Filed In: a england
a-england · Sargent’s Vision
The latest release from a-england is titled Sargent’s Vision, and draws inspiration by works from American painter John Singer Sargent (1856-1925). Founded by Adina Bodana — a woman that I’m so honoured to call my friend, each a-england collection is curated with exquisite detail and has a story to tell, more often than not centred around Adina’s love of the Edwardian era (one of my favourites as well, actually).
a-england · Tennyson’s Romance
It’s no secret that one of my favourite nail polish brands is a-england, and not just for the absolutely stellar quality of the product. What makes this range a total stand-out for me, is how well thought-out and curated each collection is and the love with which founder Adina Bodana goes about in creating each shade. Inspired by her love of of Pre-Raphaelite art and literature, Tennyson’s Romance draws inspiration from a beloved poem of Adina’s, The Beggar Maid from Alfred, Lord Tennyson and brought to life by yet another of Adina’s favourites, the artist Edward Burne-Jones.
To see all previous reviews from this brand, click this a-england tab
The Beggar Maid (Alfred, Lord Tennyson)
Her arms across her breast she laid;
She was more fair than words can say:
Bare-footed came the beggar maid
Before the king Cophetua.
In robe and crown the king stept down,
To meet and greet her on her way;
“It is no wonder,” said the lords,
“She is more beautiful than day”.
As shines the moon in clouded skies,
She in her poor attire was seen:
One praised her ankles, one her eyes,
One her dark hair and lovesome mien:
So sweet a face, such angel grace,
In all that land had never been:
Cophetua sware a royal oath:
“This beggar maid shall be my queen!”
King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid by Edward Burne-Jones (1884)
The Beggar Maid | A steely grey base with olive undertones and a scattered holographic effect that gives off a slight pink shift under some lights. Self-levelling and almost a one-coat-wonder, this comes to a glossy finish.
Coats: 2, no top coat
Angel Grace | A vivid purple with a strong scattered holographic effect. A slightly thinner formula than The Beggar Maid, but bearing the same smooth application and shiny finish.
Coats: 2, no top coat
King Cophetua | Probably the black holographic shade to rule them all, the scattered effect here is beautifully rendered and this is truly a one-coat-wonder. Self-levelling and coming to a glossy finish, there’s no staining upon removal either.
Coats: 2, no top coat
In Robe And Crown | A rich burgundy hue with a scattered holographic effect, with a flawless application, glossy finish, and no staining upon removal. I’m all about the ‘banked embers’ look happening with this shade and love how complex it is.
Coats: 2, no top coat
Shall Be My Queen | A deep rose shade with a strong scattered holographic effect that applies almost fully opaque by the first layer. Self-levelling like the rest and coming to a glossy finish, with bonus no staining upon removal.
Coats: 2, no top coat
As passionate as I am about beauty, that also applies to literature and art which is why everything about the Tennyson’s Romance collection resonates so strongly with me. This is a perfect example of all the right ingredients colliding, and no one does that better than a-england. If I were to pick my faves, that would be The Beggar Maid, King Cophetua and In Robe and Crown — primarily because moody shades like that sit right in my wheelhouse. If you’ve yet to discover this brand, you really need to get on board because this is one unbelievably quality product that I honestly cannot recommend enough. Plus, just look at all this gorgeousness, am I right?
Visit a-england for retailers
PR samples/As always, all opinions are my own
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a-england | Russian Soul
Russian Soul, the latest release from boutique lacquer brand a-england, draws inspiration from the ballet, in particular the gliding elegance and technical artistry of renown Russian dancers such as that of Maya Plisetskaya (1925 – 2015), Prima Ballerina Assoluta.
Since its inception, a-england has consistently turned out one incredible collection after another with shades that are not only beautiful & complex but also imbued with a strong sense of history not seen with any other beauty product. Founder Adina Bodana, a woman with one of the most generous hearts I know and whom I’m proud to call a friend, has quite possibly outdone even herself with this latest creation – prepare to be amazed.
*See swatches of more a-england shades by clicking on the tag in the sidebar
Maya Plisetskaya, Prima Ballerina Assoluta as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake
a-england | Russian Soul
a-england | Russian Soul
Katyusha | An oxidized silver hue with a strong holographic effect, displaying an absolutely beautiful flow, density, and coverage (basically opaque at 1 coat). There’s this stunning green and copper shift seen in some lights, alternating to a more seafoam green at other times. LOVE!
Coats: 2, no base or top coat added
a-england | Katyusha swatch, Russian Soul
Waltz of the Flowers | An iridescent violet hue with a strong prismatic effect to the holographic particles in a slightly sheerer formula than that of Katyusha. Self-levelling and with a natural glossy finish, there’s such an ease to the flow that makes application a dream. Gorgeously regal yet still so classic and modern.
Coats: 2, no base or top coat added
a-england | Waltz of the Flowers swatch, Russian Soul
Kalinka | A silvered lavender hue with yet another strong holographic presence, in a formula similar to that of Waltz of the Flowers; a slight sheerness with the first coat but becoming fully opaque by the second layer. There’s a hypnotic effect to the prismatic flashes, especially when seen in direct sunlight (don’t drive and stare, please!)
