The Penthouse Beauty Studio is the Sandton luxury wig and beauty studio of The San HD, the premium division of The San Hair, a South African hair business run by four sisters from Mthatha. It opened at The Marc, 129 Rivonia Road, Sandown, on 5 October 2024, and offers wigs, installs, braids, nails, spa and glam under one roof.
Key takeaways
- The Penthouse trades as “ThePenthouse by The San HD” and is a sister brand of The San Hair.
- The San Hair was founded by Nompumelelo “Mpumie” Madubedube and is described by TrueLove as a 100% Black, women-owned business run by four sisters.
- The HD division, led by Xola Madubedube, launched in 2020 and is known for celebrity installs at events like the Cape Town Met and the Durban July.
- The San Hair was named Medium Business Entrepreneur of the Year at Business Partners Limited’s 36th Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, announced in January 2025.
Who is behind The Penthouse Beauty Studio?
The Penthouse is the Sandton home of a family business. Its parent brand, The San Hair, was founded by Mpumie Madubedube, an accountant by training who, according to FASA, started the business from the boot of a car as a part-time venture. Today it is run by four sisters from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, as TrueLove reported in 2024.
The Penthouse sits within that family as a studio built for one thing: premium hair, done properly. You can read more about how we work on our story page.
How did The San Hair start?
The San Hair has been building its name for over a decade. Sources give slightly different founding years, but the arc is consistent: a small side business that grew into a manufacturer and a national salon brand. FNB’s customer story notes that the business opened its own factory in Midrand in 2016.
By January 2025, FASA reported that the business had 15 salons, more than 200 staff, a Midrand factory and products stocked in Clicks. For you as a client, that history is a signal of an established business with its own manufacturing, not a pop-up.
What is The San HD?
The San HD is the premium division of The San Hair, launched in 2020 and spearheaded by Xola Madubedube, Mpumie’s sister. TrueLove describes Xola travelling to install premium units for celebrities at events such as the Cape Town Met and the Durban July. These are high-pressure installs: bright light, flash photography and long days, where a lifted lace or a visible hairline shows instantly.
Xola’s colour work has a long track record. In a 2019 TrueLove feature, DJ Zinhle explained how she found the brand: “I had a shoot, and my hairstylist at the time cancelled at the last minute. I went online and discovered The San Hair.” The same article describes her stylist as someone who “is always willing to try new and vibrant colours”. (That piece spells the surname “Madube”.)
Which celebrities have worn The San Hair?
TrueLove names Lerato Kganyago, DJ Zinhle and Lamiez Holworthy among The San Hair’s celebrity clients. Press coverage has also credited the HD team for looks worn by Mihlali Ndamase: a red weave for a Valentine’s Day shoot in February 2024, reported by Briefly, and a black curly weave styled in a side ponytail a few months later, also covered by Briefly.
You can see recent work from our own chairs, including installs, colour and glam, in our client portfolio.
Shop the collection
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.
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Sale!
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageZendeya 20″ (13×4)
Price range: R4,160.00 through R4,480.00 -
Get 100% Off On Your Install This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageZara 24″
R17,400.00 -
Get 100% Off On Your Install This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageNini 14″
R9,500.00
When did The Penthouse open in Sandton?
The Penthouse launched on Saturday, 5 October 2024 at The Marc in Sandown, as shared on the studio’s Instagram. The launch drew friends of the brand: Mihlali Ndamase invited her followers to the store opening on Instagram, and actress Omuhle Gela posted about celebrating the studio’s launch night.
The studio brings the HD team’s standard of work to Sandton, in a space where a wig purchase, an install and a full beauty appointment can all happen in one visit.
Awards and recognition
In January 2025, The San Hair won Medium Business Entrepreneur of the Year at Business Partners Limited’s 36th Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, as covered by FASA and listed on the Entrepreneur of the Year site. It is recognition of the business behind the brand, built from a car boot to factories and salons.
