Everything to Know About BIAB Nails, and Why Your Weak Nail Beds Need Them
When we heard about a new nail trend saying there’s a gel formula that’s actually good for our nails, we thought it had to be a lie. Gel formulas, powders, and polishes over the years have often contained toxins, and they’re generally known to decrease the strength of our nails. And often, when we rip off the fake nail formulas, our real nail goes with it! Enter: Builder in a Bottle (BIAB) formulas.
BIAB nails take a lot of stress out of day-to-day nail care, but they’re a beauty trend we can see sticking around. Nail technicians swear by them, as the traditional gel nail was due for an advancement. Nail biters can rejoice, because this is a gel manicure that’s going to help you in the long-run, even after you take them off. While wide nail beds may hold longer, you can always get nail extensions if you feel like your natural nails aren’t where you want them to be. Minimal nail prep is required, and once the service is complete, all you need is cuticle oil and the rest is set.
While this elevated, TikTok-famous product has a richer consistency than regular gel polish, it essentially looks and performs the same as what you may be used to (for instance, you’ll still need your trusty UV lamp to get the job done). You’ll still be able to add nail extensions, nail art, sparkles or whatever else you fancy on top—just think of it as elevated nail polish with a shellac-like overlay, and long-lasting results with less breakage. To give us the lowdown on this innovative formula, we reached out to Eunice Park, nail artist and research and development manager at APRÉS NAILS. Keep reading to learn about BIAB nails—from the application to the removal process, and everything in between!
Meet the Expert
Eunice Park is a Los Angeles-based manicurist and Aprés Nail’s Research & Development Manager.
What Are BIAB Nails, and What Is Builder Gel?
BIAB nails are gel-enhancements that use a builder formula. “Builder gel is a thicker, more viscous gel meant to impart more structure and strength to the natural nail,” Park says. “It can come in both a soft or hard gel formula, but the difference is that hard gel can’t be soaked off. For many home users, a soft gel formula is better since it can be more easily removed. APRÉS NAIL Soft Gel Builder is the perfect builder gel for anyone looking to impart both strength and structure to their natural nails, while protecting them from chipping or breaking.”
How Are BIAB Nails Different From Acrylic?
While both BIAB nails and acrylic nails provide a tough, durable finish, they don’t consist of the same makeup. “Acrylic requires two components—monomer and polymer—for the product to be activated,” explains Park. “Builder gel, especially ones in bottles, have all the components already mixed and in perfect ratio to use.”
Is It Safe?
Like the majority of nail products today, BIAB formulas are no reason for concern, healthwise. “Most nail products are safe as long as you use them in the intended manner they were created for,” Park says. “That usually means no nail product on the skin, especially making sure not to cure anything on the skin.”
How Much Do BIAB Nails Cost?
The cost of BIAB nails really varies. With more people doing gels from home, this will obviously cut down the price. And if you get your nails done at a salon, obviously any form of gel will cost more than a traditional manicure. But even then, “It depends on whether you do it at home or in a salon and where your salon is located on the map,” Park says.
What Is the Upkeep Like? And How Do I Remove Them?
Thanks to the greater durability of BIAB gel, your fresh set of nails should last anywhere from 10 days to three weeks. Granted, this depends on many factors, including how rough you are with your hands and how long your natural nails were to begin with.
“If you’re using a soft gel formula, you can soak them off with acetone after filing off the top coat and color,” Park says. “If it’s a hard gel formula, it can only be filed off. Be careful not to overfile and file into your natural nail plate.”
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