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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

BIAB nails chipped really easily

41 replies

Sparklybutold · 29/01/2024 13:17

I had a manicure Saturday. I was recommended biab as my nails are soft and brittle. On Sunday I noticed they started to chip. I have EDS, which I suspect contributes to my weak nails. I've contacted the manicurist who has stated that as there's nothing wrong with her application but it's my EDS she isn't offering anything to rectify the situation. I did ask to get them redone, but with tips because I think my nails do better with a more solid base, and to just pay 50%, but she has said no. I eventually have had to cut the nail that's chipped as my nail under had completely ripped. I noticed the biab gel cut really easily? Is it supposed to be easy to cut? When I have cut gel nails they don't cut this easily? I'm confused as I though BIAB was supposed to be stronger than gel?

So…
AIBU - the manicurist has done the work and maybe it is because of my eds so no need to rectify.

AINBU - the manicurist should work with me to rectify the situation? Id be happy to do this as I know my nails are tricky but with the hope we can get the right balance with trial and error?

First picture - chip, has now been cut.
Second and third picture - showing white tip which hasn't been capped properly which undermines integrity of product.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sparklybutold · 29/01/2024 13:18

Biab - is builder gel (just in case)

OP posts:
themusingsofaninsomniac · 29/01/2024 13:20

A good manicurist who wants repeat business would rectify the situation for free.. at least that's always been my experience

Don't mention anything about your nails in future if they will use it against you 😊

themusingsofaninsomniac · 29/01/2024 13:21

And yes it should be a lot stronger than gel. In fact it's one of the only things that last and help strengthen my extremely weak nails

Original poster
Sparklybutold · 29/01/2024 13:23

themusingsofaninsomniac · 29/01/2024 13:20

A good manicurist who wants repeat business would rectify the situation for free.. at least that's always been my experience

Don't mention anything about your nails in future if they will use it against you 😊

I must admit I was surprised as I made it clear I wanted someone I could trust and go back too, even booked to bring my daughter next time!

OP posts:
Original poster
Sparklybutold · 29/01/2024 13:24

themusingsofaninsomniac · 29/01/2024 13:21

And yes it should be a lot stronger than gel. In fact it's one of the only things that last and help strengthen my extremely weak nails

So have you tried to cut biab? Tbh mine felt like cutting my own nails? Just a bit thicker maybe?

OP posts:
themusingsofaninsomniac · 29/01/2024 13:24

Is there someone else at the same salon who may be a bit more helpful? I'd start there first if possible?

Original poster
Sparklybutold · 29/01/2024 13:25

themusingsofaninsomniac · 29/01/2024 13:24

Is there someone else at the same salon who may be a bit more helpful? I'd start there first if possible?

She the only one there. She rents out the space.

OP posts:
Makeitmakesensetoday · 29/01/2024 13:27

Move onto somewhere else definitely. What is EDS?

themusingsofaninsomniac · 29/01/2024 13:27

In that case I'd cut your losses and go elsewhere.. maybe leave an honest review too!

Devondweller · 29/01/2024 13:27

As a nail tech and salon owner, yes she should be getting you in to rectify, absolutely. Most salons I know have a 48hr policy and will do free repairs if contacted in this time. It shouldn't happen often if they are good at their job and is part of life. Your nails are quite short, maybe you don't need the strength of an overlay, a rubber based manicure with a gel polish might see you better. Her application for Biab is incredibly thin, looks more like a standard gel polish to me. Biab is as its name, a builder, and structure needs to be built in. As an aside, the brand I use is never capped but filed at the end, did she do that instead?

LutonBeds · 29/01/2024 13:30

I always found it shit. I have had: BIAB, Brisa and they just don’t work for my nails. I know there’s a lot of hate for acrylics but they’re the only thing that works for my nails.
I persevered with BIAB for months and was fed up of the nails chipping after a couple of days or my own nails would break underneath.

Photo of my acrylics done last Monday.

