You may have heard or The Gel Bottle’s ‘Builder in a Bottle’ gel as a cure-all for short, brittle nail woes, but what actually is it and how does it work?
‘Builder in a Bottle’, also referred to as just ‘Builder’ or ‘BIAB’, is a type of gel developed by makers The Gel Bottle to nourish and strengthen nails and promote nail growth. It can be used as a replacement to hard gel extensions or acrylic extensions as it’s used on the natural nail and makes them stronger, allowing them to grow past the client’s natural breaking point. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free!
BIAB can be used as a base coat, meaning it goes straight onto the nail bed and bonds to it under UV or LED curing, effectively adding another layer to the nail to strengthen it. We can even use two to three coats on weaker nails, which can make the nail virtually indestructible! It can be used as a colour as well – all the Builder gels are nude tones – or covered with a gel colour (and nail art!) if the client wants the strength of Builder but not the colour.
Because it’s a soft gel, Builder gel is removed easily with a soak off, whereas acrylic and hard gel need to be filed to be removed. Builder is also ‘breathable’, which is great for those with weaker nails as cuticle oil can penetrate and reach the nail bed. The Gel Bottle’s website states that it won’t chip or lift – again because it’s a strengthened gel. It increases flexibility on brittle nails which means they’re much less likely to snap.
We always recommend Builder in a Bottle to clients who struggle to grow their nails, whether they bite their nails or have weak nail beds. We’ve found manicures using BIAB as the base tend to last about a week longer than manicures using our normal gel base coat. We don’t offer hard gel or acrylic at The Beauty Assembly, and we don’t need to when our clients use BIAB to grow their nails more naturally. We all use it on ourselves – and that’s the ultimate testimonial!
Book your Gel Manicure with Builder In A Bottle with us here, and be sure to select the Builder in a Bottle option after you’ve selected your Gel Manicure, or select a Fresh Start Gel Manicure for plain BIAB until Jan 2021!
See below for a client before & after using Builder Gel for just a few months.
FAQs
Do you need builder gel? ›
For more natural looking nails, builder gel is often preferred over acrylic as it can be applied quickly with a high-shine finish. Gel is also great for helping clients with easily broken nails maintain their natural nail length. Many clients also believe that gel nails will damage their nails less than acrylic nails.
What are the benefits of builder gel in a bottle? ›Builder in a Bottle is a hard gel and is made to act as a super strong base for nails. Your normal gel colour is a gel polish which is made to last between 2-3 weeks before being redone. The purpose of Builder in a Bottle is to stay on the nails pretty much until it is soaked off, making the natural nails super strong!
Do I need BIAB? ›Why we recommend BIAB. We always recommend Builder in a Bottle to clients who struggle to grow their nails, whether they bite their nails or have weak nail beds. We've found manicures using BIAB as the base tend to last about a week longer than manicures using our normal gel base coat.
What is builder in a Bottle the gel bottle? ›Builder In A Bottle™ is a FILE OFF builder gel ideal for creating strong overlays and as a strengthening barrier for natural nails. TGB White BIAB™ requires TGB Rubber Base to be applied beforehand. This product must be removed with the TGB E-file (if you are E-File trained) or filed off by hand.
Does builder gel damage your nails? ›Is builder gel bad for nails? The short answer is NO.
How many layers of builder gel do I need? ›Ensure you are not applying the Builder Base too thick. 2-3 layers is best over 1 thick layer. 3. Ensure the clients nails are healthy and not damaged or too thin.
How long does BIAB gel last? ›How long does BIAB last? The BIAB treatment only lasts around three to four weeks, then it can be either soaked off and re-done, or infilled. To fully restore the nails to a perfect look, we'd recommend regular appointments every 2-3 weeks.
Is builder in a bottle the same as builder gel? ›What is BIAB? BIAB – which stands for builder in a bottle – also known as builder gel is a range of strengthening gel products that are applied to the natural nail, much in the same way regular gel polishes are, but it has a thicker consistency that improves the nail's strength.
Is BIAB better than gel? ›It works like a gel but it dries strong and durable, meaning you're less likely to chip between sessions. Almost all treatments pose a risk to your nail health, but BIAB works differently from the gel polish you might be used to, and can actually strengthen your natural nail rather than weaken it.
Is builder gel better than normal gel? ›Builder gel is available in soft and hard gel, but it's different from regular gel polishes. The regular gel polish has a thinner consistency that can also keep nails stronger, but it isn't as hardy as builder gel. Of course, applying gel polish over your natural nails or builder gel is okay.
Is builder gel better for your nails? ›
The Mylee Builder Gel will not damage your natural nails, instead providing a layer of strength, so it is a popular choice. You can use a thin layer of Builder Gel for a base and top coat, but when using it as an overlay apply thicker layers and float it over the nail for a smooth finish.
What's the difference between builder gel and normal gel? ›The simple answer is that builder gels are much thicker than regular gels. The term “gel” refers to a certain viscosity of a liquid. The viscosity of a regular gel resin used in UV-cured nail products will range from roughly 25,000 centipoise to 100,000 centipoise.
Why is builder gel better than acrylic? ›Why is it better than acrylic? The BIAB is a lot thinner when applied to the nail so it isn't as heavy on the natural nail helping them grow longer and keeping your natural nails healthier.