Where It All Began
Behind LuX oN is a story built on decades of experience, education and a genuine passion for the professional nail industry. Yolande Austin Bekker began her career as a teacher after completing her degree in education. After four years of teaching, her journey took an entirely new direction when she completed her first nail course in 1997. What started as an interest soon became a passion and, before long, Yolande became a mentor and educator herself. In 2003, she expanded her journey in the nail industry by becoming the sole South African distributor for Young Nails. That same year, she completed her first international training with Greg Salo and went on to attend numerous international courses and training opportunities in the USA, Europe and Russia.
Throughout her career, Yolande has also contributed to the South African nail industry as an educator, mentor and judge at Beauty Africa. Her dedication to the industry has been recognised through numerous achievements. She was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year at Professional Beauty, while her company received multiple nominations and industry awards, including recognition for Best Nail Supplier and Best Training. But perhaps more important than the awards is what Yolande has always believed in — education, support and helping nail professionals build successful careers and businesses of their own. Her philosophy was never simply about supplying nail products. It was about sharing knowledge, developing skills and supporting the people behind the nail desk.
The Beginning of LuX oN
In 2022, after more than two decades in the professional nail industry, Yolande took another step in her journey and created LuX oN. Drawing on her years of experience as a nail professional, educator, mentor and supplier, she sourced and developed a professional nail range with the needs of working nail technicians in mind. LuX oN was built around the values that had always been at the heart of Yolande’s career: quality, education and support — offering professional products that nail technicians could use with confidence and trust.
Those values remain an important part of LuX oN today. Yolande’s experience, passion and contribution to the nail industry will always form an important part of the LuX oN story.
Meet Anna – Lize
Owner & Sole Distributor Africa
My journey into the nail industry didn’t start in the most obvious way. I had always wanted to do nails, but life took me in a different direction and I found myself working in bookkeeping. At 33, I decided it was time for a complete career change and finally started doing what I truly loved. I often joke that nails are my job, my hobby and my favourite interest all rolled into one. I consider myself a nail technician first and foremost. I love learning, improving my skills and discovering new techniques from the incredible talent we have here in South Africa. I completed my first nail course with The Nail House before converting to Young Nails, where I trained with the incredibly talented Angeleque Koekemoer-Cilliers, who was herself trained by one of South Africa’s most respected names in the industry, Yolande Austin Bekker. For years, I dreamed of having my own nail brand, but I never wanted to put my name behind just another product. I wanted professional, reliable and affordable products that working nail technicians could trust every day. Then the opportunity to take over LuX oN came along. With almost 35 years of experience in the nail industry, Yolande brings an incredible wealth of knowledge to the brand. Knowing that LuX oN was sourced, developed and created by her gave me enormous confidence in what I was taking over. For me, this is about more than owning a nail product company. It’s about building on a foundation of knowledge, experience and passion while continuing Yolande’s legacy and growing LuX oN into a brand South African nail technicians know they can trust.
My vision is simple: LuX oN should be a brand built with nail techs, for nail techs. As a working nail technician myself, I understand the importance of products that perform consistently, deliver beautiful results and remain affordable. I want to listen to our nail technicians, continually improve our products, expand our range and bring solutions to the South African market that genuinely make our work easier. Most importantly, I never want to lose sight of the person behind every LuX oN order — another nail technician who works hard, takes pride in her craft and deserves products she can trust. This is more than a business for me. It’s something I have dreamed about for a very long time, and I feel incredibly blessed to begin this next chapter. Above all, I give honour and thanks to God for His grace and guidance, and I pray that He continues to guide me as I grow LuX oN with faith, integrity and purpose. I hope you’ll be part of the journey as we continue to grow LuX oN together.
MORE THAN A BRAND. IT’S A STANDARD.
LUXURY IN EVERY DETAIL. PROFESSIONAL IN EVERY WAY.
