... PLUS... you wouldn't hesitate to tell your friends what a lovely place to shop at. However, at Superdrug I always feel as though I'm left pummelled when I "eventually" get myself and my purchases out that front door. Last week was no exception, and the main reason I decided - once and for all, to write about my HORRIBLE time. After lengthy queueing, and when you finally get to the till with your chosen items, your eyes, ears and brain are immediately assaulted by a barrage of offers from the assistant who tries desperately to entice you into buying further goods that "just happen" to be left "floating around on top of the counter". Each time you say, "no thank you, I have what I want", still undeterred he/she goes prattling away with more sales pitch patter as if so totally brainwashed by their spiel, the fact you're still standing there seems to be of little consequence to them. They must at all costs finish their monologue. Something all staff have been told to do by "management" I'm sure - the same is done in Poundland. But in the end the staff are merely recorded voice boxes sprouting out the store's discounted offers. All of which is neither enchanting or appreciated when you've simply gone there on a particular mission. So, instead of contentment, you feel like you're being hammered into financial submission. My fun time is when it comes to pay. ALWAYS. Assistant: "Have you nothing smaller?" (I'm positive these people never want to go to the bank for change) ME: "If I had smaller I would surely give it to you. Sorry, I haven't been to the bank today, but I'm on my way". Assistant: "BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY CHANGE". ME: "Staff here always say this to me, and funny thing, when eventually they open their tills, miraculously change appears. Anyway... this is what I have, and as my purchase comes to £15... which isn't a meagre amount. SO... do you think you could check with your other operator's tills to see whether there's change in those, or... at least CHECK in your own". Assistant: "You're rude". ME: "Excuse me... I'm being rude? I thought you were here to assist?" By this time the Store Manager sees what's going on and tries to be of service. (I must emphasise; BE OF SERVICE - something I thought was a prerequisite for working in this field of work - but I'm often wrong). She maintained that it was the store's policy to ALWAYS ask people if they had something smaller. I pointed out that my purchase was not a small one and that surely if people had smaller they would give it over from the get go - albeit, in days gone by sometimes shoppers wanted change. Obviously THOSE days are long gone. However, is this not ALL part of the service? And then, of course, the store manager opens the till and FINDS change for my note I'd passed over. SIMPLE! SUMMARY: It bemuses me how a shop like this doesn't want to give it. Maybe they don't want to send someone on a Bank errand. It also amazes me how they have the gonads to want shoppers to do their work for them, when it used to be the other way around. It also riles me how shoppers are treated like "stain-clothed children", like we don't know what we want to buy, and how we want to pay for it. And if we so much as have the audacity to hand out a couple of solutions to a problem with a touch of common sense - or so much as HINT to staff to DO THEIR JOB... you get slapped in the face and called rude. This shop assistant forgot the actual MEANING of her title, "assistant". She forgot what her main aim as an "assistant" was. Not to have an almighty chip on her shoulder because someone buying something from her had the temerity to ask her to CHECK whether she had change or not. But somehow even though this lass' attitude was worthy of having her sent to the factory floor to stack shelves and forget about dealing with the public, I feel this is really the problem with management. They are programming their staff with spiels. Scripts for every eventuality, from selling more stock to pushing bags onto people who clearly have some in their hands. They've taken common sense off the shopping floor, and if by chance a shopper like me requests something that's not part of their regular format, a spanner is thrown into the works and they go on the defensive, and then, as I experienced become offensive. The best mode of defence is not always attack, especially if you are serving someone, and ESPECIALLY when you are caught out in a lie.

excellent service and friendly helpful staff. Always a…read morepleasure to come to Superdrug and be served by the lovely staff. Fantastic experience every time I visit my local Superdrug in Cardiff (Queens West) Love the makeup selection, love the perfume! I'm also really happy with the superdrug sim deal. Highly recommend!!

Ah, another beauty haven for all of us fanatics - only this brand isn't one my favourites, but then…read moreagain it's not the worst I've used, either. My friend and fellow beauty junkie gave me a bagful of samples to try, and I was pretty impressed with the staying power of the pomegranate body lotion (creamy without any greasiness), while the facial serum was hydrating, but nothing special, although I've been told it's difficult to determine the effectiveness of such products for at least eight weeks. Like Amanda, I found the Korres sales staff to be really helpful, but equally happy to let you browse the extensive amount of makeup and other beauty products on offer. This shop always has a sale on too, giving you no excuse not to try a new lip gloss or body lotion. I prefer other brands to Korres, but it's definitely worth giving their products a try, especially when you can secure a bargain!