Coats: 2, no base or top coat added
a-england | Kalinka swatch, Russian Soul
Polovetsian Dances | A midnight violet/indigo hue in a formula that is ultra colour-saturated making it almost a one-coat-wonder, with a formula that displays a perfect density, flow, coverage along with self-levelling properties. The holographic particles are more scattered here, with the richness of the base colour providing your nails with that ‘galaxy’ effect (adding a layer of top coat will really make this stand out). BONUS: non-staining upon removal.
Coats: 2, no base or top coat added
a-england | Polovetsian Dances swatch, Russian Soul
Natasha’s Dance/War & Peace | A lush ebonized charcoal hue with a deep violet undertone and a killer amazing formula in all regards: flow, density, coverage, opacity, gloss and evenness. With a scattered holographic effect similar to that of Polovetsian Dances, this shade is a true one-coat-wonder, although I would still add a second layer for more depth. BONUS: non-staining upon removal. By the way, adding top coat to this beauty takes things to a whole other level of gorgeousness (see the last swatch).
Coats: 2, no base or top coat added on the first 2 swatches, top coat on the last swatch
a-england | Natasha’s Dance/War & Peace swatch, Russian Soul
a-england | Natasha’s Dance/War & Peace swatch with top coat, Russian Soul
In case it wasn’t already apparent, I have so much love for this brand – not to mention the highest level of respect for its creator, Adina. For starters, you can just tell that each and every shade is meticulously thought out and developed with uniqueness and quality in mind. This collection is a departure from other prismatic hues in the brand’s range, in the sense that there’s this gorgeous natural glossiness seen at the finish of each shade that I personally haven’t seen before, with stellar formulas just sweetening the deal. Picking one favourite out of them all is not possible and I’m so happy I don’t have to either. I may never be a Prima Ballerina Assoluta, but my nails can definitely channel that elegance thanks to this Russian Soul.
Visit a-engand to shop the collection & to find your nearest retailer
These ethereal beauties have been kindly provided/As always, all opinions are my own
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a-england | The Blessed Damozel, Heavenly Quotes Collection
There are lacquers, and then there are lacquers; what makes a-england polishes stand out, is an ephemeral quality that is hard to pin down, but is strongly felt nevertheless. With her love of art, beauty, and literature – in particular the Pre-Raphaelite period, Adina Bodana (the creative genius behind this brand) continues to draw inspiration from one of her favourite artists of that period, Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The latest addition to her Heavenly Quotes Collection, is The Blessed Damozel – a lush purple hue with what appears to be plume-like swirls of colour running throughout the base, all of which only add to its hypnotic appeal.
Originally published in 1850 (and subsequently revised twice after that), Rossetti’s poem, The Blessed Damozel, was partially inspired by Edgar Allen Poe’s ‘The Raven’, a story of love, grief, unrequited yearning, and celestial bodies. Interestingly, Rossetti’s poem preceded his painting of the same name, with a maiden (the ‘Damozel’) in heaven gazing down in eternal mourning at her earth-bound lover.
Purple, a hue long associated with both royalty and that of death, also happens to have been a favourite with artists of the Pre-Raphaelite movement such as Rossetti; the undulating pattern seen in the bottle of a-england’s The Blessed Damozel combined with the intensity of colour, perfectly captures the essence of a deep abiding passion clouded by loss. In other words, Adina has done it again and has managed to bring a piece of literature to life in nail lacquer form.
The Blessed Damozel (1875-78), Dante Gabriel Rossetti (credit)
The Blessed Damozel (poem originally published in 1850), Dante Gabriel Rossetti (credit)
The Blessed Damozel | A deeply regal violet with ultra fine inner shimmer in a formula that leans slightly towards the thick side, but which levels out easily and beautifully, with no pooling towards the cuticles. The high saturation of colour means you can basically get away with one coat for full coverage, although I personally prefer the look of two. As the finish is shiny but not glossy, adding a top coat really enhances all the inner fire of this shade and truly makes it stand out. Bonus: non-staining upon removal.
Coats: 2, plus top coat
a-england | The Blessed Damozel, Heavenly Quotes Collection
a-england | The Blessed Damozel, Heavenly Quotes Collection
a-england | The Blessed Damozel, Heavenly Quotes Collection
a-england | The Blessed Damozel, Heavenly Quotes Collection
a-england | The Blessed Damozel, Heavenly Quotes Collection
a-england | The Blessed Damozel, Heavenly Quotes Collection (detail)
It’s no secret that I have a soft spot for this brand, and my love for a-england (and its founder) have been well documented over the years in many posts (click on the a-england tab in the sidebar to see swatches of the entire range), but something about The Blessed Damozel has resonated with me on an almost visceral level; it satisfies my need for broodingly moody shades but stays clear of looking too blackened, provides a multi-dimensional depth of tone thanks to the inner shimmer, and just looks so incredibly velvety and luxurious on the nails. Doesn’t get better than that, I tell you.
