Long almond-shaped nails are popular at Nadia Erasmus’s salon.

Long almond-shaped nails are popular at Nadia Erasmus’s salon.

This moon manicure design is by Marichelle De Costa, who completed a nail art course with E.MI...

This moon manicure design is by Marichelle De Costa, who completed a nail art course with E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria.

These colorful French nails were created by Elmarie Singleton, who completed a nail art course...

These colorful French nails were created by Elmarie Singleton, who completed a nail art course with E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria.

Courtesy of Looking Good LCN

Courtesy of Looking Good LCN

Nails by Franzelle De Villiers

Nails by Franzelle De Villiers

Nails by Christi Botha

Nails by Christi Botha

Newly expanded to the United Kingdom, Sorbet focuses on making clients feel good about...

Newly expanded to the United Kingdom, Sorbet focuses on making clients feel good about themselves, including giving great customer service during pedicures.

South Africa-based salon chain Sorbet maintains a consistent look with its bubbly logo and signage.

 South Africa-based salon chain Sorbet maintains a consistent look with its bubbly logo and signage.

Nadia Erasmus opened Nadz Hope Nails in November 2016.

Nadia Erasmus opened Nadz Hope Nails in November 2016.

Bright colors are in style during South African summers. (Nails by Nadz Hope Nails, Cape Town)

Bright colors are in style during South African summers. (Nails by Nadz Hope Nails, Cape Town)

Nadia Erasmus’s clients like trying out new nail styles.

Nadia Erasmus’s clients like trying out new nail styles.

A little bling is in style throughout South Africa. (Nails by Nadz Hope Nails, Cape Town)

A little bling is in style throughout South Africa. (Nails by Nadz Hope Nails, Cape Town)

At Nadz Hope Nails in Cape Town, gel sculptures and freehand nail art are  specialties.

At Nadz Hope Nails in Cape Town, gel sculptures and freehand nail art are  specialties.

Morne Louw owns E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria.

Morne Louw owns E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria.

This nail art design on short nails is by Marichelle De Costa, who completed a nail art course...

This nail art design on short nails is by Marichelle De Costa, who completed a nail art course with E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria.

This French nail art design is by Elmarie Singleton, who completed a nail art course with E.MI...

This French nail art design is by Elmarie Singleton, who completed a nail art course with E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria.

The most popular class at E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria is ART Painting—ABCs of Lines.

The most popular class at E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria is ART Painting—ABCs of Lines.

Students at E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria learn nail art designs inspired by Russian...

Students at E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria learn nail art designs inspired by Russian artist Ekaterina Miroshnichenko. (Nails by Maryna Woest)

Like many nail-focused salons, Buff Beauty Parlor also offers hair removal services.

Like many nail-focused salons, Buff Beauty Parlor also offers hair removal services.

Buff Beauty Parlor is full of fun design elements, like this soda fountain.

Buff Beauty Parlor is full of fun design elements, like this soda fountain.

Pedicures are a popular service at Buff Beauty Parlor, especially in the summer when clients...

Pedicures are a popular service at Buff Beauty Parlor, especially in the summer when clients will be showing off their bare toes at the nearby beaches.

The nail areas at Buff Beauty Parlor can accommodate large groups.

The nail areas at Buff Beauty Parlor can accommodate large groups.

Umhlanga is an affluent commercial and resort town on the coast of South Africa; pictured here...

Umhlanga is an affluent commercial and resort town on the coast of South Africa; pictured here is the block that includes the building where Buff Beauty Parlor is housed.

Tracy Gielink, Kim Davidson, and Debbie Davidson founded Buff Beauty Parlor in Umhlanga.

Tracy Gielink, Kim Davidson, and Debbie Davidson founded Buff Beauty Parlor in Umhlanga.

1/24
 
View all
Long almond-shaped nails are popular at Nadia Erasmus’s salon.
1/24
 
Slider

Long almond-shaped nails are popular at Nadia Erasmus’s salon.

This moon manicure design is by Marichelle De Costa, who completed a nail art course with E.MI...
2/24
 
Slider

This moon manicure design is by Marichelle De Costa, who completed a nail art course with E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria.

These colorful French nails were created by Elmarie Singleton, who completed a nail art course...
3/24
 
Slider

These colorful French nails were created by Elmarie Singleton, who completed a nail art course with E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria.