What an odd shop this is. From the front you'd think it was all wigs and hair products, but then…read moreyou go inside and you find that it sells food...? To be honest, the idea of eating something from the shop that sells hair makes me feel a little bit sick. I'm not good with hair the moment it comes of someone's head. Even fake plastic hair. Oh, goodness me, no. So, even though it's all very separate I did shy away from making any purchases. Fortunately, once I conquer my irrational hatred of hair, there is plenty for me to go back and investigate further. The prices are reasonable, the shop is independent and you can get your beauty products at the same time as your groceries - what's not to love? Well, the slight dinginess, giving me the feeling that I wasn't quite welcome, for one. And, for me, that's enough.

Shhhh don't tell anyone but I am a hair extension freak! Won't catch me without them!…read more.. So, with that said, I have scoured the general Cardiff market for the best hair extensions, considering service and knowledge, price, range, and quality. I keep going back to Kilimanjaro, as it ticks all the boxes for me! I don't have the time to properly look after my extensions, they are in/ out on a daily basis and I need extensions which can keep looking shiny and healthy for a long time despite my rough treatment of them. My current Kilimanjaro set I've had for nearly five months now, they've been straightened, waved, curled, plaited, you name it- and to my surprise, still looking good! They give you a lot for your money, enough for two whole sets. The choice range and overall variety, whatever you're colour or hair type you are bound to find the perfect match in Kilimanjaro. Lengths vary from 14 to 24 inches, and you can also buy wigs, clips, hair care, glue and much more. For my 16 inch, blonde, quality set of human hair, I paid roughly £45, which is a good ten pounds cheaper from the other extension shops in the city centre. However, if you have brunette or black hair, the prices are even cheaper (blonde hair is for some reason more expensive in comparison). The best thing about Kilimanjaro is the shop owner! The most welcoming, happy and smiling lady you may ever meet, and she treats you like a good friend she hasn't seen for years; she'll also give you helpful, expert advice if you need it.

This is where everyone should go to get there toiletries, cleaning supplies, vitamins, first aid…read morestuff and baby products. It's even cheaper than a supermarket and cheaper than Wilkinsons. I am a huge fan of Aussie shampoo, and I thought I was getting a bargain when it was 2 for £6 in Sainsbury's. Then I discovered that it's £1.99 a bottle in Savers. They don't sell the heat protection spray that I like, but still, £1.99!! Savers is also one of the best places to buy hair dye. As well as having a huge range of colours, they also sell a lot more semi-permanent dyes than other stores. The brand named products are all so cheap that I feel like someone's going to stop me on the way out and demand that I give them the rest of the money. Savers also sells some unknown brands too, some of which are actually pretty good. The store itself could do with a quick clean, and it's often filled with..... well, to put it in the nicest way possible: they're not in there buying toothpaste, and I doubt they've ever bought washing powder there either, if you get my meaning. But do not be put off! This is not one of those shops you should be ashamed to shop in. There is no shame in getting fancy shampoo at half the price. It's still fancy shampoo and you get to buy more of it for less money. And that's what's most important.

Right, think of Tesco. Got that in your mind? Good. Now, at the same time, think of Spar. Got it?…read moreExcellent. If you take the dynamic between those two, that big brother/scabby, cheaper little brother dynamic and apply it to Boots, you'll find that Savers is the scabby, cheaper little brother. And, that's absolutely no bad thing. Really, not at all. With food products, you can taste the lowered quality in the food right from the off. Tesco brand isn't anything special, but it's a lot better than Spar brand. Savers doesn't have the luxury of making its own brand, so it dodges this bullet altogether. Instead, what it offers is premium brand hair, beauty and sanitary products for reduced prices. Sometimes as little as half what you'd pay in Boots or another similar store. Sadly, Savers has the image of a slightly grubby, cheap place. But what they save in expensive decorations, they pass onto the customers in terms of lowered prices. With everyone as skint as they have been recently, that's not something to turn your nose up at.

