The parent company, Nail Deck, positions itself as a Singapore specialist in innovative nail cosmetics and care, with Light Lacquer serving as one of its primary direct-to-consumer brands.1

Origins within Nail Deck

The development of Light Lacquer is intrinsically linked to the history of Daryl Chew and Nail Deck. Chew established Nail Deck in 2011 while still an undergraduate student. Initially, the business focused on importing and distributing nail lacquers before transitioning into developing proprietary products.2

A pivotal shift occurred in 2015 when Chew elected to develop an in-house nail polish brand rather than continuing primarily as a distributor for other companies. This period saw the creation of custom nail colours, including bespoke shades developed for Singapore Airlines flight crew.2 By 2016, Nail Deck had established its own colour identity, relaunching as a standalone brand and introducing its first collection of original nail colours in October 2016 alongside the Lacquer Bar experiential retail concept.3

Development and launch

Chew began researching new nail formulations around 2017 with the specific objective of simplifying home manicures. This research culminated in the launch of Light Lacquer around December 2019.4 Chew has characterised this development as an attempt to “disrupt” Nail Deck itself; rather than merely iterating on conventional nail polish, the goal was to engineer a fundamentally more convenient manicure system.5

Light Lacquer was subsequently positioned alongside Aquajellie, another proprietary Nail Deck formulation launched in early 2020. While Light Lacquer focuses on a peelable gel-like aesthetic, Aquajellie targets users seeking an odourless nail polish experience. Consequently, Light Lacquer functions less as a traditional colour brand and more as a proprietary manicure system built around a specific formulation technology.

The core value proposition of Light Lacquer is summarised as: “Nail polish application + gel-like finish + peel-off removal.”

Application and curing

The product does not require a specialised base coat or traditional gel-polish protocol. Colour is applied directly to the nail using a standard brush mechanism.6 Following application, nails are cured under an LED/UVLED lamp. Current product specifications typically recommend approximately 45 seconds of LED curing per layer, although some legacy documentation may cite different durations such as 90 seconds. The cured result is intended to replicate the high-gloss shine and durability associated with professional gel manicures.

Peel-off removal

The defining innovation of Light Lacquer is its removal method. Instead of soaking nails in acetone or mechanically filing away the product, users are instructed to lift the lacquer at the cuticle and sides and peel the manicure away from the natural nail.7 This feature specifically addresses consumer demand for gel aesthetics without the inconvenience of traditional gel removal processes.

Comparative positioning

Light Lacquer occupies a functional middle ground between traditional nail polish and professional UV/LED gel systems:

The intended removal method for Light Lacquer is peeling rather than acetone soaking. Actual wear time and removal ease may vary depending on application technique and individual nail condition.

Safety and composition

Nail Deck markets Light Lacquer as vegan, cruelty-free and 9-free. The stated formulation excludes the following substances:

• Formaldehyde
• Toluene
• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
• Camphor
• Formaldehyde resin
• Xylene
• Ethyl tosylamide
• Phthalates
• Parabens

The company further states that its lacquers contain no animal-derived components and are not tested on animals. It should be noted that the term “9-free” refers specifically to the exclusion of these listed substances; it does not imply the absence of all chemicals or guarantee universal safety for every user.

Colour philosophy

Colour variety is central to the brand’s identity. Rather than limiting offerings to standard salon shades, Nail Deck has historically produced an extensive catalogue encompassing diverse finishes and tones. Categories have included nude, pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, grey, black, white, metallic, glitter, holographic, iridescent, pearlescent, shimmer, neon, jelly, magnetic, duochrome, mirror, and toppers. Historical catalogues have referenced over 500 Light Lacquer colours, underscoring the significance of colour breadth to the brand.8

Specific shade examples available or historically catalogued include Fair Pointe,9 Teh Tarik,10 Just Black,11 Treats From The Trolley,12 Teh Halia,13 Highlighter Yellow,14 Just White,15 Rainbow,19 Mother of Pearl,20 and Aegean Waters.21

Collections

Products are frequently organised into thematic collections rather than released solely as individual shades. Notable collections include:

• The Origins Collection3
• Classics
• Crown Jewels
• Fantasy
• Intergalactic
• Neon1415
• Yacht Club16
• CNY collections1013
• Seasonal and limited-edition releases

The Origins Collection holds particular historical significance, linking Light Lacquer to Nail Deck’s earlier visual identity. Shades originally created for the Fall/Winter 2016 collection were recreated in both Light Lacquer and Aquajellie formulations years later, effectively serving as an internal design archive where legacy colours are reformulated for newer technologies rather than discontinued.3

Packaging and pricing

Light Lacquer has been offered in multiple bottle sizes to accommodate different usage patterns:

• Travel: 5 ml
• Home: 8 ml
• Pro: 15 ml

These tiers serve users ranging from those experimenting with the system to frequent home users and professionals.1718 Pricing varies by shade, collection, and size. Contemporary listings on the Nail Deck store typically price Light Lacquer shades at approximately SGD 20+, though some legacy listings may reflect lower historical price points.

