Suppose you're a fan of beautiful, strong nails but want to avoid the hassle and potential damage of acrylics. BIAB nails might be the perfect solution for you! BIAB, or Builder in a Bottle, is a life-changing innovation. It provides a protective and strengthening layer for your natural nails, allowing them to grow without risking breakage. With it, you can finally achieve those long, healthy nails you've always desired. Not only that, but it will keep your manicure looking fabulous for weeks on end. Here's everything you need to know about BIAB nails.
What Do You Need for Biab Nails?
The essential ingredient for BIAB nails is builder gel. It’s a thick gel polish that cures under an LED or UV lamp. When you paint your nails with it, you create a robust and resilient overlay that guards against chipping, breaking, and peeling.
Builder gel cures to a durable, glossy finish that lasts anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks, similar to regular gel polish. Then, instead of removing the builder gel overlay, it can be filled as needed.
If you’d like to try BIAB nails at home, at a minimum, you’ll need builder gel and a nail lamp. Depending on how the gel is packaged, you may also need a brush to apply it. Some brands include a brush in the bottle:
Lavis Builder Gel - 04 - Bare Necessities Collection
Lavis builder gel is a fantastic option for anyone looking to try BIAB nails. Its smooth application mimics nail polish, making it fuss-free for novices. Moreover, it boasts an impressive three-week wear time without chipping, breaking, or peeling. The glossy finish, odorless formula, and no-damage guarantee make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to grow healthy nails. All you need to do is choose which shade to try first. It comes in a lovely range of transparent nudes.
However, if you go with a hard gel brand like IBD, you’ll need a nail art brush to apply it. We love the one below because it’s dual-ended:
Lavis Nail System - Double-head Nail Art Brush
You won't know what you're missing until you try it. This double-headed nail tool has a liner brush on one end and a carving brush on the other. The design makes it extra convenient and saves storage space, too. The soft and strong bristles are perfect for all sorts of nail art, including precision drawing and shaping builder gel.
Besides builder gel and a brush, you may need primer, a base coat, and colored polish for a complete manicure. Of course, one of the most essential items to have for BIAB nails is a powerful nail lamp:
Lavis UV/LED Nail Lamp
Upgrade your manicure routine with one of the best nail lamps we’ve ever used. The 96W Lavis cordless lamp is ideal for curing builder gel in seconds. The mirror-finish interior has UV LEDs in critical spots for a perfect cure every time. This advanced lamp also features motion sensor activation for a hassle-free experience, automatically turning on and off without pressing any buttons. Choose from 4 timer settings (10s, 30s, 60s, 90s) and easily monitor your progress on the touchscreen LCD display with a countdown timer.
How to Do Biab Nails?
The first step for using BIAB is doing nail prep. Remember, this durable coating will stay in place for weeks, so starting with a neat, clean canvas is crucial.
Trim, shape, and buff the natural nails. Be sure to push back the cuticles. Then wipe the nail with rubbing alcohol or acetone to remove residue and oil.
Check the builder gel’s instructions. Some brands recommend a primer for improved adhesion and durability. Other products combine primer, base coat, and color in an all-in-one package.
After you've applied the primer or base coat (if needed), you only need to brush on the builder gel and cure it according to the directions.
Pro tip: there's an easy way to build a natural-looking apex with builder gel. Turn your hand upside down and let gravity do all the hard work.
You can also lengthen your natural nails with builder gel by creating extensions. We love using this poly gel for nail tips:
Lavis Poly Extension Gel
Skip the glue-on tips and make custom extensions with this user-friendly poly gel. The high-endurance formula meets professionals' expectations, although it's easy enough to use at home. What's more, the non-toxic gel is enriched with botanical extracts to strengthen the natural nails.
How to Remove Biab Nails?
Removing BIAB nails is a breeze compared to acrylics which require a nail drill and significant effort. Instead, you only need to file down the gel, removing the color and shine without damaging the natural nail.
Once the surface of the gel has been removed, soak your nails in acetone for 15-20 minutes to soften the residue. Then, scrape it off with a cuticle pusher or similar tool.
Wrap the nails in acetone-soaked cotton with foil instead of soaking them in a bowl for the best results. If the acetone is warm, it will work faster.
Always moisturize and use cuticle oil to counteract the dehydration when you’re done.
But there’s a better way. You don’t need to remove BIAB nails every few weeks. As an alternative, fill them. Start by pushing back the cuticles. Next, apply a small amount of builder gel in the gap next to the cuticle that appears as the nail grows out. Cure it and repaint the nails if desired.
Conclusion
BIAB nails with builder gel are the answer to your nail care prayers. Their long-lasting durability protects your natural nails against splitting and peeling. Moreover, they have an easy application process and don't require frequent or aggressive removals. The builder gel is low-odor and straightforward to work with, so there's no reason not to try this innovative nail care system. Treat yourself to BIAB nails and experience the difference for yourself.
While you’re here, take advantage of our deals and stock up on the best nail care products today. We offer complimentary gifts and free shipping on orders over $100!