NYK1 Review 2026: Salon-Style Gel Nails, Clear Tan and Hair Tools at Home?
Sunday night, kitchen table, a little lamp humming. Thirty seconds under LED and the first coat of ruby glitter is set. Two more coats, a top coat, one swipe of cleanser, and your nails have that hard, mirror-glossy salon finish without a salon booking. That's the promise behind NYK1, a British beauty brand built around doing salon-style treatments at home.
We went through NYK1's gel polish range, nail tools, tanning and hair products, prices and policies in October 2026. Here's what's worth putting in your basket, which product suits which routine, and how to pay less.
The Story: A Beauty Tech, a Garage and a Family Business
NYK1's About page introduces founder Andrea, a beauty enthusiast and working mum with over 30 years' experience in the industry, and her son Josh, co-founder and CEO. Andrea started out as a beauty technician. As a busy mum of four with no time for salon appointments, she tracked down an at-home Brazilian keratin treatment for herself, then saw a gap: at-home treatments with clear, foolproof instructions that anyone could follow.
She and Joshua began selling online from a garage turned into a packing room. By 2014, the brand says, demand had grown enough to move into an office and warehouse. Today the company trades as NYK1 Secrets Ltd from Heckmondwike in West Yorkshire, and it says everything it sells is cruelty free. The brand also says its products have been featured in Vogue, Elle and Good Housekeeping.
What Makes It Different: Kits That Assume You're Not a Pro
NYK1's angle is simple: every kit includes what you need plus step-by-step instructions. Its gel polish line, called Nailac, shows that thinking clearly. The product pages spell out the routine:
- 10ml bottles in a shiny, colourful, opaque finish, so a single bottle covers plenty of manicures.
- Sets under a UV lamp (2 minutes) or LED lamp (30–40 seconds), so it works with either type of lamp you already own.
- A seven-step method: file lightly, cleanse, base coat, two thin colour coats, top coat, then wipe off the sticky layer with Prep&Shine.
- Cross-brand friendly: NYK1 says its Top and Base Coats work with other gel brands, including Nailac and Shellac.
The brand describes its top and base coat system as lasting 14 days without chipping or peeling. So you can paint on a Sunday and stop thinking about your nails until the next fortnight.
Shop the NYK1 Highlights
Four standouts from NYK1's October 2026 lineup, with the prices we saw on the brand's UK site (in pounds).
Prices change often; the brand's site always shows the current price.
Start Your At-Home Gel Manicure →
The Lineup: Nails, Tan, Hair and Feet
NYK1's catalogue runs across nails, tanning, hair, foot care and brows and lashes. These are the pieces we'd look at first.
| Product | Price | Buy this if… |
|---|---|---|
| Nailac gel nail polish colours | £9.95 each (10ml) | You want salon-style gel colour on your own schedule |
| Top and Base Coats | £18.95 | You're building a gel kit from scratch or need refills |
| Prep&Shine cleanser | £4.95 (30ml), £12.95 (100ml) | You need to wipe off the sticky layer after the lamp |
| Acetone Gel Nail Polish Remover | £7.95 (100ml), £15.95 (250ml) | You take your gels off at home |
| TanForce Tanning Mousse | £24.95 (250ml) | You want a clear tan mousse with no added colour guide |
| Tan Kit Bundle | £39.95 | You want TanForce plus a MegaMitt and an ExfoliMitt in one go |
| Purple Shampoo & Conditioner | £24.99 each (500ml), £44.99 the pair | You're blonde, bleached or grey and fighting brassy tones |
| Heatless Curlers | £16.99 (was £19.99) | You want overnight waves without hot tools |
| MegaFile Foot File | From £13.95 (was £19.95) | Sandal-ready heels are on your to-do list |
Building a gel kit: what you actually need
If you already own a UV or LED lamp, the core shopping list is short: Top and Base Coats (£18.95), one or two colours (£9.95 each) and a Prep&Shine (£4.95). That's £43.80 for two colours at the prices we saw. Add the Acetone remover (£7.95) for removal day. NYK1's instructions suggest lightly filing the shiny top coat first, then soaking with foils or in a non-metal dish of acetone for 10 to 20 minutes.
TanForce: the clear tan for white bed sheets
TanForce is a clear foam mousse with no added staining colour, which is the brand's answer to orange sheets and stained collars. NYK1 says the tan starts developing in as little as 1 hour. For a deeper colour you leave it on for 6 to 12 hours before rinsing, and the brand says results last up to 10 days. It's described as low odour, quick-drying and transfer-resistant. The brand suggests exfoliating first and applying with the MegaMitt for even coverage.
