Poppy King is a King, but also a (Lipstick) Queen.

• Category:
• Attention, Please: A Brand New Product Has Just Arrived

Poppy King was THE lipstick queen in the late 90s. I personally had three pots of her Shine lip gloss going, and so did every girl I knew. After a stint working with Prescriptives in New York, Poppy is back with her new collection, Lipstick Queen (it wasn’t accidental that I referred to her as this exact thing in the precious sentence). Lipstick Queen “popped” up in Kit Stores nationally yesterday, so to toast Poppy’s triumphant return, I interviewed her, so that all of you out there who missed her amazing products the first time around, can get to know a bit about her, her products, and how to wear a modern red lip. (Hint: It’s not with green eye shadow.)

This is Poppy.

And this is my interview.

PRIMPED: So! Kit! Nice choice, brilliant store. And, I think, a perfect fit for Lipstick Queen. You’re also in Barneys in the US and Space NK in Britain, which to me also seem perfect. How do you select where to stock your wares? Do you look at the culture of a retailer, or go with your gut? Were they supporters first time around, and waiting for you with open arms?

POPPY KING: I am thrilled to be in Kit. I look at the people and philosophy of the store before deciding whether to sell there and on both counts Kit impressed me enormously. It is a fun store and lipstick is nothing if not fun! So many of the original retailers I worked with in the beginning I am working with again. Very nice feeling.

PRIMPED: Congratulations on your book, Lessons of a Lipstick Queen.I read some reviews online – most think it’s wonderful, inspiring stuff… But some claim that as since your business “failed” you’re not entitled to write a book on such things. Would you agree, though, that for most truly successful people, their setbacks/mistakes/failures are pivotal for the eventual success? In what was this true for you (if it was)?

POPPY KING: I absolutely believe that mistakes and setbacks and how you deal with them, learn from them and grow as a result is what ultimately defines success.  No one can be judged on one action alone but a series of actions. We all face challenges.

PRIMPED: Burlesque is popular, Dita Von Teese is single-handedly keeping polished, ladylike 40s flavour in fashion, and now Katy Perry is ushering in a whole new brand of cute, Pin Up girl style:  you must feel it’s a good time to be re-introducing lipstick to Australia?

POPPY KING: I think any time is a good time for lipstick. I am totally devoted to it as a concept and an icon in and of itself rather than through celebrities. To me lipstick is the celebrity.

PRIMPED: Do you think it’s fair to say Australia is more a gloss nation, than a stick one? Is it our climate? The outdoorsy laid-backyness? Laziness?

POPPY KING: I think Australian women are very adventurous and like to experiment with both. Also Australian women are very independent....I like that.

PRIMPED: I reckon Oxymoron will be a huge success here, (multipurpose, and very natural, wearable shades). Which is your best selling line globally? Which do you think will do best here?

POPPY KING: I am happy to say that each of my product lines does well and each has their own successes. I am constantly amused how everyone wants to try the Sinners first! Seems that is what people go for first even if they end up with a Saint shade.

PRIMPED: I’m a lipstick lover. (I’m wearing your Coral Sinner today) but generally, lipsticks dry the sh*t out of my lips. (I think this puts a lot of women off lipstick.) What do you do with your lipstick to prevent that? Any tips when choosing a lipstick when you’re after the least possible amount of drying side-effects?

POPPY KING: These new lipsticks of mine have a very low powder content so they are nowhere near as drying as my original yet they still have that same wow effect of full pigment. I would suggest just using some Chapstick before applying any lipstick if you have a tendency towards dry lips. Also rub a little of any lipstick between your fingers. If you can feel a powdery texture then it is likely to be more drying.

PRIMPED:  Ahhhh, powder. Such a rogue. Now, you were quoted in The Age as saying women in the US were intrigued about how you could wear lipstick and not look old - that you were doing it in a way that was chic, versus the horrible old ‘80s idea – please, share with us what the key is to wearing a lip and looking fresh – is it the application/shade/colour, or the complementary makeup?

POPPY KING: Minimum make up is the key to wearing lipstick instead of the old full face of make up with a million different colors on the eyes and cheeks. Just a minimal amount of make up with lipstick looks so much more modern.

PRIMPED: What do you think is the most important “Rule” of wearing red lipstick?

POPPY KING: Red lipstick looks best with just mascara and some eye pencil. Stay away from too much eye shadow at all costs.

PRIMPED: Totally agree. Do you watch the international collections for inspiration or your lines? How often do you release new shades/lines/textures?

POPPY KING: I am now releasing new products every three months and have some fab lip things coming. I don’t watch any fashion collections because it confuses me as to what to do next. I am better when thinking for myself and looking for inspiration in art, science, politics, music and bygone popular culture or graphics.....or just sticking my head out the window and keeping my eyes peeled. It is amazing what one can see if you don’t take anything for granted.

PRIMPED: Are there any fashion designers/campaigns or celebrities doing wonderful things with makeup that you admire?

POPPY KING: I love the make up on a US TV series called Mad Men set in a 1960’s ad agency. The make up is fabulous. So full of life.

PRIMPED: Oooh! Our boss, Madge, LOVES that show. I must get track it down. Right, ok. Next question. Poppy, what look do you think is going to be big for lips this spring/summer?

POPPY KING: Bright and clear. Deconstructed colour with strategic pops of very bright but not too much. Neon doll but with a country fresh edge.

PRIMPED: Neon doll with a fresh country edge sounds glorious. I’m in. Finally, is there anyone who shouldn’t wear lipstick?

POPPY KING: The only person who shouldn’t wear lipstick is the person who doesn’t want to. I don’t wish anyone to feel forced to conform or take part in something that they are not doing for their own reasons and sense of self.

PRIMPED: Your packaging and illustrations are just glorious… (I’m thrilled the aviator Shine girl wasn’t bumped) who does them please?

POPPY KING: I am working with a wonderful guy in NYC. His name is James Benard and together we come up with the weird and the wonderful and he translates them into finished art.

There you gave it.
What a doll!

Proper information stuff: Lipstick Queen consists of 10 lipsticks (There are sheer versions “Saint” and opaque, “Sinners") and two gloss lines, Shine (turbo glossy; I am loving the Gold Saint shade) and Oxymoron, which has a lovely matte finish, (hence the name) and is EXTREMELY awesome. We recommend you shuffle into Kit stores and play with Poppy’s lovely lipstick menagerie immediately if not sooner.

• Get this blog daily!
• save to favourites
• Email
• Print
• (7) Comments
• Add a Comment