India’s beauty industry is experiencing a vibrant transformation, spearheaded by nailinit, a new Gen Z-focused nail care startup. Co-founded by Tanishq Ambegaokar and Shubham Singhal, the brand made its grand debut in Mumbai, drawing over 200 of India’s leading creators and tastemakers, including celebrities like Karan Kundra and prominent influencers such as Apoorva Mukhija (Rebel Kid), Sakshi Keswani, and Abhijeet Kain.
The launch event embodied the brands aesthetic, saturated in nailinit’s signature pink. The space was meticulously designed for content creation, featuring aesthetic photo booths, temporary tattoo stations, chic selfie spots, and engaging games. Guests enjoyed a delightful spread of food and drinks, transforming the event into an immersive brand experience.
A highlight was the on-the-spot application of nailinit press-ons by trained professionals, offering attendees an immediate taste of the brand’s promise of effortless glam.
With the catchy tagline, nailinit offers more than just press-on nails; it delivers a lifestyle of quick, personalized style. The brand provides salon-quality looks without the usual time and cost. At launch, over 40 designs are available, ranging from minimalist gloss to vibrant chrome, priced between ₹499 and ₹999. Each kit allows for a complete nail transformation in under five minutes.
Tanishq Ambegaokar, Co-Founder and CEO of nailinit, noted that nail startups are thriving in India as young consumers seek quick, stylish, and expressive beauty solutions. He mentioned that he and Shubham identified the rising nail care trend in Western markets and anticipated its growth in India.
Ambegaokar explained that his experience in venture building and leading a large startup community, combined with Singhal’s background in influencer management, made them the ideal team to create a modern, content-driven, Instagram-first brand. He also highlighted that the Indian nail segment is projected to grow by a 12% CAGR over the next five years, positioning nailinit to lead this evolution.
Ambegaokar stated that the nail segment, despite its popularity among women, had seen limited innovation compared to Western countries, and nailinit aims to become a highly loved and rapidly scaling startup in the beauty and lifestyle sector.
Beyond its reusable, lightweight, and travel-friendly products with Gen Z-friendly packaging, nailinit stands out for its cultural relevance. The brand plans limited-edition collaborations with top creators and aims for dominance across offline, e-commerce, and quick-commerce channels, positioning itself as a content brand that sells nails.
Shubham Singhal, Co-Founder at nailinit, emphasised the brands core values: creativity, convenience, and community. He described the launch as the initial step in a broader journey, with every aspect, from product design to digital experiences, to boost individuality and make premium nail art accessible. Singhal expressed excitement about continuously innovating and collaborating with their audience as they expand. He also pointed out that with his experience and influencer network, the brand is actively shaping culture rather than just following trends.
Singhal informed CNBC-TV18 that the company is rapidly expanding and will soon launch its first physical store in Mumbai, marking its foray into experiential retail. He also highlighted that despite the male co-founders, the brand’s creative and strategic direction is primarily led by a women-led team.
nailinit’s direct-to-consumer store is accessible via its website and Instagram, with plans for broader distribution through major e-commerce platforms, quick-commerce services, and offline retail in the coming months.