Hair: toning and no-heat curls
The Purple Shampoo uses strong purple and violet pigments to tone yellow and brassy shades in blonde, bleached, grey or lightened hair. Leave it on for 1 to 5 minutes, and rinse your hands straight away because it can stain. The Heatless Curlers kit includes the curler, a satin pouch, two satin scrunchies and a hair clip. You wrap damp hair before bed and unwrap waves in the morning. For a bigger project, NYK1 also sells a StraightBond keratin smoothing kit with aftercare (£59.99), as well as LashForce and BrowForce serums (£44.95 each).
Get a Streak-Free Glow With TanForce →
Delivery, Returns and Customer Care
| Policy | What NYK1 says |
|---|---|
| UK delivery | Free on all UK orders; delivered within 1–2 working days of dispatch |
| Dispatch | Same day for orders before 2pm; after 2pm on Friday to Sunday, dispatch is Monday |
| UK next day | £4.95, or free on orders over £60 (order before 2pm, Monday–Friday) |
| International | Ships to over 100 countries; free on orders of £75+ |
| International rates | £7.50 for orders under 500g; £9.95 for 500g and over |
| Approx. shipping time | UK 1–2 days, EU 3–5, USA 5–8, rest of world 5–9 |
| Returns (UK orders) | Unopened, unused products within 14 days of receipt |
| Returns (international orders) | Unopened, unused products within 30 days of receipt |
| Return shipping | Paid by you and not refunded |
| Sale items | The refund policy says sale items can't be refunded |
Worried about opening the wrong shade? Used products can't be resold, so NYK1 won't refund or exchange them. Pick colours carefully from the swatch photos. If something arrives damaged, NYK1 asks you to email info@nyk1.com straight away. Klarna is listed as a payment option.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Gel colours at £9.95 a bottle | You need your own UV or LED lamp |
| Clear, step-by-step instructions on every product page | Opened or used products can't be returned |
| Free UK delivery; free international from £75 | Prices are in pounds and US delivery takes about 5–8 days |
| Clear tan mousse with no added colour guide | Sale items aren't refundable |
| Bundles cut the price of tan kits | Return postage is on you |
| Family-run, cruelty-free brand (per NYK1) | No public discount code when we checked |
Who Will Love NYK1?
- DIY manicure fans who already own a lamp and want affordable gel colours.
- Self-tanners tired of guide-colour stains on sheets and clothes.
- Blondes and silver-haired readers who tone at home between salon visits.
- Heat-free stylists after overnight waves.
- Gift shoppers: NYK1 sells printed and digital gift cards from £10.
How to Save at NYK1
- Shop the sale prices: we saw the Heatless Curlers at £16.99 (was £19.99), the MegaFile from £13.95 (was £19.95) and the Clear Nail Tips at £9.99 (was £13.99).
- Buy the bundles: the Tan Kit Bundle is £39.95, against £50.89 for TanForce, a MegaMitt and an ExfoliMitt bought separately at listed prices.
- Clear the delivery thresholds: £60 for free UK next day, £75 for free international delivery.
- Spread the cost with Klarna if you're stocking up on several colours at once.
- Check our deals page before you check out.
NYK1 FAQ
Do I need a lamp for NYK1 gel polish?
Yes. Nailac gel polish has to be set under a UV lamp for 2 minutes or an LED lamp for 30–40 seconds per coat, according to the product pages.
Does NYK1 ship to the US?
Yes. NYK1 says it delivers to over 100 countries, with approximate shipping to the USA of 5–8 days. Orders of £75+ ship free; smaller orders cost £7.50 (under 500g) or £9.95 (500g and over).
Can I use NYK1 top and base coats with other gel brands?
NYK1 says its Top and Base Coats work with other gel nail polish brands, including Nailac and Shellac, and with both UV and LED lamps.
Will TanForce stain my sheets?
TanForce is a clear mousse with no added staining colour, and NYK1 describes it as quick-drying and transfer-resistant. For a deeper result, the brand suggests leaving it on for 6 to 12 hours before rinsing.
Our Verdict
NYK1 is made for people who'd rather do their beauty at home: affordable gel colours with foolproof instructions, a clear tan mousse built to spare your sheets, and simple hair tools that don't need heat. Order carefully, because opened products can't come back, and use the bundles and delivery thresholds to stretch your budget. Check our NYK1 deals page before you order.
Pick Your Next Gel Shade Today →
How we wrote this: GlowTrials researched NYK1 using its official website, product listings, prices and policies in October 2026. We haven't personally tested these products and we don't invent ratings or discount codes. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you.