Image courtesy of Poppy King

At age 18, when most students were deciding which university to attend, an Australian girl would start a lasting career with a beauty product that made screen sirens out of icons like Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth. Poppy King, frustrated over her ongoing search for the perfect red lipstick, simply decided to create her own.

For 12 years, the now 37-year-old King had a cult following of women lusting after heart-stopping lipstick shades. Despite going bankrupt, suiting up for a corporate position at Estee Lauder and surviving the recession, King has always stayed true to her first love: rouge. With a new business titled Lipstick Queen in New York City, King continues to sells tubes, pots, and pencils, transforming curious shoppers into vixens with ease.

“What has been bothering me is that women are feeling unsure of how to choose anything other than lip gloss,” said King. “I want them to have choices.”

And there’s no doubt that you’ll be spoiled for choice with a dazzling array of ruby, rose, and rust shades. The Saint collection is sheer and light with hints of coral and wine, but if indulging your inner femme fatale, Sinner is an intense, velvety formula that lasts longer than a rendezvous.

Staying true to the spirit of creativity, the Lipstick Queen is determined to show a new side of beauty inspired by Pop Art Prince Andy Warhol.

“Andy Warhol changed the face of art and consumerism forever and I don’t think he can be ignored as an influence in beauty, colour, and commentary,” said King.

King’s latest debut, Fifteen Minutes of Fame, is a line of pop art glosses that range from pearly pink to scintillating scarlet. Unlike other lip glosses, Fifteen Minutes of Fame doesn’t have any added shimmer and shades like Feisty Fuchsia and Naughty Nude allow women to channel their inner superstars.

As the Lipstick Queen expands her empire, she remains focused on creating beauty.

“I don’t like the corporate world because my skills are not as suited to it as entrepreneurship,” said King. “Everyone prefers to be doing what they feel they are better at, which is both a goal and a privilege.”

Today, King continues celebrate the art of red lipstick, as well as creating new products for women around the globe. What does King have in store for us in the future? “More weird, wonderful, and inspired lip products. Think Willy Wonka, but lip products rather than chocolate!”