a-england Gothic Beauties Collection for Fall 2012 Swatches & Review
a-england has a gorgeous new five-piece collection out this fall called Gothic Beauties.
As with her previous collections, the shades and names are all inspired by the myths and lore of England. In other words, these are perfect for me! 
I have said this before about these polishes, and I’ll say it again. The formula is incredible. They are thick, but not sticky or gloopy. They have this certain texture to them so that they apply very opaque (nearly 1-coaters) and almost dry. Ok not dry, but they don’t run or move around once you swipe it on your nail. No messy bleeding into cuticles or the sides of your nails. Hard to explain, but they’re fabulous. All of these were just two coats.
Tess D’Urbervilles, Lady Of Shalott, Dorian Gray, Jane Eyre, Ophelia
Dorian Gray
Dorian Gray is a deep silvery grey with gold shimmer. In the bottle the shimmer looks silver, but on the nail it’s more of a warm gold. Gorgeous shade.
Tess D’Urbervilles
Tess D’Urbervilles is a blackened emerald green shimmer. Really there are multiple shades of green in this shimmer, as well as some red. It really glows and sparkles.
Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre is a blackened red with heavy red and purple shimmer. You have to see this one in person to truly understand how amazing it looks. Lit from within. Mesmerizing. Love this shimmer!
Lady Of Shalott
Lady Of Shalott is a blackened sapphire blue with purple and blue shimmer. I classify this one as a blurple because while the base is deep blue, there is a lot of purple in it. Again, crazy gorgeous and glowing.
Ophelia
Ophelia is a blackened violet with purple, red and blue shimmer. I am once again in love with the color, formula and everything.
Overall: Ok honestly I am trying to figure out something bad to say about these, but having a hard time! I really, truly love all the shades, find them pretty unique, and the formula is excellent. Maybe the one thing negative would be that the shimmer isn’t super easy to pick up in a low-lighting situation. My favorite ones are Jane Eyre, Lady Of Shalott and Ophelia.
Availability: The a-england website, Overall Beauty.
Pricing: $9.00 for 0.39 oz.
Alrighty folks, which of these did you get or will you be getting? You cannot tell me you don’t want any…;)
-Kelly
Note: a-england is cruelty free.
Do you like this product?
I want them! I love these dark colors for Fall!
Michelle Miller´s last post…Own Beauty Giveaway
Me too, perfection!
I’m in love with the names! I love Victorian lit and Shakespeare! And the polishes are beautiful, just like everything this company seems to do.
Same here, her style is totally everything I love.
I loveee these. Haven’t found some like these that I just lurve in quite awhile! Thank you for the review!!
Awesome, you are welcome!
These are all gorgeous!
Jen B´s last post…Buxom Stay There Shadow: Pug
Mmmmm hmmm. Will you be getting any?
a-england really is one of the most interesting nail lines around these days, IMO. I think Jane Eyre is my favorite out of these!
Lulubelle´s last post…e.l.f. Pressed Mineral Eyeshadows
I agree and her formula, shade selection and style is so great.
I love, love, love the shimmer in these, but I wish it were just a touch more noticeable.
Emi at Project Swatch´s last post…Revlon Backstage and Fashionista Colorstay Ultimate Suede Lipstick Review & Swatches
Yeah they are mostly fairly blackened and deep. But so “glowy”
I want Lady of Shallot, partly because it reminds me of Anne of Green Gables. And then partly because I love A England and want them all!
Amanda´s last post…Shimmer Swatches! (Picture Heavy)
Yes, it’s so pretty!
At first I wasn’t loving these but now seeing the swatches they are actually stunning! I don’t suit dark nails though so will probably give them a miss
xx
Louise´s last post…Louise Loves #3
Awww everyone can wear some kind of dark nail shade!
Adina really rocks!
I’m a proud owner of the “dark ladies”, the only one I skipped is Dorian Gray.
As you said, these Beauties are wondeful, both technically and visually. Their subtle shimmer make them gothicly shining in the sunlight, and their formula…oh God…it’s so wonderful!
I know her formula is crazy good.
want, want, want!
I have Lady of Shallott and Jane Eyre. ZOWIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for giving them a well-deserved glowing review – A England is amazing!!!
Nice, glad you picked some of them up!
I bought Dorian Gray, Jane Eyre and Lady of Shalott. My only complaint is that the colour in Jane Eyre and Lady of Shalott can be very hard to see unless you are in direct sunlight.
I love A-England polishes and was so excited to finally get some, but the polish ends up chipping after a day. Like major noticeable chips. And I don’t have the same problem with other polishes. That’s with a Poshe base and Seche Vite top coat. If I wanted to make it last then I’d have to try other base/top coats.
