In a small beauty salon in Swakopmund the sound of nail files and laughter tells a story far bigger than beauty.

They tell a story of survival, courage and one of breaking stereotypes.

28-year-old Benji Kazadi and 23-year-old Thomas Muia from Angola are among a growing number of African men entering the cosmetology industry - a field traditionally dominated by women.

For Kazadi, the journey began seven years ago with nothing but passion and determination.

But stepping into the beauty industry as a man came with criticism and judgement.

He said many people believed men belonged in workshops working on cars as mechanics and not inside salons doing nails and lashes. 

Despite the stereotypes, Kazadi refused to give up.

"There are no jobs here in Africa. Sometimes you are looking for jobs. This job is easy and simple for me. They ask, 'Why do you guys, as men, do nails?' Normally, here in Namibia, only women do nails. If it's a man, I don't know, it's difficult. But I love the job."

Today, he specialises in nails, eyebrows and lashes, work he said, has changed his life and allowed him to build a future for himself far from home. 

Beside him is Muia, whose careful attention to detail and love for beautiful work have also become his source of pride and survival.

"Because some ladies, when they do other ladies' nails, they argue. She might not like what her friend does, and sometimes she will tell her, and she will get mad. But men, we don't argue. We make the nails the way she wants them. Even if she is quarrelling, we just tolerate it because I know my work; I know what I am doing. I will just be patient. Some ladies, when they come, say they prefer having a man do their nails."

Muia says doing women's nails brings him joy and purpose, adding that the work is currently his only source of income.

The two young men say the beauty industry taught them that passion has no gender and that talent should never be limited by societal expectations.