Beauty influencer Mihlali is a household name in South Africa.
The award-winning makeup artist has established herself as a mogul and a businesswoman, and regularly gets paid by brands for appearances, campaigns, photographs and endorsements.
Mihlali, who is also the founder of Siyasizana Foundation and was named on Forbes 30 Under 30 list, has now launched a new business venture.
Named Malakyt, the business is an online platform for beauticians and makeup artists to advertise their skills and gain more clients. It also functions as an easy way for consumers looking for these services to find an artist or beauty therapist who suits their needs.
While the concept is an admirable idea, the internet went into a frenzy when they saw Mihlali’s own advertisement on the site.
Mihlali Ndamase has just launched her new business venture Malakyt.
— Musa Khawula (@khawula_musa) October 15, 2021
Mihlali also shares she charges from R2500 for her make-up services.
A list of services you can book with Malakyt. pic.twitter.com/iRv7BBcB7T
She advertised her makeup services with a hefty price tag of R25 000 for a facebeat. Of course, many users were astounded at this astronomical rate while others tried to justify the amount through the fact that she is an award-winning content creator who gets paid this amount and more for appearances. Others simply believed that she was not trying to do makeup at all but merely trying to market her new business.
However, the R25 000 amount could most likely have been an error as the post was later removed from the site and changed to R2 500. Mihlali also cleared up the drama by stating the post was just an example to show other beauticians using the service how to showcase their business.
I haven’t done anyones makeup in years, it’s an example profile created for those signing up.
— Mihlali Ndamase 🤍 (@mihlalii_n) October 21, 2021
“I haven’t done anyone’s make-up in years, it’s an example profile created for those signing up,” she said.
However, before this fact came to light, Tweeps were having a hot debate on the state of Mihlali and her business ventures. Here’s what a few had to say:
Mihlali Ndamase is one of the highest paid IG influencers in the world, one of the biggest YouTubers, a Forbes 30 Under 30 inductee , an award winning Influencer & Makeup Artist, she’s worked with Revlon, Inecto and Johnson’s just to name a few.
— Moe Suttle (@moe_suttle) October 22, 2021
This rate is not far fetched pls https://t.co/iRXZ262X2z
Do you guys understand that while Mihlali is doing your face beat, she could’ve been shooting a campaign or content for a brand which would pay her way more? She has to compensate herself for the money she’s losing. That’s how business works bethuna
— Moe Suttle (@moe_suttle) October 22, 2021
You are acting like people are forcing her to do their make up when she’s the one who decided to advertise her services. Please man. We acknowledge that Mihlali is a brand but let’s not be pathetic https://t.co/igWTgDP2KC
— Zinhle 🥷![CDATA[]]>🏽 (@Zinhleputinn) October 22, 2021
Mihlali is to other make up artists what Konka is to other night clubs
— Marcus Jr 🦁 (@dumisane_) October 21, 2021
Not everyone can afford her, it's called exclusivity .... you have to be a serious thief or have ANC connections to afford her
In conclusion ayikho indaba yenu🤷![CDATA[]]>🏾♂️ lalani
Someone said Mihlali doesn’t like doing people’s faces but hers, so this is her way of chasing them away! It makes sense.
— Osisipho Sambane (@OsisiphoS) October 22, 2021
You better come out looking like Mihlali herself if I pay R25k for your make up, come out with her booty too https://t.co/2wq3AKj84k
— sox 💎 (@soxmadeherwet) October 21, 2021