Meghan´s last post…Nail Fail: Deborah Lippmann Prelude to a Kiss and Nubar White…
Ahh yeah not all polishes work with all base/top coats I guess. No polish lasts on me more than 24-48 hours typically though!
I use Orly Bonder as a base coat with Essie Good to Go on top, and have easily gotten several days with no chips out of these… I know everyone is different!
In my personal experience, though, A England wears just as well as OPI or Zoya.
Yeah, I’ve been meaning to try orly bonder, but to be honest, I change my polish every day or every other day, so it’s not the biggest deal.
Meghan´s last post…Nail Fail: Deborah Lippmann Prelude to a Kiss and Nubar White…
Usually, the best way to ensure your mani lasts – especially more than 48 hours! – is to use the matching base & top coats. I have found that a-england’s ‘The Knight’ and ‘The Shield’ to the probably the best base and top coats I’ve tried EVER … should help with your a-england woes!
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First time I’ve loved an entire collection. Those are gorgeous!
I know, it’s not often I love every single one either.
I love the same three as you. I keep on looking at them, trying to figure out which one of those three I like the most and must own. Too much beauty!
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I like all of these!
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Tess D’Urbervilles, Jane Eyre,Lady Of Shalott love all of them but not dorian grey, even The film of it is fantastic
Getting ready to order Dorian Gray and Jane Eyre. Gorgeous!
All gorgeous! I like Ophelia the best.
I purchased Jane Eyre because it’s my favorite book. Had to have it.
sass´s last post…How about a “Pink” Bosu?
Wow I dream of colors like this, blackened bases with micro shimmer colors yum! I’ll be buying Ophelia, and Lady of Shallot for sure! I wish OPI and CG would make more like these I can never get enough…thanks for the review!
When I saw the bottles I wasn’t impressed, but once swatched, it’s a big WOW! I especially love Tess D’Urbervilles. I think that’s the shade I’ve been looking for!!!
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny´s last post…Get Berry-Stained Lips with Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani #408!
These are all so gorgeous! I think my favourite is Tess D’Urbervilles because it looks to have the most noticeable shimmer, but they’re all so beautiful!
Jenn´s last post…Essie Bobbing for Baubles
Ugh, these look so gorgeous!
Oh shoot, Kelly! Just when I put myself on a no-buy until after December, you have to show up with these. Thanks a bunch! I just got a slew of the SHCMs that are reformulated for $1.99, and I am low on funds. So…how about you buy me a bottle or two from this collection so I can afford to feed my cats? I want Lady of Shallot and Ophelia, but of course, I won’t look a gift blogger in the mouth—I will accept any and all of these! LOL (but crying inside)!
I don’t wear dark polishes much but I like them on you. I think my fave of this is Tess D’Urbervilles (I had to copy and paste that name to get it right haha)
Catherine´s last post…MUG Eyeshadow: Everyday Neutrals
These are absolutely gorgeous. Plus A England is a fabulous brand. It lasts so well. I’m wearing Perceval right now and it looks as perfect today as it did 6 days ago when I put it on.
MarciaF´s last post…Le Metier de Beaute Breathless Kaleidoscope review and swatches
I want em all!!! :’( but they’re just too expensive for me… *sob*
These are stunning! I really love how blackened shimmer looks. I don’t have any A-England polishes, but that may change very soon.
Helen´s last post…Color Club – Gift Of Sparkle
I purchased all of these, I must confess. I also love English history and literature, so these were just a must-have for me. a-england polishes and themes are awesome….these are gorgeous!
OK, this is beyond picky, but it’s bothering me. Tess’ surname is never D’Urbervilles– that plural isn’t a surname. at the start of the book she’s Tess Durbeyfield, but she sometimes later goes around as D’Urberville. The book’s title, “Tess of the D’Urbervilles,” means basically “Tess of the D’Urberville family.” Calling her Tess D’Urbervilles is like calling the other character “Jane Eyres.” =P
Yes! That’s what I was thinking! But I’ll forgive it because that color can’t get any better.
Britni Rose´s last post…Fragrance Review: James Bond 007
I’ve never tried this brand before. However, I think I’ve been pushed over the edge with these. Dorian Gray is my favorite of the bunch.
Kimberly´s last post…Nabi: Dark Red Polish For A Halloween Bloody Nails Look
Man I’ve been wanting to try A-England for awhile, and these are so beautiful!
Adeline´s last post…Ramblings: Adventures in Gingerhood!
Since I spend 80% of my life in low lighting, I think I’m gonna pass on these!
I’m buying them all. OMFG.
The colors are great but the names are even better!