The Blessed Damozel is part of a-england’s permanent collection. Find more information on the entire range via a-england.co.uk – Find your nearest retailer here.
Press sample kindly provided by a-england for my unbiased consideration
a-england | Rossetti’s Goddess
With her passion for art, literature, and beauty, Adina Bodana (aka: the creative mastermind behind boutique nail lacquer brand, a-england), draws inspiration from the life & works of Dante Gabriel Rossetti to bring forth her latest collection, Rossetti’s Goddess – four complex shades that bear a multitonal and magical prismatic gleam.
Rossetti, one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, infused an undertone of sensuality to the medieval-revival style of his art and poetry, most of which was strongly influenced by his life’s personal events that also included his long-running love affair with muse Jane Morris – the wife of his friend and peer, William Morris. With the Rossetti’s Goddess Collection, Adina once again manages to effortlessly marry touches of history to beauty and has single-handedly created a new industry category, or what I like to call: Art/Lacquer. Rossetti’s intense and somewhat brooding artistic undercurrents are clearly displayed with this capsule collection – all done in that impeccable a-england way.
As with other prismatic shades in the a-england family, the four shown here come to a satin rather than glossy finish – which can be a unique look as is, but become so much more elevated when layered with top coat.
All swatches shown are with 2 coats of lacquer (each) and top coat.
a-england | Rossetti’s Goddess
a-england | Rossetti’s Goddess
a-england | Rossetti’s Goddess
a-england | Rossetti’s Goddess
a-england | Rossetti’s Goddess
Portrait of Jane Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1868)
Jane Morris | A slate/steely grey shade with strong violet reflects and light silvery glints. The prismatic effect is quite evident when seen in person, but can be rather camera-shy unless taken with flash, all of which serves to nevertheless add a stunning dimension of tone. The formula falls on the thicker side (the thickest of the 4, in fact) and is basically opaque at 1 coat – a plus if you’re in a hurry.
a-england | Jane Morris
Captive Goddess | An icy cerulean blue with aqua reflects and a scattered, but still clearly visible holographic effect. The formula is a bit of a contradiction; relatively thick in flow but with a sheer-leaning application, but still very easy to apply and which becomes completely opaque by the 2nd coat. The paler hue of this shade makes the prismatic part of it appear to pool along the sides and tips of the nails (more so than the middle), which only adds to its uniqueness.
a-england | Captive Goddess
Jane Morris painted as Proserpine, Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1874)
In Greek (and Roman) mythology, Hades – God of the Underworld – falls in love with beautiful Persephone (Proserpine), daughter of Zeus and Demeter (Goddess of Agriculture & Fertility, also known as Ceres) and kidnaps her to become his wife. Demeter in her anguish to have her daughter returned, refuses to allow any crops to grow until Zeus intervenes on her behalf and manages to convince Hades to release his reluctant bride. Told not to eat or drink anything in the Underworld or risk staying there forever, Persephone rashly eats a few pomegranate seeds in gratitude of her upcoming release, which then binds her forever to Hades for part of each year. Demeter to this day, continues to grieve for her missing daughter during that time – Winter – and refuses to permit anything to grow upon the land, relenting only when the two reunite once more each Spring.
Proserpine | A smoky deep teal with a multi-layered scattered holographic effect. The formula here is nothing short of amazing: self-levelling, perfectly opaque at just 1 coat, and stays exactly where placed without pooling along nail edges or cuticles. While deeper lighting dims the prismatic flare to a certain degree, sunlight brings it to absolutely gorgeous and brilliant life. BONUS: non-staining upon removal.
a-england | Prosperine
Incense Burner | The undisputed Pièce de Résistance of the collection, this shade almost defies description; an aubergine/olive multichrome hue with a strong topaz flash and a formula that can be described in one word: STELLAR. The first coat lays down a rich eggplant purple, and while that seems to be the general colour of this shade, that changes depending on one’s angle of vision and the light – at times calling forth a greener hue, then morphing into a more mauve/brown/amber tone. Truly hypnotic and very unique in my collection, I can assure you.
Trying to capture the many facets of Incense Burner (inspired by the actual incense burner seen in the lower left hand corner of the above painting of Proserpine, symbolic of her attribute as a Goddess in her own right) can prove tricky at best, so I’ve included a few extra photos to portray its gorgeousness as accurately as possible. Enjoy!
a-england | Incense Burner
a-england | Incense Burner
a-england | Incense Burner
No more words are really needed, are they? Following the tradition of putting forth an amazing product, Rossetti’s Goddess from a-england is a collection worthy of both its historical inspiration and the brand itself, known for quality above all else. My favourites here are hands down Incense Burner and Proserpine (dark, mysterious & brooding shades get me every time), although Jane Morris and Captive Goddess are simply perfect for the season now and will no doubt transition beautifully once the weather starts to cool again, faithfully completing the cycle of the myth itself. Bravo & well-done, Adina.
Available now through a-england, where you can also find a complete list of stockists for your location.
Press samples kindly provided for my unbiased consideration
