Her collections were snapped up by beauty devotees and celebrities alike, and the brand quickly gained cult status.
After a decade at her own company, Poppy Industries, King has now been appointed colour designer and vice president of creative marketing at Prescriptives, itself a brand with a strong custom-beauty heritage (it launched the first custom-blended foundation in 1981). Since joining Prescriptives, King — who says one of her greatest pleasures is “seeing women light up after they find the right shade of lipstick” — has been involved in a variety of activities, from scrutinising lipstick colours to hunting down trends, anywhere from Chinatown to trimmings shops. “I get my inspiration from so many different areas,” she says. “From films, books, flea markets, talking to customers on the streets of New York. I even have ideas on the subway.”
For their part, Prescriptives will benefit from King’s dynamism and vitality. “Her valuable experience as a young beauty entrepreneur will bring a pioneering spirit to the entire Prescriptives team,” says Pamela Baxter of Estée Lauder, which owns the make-up brand.
So, what will be landing on the Prescriptives counter next? “Futurist chic will be big — a mix of organic materials and space-age technology,” King predicts. “And lots of shimmer in a subtle way, juxtaposed with pure primary colours.” However, the fruit of her first project is a range of new lipsticks that will be added to the existing collection in October. Given her love affair with red — “the ultimate glamour statement” — expect to be wearing a crimson Prescriptives pout soon.
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Incredible Lipcolour, £14 each, and Lavish Lipstick, £14 each, both by Prescriptives; 01730 232566