At Langston University, beauty isn’t only found in textbooks or classrooms. It’s crafted daily through the skilled hands of students who turn creativity into confidence inside the dorms. The hum of clippers, the scent of hair products, and the shimmer of nail polish blend into a rhythm of artistry and ambition, whether that’s a sharp fade from a campus barber, a flawless style from a talented hairdresser, or a set of nails that turn heads. Langston’s beauty professionals are redefining what it means to look and feel your best
Rain Thomas, a sophomore early childhood education major from Las Vegas, Nevada. First, I asked Thomas how she got into hair, she said” I started off here because I didn’t really like looking like a mess all the time so I kind of just started doing my own hair because I like to look the the part all the time and then eventually I started doing my friend’s hair and then I just started to do everyone’s hair.”
Thomas said her parents were a major influence when it came to starting her on-campus hair business, “My parents are business owners, and I just kind of wanted to do my own thing. My mom did hair as well, but she stopped, and my dad was like do something, like hustle, start a business, you know how to do good hair so I just kind of started.”
When talking to Thomas, I asked her what her favorite style of braids is to do on both men and women. She said, “For boys, I like to do their stitch braids.” That’s what she gets requested the most, and for women, she said, “But girls, I definitely think I’m messing with the Fulani braids right now, those are pretty good.”
Lianna Payton, a sophomore art education major from Naperville, Indiana, became a nail tech for financial reasons. She said, ” Honestly, it’s just fast money, also nails are just kind of something that I’ve always done, and I was like, why not do this and see if I can make a little bit of money.”
Furthermore, when talking to Payton, she discussed her favorite style: “My favorite type of style is 3-D stuff. I do ceramics, and I’m a huge art person, so sculpting anything with my hands is my favorite thing to do.”
When discussing advice she would give to anyone who wants to start their nail journey, she said, “Stay very consistent, even if you think you’re not doing good, I promise you’re probably ahead of what you thought you were yesterday. Just keep going. Keep practicing on yourself, practice on friends.“
“I would say to charge. I know a lot of people are iffy about that like especially if you’re a beginner, even if it’s just like five $5 or $10 I would charge, because at the end of the day, you’re still using your product, but don’t overcharge. Have fun with it. Take your time, you’ll learn and you’ll get there.” Payton added.
Lastly, I caught up with Remon Tuck II, a junior psychology major from Fort Worth, Texas. Tuck is also a Spring 25 initiate of the Alpha Pi chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. When I asked Tuck what inspired him to become a barber he said “well, really, I started to cut my own hair my freshman in high school … at that time, my barber kinda gave me a little calic on my head, a little bald spot, and at the time and I had waves, so that kind of just pushed me to cut my own hair.”
I then asked Tuck how he balances school responsibilities, being involved in a student organization, and being a barber. He said, “It’s difficult you know, trying to be a barber and do other stuff in school because you know like haircuts are kind of a big deal and you know a lot of people be needing haircuts and you know sometimes I think people will forget that I’m a student too, and I got other stuff to take care of so scheduling is very important for me.”
To see Tuck’s work, schedule an appointment, or get in contact with him, visit his Instagram @tuckbeenfadin.
At Langston University, these talented artists do more than perfect fades, styles, and manicures. They build confidence and community. Each client leaves not just looking better but feeling seen, heard, and renewed. Their craft is more than a skill. It’s the statement that beauty and all its forms start with passion and pride.
Isaiah Price
Isaiah Price is a sophomore broadcast journalism major from Dallas, Texas. Price is a 4th-generation Langston student, and the reason he became a journalist is to one day own a broadcast journalism company and spread accurate and fair news. The work we do matters because Langston has a negative perspective on the outside world, and the reason he joined the Gazette was to spread a positive message about Langston. His favorite hobbies are the gym, listening to music, and playing video games. If you want to reach out to him about a story, dm on insta @_isaiah_price
