I Swapped My Gel Nails for BIAB Manicures, and Now I'll Never Go Back

I'm not ashamed to admit that I used to be obsessed with gel nails. There was something so satisfying about the high-shine finish and cute nail art, and I loved the fact that I didn't have to get them redone every single week. However, a few months ago, I decided to give my nails a break, and I realised just how weak and damaged they had become. They were constantly breaking and peeling, and I knew that I had to give up the gel manis for good.

One day, I was telling my friend all about my nail saga, and she recommend something called BIAB. According to her, since having BIAB manicures, her nails had grown a lot more and felt a lot better compared to when having gels, so I decided to give it a go. After trying it out myself, I can totally see the hype, but I've been keen to learn more about the trending manicure and how it can actually help your nails.

Therefore, I reached out to Tinu Bello, A-list manicurist and senior brand ambassador for Mylee, to find out everything there is to know about BIAB nails. Interested? Just keep on scrolling.

What Are BIAB Nails?

First things first, what actually are BIAB nails? As Bello explained, "BIAB nails (also known as builder gel in a bottle) are created using a specific builder soft-gel formula that is gentler than acrylic nails but thicker than normal gel polishes." As she explains, "instead of just looking nice, these nails often offer added benefits, including extra strength and protection, which in turn can allow your nails to grow longer." Sounds good, right? This is something manicurist Ella Vivii echoes when I spoke to her, too.

Revered for her hypnotic Y2K-infused creations designed for the digital age, Vivii regularly uses builder gel and BIAB on her clients, including Australian supermodel in the making Angelina Kendall, Irish Instagram It girl Olivia Niell, songstress Raye and the walking embodiment of the light-goth aesthetic, Gabriette. "BIAB is essentially a type base layer used on your nails to add strength and create structure and a protective barrier for your natural nails, Vivii notes. "My clients and I love builder gel," she adds before continuing, the majority of my clients use a builder gel in some form."

Is BIAB Good for Your Nails?

Although BIAB can offer a lot of benefits, I was intrigued to know whether this system is actually good for your nails. "BIAB can be great for your nails when used correctly, especially if you're prone to nail biting or regular nail breakage," says Bello. "However, it's important to practice proper removal of your polish (a soak-off product is best for BIAB nails), as peeling it off can cause serious damage." And as Vivii reminds me: "It's always safe [to get BIAB] as long as your manicurist is fully trained and uses the correct application methods and products!"

How Long Does BIAB Last?

Bello says that BIAB nails can typically last anywhere from two to four weeks, but that it's entirely dependent on your lifestyle and work. "However, you can do an infill if you want to continue using the product and maintaining the strength and length of the natural nail."

My BIAB Review

I recently had a BIAB manicure with nail artist Becky Wood at The GelBottle Inc (the creators of BIAB nails) and was so impressed with the results. Yes, this process can take a little longer than your standard gel mani, but in my opinion, it's definitely worth it. I've outlined my experience from start to finish below.

Nail prep: My nail artist started by prepping my nails as usual. This tends to involve shaping, buffing and cuticle work to get your natural nails looking as good as possible.

Base coat: Then, a thin base coat of BIAB was applied and I was asked to pop my nails under a UV lamp to cure the polish.

BIAB polish: After that, my nail artist applied three, slightly thicker coats of my chosen BIAB shade (a sheer, milky white) in order to get my desired result.

Buff: The main difference with this manicure is that once your polish is done, your nail artist will then file the polish before removing any dust.

Top coat: Finally, a top coat is applied which is also cured under the UV lamp.

My nails felt so much stronger after opting for this polish (much stronger than my usual gel), and I was in love with the finished result. The only thing I would say to be cautious of is that BIAB nails can sometimes cost a little more than your standard gel mani, but in my opinion, they are worth the investment as they can help to improve your overall nail health.

How Long Does a BIAB Manicure Take?

As mentioned, this manicure can take a little longer compared to gel nails, but in my experience I've only ever been at the salon for an extra 5 to 10 minutes. I would say to set aside good 45 minutes for an appointment, but if you need to get gel or BIAB polish removed, then you might be looking at another 10 to 15 minutes.

How Do You Remove BIAB Nails?

It's important that you get your BIAB manicure removed properly in order to minimise damage to the nails. As explained to me by Wood, BIAB can be soaked off, meaning it's more gentle on the nail. A lot of the product can also be filed off before soaking, but the file doesn't touch the natural nail so again it's a lot kinder.

How Can You Safely Remove BIAB Nails at Home?

As Wood said, there's no safe way to remove BIAB nails at home and it is always best to visit a salon to make certain that the integrity of your nails remains. Vivii agrees: "I would definitely recommend having your BIAB removed by your manicurist, this ensures there will be no damage to your natural nails underneath."

What's the Difference Between BIAB and Gel Nails?