Courtesy of Looking Good LCN
4/24
 
Slider

Courtesy of Looking Good LCN

Nails by Franzelle De Villiers
5/24
 
Slider

Nails by Franzelle De Villiers

Nails by Christi Botha
6/24
 
Slider

Nails by Christi Botha

Newly expanded to the United Kingdom, Sorbet focuses on making clients feel good about...
7/24
 
Slider

Newly expanded to the United Kingdom, Sorbet focuses on making clients feel good about themselves, including giving great customer service during pedicures.

South Africa-based salon chain Sorbet maintains a consistent look with its bubbly logo and signage.
8/24
 
Slider

 South Africa-based salon chain Sorbet maintains a consistent look with its bubbly logo and signage.

Nadia Erasmus opened Nadz Hope Nails in November 2016.
9/24
 
Slider

Nadia Erasmus opened Nadz Hope Nails in November 2016.

Bright colors are in style during South African summers. (Nails by Nadz Hope Nails, Cape Town)
10/24
 
Slider

Bright colors are in style during South African summers. (Nails by Nadz Hope Nails, Cape Town)

Nadia Erasmus’s clients like trying out new nail styles.
11/24
 
Slider

Nadia Erasmus’s clients like trying out new nail styles.

A little bling is in style throughout South Africa. (Nails by Nadz Hope Nails, Cape Town)
12/24
 
Slider

A little bling is in style throughout South Africa. (Nails by Nadz Hope Nails, Cape Town)

At Nadz Hope Nails in Cape Town, gel sculptures and freehand nail art are  specialties.
13/24
 
Slider

At Nadz Hope Nails in Cape Town, gel sculptures and freehand nail art are  specialties.

Morne Louw owns E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria.
14/24
 
Slider

Morne Louw owns E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria.

This nail art design on short nails is by Marichelle De Costa, who completed a nail art course...
15/24
 
Slider

This nail art design on short nails is by Marichelle De Costa, who completed a nail art course with E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria.

This French nail art design is by Elmarie Singleton, who completed a nail art course with E.MI...
16/24
 
Slider

This French nail art design is by Elmarie Singleton, who completed a nail art course with E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria.

The most popular class at E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria is ART Painting—ABCs of Lines.
17/24
 
Slider

The most popular class at E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria is ART Painting—ABCs of Lines.

Students at E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria learn nail art designs inspired by Russian...
18/24
 
Slider

Students at E.MI School of Nail Design—Pretoria learn nail art designs inspired by Russian artist Ekaterina Miroshnichenko. (Nails by Maryna Woest)

Like many nail-focused salons, Buff Beauty Parlor also offers hair removal services.
19/24
 
Slider

Like many nail-focused salons, Buff Beauty Parlor also offers hair removal services.

Buff Beauty Parlor is full of fun design elements, like this soda fountain.
20/24
 
Slider

Buff Beauty Parlor is full of fun design elements, like this soda fountain.

Pedicures are a popular service at Buff Beauty Parlor, especially in the summer when clients...
21/24
 
Slider

Pedicures are a popular service at Buff Beauty Parlor, especially in the summer when clients will be showing off their bare toes at the nearby beaches.

The nail areas at Buff Beauty Parlor can accommodate large groups.
22/24
 
Slider

The nail areas at Buff Beauty Parlor can accommodate large groups.

Umhlanga is an affluent commercial and resort town on the coast of South Africa; pictured here...
23/24
 
Slider

Umhlanga is an affluent commercial and resort town on the coast of South Africa; pictured here is the block that includes the building where Buff Beauty Parlor is housed.

Tracy Gielink, Kim Davidson, and Debbie Davidson founded Buff Beauty Parlor in Umhlanga.
24/24
 
Slider

Tracy Gielink, Kim Davidson, and Debbie Davidson founded Buff Beauty Parlor in Umhlanga.

Gain insight into the nail industry in South Africa.

This slideshow accompanies the eighth story in NAILS’ InternatioNAIL series: South Africa: Nail Color Goes From Occasional Indulgence to Everyday Wear.

Read about the South African nail industry here.

You'll find the entire series here.

Staff Writer

Editorial

Read more posts written by Staff

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.