Supporting products

The brand ecosystem includes ancillary products designed to support the manicure system:

• Premium Clear Gloss: A glossy top layer that functions as a protective sealant and can restore shine to scratched manicures. It is also compatible with other nail polish systems as a peel-off gel-type top coat.
• Matte Hatter: A matte top coat specifically formulated for use over genuine Light Lacquer products. Like the colour coats, it requires LED curing.
• Lamps: As a UV/LED-curable system, Nail Deck has retailed various lamps designed for curing Light Lacquer, ranging from travel-sized to professional-grade units.

Relationship with Nail Deck

Light Lacquer operates as one technological branch within the broader Nail Deck ecosystem. The parent company’s portfolio of direct-to-consumer brands includes:

• Nail Deck: The original nail business and broader care platform
• Light Lacquer: Peelable gel-lacquer system
• Aquajellie: Odourless nail-polish formulation
• Dani + Kiara: Halal and breathable nail lacquer line
• Two Nude: Gender-inclusive nail brand

As of 2026, the original Light Lacquer website redirects customers to the main Nail Deck online store, indicating increasing integration into the parent ecosystem rather than operation as a standalone storefront.52021

Founder: Daryl Chew

Daryl Chew is the entrepreneur behind both Nail Deck and Light Lacquer. His entry into the beauty industry differed from many contemporary founders, stemming from product distribution and formulation rather than social media influence or salon artistry. His career demonstrates a pattern of iterative self-disruption: progressing from importing existing products to developing proprietary lines, creating original colours, engineering new formulations, and launching niche brands.24

Chew has identified colour development as a particular strength, having practised intensive colour matching and swatching since creating his first nail polish in late 2016.8 His approach to brand building is consequently heavily product-development driven.

Impact of COVID-19

The timing of Light Lacquer’s launch proved significant. Released shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, the product aligned with the sudden disruption of salon services. Chew has noted that while Nail Deck’s traditional business suffered due to the collapse in air travel, Light Lacquer and Aquajellie were already established as home-manicure solutions. As remote work became widespread, word-of-mouth regarding these easier-at-home formulations grew organically. This created a natural market fit: with salons inaccessible, consumers sought convenient home alternatives, driving demand for Light Lacquer. The company subsequently expanded into markets including Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Sustainability approach

Sustainability within the Nail Deck ecosystem is approached through colour customisation, intended to reduce the likelihood of consumers purchasing shades they ultimately dislike—a strategy described as preventing “buyer’s remorse”. Rather than treating nail colour as disposable fashion inventory, the company leverages personalisation to increase product relevance. However, sustainability is best understood as part of Nail Deck’s broader business philosophy rather than a claim that Light Lacquer is categorically zero-waste or environmentally neutral.

Singaporean identity

Light Lacquer is notable within the local beauty landscape as a homegrown nail-product innovation rather than a local distributor of foreign cosmetics. Nail Deck has developed products and collections specifically oriented towards Singaporean tastes while pursuing regional expansion. Media outlets such as The Singapore Women’s Weekly have highlighted Nail Deck as a local beauty company and featured Light Lacquer’s peelable gel technology. The company explicitly describes its lacquers as “Made in Singapore.”

Value proposition

While ostensibly a nail colour brand, Light Lacquer’s deeper proposition is providing a simpler method for achieving gel-style manicures at home. This differentiates it from standard “clean nail polish” brands through four key pillars:

1. Convenience: Eliminates elaborate salon-style application protocols.
2. Appearance: Delivers a cured, glossy finish comparable to gel.
3. Removal: Enables peel-off removal without prolonged acetone soaking.
4. Choice: Offers an extensive colour library.

In competitive terms, Light Lacquer offers greater durability and shine than traditional polish (at the cost of requiring an LED lamp), while providing easier removal and home application than conventional gel systems (with potential trade-offs in wear time compared to professional salon gels). Unlike press-on nails, it maintains the appearance of the natural nail without artificial tips.

1. Nail Deck | LinkedIn
2. NOCAlumni Daryl Chew Embraces Market Disruption | NUS Overseas Colleges posted on the topic | LinkedIn
3. The Origins Collection — LIGHT LACQUER
4. Every couple of years I try to disrupt Nail Deck myself. Because if I don’t, someone else will, right? In 2011, I started as an importer and distributor of American, European, Australian and… | Daryl Chew
5. LIGHT LACQUER
6. Just White — LIGHT LACQUER
7. The Legend — LIGHT LACQUER
8. I made my first bottle of nail polish sometime at the end of 2016 and I will tell you the truth that I was not naturally good at it. I did have a good eye for colours though (I believe I can see… | Daryl Chew
9. Fair Pointe — LIGHT LACQUER
10. Teh Tarik — LIGHT LACQUER
11. Just Black — LIGHT LACQUER
12. Treats From The Trolley — LIGHT LACQUER
13. Teh Halia — LIGHT LACQUER
14. Highlighter Yellow — LIGHT LACQUER
15. Just White — LIGHT LACQUER
16. Yacht Club — LIGHT LACQUER
17. Starter Kit 4 — LIGHT LACQUER
18. Reorder Kit 4 — LIGHT LACQUER
19. Rainbow — LIGHT LACQUER
20. Mother of Pearl — NAIL DECK
21. Aegean Waters — NAIL DECK
22. Lights Lacquer | LinkedIn
23. Lights Lacquer | LinkedIn
24. Lights Lacquer | LinkedIn
25. Lights Lacquer | LinkedIn