Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lilly Lovely. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lilly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me is say my name in a room I’m not even in yet. Every time someone brings me up for a new project, a referral, or even just says, “You need to call Lilly Lovely,” it means the world to me. Those moments remind me that people see my passion and believe in what I do enough to vouch for me when I’m not there.

Each time that happens, it’s like the universe saying, “keep going.” It’s another chance for me to show my superpowers — whether that’s through makeup artistry, storytelling, or producing something that helps others feel seen. It’s kindness in its purest form because it comes from genuine support and love, not expectation. And that, to me, is everything.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

“For folks who may not have read about me before…”

My name is Ayline Castillo, but most people know me as Lilly Lovely — a name that grew with me through every season of my journey. I’m a professional makeup artist, creative producer, and storyteller at heart. What started as a love for color and connection has turned into a purpose-driven career that’s allowed me to touch faces and lives in ways I could’ve only dreamed of when I first started.

I got into the beauty industry from the ground up. I studied cosmetology at Sheridan Technical College, worked my way through early freelance jobs, and built my name through consistency, care, and community. For me, makeup was never just about glam — it was about transformation. I wanted people to walk away not only looking beautiful, but feeling seen, confident, and empowered. That’s what makeup did for me, and it’s what I aim to give others.

Over the years, I’ve been blessed to expand beyond the chair — stepping into creative production, film, and content creation under FanCinematix Productions. I love collaborating with directors, artists, and brands to bring full visions to life, from beauty campaigns to cinematic storytelling.

What sets me apart isn’t just my technique — it’s my heart. I treat every client like they’re part of my story, and every project like it’s part of my legacy. My work has reached millions of views online, but what I’m most proud of are the moments behind the scenes — the laughter, the tears, the quiet transformations that remind people of their worth.

At the core of it all, Lilly Lovely represents love, resilience, and artistry with purpose. I want potential clients and followers to know that every brush stroke, every concept, every collaboration comes from a place of genuine intention. My mission is simple: to make people feel something — beautiful, powerful, and unstoppable.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think the best way society can support artists is by truly valuing creativity as essential, not optional. Art isn’t just entertainment — it’s healing, storytelling, and history in motion. Every song, film, photo, or makeup look carries energy that can shift someone’s whole mood, or even their life.

Too often, creatives are expected to give their gifts away for “exposure” or be grateful just to be seen. But real support means investing in artists the same way you’d invest in any profession — paying fairly, sharing resources, offering opportunities, and giving them the space to grow without judgment.

It also means creating platforms and safe spaces where we can collaborate, learn, and celebrate each other. So many of us come from backgrounds where we had to teach ourselves everything — how to brand, how to market, how to survive off our art. If society gave the same structure and respect to creatives that it gives to other industries, imagine how much more beauty and innovation we could put into the world.

For me, supporting a creative doesn’t always mean money — sometimes it’s a share, a referral, or just words of encouragement at the right time. Those moments keep us going. So if you love art, nurture the artist. The world needs both.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was thinking that I had to do everything alone to prove my strength. For a long time, I carried this mindset that asking for help meant I was weak or not working hard enough. I came from a place where independence was survival — where you learned to figure things out on your own because no one was coming to save you.

But over time, especially through my journey as an artist and creative, I realized that real strength comes from community. The beauty industry — and honestly, life — will humble you quick if you think you can handle it all by yourself. There were moments I was exhausted, emotionally drained, and still pushing through just to show I could. But all that really did was slow me down and dim my light.

I had to unlearn the idea that vulnerability equals weakness. It’s actually the opposite — it takes courage to let people in, to delegate, to trust others with your vision. Once I started doing that, everything shifted. My creativity grew, my collaborations flourished, and I started to feel genuine joy again in what I do.

Now I understand that my strength isn’t in doing it all — it’s in knowing when to let others stand beside me. Because when you allow space for support, you create room for something bigger than yourself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @itslillylovely

Image Credits

@draculaxfilms
@visionsbyrico
@momentumfilms_inspired
@pixoticfocusmedia