Andy sold us "real hair " for my daughters hair to be styled curly for my wedding, £160 for the…read morehair and on the day it burned and could not be styled, it was not 100% human hair as stated which is why he has signs all over the packaging saying you can return or refund, he knows he sells not 100% hair, if it was from amazon and I paid £50 at most then fair enough but £160 for real hair to be styled for a special day like my wedding and then to be told by him it is 100% sweetheart when I know and he knows it is and tried blaming my hairdresser who actually recommended him in the first place! Trading standings will now be informed! do not trust this shop!

People who know me, know I change my hair almost as often as my underwear. I've had it long and…read moreshort, with dreads, extensions, braids, and a rainbow assortment of hues including Poppy Red, Turquoise, Atlantic Blue, Pink, Black, Blonde, Flame and Tangerine. As such stalls like Andy's enthral me. He offers hair accessories, extensions, wigs, and styling; total euro and afro haircare and beauty. So whether you want a synthetic look or 100% human hair pony clips and wigs, this is a good place to come to. They can offer you advice on application and aftercare, as well as providing serums and haircare products to keep you looking amazing. Andy's also has an online shop and sells bright eye makeup and fancy false eyelashes.

MAC is the queen of the make up industry!…read more I only ever go to MAC when I am a little flush though as the prices are a bit on the high side. Saying that, you do get what you pay for as the 'Studio Fix' foundation is superb and it seems to last forever! I love this shop situated in Capital shopping centre as it is soley devoted to the brand. Which means it holds more variety than the one in the near by department store! The MAC girls are always very keen to give you a make over, this can be a nice way to try out the new colours of lippy and shades of eyeshadow. However... I have been known to have a sneaky make over on a day where it just so happens I had plans to go out .....If you get my drift?! Wink Wink! The only negative is that if the shop is busy it does seem to take an age to get served!

Oh, how I love it here…read more The seemingly endless rows of candy-coloured eye shadows, glittery cream lipsticks, and silky brushes propped in glass beakers, all in that unmistakeable slick black packaging. It's like arts and crafts for your face. After years of sampling nearly all that the cosmetic industry has to offer, the inherent beauty junkie in me has finally found her drug of choice. This store in particular is one of the best. Ever. When I was a young girl of 16, I was kinda intimidated by the MAC artists - they exhibited a manner of coolness that I just never possessed. And I still don't. But anyway, not only do they have the skills renowned in the industry, but they're also a fantastic group of artists who make you feel at ease and are always more than happy to take a few minutes to explain your best options. A few of the artists here have worked on events like London Fashion Week, in addition to countless other award shows, celebrity events, exhibitions, and weddings, so it's worth coming by and succumbing to a one-hour makeover session with some of the industry's best.

Jennie is a great leader and i recomend her highly , the products are just fab tooread more

Salon Wills is an NHS-approved wig supplier, offering clinics at various hospitals around Wales, in…read moreaddition to a spacious shop that provides comfort and privacy to all its visitors. Situated on the balcony level of the Castle Arcade, Salon Wills offers Wales' largest stock of male and female wigs in a discrete and central location. All fitting rooms are private, and every consultation is free and provided by Salon Wills' qualified and experienced staff. I had a chat with one of the owners and walked away feeling extremely grateful that there's an establishment like this serving women and men with cancer and alopecia. I just wish we had a comparable service in the States! Salon Wills is not really a public-facing enterprise (there's no advertising apart from the sign and white curtains cover the shop windows), but anyone interested in their services is encouraged to arrange an appointment by calling 02920 224 475.

If you want the best this is your destination salon, I drive from Oxford to get my hair done…read morehere... Michelle and her Team are trained to perfection and now they have another location in Duke St Arcade 8-15 Duke St, Cardiff.

I live in the USA and was visiting Cardiff for a wedding in June. I wanted a blowout as I usually…read moreget one 2-3 times a month in the USA at the equivalent of Drybar, Halo, etc-basically blowouts only or updo's. I was able to book online and prepay. Michelle understood perfectly what I wanted and my hair was perfect for the wedding. One of the best blowouts I've ever had. I wish I had another event to attend in Cardiff-I would definitely go to this salon again!!