Which is the best nail treatment for a newbie?

[Radiotwointhecar]

I’ve won a voucher in a raffle for a beauty treatment at a local salon. I’ve decided to go for getting my nails done.
Which of these would you recommend:

1. Treatment Manicure & Polish
2. Shellac Gel Polish
3. BIAB Gel

There are others but I don’t want extensions or acrylics. I’m thinking of going for the treatment manicure and polish or will gel last longer?

Never had my nails done before so this is all new!

it depends on the condition of your nails really. I usually recommend Builder Gel (BIAB) if a client has brittle nails and wishes to grow them. Otherwise I would recommend a gel manicure which should last 3/4 weeks. However, they should be professionally removed. If you want to remove yourself I would opt for the manicure and polish, but this won’t last as long.

I’ve attached a photo of one of my hands - the nails are similar on both anyway.
I was thinking the manicure and polish - I would like the gel but it’s the removing them I’m worried about.

If you're not up for regular maintenance then don't go for gels or acrylics.

BIAB destroyed my nails for almost 8 months.
I don't know if other was the polish itself or the removal of it.

Oops posted too soon.
My nails looked great with the BIAB but awful when it was removed so you'd have to commit to getting it done all the time.

Your nails look good and healthy - don't wreck them by having the 'permanent' options, just have a nice manicure and polish.

I think I’m going to go for manicure and polish.

I went for Biab for the first time today and I think they’ve done an amazing job. I used to go for acrylics and then switched to gel.

Standard polish would be chipped for me by the next day.

BIAB is amazing. Applies just like a gel polish but colour last for weeks and doesn't peel or chip. I get mine done every 3 weeks because of growth but could leave it for 4. My nails are really strong and every time I get them redone it gets taken off they look in good condition. Basic manicure will only last a few days.

I only get 2 weeks out of normal gel so interested to see how my Biab lasts.

Talk to the salon and they’ll help you decide. A soak off isn’t much or you might find you enjoy them and keep up with the appointments.

I really recommend BIAB (builder gel)! Got it done for the first time for my wedding and got addicted. It doesn't damage your nails, lasts amazingly - I was always someone who could chip their nail polish from nothing and now I can happily open a can or anything using my nails. Nails always look great and get commented on!

I moved to a clear builder gel with polish on top which gives more colour choices. You can also go back and get it removed after the nails have grown out a little (I go once a month but don't get bothered by having visible nail beds versus not spending more time/money on nails going more often). I also find it protects my nails as it stops them breaking and I like my nails longer.

Having a baby due in Feb so I'll see if I give up the nail habit then!

I'd want something I can remove at home.

Otherwise I'd have to find the money to go back to the salon, so the free experience ends up not free at all!!

I'd ask about that and then book accordingly.

BIAB absolutely ruined my nails. I wouldn’t recommend.

I’d go for the treatment manicure and polish so you can remove it yourself.

BIAB was really good for my nails! I used to have naturally long and strong ones, but since kids they've become quite weak. I like just getting them done shortish and not having to worry about them. Plus, if you choose a plain colour then you can just buy a similar shade and go over when they start growing out.

I like getting silly designs though. Currently have green ones with leaves, a robin, and a fox. No chipping either!

I had BIAB done nearly 3 weeks ago. I've lost the varnish on one nail, it lifted up then eventually came off. My nail underneath is really thin and weak as the manicurist filed it down, manually, before she applied the BIAB. It's going to take ages to grow out fully and be strong again. I'm not having it done again.

Oh no! What was the salon like? I think there are good and bad places. I've had some people drill down my nail and never went back, but now I go to places with self employed artists and I feel you get a better time of it. The nail bars are dreadful.

If it's a one off, just go for manicure and Polish. The other 2 will ideally need you to go back

It was a small independent place and the girl used a normal nail file. I think she was making a rough surface for the BIAB to adhere to, but my nails are thin anyway and the filing has just made them super thin now. I've had normal acrylic before and they never filed the surface down.