Philadelphia native, but Toledo grown, the owner of Beaute Asylum, Lavette Cephus, knew in high school that she would own her own business. From there, it was only a question of when and how.
Growing up with a passion for all things artistic, Lavette quickly realized her gift for nail art. After a push from family and friends, she enrolled to become a nail technician. A nail technician since 2007, and an esthetician since 2012, Lavette’s passion has taken her across the country.
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In 2015, Lavette applied to compete in a global nail art competition, against top nail artists from around the world. Lavette committed herself, working for weeks on end, succeeding in challenge after challenge before finally coming out on top and earning herself the title of “#1 Top Nail Artist of 2015” by Nails Magazine.
Crazy about Beauté
Beauté Asylum, located at 2011 Glendale Avenue, prides itself on steadfast dedication to nail and skincare. Guests can relax with a manicure, pedicure, massage, facial, full body wax or try out acrylic nails, and specialty nail art.
​TCP: How did you end up in Toledo? And why did you choose to open a salon here?
​Lavette: My mother moved to Toledo when I was nine and owning my own business was on my five-year goal list in high school. I had a mentor in high school that had me write down my five-year goals, ten-year goals and so on. Eventually I wanted to own my own salon. It took me about three years to get it in the works.
​TCP: What made you want to be a nail technician?
​Lavette: I knew I would end up doing some form of art in the long run. I liked that you could paint pictures onto the nails. So I did my own nails and received such immediate, positive feedback. The art of it is what attracted me.
​TCP: How did you hear about the nail competition?
​Lavette: I’ve been a licensed nail technician for eight years and about four years ago I started on Instagram. I basically reinvented myself and followed a nail tech involved in the first season of the competition and learned that they were accepting applications for the second season. I really didn’t think I would get through because I knew there were hundreds of submissions from all over the world… but I just wanted to see how it would play out. The whole competition was done online week by week.
​TCP: How did winning the competition impact you?
​Lavette: I was able to design the nails of two very well known designers at Fashion Week: Johnson Hartig of Libertine (ilovelibertine.com) and David and Phillipe Blond of The Blonds (theblonds.nyc). I was a next generation artist in a charity event hosted in Chicago. Overall, it really built up my reputation and, because of it, I’m very well known and respected in the nail community.
​TCP: Where does the inspiration for you nail art come from?
​Lavette: The inspiration comes from everyday life. Once I get a brush in my hand my brain and hand start talking to each other and they just know what to do.
​TCP: You have a very unique personal style; it shows through in your business model and in your nail designs. Where did it come from?
​Lavette: Being in the beauty industry you are a walking billboard, a walking advertisement for your brand. For my personal style, nine times out of ten I just want to be different.
​TCP: So you’re trying to push boundaries?
​Lavette: Right. Exactly. But I like to try to be classy and sophisticated. When I visit other salons it’s almost overwhelming with a whole bunch of stuff on the walls or it just caters to one sex. And I want everyone to be comfortable. So I went for a clean, sophisticated look for my salon with neutral colors. I just want everyone to be comfortable here.
Beaute Asylum, 2011 Glendale Ave. | 419-389-9110 | beauteasylum.com
