Who is Mihlali Ndamase? She is a South African beauty influencer, YouTuber, entrepreneur and actress, born on 29 November 1996 in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal. Mihlali launched her YouTube channel in 2016, was named in the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 class of 2021, and has won several of the country’s top influencer awards.
Quick facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 November 1996, Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal (Wikipedia) |
| Studied | Leaders in the Science of Fashion; Vega School (Wikipedia) |
| Known for | Beauty content creator; YouTube channel launched in 2016 (Wikipedia) |
| Big milestone | Forbes Africa 30 Under 30, class of 2021 (IOL) |
| Acting | Rhythm City, Boxing Day (Wikipedia) |
| Businesses | Malakyt, Mihlali’s Kloset, Siyasizana Foundation (co-founder) (Wikipedia) |
When was Mihlali Ndamase born?
Mihlali was born on 29 November 1996 in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal, according to Wikipedia. Her birthday falls at the end of November, a date her mother has marked publicly on social media.
From Kokstad to YouTube: how did Mihlali start?
Mihlali grew up in Kokstad, a small town in KwaZulu-Natal, and she has never hidden how far that is from where she is now. “I am from a very small town. I never imagined I would be on Forbes Africa at age 24,” she told The Herald in 2021.
She studied at Leaders in the Science of Fashion and Vega School. In 2016 she launched her YouTube channel and made her television debut on E! VIP Africa. By late 2017, her channel had passed two million views, according to Wikipedia.
By 2019 her profile had gone international. Sowetan reported that she was one of two South Africans on Hopper HQ’s Instagram Rich List that year, and that she attended YouTube Black FanFest in Atlanta in October 2019.
Forbes Africa 30 Under 30
In 2021, Mihlali was named in the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 class, as IOL reported. Speaking to The Herald, she said: “Being part of the Forbes Africa class of 2021 means the world. It is a blessing.” She added: “It just goes to show your dreams are valid”.
Her advice to young entrepreneurs is just as direct. “Be consistent; people will forget about you if you’re not,” she told Top Business Women, adding: “Identify the core of your brand, and move forward keeping the end goal in mind.”
Wigs for a similar look
Each one can be installed and styled by our stylists in Sandton. Split the cost into interest-free instalments with PayFlex or PayJustNow at checkout.
-
Get 100% Off On Your Install This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageZara 10″
R7,500.00 -
Sale!
Halle Pixie Frontal
Original price was: R3,500.00.R2,800.00Current price is: R2,800.00. -
Sale!
Sira unit
Original price was: R2,250.00.R1,800.00Current price is: R1,800.00.
What awards has Mihlali won?
- 2019: Influencer of the Year and Best Beauty Influencer at the Cosmopolitan SA Influencer Awards; Socialite of the Year at the Feather Awards; Next Big Thing at the SA Style Awards (Wikipedia).
- 2019: Most Glamorous at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards (TimesLIVE).
- 2021: Forbes Africa 30 Under 30, and a nomination for African Social Star at the People’s Choice Awards (Wikipedia).
- 2023: The first-ever OG Award at the DStv Content Creator Awards (Sunday Tribune).
Mihlali’s acting career
Mihlali made her acting debut on Rhythm City in April 2021, as Briefly reported. The same year she appeared in the Showmax film Boxing Day, followed by cameos on Generations: The Legacy and Netflix’s Savage Beauty in 2022 (Wikipedia). In December 2025 she was a guest presenter at the TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa (Wikipedia).
Brand partnerships and businesses
Mihlali has worked with global and local brands. In 2018 she became the first South African face of Daniel Wellington, IOL reported. She has also been a Johnson’s Fresh Hydration ambassador (Top Business Women) and, from February 2022, a Malfy Gin ambassador (Glamour SA).
In April 2024 she attended Fenty Beauty’s Soft’Lit foundation launch in Los Angeles. “My journey in the digital space has had its ups and downs, but the moment I even begin to doubt myself God affirms me everytime,” she said, according to the Cape Argus. At the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July, she wore a metallic Ndebele-print gown by Masango (Daily News).
Her own ventures include Malakyt, an online platform connecting clients with makeup artists and beauticians, launched in October 2021 (Glamour SA); Mihlali’s Kloset, an Instagram resale of her pre-owned designer clothing, launched in November 2023; and the Siyasizana Foundation, which she co-founded with Dineo Nono (Wikipedia).
