Passionate about lipstick above all else, Poppy King founded Lipstick Queen to create everything you need to dress your lips from liner and gloss to the iconic lipsticks themselves. She started her first line of lipsticks at 18 in Australia, and years later Lipstick Queen products are now cult collectibles. Poppy, quite simply, knows all there is to know about lipstick.  

What's the founding philosophy of your brand?

That lipstick has the power to transform you into a supehero version of yourself, able to take on the world. My career came about through passion for lipstick as a customer first and then business person second.

How do you conceive your looks?

By using art imagery and artists I admire as references. I only use graphic art to show my products.

Which one product could you not be without?

Red lipstick.

Which part of the creative process is your favourite?

All of it, right through from idea to seeing customers wear it …I love each phase.

Which other beauty product do you wish you'd created?

I only create what I think is missing so I have no wishes to create what already exists.

Who makes up your own beauty entourage?

Just a wonderful hair colourist and that's it.

What should we expect to see next?

Expect the unexpected!!!

Text: Grace Timothy

Francis Kurkdijan - world-famous parfumer and olfactory innovator - came to London recently, and met with us at his counter at Liberty's. We met him there and discussed the new Elixir collection - launching this month.

Elixirs haven't been used widely as a fragrance form since the 1980s - Maison Francis Kurkdijan revives this time-honoured product in mini roller applicators. The texture is silkier than alcohol, and melts with the warmth of your skin, diffusing the scent gently as you move. It makes applying your favourite MFK perfumes all the more sensual. £85, exclusive to Liberty's.

Text: Grace Timothy

Fresh from London's niche salons and the tutelage of our greatest hairdressing stars, there's a fresh crop of super stylists going backstage at the shows and shoots.

Christian Wood (main image - for Another Magazine)

Assistant to the legendary Sam McKnight, Christian's trademark style is opulence with edge. Collaborating with photographers such as Nick Knight, Sharif Hamza and Max Vadukal, Christian's work has appeared in Vogue, Love, i-D, Another Magazine, Dazed & Confused, The Gentlewoman, W and Interview, as well as campaigns for Hermes and Moschino. Not to mention Because's ICONS tutorials...

Jonathan Soons

Jonathan worked at Toni and Guy for 10 years before starting over as Zoe Irwin's assistant. He is now an Art Director of Headmasters, and has done the hair for shows like PPQ, Aquascutum and Mark Fast, plus shoots for Vogue, ES, Dazed & Confused, Grazia and Marie Claire., and of course Because's Rulebreakers tutorials. He is a trend-hound, always seeking the next biggest thing for his loyal client base, be it a cut, plait or product.

Lacey Hawkins

Lacey has been at cult salon, Percy & Reed since they opened their doors in 2007. A savvy street style hunter, she brings a combination of fashion-forward trends and beautiful Parisian Finishing to the chair. Lacey is Percy & Reed's Shu Uemura Ambassador, and has worked backstage at House of Holland.

Text: Grace Timothy