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Original poster

Nails; what do I ask for?

39 replies

pupcakes · 17/04/2022 21:38

Hi S&B,

I recently decided I wanted to start getting my nails done (thanks to instagram!) and I have really enjoyed it, I feel more put together. But I think I may be asking for the wrong thing.

I currently have acrylics with gels on top. With extensions. These don't chip, and are easily changed, no need to soak off (which I don't like the thought of) in bowls of water or anything. But I feel they look a bit 'thick' and very fake, and I don't love them. (Photo is right now- I decided to go plain this time).

My real nails are super short and weak as I bite them. Is there something else I could ask for? When I asked for recommendations on Facebook, most of the independent people said they didn't do acrylics but did do gels. Do gel people add extensions as needed, or just put on your natural nails? Some sites I looked at said they do builder gel, what is this?

Any advice appreciated! Thank you Daffodil

Nails; what do I ask for?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
Housetreecar · 17/04/2022 21:42

I do shellac on my natural nails. It’s just like a long lasting nail polish but I like short nails. It lasts 2-3 weeks

Ginfilledcats · 17/04/2022 21:46

Shellac will be better for your nail health eventually too. They won't take too long to grow out longer too.
I have them done once a month. No soaking off in a bowl, just removed with a liquid and maybe wrapped in foil for a minute or two whilst I decide what I'm having done

driveoverlemons · 17/04/2022 21:50

I get biab. It's very natural coloured gel that goes on your own nails which enables you to grown your own nails.

floppybit · 17/04/2022 21:55

BIAB stands for Builder In A Bottle. It's what's meant by 'builder gel'. It's natural nail coloured, but you can put a layer of coloured gel on top if you want.

Toomuchleopard · 17/04/2022 21:55

I have gel (Gellish). It’s the same as shellac just a different brand. I have very weak nails and I’m a terrible nail biter but this makes my nails feel very hard and strong and allows me to grow them. The soak off is just cotton wool soaked in acetone and wrapped on your nails with foil, not soaking in a bowl! These are mine

Nails; what do I ask for?
Cauliflowersqueeze · 17/04/2022 22:20

I ask for SNS on natural nails - it’s a dip powder and means you don’t have to put your hands under the UV lights which I find weaken my nails.

yorkshireteaspoonie · 18/04/2022 06:52

It depends on your nail tech and their skill level really. They are always going to be thicker because you have a layer of acrylic on top but that layer doesn't have to be super thick it can be thin and light.

You won't get any length added with just a layer of gel

Gruffalogrinch · 18/04/2022 07:02

Another recommendation for builder in a bottle. I have had acrylics a fair few times over the years and they have wrecked my nails. I had BIAB gel on my natural nails almost 2 weeks ago and I am thrilled with them. I didn’t get tips or extensions so it’s just the gel on my super short nails, but they are growing and probably in another month or so they will be the perfect length.

BlueSpottedGiraffe · 18/04/2022 07:05

I get BIAB and it's really transformed my nails, and I can still get any colour gel/nail on top of that as I normally would.

Mintlegs · 18/04/2022 07:20

Would the bus blast in a swimming pool?

gogohm · 18/04/2022 07:24

I have gel extensions then gel polish, it's similar to acrylic but thinner and more natural looking, people think they are my own nails (they obviously are thinker but you need to look really close) they are £2 more than acrylics. My own nails are terrible, not suitable for gel polish without extensions as too thin and break. I left the extensions off from 2020 to mid 21 and my nails looked horrible

TDCtomorrow · 18/04/2022 08:26

@Mintlegs

Would the bus blast in a swimming pool?
Say what now?
Mintlegs · 18/04/2022 11:29

😂 would the BIAB last in a swimming pool?

WildFlowerBees · 18/04/2022 11:32

Builder gel, but find a nail tech that's able to make them thin. Mine does a great job they last weeks and aren't ever thick. Not all nail techs are good!

Nnique · 18/04/2022 11:35

Gel nails are far nicer IMO. I don’t have particularly strong nails but with the gel on they are much stronger and end up in better condition for it. I don’t use builders, I just have my natural nails shaped nicely and painted and it looks great. That’s what I would recommend for you - it won’t look fake (because it isn’t).

Original poster
pupcakes · 18/04/2022 21:15

So with the BIAB, do they do them on top of extensions?

OP posts:
Peachy7 · 18/04/2022 21:31

@Mintlegs

😂 would the BIAB last in a swimming pool?
I swim 3 times a week and have no problem.
Peachy7 · 18/04/2022 21:33

@pupcakes

So with the BIAB, do they do them on top of extensions?
If your nails have enough of a free edge they can use nail forms to build a longer tip. But it's essentially a mix between a gel and acrylic, far better for your nails.
WhatsitWiggle · 18/04/2022 21:36

I have BIAB too then gel colour on top. My nails grow really long with this combo because they're not splitting. In fact, I've had to start filing them myself between appointments because they get too long to type properly!

Sprigofthyme · 18/04/2022 21:49

Nail tech here. If your natural nails are weak and short biab would be ideal to allow your nails to grow to a longer length. Personally, I’d just have applied over natural nails rather than try to extend with it. It won’t take long and you can have a gel colour over the top.

However, I find for most of my clients, gel polish offers enough support to get nails to a decent length and it’s what I do most of.

JaceLancs · 18/04/2022 23:11

Thin layer of builder gel then gel polish and top coat
I always get 4 weeks out of my nails without a chip - only get them done at 4 weeks as they get too long

JaceLancs · 18/04/2022 23:12

This is growth after 4 weeks

Nails; what do I ask for?
Lookingoutside · 18/04/2022 23:42

Get BIAB. Definitely get BIAB.

RussianSpy101 · 18/04/2022 23:54

Another vote for BIAB here! I hate acrylics and don’t think they look nice.

I usually just have natural colour or sometimes a French.

Shmithecat2 · 19/04/2022 00:00

Another BIAB fan here. These are my nails with a base of BIAB (The Gel Bottle) with gel polish on top.

Nails; what do I ask for?