Before getting BIAB, I was keen to know how it would differ from my usual gel manicure. "BIAB often has a slightly thicker consistency than gel nails, but the visual results are no different," explains Bello. "You will still have a smooth, shiny mani when you leave the salon."

What is the Difference Between BIAB and Shellac?

"BIAB or builder gel is typically a thicker formula than your original gels and shellacs," Vivii tells me. "Most Builder Gels have a built-in nail primer and base coat, whereas a classic gel would require those additional steps."

"Brands tend to offer a wide range of builder gel colours," she adds, referencing the large disparity between bright summer shades to classic nude hues. "Some people opt for a BIAB only manicure, whereas a normal gel manicure could still be used on top for nail art or a preferred colour choice! "

What Is the Difference Between BIAB and Acrylics?

Considering how new of an innovation BIAB is to the mainstream, we're here to break down how they compared to more well-known methods. As Vivii says, "BIAB is a completely different system and application method to acrylics."

"Builder gel can still be infilled to promote nail growth, similarly to acrylics. Additionally, builder gel and hard gel can also be used for gel extensions, which is also a great alternative to acrylics. It would just come down to preference or what suits the clients' lifestyle and nails better!

What Type of BIAB Would Suit Long and Short Nails?

"Hard Gels are also a type of Builder Gel, perfect for those who want to keep their natural nails super long and strong," Vivii says. "A soft builder gel would suit shorter nails. Everyone's nails are different, however, and it would be best to talk to your manicurist about the best options for your nail beds!

Can You Do BIAB Nails at Home?

One thing that I used to love about gel nails was that I could purchase my own kit and do my manicure at home to save a bit of money. The great news about BIAB nails is that they also make for a great at-home manicure, so there's no need to have to keep going back to the salon if you don't want to. Bello recommends the Mylee Full Works Complete gel nail kit, along with your chosen Mylee Builder Gel colours and some time and patience for practice!

Who Would Be the Perfect Candidate for Getting BIAB Nails?

Now you know the difference, how can you tell what manicure style is right for you? Well, it turns out that there are specific benefits to BIAB nails that may appeal more than other nail polish types. "The perfect candidate for getting BIAB nails is anyone who wants to add a little bit of extra strength to their natural nails, whether they are wanting to grow their nails or keep their length without damaging them," Vivii says.

"It's also perfect for those who may have damaged nails and want to start looking after their natural nails by growing out previous damage—as long as they are being looked after properly during your appointment and with the correct aftercare like using a cuticle oil!"

Can Nail Biters Get BIAB nails?

While I don't personally find myself in the habit of biting my nails, I know there are so many people who rely on manicures to dissuade themselves from chewing on the end of their digits. But as Vivii excitedly told me, BIAB nails are actually a great choice for nail biters. "It's definitely a process, but with the added strength, it's harder to pick or bite off.

"I would recommend more frequent appointments to start off with. Once they start seeing their nails growing, it will become addictive and I find clients never want to ruin the perfect mani!"

Can You Get BIAB Nails Infilled?

Yes, you can get BIAB nails infilled. "Every three to four weeks is recommended," explains Vivii. "Whilst they might feel like they can go longer between appointments, it is important to stay regular to avoid breakages that could cause any damage."

"If my clients have an opaque BIAB, for example," Vivii continues, "I would only allow clients to have three to four infills before doing a complete removal and check in on the nail underneath."

How Does BIAB Impact the Overall Health of Your Nails?

Unlike nail perfectors, BIAB nails don't actually offer any healing bonuses that can improve the overall health of your nails. In saying that, Vivii tells me there are specific advantages. "I think it’s often a misconception that BIAB makes your natural nails healthier," she says. "However, it mainly acts as a layer of protection to help grow and make your nails feel stronger."

Can Nails Grow Quicker With BIAB nails?

Speaking of advantages, BIAB nails can make your nails grow quicker. "With the added strength, it’s so much easier to grow your nails, especially without accidental snags or chips to make you need to restart your growth," Vivii says.

What Are the Downsides of BIAB Nails?

So, what are the downsides (if any) to BIAB nails? "As long as the builder gel is being applied correctly and all the products have the correct ingredients there is nothing to worry about," Vivii says.

"If you are untrained and using cheap products, there is a chance these might not be safe and used correctly. Not to sound super scary and serious, but if the gel is left uncured due to being too thick or using the incorrect lamp and polish, it can lead to irritations and allergies.

"There are a lot of overlaps and similar ingredients used across the dental and medical world, so if you end up allergic to nail products, it could later affect you in other aspects of life."

There you have it—everything you need to know about BIAB nails. I always suggest taking a break between manicures to let your nails have a breather and keep them as healthy as possible, but I highly recommend giving BIAB nails a go if you suffer from weak nails like me, but still want that salon-worthy mani now and again.

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This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.