Lipstick Queen Illusion Gloss and Interview with Poppy King

If lip plumpers are not your thing, you can still get full, beautiful lips without the sting! Poppy King, the glorious dame behind Lipstick Queen, just launched her new Big Bang Theory - Illusion Gloss collection. She came up with the perfect formula of shimmer and shine to make your lips really dazzle. The 11 gram container is one of the larger glosses I've seen, so it really is a whole lotta big plumpin' bang for your buck. The colors are highly pigmented so it will go a super long way.

This is a very pretty line and it's available in eight shades. I loved Energy a lot (shimmery bright cherry red). Those who want a more dramatic lip will love Black Hole (deep wine). I only needed a couple teensy dabs as it was so pigmented. If you are into lighter shades, Time is a nice shimmery golden nude. Creation (rose) and Cosmos (ruby) look so darn pretty. And, if your color bleeds no matter what you do, I recommend the Invisible Liner. The self sharpening mechanical pencil is so convenient.

I also liked the Oxymoron Matte Gloss in Honest Politician. As a 2-in-1, it goes on nicely as a creme blush and lip gloss. The brown-pink matte tone was very neutral looking on my lips, and I needed only a tiny dab for my cheeks. Very high mileage in this product. The recessionista in me approves.

The stylish Ms. Poppy was darling enough to share her revered lipstick advice in a recent interview. Read on for her expert tips on choosing the best lip color for your skin tone, how to prevent bleeding, and more:

What's the easiest way to prevent lipstick bleeding? Dark colors, especially red, can be tricky to maintain throughout the day for busy career gals.

Poppy King: Wear a lip liner that matches the lip color exactly so that the line is seamless.....or, if you don't like lip liner you can use concealer around the line of the lip to stop bleeding. Lipstick Queen Invisible Liner stops lipstick bleeding without being seen.

What red shades do you recommend for women of color? With so many brands out there, it can be overwhelming.

PK: The bluer based/pinkish reds tend to look best on deep skins such as Latin and African American....the more orange reds look tend to look best on Asian women.

On top of the new Illusion Gloss, what else is coming up for the brand that we can look forward to?

PK: I am having a glossy year with new and unusual forms, textures and concepts in gloss. Expect the unexpected....even a gloss you can sharpen!

Any tips on how to maintain soft lips (to maximize lipstick application)? Does exfoliation help?

PK: Exfoliation and Chapstick are the best to maintain lips without getting greasy. I use a spare toothbrush to exfoliate lips.

Red is your signature color. Do you have other favorite colors you wear on 'off days' or at home lounging around?

PK: Red is my boring look in that I wear it all the time.....I feel radical when I wear other shades. I love wearing Coral and Rose from my line in both the Saint and Sinner formulas. I love romantic shades for my time off red.

Who was your biggest influence on your personal style? Why?

PK: My godmother, who owns an amazing fashion boutique in Melbourne (where I am from). She introduced me to leopard print and I have pretty much worn it since I can remember. I love glamour.

Do you ever recommend the nude lip on certain women? Or just red all the way?

PK: I recommend colors I truly think would suit someone's style and personality. I believe the two are intrinsic to each other and I read someone's whole "aura" when I recommend lips shades. A long way of saying yes.....I recommend nude all the time when I think it suits someone's being.

And there you have it! Lots of fab beauty ideas and concepts to absorb. Big Bang Theory - Illusion Gloss is available at Barneys New York stores, Space NK, Henri Bendel and online at lipstickqueen.com.