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Poppy King's Remembrance Day lipsticks raise funds for Australian nurses

The Australian College of Nursing Foundation

Key Facts:

• Lipstick entrepreneur Poppy King has collaborated with the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Foundation, donating lipsticks in three shades to represent the nursing qualities of compassion, resilience, and dignity.
• All proceeds from the sale of the limited-edition lipsticks will go towards scholarships and initiatives supporting the nursing profession across Australia.
• The three shades selected are Indolence (a matte nude representing compassion), Original Sin (a matte red representing resilience), and Witch Princess (a colour-changing balm representing dignity).
• The collaboration has been timed to coincide with Remembrance Day, drawing on the symbolic significance of lipstick as a symbol of morale and defiance for women in service during the Second World War.
• The lipsticks are available through the ACN Foundation shop from 9–16 November, priced at $33 plus postage, while stocks last.

In a special collaboration, lipstick queen Poppy King is generously supporting the vital work of the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Foundation, with a donation of lipsticks in three select shades chosen to represent core qualities of nurses: compassion, resilience, and dignity. 

“This is what I think of when I think of nurses,” said Poppy. “The admiration I have for the nursing profession is immeasurable. It is not simply work; it is a calling that only a true humanitarian will make.” 

The ACN Foundation will be selling a limited number of the lipsticks online, with every cent of the sale price going towards scholarships and initiatives that strengthen the nursing profession across Australia. 

Poppy describes why she chose the three shades: 

“I have chosen the shade Indolence to represent Compassion. It is a nineties favourite of mine, come back: a gentle mushroom pink matte nude.” 

“Resilience is chosen for my classic matte red, Original Sin, which has a slight metallic shimmer to light up a room.” 

“Dignity is represented by Witch Princess: the magic transforming shade. It starts out as a sheer black shimmer balm and turns pink, as it takes one situation and transforms it through experience.” 

The ACN Foundation is the custodian of fundraising for the prestigious scholarship named after nursing war hero Vivian Bullwinkel. The collaboration has been timed to mark Remembrance Day, honouring nurses who served in conflict and those caring for Australians today. 

In World War II, lipstick came to signify morale and defiance, helping women in service reclaim a sense of self. This Remembrance Day, it becomes a way to honour the nurses who carry that same strength.

Poppy first made her mark in Melbourne in the 1990s before taking her lipstick vision to New York, where she created the globally recognised Lipstick Queen brand. She has now returned to Australia with new creations and revived cult favourites. 

“There have been many times a nurse has made all the difference to me in a difficult situation,” said Poppy. “I send my heartfelt thanks to every single nurse in Australia. I admire you more than I can express.” 

A limited number of lipsticks are available through the ACNF shop from 9-16 November, while stocks last. 

Price: $33 plus postage. 

 

Images available on request: high-res head shot of Poppy King headshot, photos of the three shades

Contact details:

0449 803 524 | [email protected]