This place is basically a discount beauty store, stocking loads of makeup, hair extensions,…read moreperfumes, tights and various other random bits and pieces. I came in here last October to grab some face paints for my mime Halloween costume. They sell the proper stage makeup branded stuff you find in specialist shops, but for only half the price - it's really great. They also do a lot of stuff by brands I've never heard of - my girlfriend always buys her liquid eyeliner from here - she says it works better than any other brand she's ever tried and it only costs £1.50! It's also a great place for cheap (but not necessarily bad quality) gifts for female friends and relatives - and they also do a range of greetings cards and gift wrap, so you won't even need to go anywhere else. Sorted.

Are you in need of some false eye lashes, baby wipes and discount perfume? Then this is the place…read morefor you! They may not have the classiest range of products, but they do stock both the essentials and the more fun beauty products we all need. A great way of saving money, check them out.

I had such a great experience with Ed! He was engaging, sweet, and even went the extra mile to give…read moreme a little something extra that I really appreciated. As someone who has worked in retail, I know how rare it is to have a truly great interaction not only with the employee but as a customer as well. Ed was a breath of fresh air! We had such a nice chat, and I'm especially grateful for his insight on how to enjoy a relaxing bath--such a thoughtful touch. His kindness really stood out, and I just wanted to leave some kudos for a job well done!

Lush There's nothing I like less than a 'hard-sell' when I'm…read moreout shopping. 'Would you like a spray of our new perfume?' No, thanks. 'Would you like to hear about some of our exclusive deals we can offer you?' I'm fine. 'Can we offer you some FAN-tastic insurance to go with that?' I'm only buying batteries?! Which is the only thing that puts me off shopping at this Lush. The friendly staff obviously have a whale of a time working here as they're always smiling and joking around. But I really don't need to be asked 'can I help you?' by six different perky shop assistants before being helped against my will regardless of me refusing their help! (I get them impression they're working on commission). It's such a shame that they're so bloomin' helpful, as it puts me off wanting to peruse their henna hair dyes, delicious smelling bath bombs and wonderful lotions and potions. If you do get coerced into buying something you didn't really want - don't be shy to ask for some samples. They're so darn friendly they'll happily give them to you! P.S. You may enjoy this shopping experience if you're a much more personable shopper than I am!

The perfume shop is great for getting some cheap prices on some big name perfumes. My regular…read moreperfume Coco Mademoiselle is a lot cheaper here than in the department store. I came in looking for a new perfume and the assistant was helpful and sprayed Gucci Flora on for me to try on. We had a giggle as she pointed out some guy wolf-whistling at me as I was trying on the perfume. Despite the pheromone properties the perfume seemed to have I passed on the perfume and they sadly didn't have the limited edition perfume I was after in stock. Still, a great store this, cheap prices, friendly staff, great place to stop in and buy a treat for yourself or a present.

I'm not the kind of man to normally worry about this stuff, a good shower and a spray of deodrant…read more(Jesus, not Lynx - who do you think I am?) usually does the job for me. Other people, however, seem to appreciate the scent of a finely crafted fragrance, in which case, this place becomes a pretty good one-stop-shop. They've got loads of bargain bottles, cutting the extortionate rates offered by some of the big department stores. This must be one of their busiest times of year, with Valentines Day fast approaching - so if your girlfriend has subtly (or not) let you know that she'd appreciate unwrapping a new bottle of her favourite eau de toilette in 11 days time, then my advice is to get down there quick and grab yourself a bargain.

This part of Gould's sells white goods and smaller appliances, as well as furniture…read more They have a good range, and the prices are competitive. It's well worth having a good old snoop around. It does have some really great stuff. Again the staff are helpful and friendly. It's well worth a visit here.

This newly opened Boots has replaced their longstanding store just ten seconds further down. I'm…read moreincreasingly confused about why the good people of Boots spent the time and money to make this venture - as it is seems to be exactly the same inside! You may think that every Boots in the country is going to be the same; generic, bland but ultimately useful. But you'd be wrong! This Boots is FANTASTIC. It's absolutely massive for a start so you're bound to find whatever cosmetic or pharmaceutical product you're after. And best of all it has the most helpful and friendly staff of any shop in Bath. Whenever I've been in, one of the shop assistants has been at hand to help me find me exactly what I'm after or recommend something new to me. This Boots also has a great range of cosmetics and perfumes which I've never seen in any of their other stores. My best buy here has been the new Prada perfume at £35 which was sold out everywhere else I'd been.

No doubt trying to capitalise on the recent opening of Westgate 'shopping centre' - quite literally…read morethe most pointless and film-set (as in Bath stone slapped over a makeshift metal frame) like collection of shops I've seen in a long while. Boots should have stayed in their original position, which was a much bigger store, and saved themselves a packet of money. The layout has been kept more or less the same, though, which is a boon, as I got to know my way around the other one pretty well when hunting for cold remedy and the like. It's just that I hate coming into Westgate. Bah.

