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Beauty Gurus of MSU That You Should Book Your Next Appointment With

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at MSU chapter.

These beauticians on-campus and in the East Lansing area are ready to be booked and busy this spring. From lashes to eyebrows to hair and nails, these amazing stylists are ready to help your confidence!

Nail Services

CLAWS BY CLAUDIA

Instagram: @clawzbyclau, Location: MSU campus To Book: DM through Instagram

What is your favorite nail set that you’ve accomplished?

Claudia: My favorite nails that I have ever done would be the Kali Uchis Red Moon in Venus-inspired nails.

How did your nail career start?

C: I began doing nails during COVID-19 as a hobby and have continued to pursue it as a hobby since then. I have always been very artistic and I feel this is a way I can express myself.

Would you continue this career outside of college?

C: In the future, I plan to keep doing nails as a hobby. I plan to pursue a career in Engineering, but doing nails will always be something that I love doing.

For future nail techs, what advice would you give them to improve their skills and clientele?

C: The best advice I can give future nail techs is to practice. Practicing whenever you have free time will help you improve so much. Improvement takes time but it will be so worth it in the end! Never give up on something that makes you happy!

What is your favorite part of the service/process?

C: My favorite part of my service is the design. I always love to see how the design is going to come out.

What are some specific services that your business offers?

C: My nail business offers gel manicures and gel extensions.

What is your favorite color?

C: Green

nails
Photo by Claudia Suarez

EMMY NAILED IT

Instagram & Tiktok: @emmynailedit Location: MSU campus To Book: DM through Instagram

What is your favorite nail set that you’ve accomplished?

Emmy: My favorite set of nails is a set I did in the first few months of doing nails. It is not necessarily my “best work” but it was the set that made me visualize my potential and brought me a new group of clientele. 

Favorite part of the service, process,etc.

E: I honestly love every step of doing acrylics for different reasons. However, my top two would be applying acrylic and painting/designing the nails. I love applying acrylic because it is very satisfying. It is also a way I have tracked my progress on my nail skills. I love designing nails because it is a form of art, and I love being able to push myself and create something for me and my client to love.

What specific services does your business offer:

E: I offer full acrylic sets, acrylic fills, whether they are foreign or my work, gel manicures, and soak-offs.

What’s your year and major:

E: Second year with a major in Communications

Favorite color:

E: Baby pink and emerald green.

How did you begin your nail career?

E: I decided to begin my nail journey during the winter break of my freshman year of college (Jan. 2023). I would play around with gel polish, poly gel, and dip powder before starting acrylics. My aunt went to cosmetology school, so I would always go to her to get my hair and nails done. When I was a sophomore in high school, my aunt gave me a UV light and a large pack of gel polishes, which I would use on my friends and myself for fun. When I got to college, I did not have a lot of financial support, so doing nails was perfect for me.

Would you continue this career outside of college?

E: My ultimate goal is to become a full-time nail technician with my own space and other streams of income. I would love to eventually make press-on nails, have other nail techs work with me, and expand my business.

For future nail techs, how would you advise them to improve their skills and clientele?

E: I have had multiple girls come to me for advice on where to start their nail journey. It is very overwhelming to start doing nails. There are thousands of brands, products, and techniques to try. Brands like Beetles, Dynamic Beauty Supply, and Young Nails are my favorite affordable, beginner-friendly, and great-quality brands. I learned everything I know from TikTok and YouTube, so finding good tutorials and resources is the best way to learn and expand your craft.

TyreeANails

Instagram & Facebook: @Tyreenails Location: Lansing, MI (coming to East Lansing soon) To Book: Instagram or other socials

Favorite part of the service, process, etc.

Tyreea: My favorite part of the process is designing the nails I got into during then and all the hard filing and shaping was worth it.

What specific services does your business offer:

T: Acrylic nails, manicures, pedicures, soak-offs, and acrylic fill. 

Major and future career/grade at MSU:

T: Business Management/First-year 

Favorite color:

T: Purple

Favorite nail set you’ve accomplished:

T: My favorite nail set I accomplished was every nail blinged-out set.

How did you begin your nail career?

T: I always wanted to be a nail tech and have a shop since I was a kid, but I wanted to start doing nails around COVID-19 when everybody found their hobbies, so I got the stuff that next year has been going on since.

Would you continue this career outside of college?

T: Yes, I would continue and I plan to!

For future nail techs, what advice would you give them to improve their skills and clientele?

T: You have to start somewhere and don’t be afraid to promote and put yourself out there.

Acrylic nails
Tyreea Lewis

Braiding/Hair Services 

Life.of.Shawnie.

