A self-taught make-up artist and nail technician, Nomalungelo Schatz, aims to bring not only colour to the world around her, but to change the beauty industry in the province’s capital city.

This talented and ambitious beautician has been an artist and nail tech for just over 10 years and recently marked a milestone when she was awarded a Hustling Honeys Business Summit Award for Best Make-up Artist in 2024.

She owns Noma’s Beauty Parlour in the heart of Mbombela, which provides make-up, hair, lashes, manicure and pedicure services.
“Everything on its way to success takes a lot of work and in the beauty industry. It takes growing the skill set regularly to render quality services. For me it started with passion; I actually call it an ‘almost delusional passion’. It is what keeps me going, as well as the drive to understand the industry, people and customer service that makes up the quality work I aim to produce for each client,” she said.

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Schatz said she felt honoured to have receive the award, because it cements her vision to provide quality to every woman and man who make use of her services. “It is recognition for the work I aim to contribute in the beauty industry, especially in Mbombela. This career started out as just a dream, but became a side hustle while working a nine-to-five job, and I eventually became somewhat of a beauty expert in my own way.”

She said she grew interested in make-up from watching her mum doing her face every day and for special occasions. She then nurtured her interest into a career by watching make-up tutorials and teaching herself.

“I can say I became an artist when I used to do my family and friends’ nails under a tree at my aunt’s home. I used gels and normal nail polish that didn’t require UV light. People loved how I neatly painted their nails, and my work would last longer than when they painted them themselves.”

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In the next five years, Schatz aims to make her beauty parlour a skills development hub as well.

“There are not a lot of accessible beauty schools in Mbombela. Even I had to go to Gauteng to get my beauty certificate. I want the parlour to provide those services to people who want to venture into beauty. I want to transfer my skills to other people while I can. Ultimately, my vision is to make locals aware of quality make-up and nail tech services available in our town.”