Interview: Poppy King

What are the lipstick trends you're seeing?
Right now there's a re-focus on the lips, but in a very modern way. Whether you choose bright, neon colours or a deep, classic red, it's about doing it with very minimal eye and face make-up.

Do you have any colour recommendations?
This is the time to try something brighter and bolder than usual. Even if you don't want to go for a full-strength product, you can look for a sheer version as there are so many more variations in textures now.

Which products are your summer must-haves?
I love the Chinatown Glossy Pencil in Chase, $34.95, because it just brightens the whole face.

In terms of a non-glittery gloss, Fame 7 Minutes, $29.95, is a fantastic watermelon that's bright but grown-up.

For a more seductive, night-time look, Wine Sinner, $33.95, is like a glass of merlot.

What trends can you see coming in the seasons ahead?
Next winter, I think you'll be seeing lipstick take a darker direction. My Black Tie collection is all about this, but the gloss and lipstick aren't what you would expect. The Black Tie Gloss, $35.95, for example, is super sheer, almost like stockings or black lace. The pink of your lips shows through but it gives them a black cherry look.

The Black Tie lipstick is designed to be worn under your lip colour, almost like black underwear. It just sort of pokes through and deepens the colour you've got.

Lipstick Queen is your second cosmetic venture. Can you tell us about how you started this time round?
After Poppy, I moved to New York to work on the Estee Lauder Prescriptives line. After a while I realised that corporate life was not for me, so I decided to write my book Confessions of a Lipstick Queen. which is all about my first 10 years in the lipstick business. Then I decided to get back into it.

I started Lipstick Queen in the US. I had to go through the same process of finding manufacturers, putting together a business plan, and all of that, and now it's been going for three years.

The response so far has been fantastic, but any entrepreneurial vision involves a level of risk and there are no guarantees as to how it will all play out. Right now I love the fact that in the US I'm becoming a spokesperson or a historian on lipstick in general. I've had so much support from the press which is amazing.

Meet the Lipstick Queen in store!
Thursday 5 & Friday 6 November
Kit at Myer Sydney 1 - 3pm and 5 - 7pm

Saturday 7 November
Kit at 140 Oxford Street, Paddington 1 - 3pm