Mihlali Ndamase’s Most Iconic Hairstyles and the Wigs to Recreate Them

Mihlali Ndamase’s hair is as much a part of her brand as her makeup. Her most talked-about looks include platinum-blonde and jet-black finger-wave pixies, a classic bob, a burgundy crop, a long straight wig with laid edges and a red Valentine’s Day weave. Here is each look, where it was reported, and how to recreate the mood.

Quick facts: Mihlali’s signature hair moments

The pixie era: Mihlali’s pixie cut looks

Short hair has been one of Mihlali’s strongest signatures. She was featured in W24’s 2019 round-up of celebrities embracing short hairstyles, and a 2022 Briefly roundup listed both a platinum-blonde pixie and a jet-black finger-wave pixie among her standout looks. In August 2026 she returned to the cut with a finger-waved retro pixie and laid baby hairs, Briefly reported.

How to get the look

Start with a short unit that already has the right shape. The Halle Pixie Frontal, R3,500, is a lightweight, face-framing human hair pixie on a transparent full frontal lace, which gives room to sculpt finger waves and lay baby hairs along the hairline. With PayFlex, 4 × R875. For something you can put on in minutes, Sira (R2,250, or 4 × R562.50 with PayFlex) is a glueless human hair pixie with adjustable straps.

Platinum is a colour service, not a starting point. Ask our stylists about colour customisation on a human hair unit rather than lightening at home.

Mihlali’s bob: polished and grown-up

In November 2024 Mihlali debuted a classic bob that had social media talking, according to Briefly. A bob sits between her dramatic pixies and her long glam looks: sharp, practical and easy to wear day to night.

How to get the look

Zara 10″, R7,500, is a sleek straight bob in single donor Vietnamese raw hair with a 13×6 transparent lace and an interior drawstring and tension band, so it is fully glueless. With PayFlex, 4 × R1,875. If you want to try the shape at a lower entry point, Zendeya 12″ (R3,550) is a sleek straight human hair bob with a pre-plucked 13×4 HD lace hairline.

Mihlali’s red and burgundy hair

Colour is where Mihlali takes the boldest risks. Briefly’s 2022 roundup included a burgundy cropped wig, and in February 2024 she wore a red weave for a Valentine’s Day shoot, installed by The San HD, as Briefly reported.

How to get the look

For long, rich colour, Zara Burgundy 24″, R18,400, is a burgundy straight wig in single donor Vietnamese raw hair, glueless with a 13×6 transparent lace. With PayFlex, 4 × R4,600. For a cropped burgundy like her earlier look, ask about a colour service on a short unit such as Zara 10″.

Long, straight and laid

For her 25th birthday, Mihlali chose a long straight black wig with laid edges, one of the looks in the Briefly roundup. It is the definition of timeless glam: a sleek middle part, glossy length and a neat, defined hairline.

How to get the look

Choose a frontal with a full lace hairline so the edges can be laid convincingly. Browse our premium straight collection and ask our stylists to style baby hairs as part of your install.

The curly side ponytail

In May 2024, Mihlali debuted a black curly weave styled into a side ponytail in a TikTok video, with the look credited to The San HD, Briefly reported. It is playful and full of volume, and it shows off the jawline and earrings.

How to get the look

A side ponytail needs lace across the hairline, so start with a curly frontal unit. Mimi 18″, R8,280, is a loose curly, double drawn human hair wig on a 13×4 HD lace, processed to resemble kinky curly hair that has been blown out. With PayFlex, 4 × R2,070.

Faux locs and protective styles

The same Briefly roundup included faux locs, a reminder that her versatility goes beyond wigs. If you want a break from units altogether, a protective braided style gives your own hair a rest between installs. Our hair team offers knotless braids, straight up braids and French curls, so ask which style best suits the length and mood you are after.

Mihlali Ndamase’s hair at The Penthouse

Beyond the press, Mihlali has credited the studio herself. Her “nighttime magic” post on Instagram credits “Glam & hair: @thepenthousebeautystudio”, and another post credits “Sew in: @thepenthousebeautystudio”. You can read about her wider story in Mihlali Ndamase’s journey from Kokstad to Forbes Africa.

The lesson from Mihlali’s hair is simple: change is part of the fun, and a good base makes every reinvention easier. Our stylists will adapt any of these looks to your face shape and lifestyle rather than copying them exactly. Send a screenshot of your favourite on WhatsApp, or book an install or styling appointment on Fresha.

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Frequently asked questions

What hairstyles is Mihlali Ndamase known for?

Mihlali is known for switching her look often. Reported styles include a platinum-blonde pixie, a jet-black finger-wave pixie, faux locs, a long straight black wig with laid edges, a high ponytail, a burgundy cropped wig, a classic bob in November 2024 and a retro finger-waved pixie in August 2026.

Who does Mihlali Ndamase's hair?

Several of her looks have been credited to The San HD, including a red Valentine's Day weave in February 2024 and a curly side ponytail in May 2024, according to Briefly. In her own Instagram posts, she has also credited The Penthouse Beauty Studio for glam, hair and a sew-in.

How can I get a pixie cut like Mihlali without cutting my hair?

Choose a human hair pixie wig. A frontal pixie such as the Halle Pixie Frontal gives you a lace hairline for finger waves and laid baby hairs, while a glueless pixie such as Sira can be put on in minutes. A stylist can then shape and colour the unit to suit your face.

What wig is closest to Mihlali's burgundy and red looks?

For long, rich colour, Zara Burgundy 24" is a burgundy straight wig in single donor Vietnamese raw hair. For a shorter crop, a colour service on a bob unit is the better route. Our stylists can advise on the shade that suits your skin tone before you commit.

Did Mihlali Ndamase wear a Penthouse wig?

We only share what has been credited publicly. Mihlali has credited The Penthouse for glam, hair and a sew-in in her own Instagram posts, and Briefly credited The San HD for two of her 2024 looks. The product suggestions in this article are inspired by her looks, not copies of specific units she wore.

Sources

• Briefly — Timeless beauty: times Mihlali Ndamase rocked different hairstyles
• Briefly — Mihlali Ndamase debuts a hairstyle, Mzansi reacts
• Briefly — Mihlali Ndamase debuts pixie cut in glamorous retro photoshoot
• Briefly — Mihlali Ndamase's hair colour for Valentine's Day
• Briefly — Mihlali Ndamase debuts hairstyle in a TikTok video
• W24 — 10 celebs who are embracing short hairstyles
• Instagram — @mihlalii_n, 'nighttime magic' (Glam & hair: @thepenthousebeautystudio)
• Instagram — @mihlalii_n (Sew in: @thepenthousebeautystudio)

Written by The Penthouse Beauty Studio team at The Marc, 129 Rivonia Rd, Sandown, Sandton. Prices are in rand, include VAT and were correct at the time of publishing.