Instagram: @Life.of.shawnie Youtube: LifeofShawnie Location: East Lansing, MI To book: DM on Instagram

Favorite part of the service, process, etc.:

Shawnie: My favorite part of doing hair is meeting new people and making connections. I made some amazing connections and long lasting friendships through the art of doing hair.

Specific services your business offers:

S: I offer any services and styling pertaining to natural hair locs, natural hair braids, and natural hair twists.

Major and future career/grade at MSU:

S: I’m a kinesiology major with a hopeful future in athletic training

Favorite color:

S: My favorite color is pink. In fact, my entire hair studio is pink!

Favorite styles you accomplished:

S: My favorite styles to do are anything about locs. I have a love for natural hair and it’s a beautiful thing when I get to help others embrace theirs. 

Are you willing to bring other styles to the menu?:

S: Yes, I am currently in the process of practicing wig installs! I also am very good at box braids and other braided styles. I just only offer them in the summer when I have a more flexible schedule. 

What sets you apart from other businesses similar to yours?

S: What sets me apart from other people is my approach toward the business. I genuinely love what I do and I do hair to create art and show off my skills, rather than doing it just to make a profit. I also enjoy meeting new people and making all kinds of connections through my business. 

Who has been your main supporter/role model for your journey?

S: My main supporters of my business are my fellow MSU students! They’ve been supporting me since my first week on campus.

If you had advice for anyone who just wants to make a business like yours, what would you tell them?

S: The advice I would give to someone who wants to start a business like mine is to PROMOTE. You have to get the word out or there isn’t much of a business at all. Often, when I’m out with friends or at a party, I keep business cards on hand and chat with people at the events.

If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

S: If I could tell my younger self something it would be to be patient and know that everything is going to work out. I used to stress when I first started my business and it would’ve been a stress reliever to know everything turned out okay.

twists and locs
Shawnie Holbrook

Braids By Brielle

Instagram: @Braids.byarielle/@Brielledeas Location: MSU campus To book: DM on Instagram

Major/grade at MSU:

Brielle: My major is Kinesiology and I am aiming toward Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy

Favorite color:

B: Pink and Gray

Favorite styles you accomplished:

B: Small Bohemian Knotless and Fulani Braids

Are you willing to bring other styles to the menu?

B: Of course! I’m always willing to try new styles. 

What sets you apart from other businesses similar to yours?

B: I believe that I am very accommodating when it comes to my client’s booking or rescheduling. I provide all hair with styles even if the color is exotic! I also give out loyalty cards after each appointment that lead to 50% off my service as well as scrunchies in my clients’ favorite colors.

Who has been your main supporter/role model for your journey?

B: God has given me motivation and happiness. I need to push through each service no matter how long it takes!

If you had advice for anyone who just wants to make a business like yours, what would you tell them?

B: I would say never stop promoting your business, no matter how tired you get.

if you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

B: I would tell my younger self to never give up on things I want just because it takes time. My favorite part is the finishing touches as well as taking pictures of my work. It makes me feel proud of myself as well as my work.

braids
Brielle Deasfernandas

HairByArie 

Instagram:@hairbyarie_05 Location: MSU campus To book: DM on Instagram

Favorite part of the service, process, etc.:

Arielle: The final result and how my clients react to the services

What specific services does your business offer: Braids, quick weaves, silk press, men’s hairstyles, wash and blow dry service, natural twists, ponytails

Major and future career/grade at MSU:
A: Physiology, I want to become a PA in dermatology!

Favorite color:

A: Black   

Favorite styles you accomplished:

A: Boho Twist, Men’s Individuals

Are you willing to bring other styles to the menu?

A: Of course – anything that is brought to me, I’m willing to try.

What sets you apart from other businesses similar to yours?

A: I give hair growth tips and upkeep tips, and open to different perspectives and suggestions.

Who has been your main supporter/role model for your journey?

A: My friends let me try different styles on them. 

If you had advice for anyone who just wants to make a business like yours, what would you tell them?

A: Don’t give up, keep trying, and work on your networking skills.

If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

A: That it will all pay off in the end with all your hard work and dedication.

braids and cornrows
Arielle Johnson

Lashes, Eyebrows, Waxing Services

BeautyByTatum 

Instagram:  @beautybytatum TikTok: @tatumbyrne Location: East Lansing, MI To book: DM on Instagram

What is your favorite part of the service/ process?

Tatum: My favorite part of any service is getting to connect with my clients! If I didn’t create a safe space for my clients to feel welcome, I don’t think I’d have such a strong connection with each of my clients in the way that I do! Connecting with people while treating them to self care is just something I have a massive heart for!

What specific services does your business offer:

T: Eyelash extensions, lash lift and tint, brow lamination, brow tint, brow wax, full body waxing, facials, and more!