BIAB nails chipped really easily
Anjea · 29/01/2024 13:30

It looks a bit thick and badly applied to me. Don't go to her again. Not sure what EDS is.

OakElmAsh · 29/01/2024 13:32

definitely something wrong ... my BIABs are indestructible, I could scrub pots with them !!!

Greensleevevssnotnose · 29/01/2024 13:33

Mine last three weeks to a month with no chipping, they have never chipped, it's just they grow out and need doing.

ApolloandDaphne · 29/01/2024 13:33

My BIAB nails do not budge and look pristine when I go for infills three weeks later. They shouldn't chip at all.

evilharpy · 29/01/2024 13:34

God no I totally disagree with @themusingsofaninsomniac, if you have a condition that might affect suitability of the product or longevity of the treatment you should tell them. If they know you have retention issues because of a condition or lifestyle factor they might suggest a more suitable alternative.

I only do friends and family so don't have any policies in place, but in all the nail tech FB groups I'm in generally people offer free repair within 48 hours and I would definitely think it was unreasonable to not rectify chipping the next day.

I can't see the photos very well (they come up very small on my laptop) but I wouldn't necessarily blame the lack of capping at the free edge. Some brands recommend that and some don't (I haven't found much difference either way). I would wonder if she used the right lamp for the product as undercured product can flake off like this. It does also look (from what I can see) to be applied very thinly and when I wear biab I don't think I could cut it with scissors even if it was only a thin overlay.

Also a quick google does suggest that ED might be a factor in retention. I have a friend who I can't keep biab on at all, it just pops straight off within days. I've got her on hard gel now and it stays put until she needs an infill.

Isittimeformynapyet · 29/01/2024 13:34

I always had very weak, flaky nails until I started taking marine collagen for my joints. What a difference it has made to my nails! Hasn't noticeably helped my knee though 😞.

Tbh, none of the nails in your pictures look nicely done. Did you choose to have all the different shades and one white tip?

SoSoNuts · 29/01/2024 13:42

I had my biabs on from 9th Dec to 20th Jan, they were horrendously grown out but not 1 single chip in sight. It looks like she has left quite a big gap as well so they already look grown out?

aintnospringchicken · 29/01/2024 13:55

I had my last BIABs on for over 5 weeks and not one single chip on any nail.My nails had grown so much that they were 2/3 BIAB and 1/3 natural nail.I only let them go that long as I had the most horrendous cough and cold.

WhatInTheFuckery · 29/01/2024 13:56

Those don't seem to look thick enough? When I've had BIAB, it's always been quite thick, when I last had it done it lasted over a month with no chips and that's giving them a lot of stick. I only removed them because they'd grown out a bit and looked a bit tatty

Original poster
Sparklybutold · 29/01/2024 14:30

She's offered half back. Despite asking for a new set with tips and pay just half, she has stated shed rather I was taken off her books.

I have gven feedback regarding the fact they are thin, potentially undercured - and she has stuck with the problem is my nails.

I can't deny, part of me feels a little upset - borderline shaming, having eds is shit as it is, but to then state I'd rather not deal with you because of your illness… yeah, feels pretty crappy.

OP posts:
MagentaRocks · 29/01/2024 14:33

The first time I had them I booked the next appointment 4 weeks after and they did start to chip a bit towards the end, I told her and she makes sure she seals the end, however I scratch a lot so I don’t think that helps. I now go every 3 weeks and they are fab the whole time. I was a chronic nail biter but now I have lovely natural length long nails.

MagentaRocks · 29/01/2024 14:33

But find someone else. She obviously didn’t like being challenged so you are likely to continue to have problems.

SoSoNuts · 29/01/2024 14:34

I wouldn't want to be on her books to be fair, she's shit.

CustardySergeant · 29/01/2024 14:34

Sparklybutold · 29/01/2024 13:18

Biab - is builder gel (just in case)

Thanks. I though BIAB was boil-in-a-bag. 😁