Mihlali’s hair: from pixies to bobs
Part of Mihlali’s appeal is how fearlessly she changes her look. A 2022 Briefly roundup listed a platinum-blonde pixie, a jet-black finger-wave pixie, faux locs, a long straight black wig with laid edges for her 25th birthday, a high ponytail and a burgundy cropped wig. In November 2024 she debuted a classic bob (Briefly), and in August 2026 a finger-waved retro pixie with laid baby hairs (Briefly).
The San HD has been credited for two of her looks in the press: a red weave for a Valentine’s Day shoot in February 2024 (Briefly), and a black curly weave styled in a side ponytail in May 2024 (Briefly).
How to get a Mihlali-inspired look
- Zara 10″, R7,500: a sleek, straight bob in single donor Vietnamese raw hair, fully glueless with a 13×6 transparent lace. A polished take on the classic bob. With PayFlex, 4 × R1,875.
- Halle Pixie Frontal, R3,500: a lightweight, face-framing human hair pixie on a transparent full frontal lace, for the short, sharp mood of her pixie era. With PayFlex, 4 × R875.
Our stylists can then customise the unit, from the hairline to the finish, so it suits your face rather than copying hers. See what that looks like in our client portfolio.
Mihlali and The Penthouse
Mihlali was one of the voices behind the opening of The Penthouse Beauty Studio. When the studio launched at The Marc in Sandton on 5 October 2024, she invited her followers on Instagram to join the store launch. You can read the full story of the studio and its parent brand in The Penthouse by The San HD story.
From a small town to Forbes Africa, Mihlali Ndamase has built a career on consistency and reinvention. If one of her looks has caught your eye, send our stylists a photo on WhatsApp and we will help you find the unit and install to recreate it, your way.
As seen on Instagram
Want a look like this?
Send us a photo of the look you love. Our stylists will match the unit, install and glam to you.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Mihlali Ndamase from?
Mihlali Ndamase is from Kokstad in KwaZulu-Natal, where she was born on 29 November 1996. She has spoken about her roots, telling The Herald in 2021 that she is from a very small town and never imagined appearing on Forbes Africa at 24.
When did Mihlali start her YouTube channel?
Mihlali launched her YouTube channel in 2016, the same year she made her television debut on E! VIP Africa. Her beauty and makeup content grew quickly, and by late 2017 the channel had passed two million views, according to Wikipedia. It became the foundation for her later awards and brand work.
Was Mihlali Ndamase on Forbes Africa 30 Under 30?
Yes. Mihlali was named in the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 class of 2021, as reported by IOL and The Herald. She described the recognition as a blessing and said it showed that dreams are valid. She was 24 at the time.
What businesses does Mihlali Ndamase own?
Her ventures include Malakyt, an online platform for booking makeup artists and beauticians launched in 2021, and Mihlali's Kloset, a resale of her pre-owned designer clothing launched in 2023. She also co-founded the Siyasizana Foundation with Dineo Nono. Each one builds on her beauty and fashion audience.
How can I recreate Mihlali Ndamase's bob or pixie look?
Start with the right base. A sleek straight bob such as Zara 10" suits her classic bob mood, while the Halle Pixie Frontal suits her pixie looks. Our stylists can then customise the hairline, cut and finish for your face. Send a reference photo on WhatsApp to get advice before you buy.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Mihlali Ndamase
- The Herald — 'It just goes to show your dreams are valid': Mihlali N on making the Forbes 30 Under 30 list
- IOL — Mihlali Ndamase makes Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list
- Sowetan — The year social media influencers cemented their place
- TimesLIVE — Snaps: Here's how Mihlali is dominating 2019
- Sunday Tribune — Mihlali Ndamase, Podcast and Chill with MacG win big at 2023 DStv Content Creator Awards
- Briefly — Mihlali Ndamase makes her Rhythm City debut
- Top Business Women — 'Be consistent': Mihlali Ndamase on creating relatable content
- IOL — It's Mihlali Ndamase's time
- Glamour SA — Mihlali joins the Ciao Malfy La Famiglia
- Glamour SA — Mihlali launches new business venture
- Cape Argus — Mihlali Ndamase and Linda Mtoba at Fenty event in LA
- Daily News — Mihlali Ndamase steals the show at the Durban July
- Briefly — Times Mihlali Ndamase rocked different hairstyles
- Briefly — Mihlali Ndamase debuts a hairstyle (bob)
- Briefly — Mihlali Ndamase debuts pixie cut in retro photoshoot
- Briefly — Mihlali Ndamase's Valentine's Day hair colour
- Briefly — Mihlali Ndamase debuts hairstyle in TikTok video
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.