Lovely store in the heart of downtown Bath that features a variety of scents, lotions, creams,…read moresoaps and other toiletries. Service is excellent. My husband picked me up a bottle of Tuberose Anjelica, a spicy floral that is a part of the Intense Cologne range.

Jolly's might look like an old fashion British department store from the outside, but it is…read moreactually a part of the House of Fraser group. But even though it's part of a chain, House of Fraser should be commended for making it look as though it's an independent department shop. Spread over three levels it's a one-stop shop for ladies who love retail; there's fashion, cosmetics, homeware and a cafe to sit down after an exhausting shopping session. It may all seem a bit middle class but look closely and there's plenty for younger girls too. There's an Oasis, Benefit, MAC and All Saints to name but a few stands. Not the cheapest of places, but a lovely place to go if you're trying to please a whole family of shoppers. They also hold weekly one-off events so make sure you pop in to see what's happening in-store.

Proper higgledy-piggledy department store of old, lots of steps and staircases making it unsuitable…read morefor shopping with a buggy. Ladies clothes - lots of concessions, Planet, Paul Costelloe, phase eight etc plus House of Fraser own brands linea and platinum. Good undies section, and leather handbags and gloves. All the major perfum people are there - use the top entrances to get straight to these. Homeware a bit hit and miss, always worth a look when it's a 20% off day. Staff are either very young or old (some of the ladies in the clothes area must be over 70 - lovely people, not so hot on the till technology) and are ALWAYS pushing the storecard.

Laura got me on to this little pharmacy type place. It is poifect for stocking up on essentials…read morebefore a festival. If you go to Boot's you often end up paying through the nose (although the advantage points and offers are some consolation) but at Savers you just get what you need, no frills, no tempting offers because everything is already so cheap. It sells hayfever medicine cheaper than anywhere else in town and there are all the main brands of shampoos, hair dyes and moisturisers etc at cut prices. I don't know how they do it but it's worth taking a detour if your toiletry stocks are running low.

Savers! A shop that's got the bare essentials of any big supermarket, at a discounted price. Sounds…read moregood already eh? I come here when I need anything for the home. They stock washing basics, toiletries, make up, baby bits, and now they've started stocking some food too! On top of all the things here that are already cheaper than usual, they always have offers on. The main draw are their prices; I just paid 89p for Vaseline, the new Loreal Perfect Colour 10 hair dye for £3.99, and 20 bin liners for 69p. It isn't as if you're getting lower quality for a lower price, as all their items are of known brands. A really great shop to save some pennies!

As a fan of the brand I was most impressed by the size of this store, it can certainly fit a lot of…read morestock whilst appearing well presented and not at all cramped. For those unfamiliar with the brand, Crabtree and Evelyn specialises in luxury, high quality toiletries, which in my opinion make very good gifts. If I have one complaint with the store is that I felt that the staff didn't know enough about their product, but as this store is new to Cardiff and has just recently opened, perhaps they can be forgiven (hopefully they'll improve with time). One word of warning, this place isn't cheap, but the products are definitely worth the price!

This is an interesting brand that I always go and have a look at when I pass a new store or…read morecounter. Unfortunately, the resounding feeling that I come away with is that I should like it, but there's something missing. They have the pretty packaging. They have the natural ingredients. They have their little gift packages. They have a good reputation. I remember they were once even mentioned in Friends. But. For me, there seems to be a lack of passion and imagination with this brand. They do everything right, but just never go that further step. I want them to though. As Sarah mentioned, I think the main problem with the store in Cardiff is the staff. They stand around like those girls behind make up counters, and don't have an overly friendly vibe to them. With L'Occitane just a moment's walk away, I will probably just always make my way down there instead.

I first got hooked on L'Occtaine when I was given a teeny tiny sample in my copy of Cosmopolitan…read moremagazine. Ever since I've sought out its rich, luxurious moisturisers and silky smooth hand creams. So when I discovered Bath had one slap bang in the middle of the high street - I was over the moon. Sadly when I realised how expensive the products were when they weren't free I realised I'd have to save my pennies before returning. But when you have the funds, you'll be able to sample their floral body mists, shower oils and shampoos which leave you feel pampered from head to toe.

Fantastic products that bring Provence to your bathroom!…read more Not cheap, but last for a long time - my favourites are the verbana hand soap (been going over a year now) and the aromatherapy pine and rosemary shower gel. Well-stocked shop, haven't needed to ask the staff very much so not sure of they know much about the products - they sort of sell themselves! Great presents.