BIAB Nails Are the Longer-Lasting, Good-for-Your-Nails Alternative to Gel and Shellac

Gel, acrylics, and shellac, step aside. If you struggle with weak nails that are prone to breakage and don’t seem to want to grow out, trying BIAB nails might just transform your nail care routine. The extremely durable manicure option doesn’t do as much damage to your nails, and it supports nail growth and nail health, unlike other options.

As much as we love our shellac and gel polish (they last so much longer than regular nail polish), there are drawbacks to these popular options. Soft gel manicures often have to be filed off the nail in combination with soaking the polish in acetone, which, if improperly done, can cause damage to the nail bed, making your nails thinner and more prone to breaking or chipping.

This is where the BIAB mani steps in: It addresses these weak points and delivers gentle manicures that last a long time. Ahead, we answer all your burning questions about the popular manicure option, and share our own experience getting BIAB nails done.

What are BIAB nails?

“BIAB stands for Builder in a Bottle,” says BIAB expert and cosmetician Sonja Landtrachtinger. “In terms of consistency, it’s basically the exact middle ground between gel and shellac, and it also hardens under a UV lamp.”

BIAB nails are known for their natural-looking shades, often delivering a shiny, glasslike finish (think clean-girl aesthetic like milk bath or soap nails). However, if you love keeping up with the latest nail trends and want to still be able to get nail art done on your fingers, not to worry: After painting on a BIAB base, you can still add any nail designs on top that you like (just use gel polish for this, or builder gel if you want to create a 3D look), and finish with a top coat.

BIAB has both primer and bonding agent directly integrated into one bottle, which means fewer steps are necessary and the gel adheres extremely well. Another plus is that it can be used as a base for other manicures as well as on its own.

What are the downsides to BIAB nails?

You’ll notice that BIAB nail polish is slightly thicker and more rubbery than regular or gel nails. If you prefer a superthin nail profile, this could be bothersome, but for most it shouldn’t be an issue. Sculpting can also be more difficult for your nail tech when using BIAB polish, as the thicker consistency makes it harder to create dainty and intricate nail designs—however, this is easily remedied by simply using gel or regular polish on top of the BIAB gel to complete a design.

How long do BIAB nails last?

A major perk of BIAB nails? As with getting a low-maintenance hair color, you can extend time between appointments with this manicure. “BIAB gel adheres extremely well to the nails, which means it grows out with the nail,” says Landtrachtinger. “After about three to five weeks, you should have the gel refilled or removed from the nails.” To boost longevity, as with any manicure, “Always oil the cuticles and nails well so the manicure lasts longer,” says Landtrachtinger.

Can BIAB nails also be filled or extended?

In general, BIAB nails can be infilled quite easily. Says Landtrachtinger, “To do this, the gel base on the nails is roughened, the existing gel is thinned out a bit, and then the new color and top coat are simply applied.” This is also gentler on the nail, because the gel does not have to be removed completely.