Noir Beaute celebrates a decade of beauty entrepreneurship and empowerment.
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Yes, in every city there are businesses that simply offer a service, and then there are brands that become part of the culture of the communities around them. In Gqeberha, Noir Beaute has quietly become one of those names. Over the past decade, the beauty brand founded by Khanyisa Xola has grown from a small side hustle into a respected beauty destination that continues to empower women, create opportunities, and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs.
What makes Khanyisa’s story resonate with so many people is not only the glamour attached to the beauty industry, but also the honesty behind the journey. Before Noir Beaute became the polished brand clients know today, it began in the most humble way possible, inside her family’s garage while she balanced corporate work during the day and makeup appointments after hours.
At the time, makeup artistry was simply something she loved. Like many creatives, she never imagined it could become a career capable of sustaining her entire life. Yet passion has a way of creating opportunities when talent meets consistency. Word of mouth spread quickly, clients kept returning, and eventually the side hustle demanded more attention than her corporate position ever could.
The move from the garage studio to the Phakama Building in New Brighton became one of the defining chapters of the Noir Beaute story. It placed Khanyisa at the centre of the township economy, allowing her to build meaningful relationships with everyday women who believed in her craft. From students preparing for graduation ceremonies to brides, working professionals and public personalities, Noir Beaute became part of many important life moments.
As her reputation continued to grow, the corporate world also began taking notice. Companies, productions and professionals trusted her artistry, opening doors that pushed the brand beyond township borders. Her move to a Westbourne space marked another level of growth, creating accessibility for clients while positioning Noir Beaute as a serious player in the beauty industry.
Today, Khanyisa proudly operates her flagship salon in the Constitutional Hill precinct, surrounded by ambitious creatives helping reshape Gqeberha’s entrepreneurial landscape. The salon recently celebrated its first full year of operations, but for Khanyisa, the space represents far more than a business address. It has become a platform for collaboration, mentorship and empowerment for upcoming beauty entrepreneurs looking for room to grow.
“It feels surreal, like it’s a dream because this is what I grew up doing and loving, but I never knew I could turn it into a career,” says Khanyisa. “Having esteemed people, big corporations, famous productions and even the girl next door believe in my abilities and trust my craft is the most humbling and fulfilling part of it all.”
While the journey has been rewarding, it has not been without challenges. Khanyisa explains that securing financial support was one of the biggest obstacles in building the business. Many aspects of Noir Beaute required financial investment, forcing her to fund several projects out of pocket in the early stages.
“Eventually I found support structures like the NYDA, who funded my first independent makeup studio,” she explains. “That experience taught me the importance of research, preparation and positioning myself as someone worthy of support.”
Her decision to leave corporate and fully commit to Noir Beaute was shaped by both personal and professional circumstances. Structural changes in the workplace left her unhappy, while the devastating loss of her partner, someone she describes as her support system in every sphere of life, forced her to reevaluate her path.
“What convinced me I was making the right decision was seeing people consistently support my work and realising I could actually pay my bills through my craft,” she says.
As Noir Beaute continues to grow, Khanyisa remains focused on the future. When asked about dream collaborations, she mentions beauty giants such as Revlon, Maybelline and Kryolan.
“I believe in brands that are inclusive of every ethnicity, and those brands make me feel seen as part of their demographic,” she says.
After ten years in business, Noir Beaute stands as more than just a beauty brand. It represents resilience, reinvention and the power of believing in one’s talent long before the rest of the world catches up.
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