By Tracey Khan
For Lily Mulann doing hair has never been just about style, it’s about creating an experience that transforms how women feel the moment they leave her chair.
As she approaches 12 years in the beauty industry, the Brooklyn-based stylist ‘Lily Mulann Hair Experience’ is celebrating more than longevity, she’s marking the evolution of a brand built on intention, care and what she simply calls “the experience.”
“As women, you never know what somebody is going through,” Clarke said. “But when your hair is done, you look good, you feel good, and your confidence just automatically goes up.”
From her private suite on Throop Avenue, in Brooklyn, Clarke has created a space where women are not rushed in and out, but instead fully taken care of. Each appointment includes a wash, deep conditioning, steam treatment, trim and braid-down before styling even begins.
“Just come sit in the chair and I got the rest,” she said.
That full-service approach has become her signature and a key reason clients keep coming back.
Clarke’s journey began in St. Lucia, where she was raised by her grandmother, a woman she describes as a natural hustler. Long before she ever touched a sewing needle, Clarke was braiding as a child, learning with her hands while helping prepare straw bags to sell to tourists.
After moving to New York at 11, she continued practicing her craft, eventually turning a last-minute prom favor into the foundation of her business.
“I wasn’t confident in myself at the time, but she believed in me,” Clarke said of the friend who trusted her with her first sew-in. “That moment changed everything.”
What started as $50 prom specials has grown into a six-figure business, with services now priced in the hundreds a reflection of both her expertise and the elevated experience she provides.
But the road has not been without challenges. Clarke has navigated slow seasons, personal setbacks and the pressures of an ever-changing industry.
“You have to go back to the drawing board when things get hard,” she said. “You have to keep investing in yourself.”
Now, nearly 12 years in, Clarke is not only focused on growth but on impact. With her own line of lace products and plans to expand into mentorship and salon ownership, she is building a legacy rooted in both beauty and empowerment.
“I feel like I’m breaking generational curses,” she said. “I didn’t have guidance starting, so I want to be that for the next generation.”For Lily Milann, success isn’t just measured in years or revenue. It’s in every client who leaves her chair feeling renewed proof that her “experience” is more than a service; it’s a statement.
