Today’s Tidbits Birthday Girl is Lauri Stufflebeme, owner of skoah Oak Forest. Each month we celebrate a local business owner on her special day.
With family in Port Aransas. My son is coming, too, so I’m super excited! He’s my biggest and brightest accomplishment of all.
How many candles are you blowing out?
Too many to count! Hopefully the beach breeze will help a girl out!
You were the first to bring skoah to the US. How is skin care important to our overall health and wellness?
I always knew there was a correlation between our health and how our skin behaves, but I’ve learned so much about caring for the skin since opening skoah. Seeing the transformation in others is truly remarkable.
What’s your background?
I worked for Bechtel, an engineering company, for 29ish years before pivoting to franchise ownership in 2018. My last position there was Process Improvement Manager, for the Environmental, Safety and Health Division. My work experience, while not the same at all, was invaluable during COVID. Having a background in safety allowed me to put processes in place at skoah so that we felt comfortable working again. Who knew?
What do you love about owning your own business?
It’s 100% without a doubt, my darling girls (women) who work alongside me! Seeing them grow in their roles, giving them an opportunity to work outside of their comfort zone and create the life they love – that’s what I love about it!
What sets skoah apart?
We are Personal Training for Your Skin. We combine expert skin care (facials), we educate our customers about their skin, and we provide amazing plant-based products for home care use. Our products are formulated in Vancouver and are still processed in small batches – the efficacy behind the products is such that they truly do what they are intended to do!
Single most effective monthly service one can get?
Our facials are designed to be performed monthly (or more regularly if needed) and they address a wide variety of skin concerns so what we perform or recommend one month may differ from the next.
Favorite service at skoah?
Ahhh… my favorite service at skoah is the Facialiscious facial. It’s a delicious experience with the added massage and extra treatment mask! You leave refreshed and recharged!
What are your anti-aging secrets?
Aging is about aging well. We try and remove the anti from aging as we’re all (if we’re lucky) going to age so why not do it well. Monthly facials are key because as we age, our skin cell turnover starts to decline – we take longer to shed our dead skin cells naturally – so we need an extra push with professional exfoliation that happens during the facial process at skoah.
Number 1 thing we’re doing wrong with our at-home skincare routine?
Without a doubt – not cleansing. Cleansing is different from just removing your makeup. Everyone should be removing their makeup with a proper makeup remover first and then go in with your cleansing product. You’ll see a difference in how your products perform!
Must have product for a 30-year-old? 40? 50?
Sunscreen of course! But, to add here, I encourage all of us to consider how our skin is performing for us real time rather than boxing our approach to skin care around age. For example, you can have breakouts at any age! My advice would be to treat your “in the moment” concern with the appropriate product recommendation. Having said this, we all should have a good cleanser, toner (alcohol free), moisturizer with sunscreen or add a sunscreen topper, like our Zinc lotion as a starting point for our routine.
Beauty trends you’re loving right now?
Hydrafacial! It leaves us with that glowy, glassy skin we crave!
First thing you do when you wake up, last thing at night?
I try and drink 8 oz of water when I wake up and then head for the coffee! The last thing at night is watching a little bit of that mindless TV to decompress.
People would be surprised to learn this about me…
I am a native Houstonian and have only lived in HTX. I was also an extra in the movie Urban Cowboy when I was in 6th or 7th grade I believe. (I’m laughing out loud at this!)
Three local businesses you love supporting?
Rescued Pets Movement. We love giving back at skoah to this amazing cause. I love our local hair salons, Ella and Oak and Primp and Blow.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, where are we most likely to find you?
We love old stand byes… Le Peep for breakfast, Neilsen’s for lunch, Houston’s for dinner.
New book you can’t wait to devour?
Rereading (because it’s that good) Reality Based Leadership.
Go-to scent.
Every time I apply our Sweet Love Body Kream I get compliments!
First job ever.
Astroworld. I worked at the games (where you win the stuffed animals) at Coney Island.
What’s your most memorable birthday celebration ever?
Probably my 40th birthday surprise party! I loved it and hated it, ya know?
What’s on your birthday wish list?
Well first and foremost, I’ll need to replenish my skoah skin care! I’m also eyeing this travel bag.
What is your sign and do you identify with it? If so, how?
I’m a Scorpio and all that implies!
skoah Oak Forest
1737 W 34th St, Suite 150
Houston, TX 77018
@skoah.oakforest
Want to be the next Tidbits Birthday Girl? Tell us why at submissions-houston@gotidbits.com.