BIAB?

[RolyPolyOll]

Hello! I’ll start this off by saying I need something on my nails a I like how it looks but also it stops me biting them! After years of shellac, and badly taking them off (usually myself!) my nails are awful. They are sooo thin and weak and break the second they grow. My salon has suggested that I get BIAB, and I wondered if anyone any experience using it? Does it look super thick? Any pics?

I found it to be exactly the same as gel! Could not get what the fuss was about 🥴

I love biab! It's not super thick - slightly thicker than the usual gel polish obviously because it's a builder. My nails are super strong even without the biab on, I've been getting it for years now.

I was getting biab for a year and due to a bad application where my nails were not sealed properly I got what is called the greenies! Which is basically bacteria due to water getting in and not being able to fully dry out. I was advised by the salon to remove the biab to allow the greenies to grow out! I had the salon remove the biab properly and unfortunately have found my nails just as weak if not worse than when i used to use shellac even on the nails that were not affected by the greenies!

Omg! So did you have a greenie for a while or could you cover it with normal gel? Tempted to just stick to normal gel now!!

I’ve been having BIAB for about six months and it’s transformed my nails. It’s my little treat now and I love having nails that people notice and comment on.

I always think it looks quite thick compared to normal gel. It’s very popular round here so clearly I’m in a minority (or maybe the chunky look is just ‘in’).

I've been getting biab for 4 months and my nails have gone from chewed stumps to gorgeous, strong and healthy.

Mine don’t look terribly thick, I don’t think. I do go to a good salon though.

WOW!! Are they your natural nail?

That’s exactly what I’d like! Have you experienced the fungus that a PP mentioned?

These are mine. No fungus.

Here

It took over 6 weeks to grow out! I was so disappointed because I loved getting my nails done! It has been about 8 weeks now and they have only come right again. My advice would be to make sure your nail tech is experienced in biab because I feel the girl that had done my nails that day wasn't very experienced in biab and that is where the issue came from!

I was thinking of having BIAB but then saw a thread on here where several people said that the 'builder' element only makes your nails stronger while the BIAB is actually on - the moment you stop doing it then your nails are weaker than ever.

I thought the whole idea was that it strengthened your nails long term so that after a few applications you wouldn't need it anymore. If it just means you are tied in to repeat manicures for the rest of your life it seems completely pointless (and expensive!) to me, and no idea why it's any 'better' than gels in that case?

Have also heard a few horror stories about the fungus from it not being properly sealed etc.

I have biab and my nails are really strong with it. The little finger nail broke this time but that hasn’t happened for a long time. Had an op earlier in the year and have to get it taken off but my nails felt quite healthy. Topping up with cuticle oil helps.

Yep, and so strong. They usually last between 3 and 4 weeks, the Christmas ones are 2 weeks old.

Hi I’m a nail tech so il answer best can.

1. greenies can happen with any nail covering. Shellac, biab or acrylic. It’s due to incorrect prep work or damaged nails allowing water to get under. It’s not fungal it’s bacterial and is rare if you go to a good nail tech. It doesn’t spread.
2. BIAB is strong and flexible but it does not strengthen the actual nail. It doesn’t have nail strengthening ingredients. Your nails feel stronger when the BIAB is on but your nail remains unchanged underneath. However It’s great for growing out damage. Again your nails shouldn’t be weaker than ever if you have a good tech. Your nails should be damage free underneath, bad nail techs make bad nails not the BIAB itself.
3. biab shouldn’t be too thick it should be a thin flexible nail covering with a slight apex (curve). Always look at a techs work before you go ahead
4. biab isn’t suitable for everyone. It’s a flexible covering for short to medium length nails that aren’t to brittle. If you want to add a lot of length or you have particularly weak nails try hard gel or acrylic.

i hope this helps x

If you picked off Shellac etc, I doubt BIAB will
be any different.

It absolutely wrecked my nails. As above, it’s literally just a covering.