As teenagers most girls are just investing in their first tubes of lipstick. Not Poppy King! At just 18, she took the make-up world by storm, and boldly created her first line of lipsticks, appropriately named âPoppy.â After gaining great success with her line and inspiring women to paint their pouts with dramatic Hollywood flair, Poppy moved away from her home in Australia and began a long and established career at EstĂ©e Lauder in New York City. Years later, sheâs returned to doing what she does best - giving our overly glossed lips something new and daring to smile about with her new line Lipstick Queen!
How do you find inspiration for new shades?
I find inspiration any and everywhereâŠfrom a cake store to a paint store to an antique store. Also sayingsâŠwords inspire colors for meâŠ.for example⊠âthe Devilâs in the detailâ could inspire a whole collection of very detailed oriented reds. However my biggest inspiration are the ladies I meet at my counters all over the world and the feedback they give me on shades.
Weâve all been lip-gloss crazed for some time, do you think weâll see a widespread return to lipstick?
I do think there is a slow but steady return to lipstick. I think women want to feel sophisticated again and lipstick is nothing if not sophisticated.
You started your first lipstick line when you were 18, what motivated you to dive into the industry at such a young age?
I desperately wanted a lipstick that had the depth, intensity and chic element of the old fashioned Hollywood era. At that time ALL the lipsticks out there were shimmery and pink. When I didnât graduate with high enough grades to get into the college of my choice I decided to look into starting a lipstick business instead to fill the above gap. I never expected it to become what it has and I still pinch myself!
Do you personally wear Saint or Sinner? Or does it depend on the occasion?
I love bothâŠbut my staple is Red Sinner. Strange staple I know as usually red lipstick is thought of as sooo daring but for me I feel daring when I wear my other shades.
What are 3 items (aside from lipstick) in your make-up bag that you canât live without?
Shu Umera Eyelash Curler. Nars blush in Orgasm. Maybelline cover stick in Invory.
How did your time at Estée Lauder and your move to New York from Oz influence your latest line?
New York City has been the single biggest influence for me to go back to my original dream of having my own lipstick line. Just the skyline alone makes me feel that anything is possible here.
What are your top tips for finding the right shade of lipstick?
Trust what you see in the mirror! Forget all the overload of information out there and the people trying to sell you more than you need. Women know when something looks good on them so put on a shadeâŠ..look in the mirror and ask yourself this questionâŠâHave all my features come to life (hair, skin and eyes) with this shade on? If the answer is no it is not for you and if it is yesâŠthen volia!
Youâve partnered with Katherine Kin (formerly of Alice Roi) to create the stunning Poppy Purse for holiday 2007. How did the collaboration come about?
I know Katherine and was aware of her beautiful fabric designs for Alice Roi. So when I decided to do a very special little lipstick purse for holidayâŠI knew that Katherine would design a fabric that could go into a museum as well as your handbag.
How do you come up with the beautiful packaging for your lipsticks?
Through my love of fairytales, seventies album covers and the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. I then had a graphic designer interpret these three influences into what you see today.
What beauty trends should we take note of for Spring 08?
Romance! Romance! And more romance! Spring 08 is a time to be romantic and do your face with dignity and graceâŠ.think Jane Austen.
Can you share 3 pieces of advice from your soon to be released book (Lessons of a Lipstick Queen) that young, entrepreneurial women should take to heart?
A good idea doesnât have to be a groundbreaking! In fact, the more obvious the idea seems the more likely it is a good one.
Ask questions. Anybody and everybody is a resource. As long as you are polite in how you go about itâŠquestions the way to find the answers.
Passion can get you further than knowledge alone. It is the passion that sets the entrepreneur apartâŠknowledge will come.
For more information visit Lipstickqueen.com
