Meet Poppy King, an Australian beauty fanatic, appropriately nicknamed the Lipstick Queen. (She loved lipstick so much, she created her own collection by the same name.) Her cheeky lip collection consists of two different types of lipsticks: Saint, which is sheer, and Sinner, which is completely matte. Here Ms. King takes us into her world and shares her insight on what a Lipstick Queen really is.



What does the term “Lipstick Queen” mean to you?
Lipstick Queen means someone who revels in being female and loves to wear lipstick and all the other trimmings of being female and fab. A Lipstick Queen is someone who is being proactive about her sexuality and her place in the world and knows that whether she is wearing a bright red lip or pale ballet pink, she is femme and she is fatale!

How does wearing red lipstick make you feel?
Red lipstick makes me feel like an icon because red lipstick itself is the ultimate female icon. Just a touch of red lipstick immediately conjures up images of glamour. There is nothing else that comes close. Even stilettos aren’t quite the same because they are so related to fetish, whereas red lipstick is 100 percent glam! I love to wear it with minimal eye makeup and a fresh face instead of a full face of makeup for a very modern take on a classic.

What’s your fondest red-lipstick memory?
My whole life is a red-lipstick memory—good name for a book! But I would have to say my best-ever red-lipstick memory is the very first time I ever tried my mother’s on when I was playing dress-up. I must have been about seven years old, and that instant transformation from girl to woman was such a rush. I get the same rush every time I apply it. Even now at 35 years old!

In your opinion, which celebs wear red lipstick best?
Chloë Sevigny and Katharine Heigl—who I know for a fact is a huge fan of Lipstick Queen lipsticks. I love the way Chloë S makes it so hip with the loose hair and minimal makeup. Katharine Heigl is the embodiment of the fresh-face glam with the healthy glow and red lips. I have also seen Liv Tyler do it well with pale skin, mascara, and very little else.



Are you a saint or a sinner?
I am both in personality and in my lipsticks. I think we all have aspects of the saint and the sinner, and my lipstick line speaks to that.

What’s your daily go-to shade?
I am the polar opposite of most women. Red Sinner is my everyday go-to lipstick. When I am feeling really adventurous, I go for coral or pink or wine. These are most women's every day, but for me they are wild and crazy!

How can women of different complexions find the perfect shade of red lipstick?
It’s easy: The paler you are, the more clear and yellow the red needs to be. The darker you are, the more deep and pink-based the red.

How can someone get away with red lips during the day?
Minimal eye makeup! It’s the secret to wearing lipstick anytime. Makeup minimalism. Mascara and a bit of liner and that’s it. Also light on the jewelry. Let the red lipstick be your adornment for the day. Finally, smile! You can get away with anything if you smile. I have also found that so many people smile at me when I am wearing red lipstick during the day.

Who are your style icons of today and yesteryear?
Yesteryear: Louise Brooks. Slim Keith. Eva Perón. Kiki De Montparnasse.

Today: Chloë Sevigny. Madonna, in the ’80s. Jerry Hall, in the ’70s. Sean Young, of Blade Runner. Liv Tyler.

Describe your favorite day-to-day look.
I would describe it as “hip retro glam with a twist.” I like the junction where style meets edgy … and creates individuality.

-India-Jewel Jackson

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