BIAB Gel Manicure
Wear Time
3 to 4 weeks
Duration
60 minutes
Price
£65
A BIAB Manicure Includes
A BIAB Gel Manicure is an hour of nail and cuticle work finished with builder gel. Nails are filed and buffed, cuticles are oiled and tidied, then BIAB is applied in a thicker layer than gel polish and cured under an OPI-LED lamp.
BIAB comes in nudes, naturals and pinks. For a brighter colour or nail art, it goes on first as a base and gel polish is cured over the top.
The set holds for three to four weeks and it is dry the moment you stand up. Most people come back for an infill at three weeks, which keeps the natural nail out of acetone.
What Is BIAB Gel?
BIAB stands for Builder In A Bottle, a builder gel made by The Gel Bottle. It is applied thicker than gel polish, so once cured it sits as a hard protective layer over the natural nail.
The extra thickness is why it lasts. The layer takes knocks that would otherwise bend or snap a nail, and it resists lifting at the edges, so it outlasts gel polish by a week or more. A break can be held together underneath it while the nail grows out.
That protection is what most people book it for. Weak or bitten nails get somewhere to recover, and healthy nails get a finish that survives a month of typing and washing up.
BIAB works on its own, or as a base coat under any gel colour.
BIAB Nails Guarantee
Customer care comes first, always. Every gel and BIAB treatment comes with our Gel Guarantee: complimentary repairs within seven days, no questions asked.
BIAB Infills
An infill tops up the regrowth at the base of the nail without taking the whole set off. Your technician files the existing BIAB back, preps the new growth and rebuilds the shape, then the colour goes back over the top.
A BIAB Infill is £85 and takes an hour and a half.
Most clients book one every three to four weeks. From around week three a gap starts to show at the cuticle as the nail grows, and that is the point to come in. A set can be carried on this way for several rounds before it is worth starting again.
Caring For BIAB
A BIAB set will reach four weeks with a bit of extra care.
- Cuticle oil, once a day. It keeps the gel hydrated as well as the nail, which is what stops it cracking early.
- No heat for the first 24 hours. Saunas, hot baths, tanning beds and the washing up all soften a fresh set.
- Gloves for cleaning and gardening. Bleach and soil are both hard on the edges.
- Mind the chemicals. Solvent oils in sun creams and insect repellents break the gel down, and alcohol in perfume and hand sanitiser dries it out.
- Rinse after swimming. Chlorine is fine in passing, tap water afterwards is not.
- File gently, and only if you have to. Always finish in a downward direction.
- Leave lifting alone. Picking takes the top layer of the natural nail with it. Get in touch and we will book you in for a repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between BIAB and gel polish?
Thickness. BIAB is a gel applied in a much thicker layer, so it cures into a harder finish and holds for three to four weeks. Gel polish is thinner and gives around three weeks with no added protection. BIAB shades are limited to nudes, naturals and pinks, though any gel polish can be cured over the top.
Who is builder gel suitable for?
Builder gel suits weak, thin, bitten or damaged nails, and anyone growing their own nails out after extensions. It also works well on healthy nails that take a lot of daily wear, where the main draw is added strength and durability rather than repair.
It’s a particularly good option for nail biters, which is why it’s a popular option with men. The gel can be built up to create a small or medium extension where length has been lost to biting, and once it’s on, it holds up to the sort of picking and chewing that would normally break a natural nail. That gives the nail underneath time to recover and grow.
Does BIAB damage your nails?
No, provided it is removed properly. The damage people associate with gel comes from picking at lifting, or from over-filing on removal. BIAB is soaked off in the salon at £20 alongside another service, and infilling keeps the nail out of acetone for longer.
How long does BIAB last?
Three to four weeks. A gap starts to show at the cuticle from around week three as the nail grows, so we suggest an infill at three weeks. There is more detail in our guide to how long BIAB lasts.
How is BIAB removed?
BIAB is removed in the salon by soaking it off. The technician files back the top layer of gel so acetone can reach through, wraps each nail, then lifts the softened BIAB away without scraping the natural nail underneath. BIAB Removal is £20 alongside another service.
BIAB should not be removed at home. Peeling or picking a set lifts layers from the surface of the natural nail, which accounts for most of the damage attributed to gel. To keep the length, book a BIAB Infill at three weeks, which tops up the regrowth without removing the set.
Can I have nail art or a bright colour with BIAB?
Yes. BIAB goes on first as a base, then gel polish or nail art is cured over the top. Nail art starts at £15 for a French tip. Custom designs can be sent to the salon WhatsApp before your appointment.
Can I get BIAB on my toes?
No, BIAB is a manicure treatment. For toes we offer a Classic Pedicure at £50 and a Gel Pedicure at £55, both including a foot soak and cuticle work.
Where can I find a BIAB manicure near me?
Paint Nails London is at 28 Market Place, London W1W 8AW, a few minutes’ walk from Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road. Booking is online through Fresha.
Nails & Cocktails
Our literal ‘nail bar’ has a cocktail menu to match, running from mojito manicures and fizzy French tips to Pornstar Martini pedicures.
Coffee and tea are on us, so you can sip on your favourite drink while your nails are done.
