Rising Stars: Meet Rhayne Lodevico of long beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhayne Lodevico

Hi Rhayne, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up my family was very creative, my dad customized and restored shoes, my mom was an event coordinator, my sister was a singer and my other sister was a dancer. While we all had our own interests we all had a passion for doing something artistic it was just a matter of time when I’d be able t0 find my artistic interest.

After high school (2017) I decided to go to the bay area for college to study Sociology, this is where I found my passion for nails (surprisingly). I wasn’t really enjoying my courses and would find myself hanging out in my dorm most days just sulking.

(November 2017) One day I had a friend who was practicing nails and asked if she could practice in my dorm in between classes. I was interested in what she meant because I never knew you could do nails at home, I thought it was only at the shop. I watched her practice with her kit with such an intriguing thought… maybe I could try I asked? And she left her kit with me for the night and I did my first set on my best friend. Growing up I was never allowed to get/wear nail extensions let alone do them on myself. I ended up really enjoying it and saved up to buy myself my own kit.

January 2018 I decided to start offering free sets to my roommates and people in my dorm hall. I set up a corner in my room and starting practicing, people would come to support and get a free set all at once. It got to a point where I would be booked and busy with people on campus-going dorm room to dorm room with my nail cart full of polishes.

December 2019 Covid hit and I was forced to move back to long beach where my business would soon change for the better. During covid I was unable to take clients or practice on live models so I had to practice on myself and teach myself through YouTube, tiktok and Instagram. I began my tik tok and started showcasing my work where Id soon get noticed. This year i also released my own acrylic line which I sold out of.

I started following a lot of nail techs during covid and this one particular nail tech posted one day that she needed a nail tech who could file.. Of course I slid up and she ended up giving me a gig that would change my life. I was on set with Kali Uchis for her “fue mejor” music video ft. SZA. This was the first time I was on set ever.. I was stressed beyond measures, I was under prepared and everything that couldve went wrong went wrong. Fortunately for me I came home to my support system where they assured me to take this as a learning lesson and what to do better next time..

Shortly after the music video released I began getting more bookings from celebrities like Coi Leray, Kim K, Teyana Taylor and more. I eventually got noticed by Essence magazine and they are constant clients of mine.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road there has been a lot of trials and tribulations that I’ve taken and grown from to make me the person I am today. Some days I wish I could just make art and not have to content create but in this generation I have the necessary resources to do so.. I struggled with managing school and nails together at one point. My parents have always wanted me to succeed and nails was not apart of that plan in their eyes. I was still in school but in long beach this time and one day i sat with myself and figured out that this is what i wanted to do with my life. So i started looking up beauty schools near me and founf the school that would help with my career Nehulie Beauty Academy. I had the dreadful talk with my parents that I was dropping out of college to pursue my nail career. I had already paid my deposit and first months tuition. My parents saw how eager I was but they saw I had a plan and thats all that mattered.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in nail art. I like to paint and create art on the tiny canvas of a nail enhancement. I am known for my crazy and creative freestyle sets where the client trusts me with the full creative power to design their nails.

I feel like there are a lot of very talented nail techs in my city but what sets me apart from others is the experience you get along with their crazy nails.. Ive created bonds with my clients some so well im invited to their weddings, baby showers, birthday dinners. Some can even say they like to book for the free therapy session that comes with getting their nails done.

What does success mean to you?
Success can mean anything depending on who you ask but I was always taught from a young age by my dad you can be successful in any field/career you choose as long do what you love and love what you do. I can
successfully say I love what I do and am doing what i love.

Pricing:

• My freestyles can rage from $180-$500 depending on how intricate the design is

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nailsbyrhayne.as.me/schedule/f3b011f3
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nailsbyrhayne/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nailsbyrhayne
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nailsbyrhayne?lang=en

Image Credits
Essence Magazine. Interview Magazine