Mpumie also speaks openly about the craft. In a 2024 interview with IOL, she pointed to growing demand for lace, glueless and full-frontal wigs, and gave a warning every wig owner should hear: “One incorrect wash…can ruin your wig”. It is the reason our stylists care so much about treatment and maintenance, not just the install.
What can you do at The Penthouse?
The Penthouse is a full-service studio, so you can plan your hair, beauty and wig care with one team.
Wigs
Shop luxury units in single donor Vietnamese raw hair, raw virgin hair and human hair, with HD and transparent lace options. Every unit has a first name, like Zara, Nini or Zendeya. Browse the full wig collection, or let the wig finder quiz narrow it down. Online orders can be paid with PayFlex in four interest-free instalments, PayJustNow or Payfast, and delivery is free over R5,300.
Wig services
Installation (with San HD hair or hair bought elsewhere), customisation such as plucking, bleached knots and a Lagos hairline, styling, colour, and wig treatments that revive tired units.
Hair, beauty and spa
Knotless and boho braids, sew-ins, natural hair care with Mizani and L’Oréal treatments, bridal styling, full glam makeup, lashes, nails, waxing and a Japanese head spa. For current service prices, see our Fresha booking page.
Quick facts
| Detail | The Penthouse Beauty Studio |
|---|---|
| Trading as | ThePenthouse by The San HD |
| Parent brand | The San Hair, founded by Mpumie Madubedube |
| Premium division lead | Xola Madubedube (launched 2020) |
| Address | The Marc, 129 Rivonia Road, Sandown, Sandton |
| Opened | 5 October 2024 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, Sat 9am–4pm, Sun 9am–2pm |
| Bookings | Fresha (online) or WhatsApp +27 62 781 4286 |
Visit The Penthouse
The Penthouse exists so that the standard behind red-carpet installs is available to you on an ordinary Tuesday. If you already know what you want, book on Fresha. If you would rather talk it through with our stylists first, send us a message on WhatsApp and we will help you choose the right unit, service and appointment.
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
Is The Penthouse Beauty Studio part of The San Hair?
Yes. The Penthouse trades as ThePenthouse by The San HD and is a sister brand of The San Hair, the South African hair business founded by Mpumie Madubedube. It is the Sandton studio of the brand's premium HD division, offering wigs, installs and beauty services in one place.
Where is The Penthouse in Sandton?
The Penthouse is at The Marc, 129 Rivonia Road, Sandown, Sandton. It is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to 4pm and Sunday from 9am to 2pm. You can book online through Fresha or message the team on WhatsApp before you visit.
What is the difference between The San Hair and The San HD?
The San Hair is the parent brand, with salons, a Midrand factory and retail products. The San HD is its premium division, launched in 2020 and led by Xola Madubedube, known for high-end units and celebrity installs at events such as the Durban July. The Penthouse is the HD team's Sandton studio.
Can I get my wig installed at The Penthouse if I bought it elsewhere?
Yes. Our stylists install units bought from The San HD and units bought elsewhere, and can customise them with plucking, bleached knots, a Lagos hairline, layers or colour. Service prices change from time to time, so check the current rates on Fresha or ask on WhatsApp before booking.
Does The Penthouse deliver wigs across South Africa?
Yes, wigs can be ordered online with delivery, and delivery is free on orders over R5,300. If you are in Johannesburg, you can also collect in Sandton. You can pay with PayFlex in four interest-free instalments, PayJustNow or Payfast. Full details are on the delivery page.
Sources
- TrueLove/News24 — Meet the brains behind The San Hair, Mpumie Madubedube
- FASA — The San Hair wins Medium Business Entrepreneur of the Year
- Entrepreneur of the Year — 2024 EOY winner Nompumelelo Madubedube
- TrueLove/News24 — DJ Zinhle's hairstylist shares her styling secrets
- IOL — From startup to industry leader: Nompumelelo Madubedube on top wig trends
- FNB — Customer stories: The San Hair
- Briefly — Mihlali Ndamase's Valentine's Day hair colour
- Briefly — Mihlali Ndamase debuts hairstyle in TikTok video
- Instagram — The Penthouse Beauty Studio
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.
