Meet Yvonne Marais
A salon builder, product tester, trainer and trusted guide whose knowledge has been shaped by more than four decades of practical work.
Nailed Properly is not a new skill Yvonne is trying. It is a new way of sharing knowledge she has spent a lifetime building.
The quality of the result depends on the quality of the knowledge behind it.
Yvonne has seen nail systems, products and trends change. The need for correct preparation, informed product use, careful application and responsible removal has not changed.
A career built through practice
Yvonne entered the nail industry in 1983. She trained under Nora Barnard of Dream Nails South Africa and was Nora’s first South African student after Nora returned from educator training in the United States.
While still at school, Yvonne became skilled in sculptured acrylic and assisted in training women in the Free State.
That early experience established the pattern that would continue throughout her career: learn the system properly, understand why it works and then teach it in language other people can use.
Experience gathered from every side of the table
Yvonne’s authority does not come from one course or one product range. It comes from working across teaching, salons, teams, products and real client needs.
Training and early education
Yvonne trained under Nora Barnard of Dream Nails South Africa, developed skill in sculptured acrylic and began assisting with education while still at school.
A broader working foundation
After matriculating, Yvonne worked at Anglo American’s head office in Welkom. She later worked creatively with wedding dresses, curtains, blinds, upholstery and interior decorating, while her interest in nails remained.
Returning to the industry
Yvonne opened a turnkey Dream Nails operation at La Lucia Mall in Durban, retrained under Nail Systems International, managed ten staff and helped bring the salon into profitability within three months.
Product testing and system knowledge
At Upfront Distribution, Yvonne tested products for the nail division and developed practical knowledge of product origin, chemistry, compatibility and performance. She later completed educator training and led education under the Arctic Ice Professional Nail System.
Educator, salon owner and trainer
Yvonne worked independently as an educator, offered beginner nail-art classes, trained for Nailsforu in Durbanville, owned and managed a full beauty salon, employed staff and later added classic lash extensions.
Building a successful salon
Yvonne later built and ran a highly successful salon in Knysna. She and Chris sold the business and moved to Johannesburg to be closer to their daughter.
Knowledge that goes beyond a polished finish
Salon judgment
Yvonne understands the practical realities of clients, staff, service quality, time, products and the responsibility that comes with doing work on another person.
Product understanding
Her experience includes testing products and learning how origin, chemistry, compatibility and application affect performance.
Education that makes sense
Yvonne’s role has repeatedly involved turning technical knowledge into explanations, demonstrations and steps that ordinary people can understand.
This is established expertise in a new form.
Nailed Properly brings her experience into complimentary education, a complete reference e-book and practical Nail Table workshops.
The purpose is not to turn every woman into a nail technician. It is to help ordinary women ask better questions, understand what is being done and make more informed choices about their nails.
Professional knowledge, delivered warmly
Yvonne’s work has always involved people as much as products. A Nail Table is designed to feel calm, sociable and useful rather than loud, pressured or sales-driven.
She explains what she knows, demonstrates what matters and gives participants room to ask questions without feeling embarrassed.
Nailed Properly provides nail education. It does not diagnose medical conditions, replace medical advice or promise medical outcomes.
Four decades of knowledge now have a place around the table.
Choose the written route or learn directly with Yvonne through a practical Nail Table workshop.