Major and future career/grade at MSU:

T: My major in college was Sports Management with three minors: Human Resource Management, Women and Gender studies, and Broadcast and Cinematic arts. I am currently an esthetician and lash artist as my full-time career.

Favorite color:

T: My favorite color is probably like a neon/sunset orange color. I just love all the colors in a sunset.

Favorite styles you accomplished:

T: Some of my favorite styles I’ve accomplished are wispy lashes, fox eye lashes, the fluffy and natural brow, and the “snatched” brow.

Who has been your main supporter/role model for your journey?

T: Having such amazing relationships with my clients often makes work feel exciting and not like working, and I’m so grateful my clients have so much trust and faith in me as their esthetician!

What sets you apart from other businesses?

T: What sets me apart from other businesses is that I provide student pricing! I remember what it was like being a student that was lowkey broke, but still wanting to treat yourself, and that is why I provide a student pricing menu! This student menu is for any student: MSU, Lansing Community College, high school, wherever pretty much, you just need to show me your school ID at your appointment! What I also feel sets me apart from others is that I try to make personal connections with each and every one of my clients, so that each client feels safe, comfortable, and cozy in my space.

Was there ever a time where your school life and business started to impact you?

T: My school life and business have impacted me in the past when I finishing up my undergrad. The summer before my last semester of undergrad, I decided to go to esthetician school to get my license, which takes about three months. It required a lot of time management and balance, being that I still was taking one summer class online and working everyday after esthetician school. Two weeks after the spring semester ended, I started esthetician school and two weeks before my last semester of undergrad began, I graduated esthetician school! I knew I couldn’t do both at the same time, so I figured out how to manage it in a way that was best for me and my goals.

Biggest goal you’ve accomplished with your business:

T: The biggest goal I’ve accomplished with my business is feeling confident in my work, but also having been blessed with such an amazing group of people I get the pleasure of calling clients. I truly love my clients from the bottom of my heart. If I didn’t have the amount of loyal and genuine clients that I have, my goals and dreams would not have been possible. I moved to East Lansing in June of 2023, and since have been welcomed with so much love from all my clients!

eyebrows lashes
Photo by Tatum Byrne

LashesByGrace

Instagram: @Lashesbygraceee Location: East Lansing, MI To book: DM on Instagram

What is your favorite part of the service/process?

Grace: My favorite part of the service is definitely seeing my work come together after hours of lashing. I love seeing the finished products and my client’s reactions! I also enjoy the sessions of getting to know my clients for those who love to talk during their appointments! 

What specific services does your business offer?

G: My business offers eyelash extensions. I offer classic, hybrid, and volume sets. Each set is customizable to a client’s eye shape and a pop of color can also be added. 

What is your major, year at MSU, and what are your future goals?

G: I am currently a Human Biology major at MSU. As a junior, I am applying to medical schools this spring/summer to become an anesthesiologist.

What is your favorite color?

G: Pink or blue   

What are your favorite styles that you’ve accomplished? 

G: The favorite styles I have accomplished on my clients have been being able to accentuate their eyes based on their eye shapes. I love doing cat eye looks, but the reality is, they don’t fit everyone’s eyes! It’s hard to pick a favorite style but I love the look of hybrid full sets as they are a combination of fullness and a natural look.

What sets you apart from other businesses?

G: What sets Lashes By Grace, LLC apart from other businesses is my customer service and making sure my clients feel comfortable (ask me about the heated/massage bed during your appointment). I educate all my clients on lash extension aftercare and let them know they can always reach out with any questions! I am also located right off campus, which is very convenient for all my MSU girls who book.

Was there ever a time where your school life and business started to impact you?

G: Yes! Focusing on school is one of my top priorities which does make it harder to focus on my business. On weekends and days where I experience more free time, I am able to book more appointments and grow my brand. I also find it difficult to book clients on certain days of the week due to a busy class and study schedule, but it’s all about balance and making time!

What was the biggest goal you’ve accomplished with your business?

G: One of my biggest goals has been opening up my business to East Lansing while I am a student here. I initially started lashing only in my home town, as I thought I would not have the time or clientele at school. Bringing my lash business to MSU has allowed me to get a break from school and continue to do what I love and make great connections while doing so!

What do you hope to do in the future to further expand your business and yourself?

G: A huge goal of mine for the future is opening up my own salon after college and selling my own products. I plan on teaching other girls how to get into the lash business and grow my company as a whole!

lashe extensions
grace

All the businesses listed above have their contact information listed. Check out any of these businesses for your beauty needs!

MSU Her Campus member! Studying landscape architecture and design and loves interest in horticulture, beauty trends, and others.