Makeup call
SOOO LILLY COSMETICS SUPPORTS LOCALS IN NEW LOCATION
Lilly Stone has never been afraid of change.
She embraces it. That’s her personality. It’s also a vital part of her business.
As a makeup artist and owner of her own cosmetics line, she knows the beauty game is all about change. New trends, colors, techniques, formulations and ingredients. Keep up or get left behind.
Stone’s most recent change has her Sooo Lilly Cosmetics settled into a new location at the Shoppes at Northpark, just a few doors away from where she manned the Sooo Lilly cosmetics counter inside Kokopelli for six years.
She views this change, like so many others she’s welcomed, as a wonderful opportunity. She didn’t hesitate to take advantage.
Along with her line of skin care products, makeup, shadows and lipstick showcased in the new bright and modern corner space, Stone has sprinkled the store with merchandise created by other locals.
At Kokopelli, she witnessed daily the good that came from supporting other local companies. It seemed right to step up.
“They would support me,” Stone said of local businesses. “Why not support them? I thought it would be a good fit for style, quality and price.”
Colorful art by Alexis Austin graces the white walls except the one behind the makeup counter that features
large pictures of Stone’s own artistry on models, brides and clients. Stone hopes to showcase other artists’ work and change up her walls regularly, creating a mini gallery of sorts.
Beauty continues to be the focus of the store, but everything in it plays well together. The perfect complement for that new shade of lipstick? Oneof-a-kind jewelry handmade with natural stones by Whitney Ingram, conveniently displayed for up-close consideration.
With the holidays and new year fast approaching, there’s the 2018 calendar compiled by Charles Gray, a beautiful page-turner of flags displayed in the U.S. through the years.
She also brought in manicurist Lynn Sauble to complete the beauty and shopping experience.
‘Just go with it’
Stone’s move was necessitated by Kokopelli’s need for more space. Luckily an empty space was just a few doors away.
“You just go with it. You don’t fight it,” Stone said of change. “You trust in God and let him lead you.”
Stone said she’s convinced she’s meant to be in the new space. Too many pieces came together quickly.
It’s a prime location with windows on two sides. After one month, business was up 22 percent, she said.
This move comes 30 years after she relocated from Canada to the U.S., where she got her real estate license before starting a career in makeup. She was always interested in makeup, even as a child. One day she walked up to the Prescriptives counter in Crossroads Mall and said “I’ve always wanted to work for you.” She was hired. She used the makeup and knew how to colorprint or match shades to certain undertones. That was her first official makeup job.
She was there for two years before the beauty company transferred her to Boston. Later she went to work for Trish McEvoy as a national makeup artist, traveling to special events and McEvoy personal appearances.
In 2000, she moved back to Oklahoma City to be closer to her parents and became the Trish McEvoy specialist at Balliets.
In 2005, she launched her own line, Sooo Lilly Cosmetics. The business grew during the years she was located inside Allyson’s Closet, TEN14 A Boutique and then Kokopelli.
The woman behind the brand has become popular not only for products that make it easy for women to put their best face forward, but as professional artist for special days such as prom and wedding. She always has enjoyed working with women of all ages to show them how to do their makeup or introduce them to new techniques and products.
For her new store, along with keeping up with new beauty products she continues to seek out gift and specialty items.
Years ago, she was one of the first in the city to offer Revitalash. Sooo Lilly also sells the Makeup Eraser and Monat hair products.
Since launching her company, the product line has been completely revamped. “You have to keep up,” she said.
Skin care products are all made in the U.S. Makeup is mineral based and not tested on animals. Lipsticks are lead free; powders are talcum free.
She said her No. 1 seller is the Mineral Photo Touch Foundation. It offers good coverage with a dewy finish. Tinted moisturizer comes in second.
She’s excited to be where she is now. Every morning when she walks into her store she said she feels “fabulous, blessed, grateful.”
Change? No problem, she’s got it handled.