Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

BIAB nails

28 replies

Idontjetwashthefucker · 21/01/2025 10:45

Can someone explain to me in simple terms what BIAB nails are please? Is it like a gel manicure on your own nails or is it used like acrylic for extensions?

My nails are crap, brittle, constantly peeling and look awful but I want to get them 'done' for an event in a few weeks but I don't know what i need!

Acrylics really damaged my nails previously and a few people have recommended BIAB.

Thanks for any info

OP posts:
BeretRaspberry · 21/01/2025 11:01

It’s like a gel polish, rather than acrylic, which is a liquid and powder system.

BIAB wrecked my nails. A lot of people on here have had similar experiences, but others have had decent results.

It’s basically a coating that covers your nail plate, in theory protecting them. However, if your nails are damaged and thin, for example, then the gel can penetrate the softer layers and that can cause reactions.

I recommend her all the time but check out The Salon Life on YouTube.. she has lots of cost effective advice for looking after natural nails, as well as information on gel polish and things.

veraswaistcoat · 21/01/2025 11:09

I use BIAB all the time as otherwise I wouldn't have nails. It is a system where your nails are overlain with the builder allowing your own nails to grow underneath. I go every 3 weeks to have them redone. They don't use extensions like the old way but can extend nails a little bit. Your best bet is to go into somewhere and speak to them. Go to a decent place and not one of the - how can I say? - more exotic places where its customers in and out as fast as they can.

Original poster
Idontjetwashthefucker · 21/01/2025 11:17

@BeretRaspberry I'll check her out, thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Idontjetwashthefucker · 21/01/2025 11:18

@veraswaistcoat I know exactly what you mean re the salons! But yeah, I'll go in and have a chat 😊

OP posts:
BeyondtheBeyond · 21/01/2025 11:31

I have had BIAB in the past but it damaged my nails and it has taken over 12 months to get back to a good condition
I would go and have a manicure and it’s surprising how good they can look even if they are short.

suki1964 · 21/01/2025 15:22

If your nails are fragile , let them grow out before applying any further gels/polygels or acrylics

I recommend CND rescue and keeping the nails short and using the finest softest emery board you can find to keep the edges smooth so you don't catch them

If you do go ahead with BIAB, ask first about how they are going to remove it. BIAB can be soaked off which is healthier then someone who doesn't have a clue using an e - file

AgathaX · 21/01/2025 19:27

I also recommend CND rescue oil or solar oil. Apply it frequently, and at least after each time your hands get wet. It really helped my nails after BIAB and gels had wrecked them.

NippyNinjaCrab · 21/01/2025 19:30

I suppose it depends on the person doing your nails. My nails were getting thin and dry with peri menopause no matter what I did or took. I've started having biab and my nails are fab now. It's like gel only tougher. X

Googleisyourfriend · 21/01/2025 19:53

Trashed my nails , going au natural now

BlondeMamaToBe · 21/01/2025 19:58

I love it. My nails are great since I switched to Biab.

MayAnneisMine · 21/01/2025 20:14

Destroyed my nails. Would never get BIAB again.

whoopdeedoo · 21/01/2025 20:23

Shellac always trashed my nails and BIAB was the same, although it did last longer than shellac (2 weeks). Try biosculpture - I am obsessed, had it a few days before Xmas and it lasted almost 4 weeks, at which point I wanted it off because you could see the growth below the colour. But my nails are super strong, longer and not trashed. Downside is it is more expensive but IMO, worth it for 3-4 weeks looking great.

40andlovelife · 21/01/2025 20:27

Been getting biab for about 4 years now. My nails are in excellent condition. Biab actually strengthens your nails. It's all in the application, a decent nail tech who ensures proper application means you won't get any issues.

Go to an independent well reviewed salon, not one of the high street ones where you can get a walk in appointment.

whoopdeedoo · 21/01/2025 20:32

I think maybe it depends on how your nails are, not just on the salon. The same salon did BIAB and biosculpture for me and someone next to me in there was delighted with BIAB and was getting it re-done.

Muthaofcats · 21/01/2025 20:32

BIAB also destroyed my nails and months later they’re still awful, they break constantly and have huge dents in the nail bed. Will probably take a year to fix.

jackstini · 21/01/2025 20:33

None of these systems trash your nails on application or wearing - it's all down to the removal

You need a well trained manicurist to gently remove by soaking off, or if you do DIY gel polish then use a peel off base coat

Don't get them removed with an electric grinder. Very few people can operate these exceptionally well without causing damage to the nail. Some are really bad and damage the nail bed

Don't pick them off - you can remove a layer of natural nail that way

Gel works for me, but I remove carefully

jackstini · 21/01/2025 20:34

Just to add, have worked in nail care industry for over 20 years, many different brands!

stressedtothemaxdotcom · 21/01/2025 20:56

My nails are very weak and BIAB is great
A thick layer of product is put in your nails before a gel colour.

It makes your nails strong and they don't chip like normal gels can.

If you gave an occasion they can be lengthened for you too which looks great

BIAB nails
lovelysunshine22 · 21/01/2025 22:27

BIAB destroyed my nails, i now have SNS and my nails are in much better condition.

BlondeMamaToBe · 21/01/2025 23:46

I’m very happy with my Biab.

BIAB nails
lunar1 · 21/01/2025 23:52

I've had BIAB for years, my nails are perfect underneath, far healthier than when I started having them done.

MadamePeriwinkle · 21/01/2025 23:57

Had BIAB for the first time at the very start of this year...9 days later it was lifting and peeling off and my nails are now pretty much buggered.

Had it done by the manager at one of small chain of local reputable salons so not sure whe that went wrong.

I'd already come to the conclusion that the re growth and having the same colour for three or four weeks at a time wasn't for me anyway.

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 21/01/2025 23:59

I love BIAB but I wouldn't get it as a one off for an event. You need to maintain it.

BeretRaspberry · 22/01/2025 00:13

jackstini · 21/01/2025 20:33

None of these systems trash your nails on application or wearing - it's all down to the removal

You need a well trained manicurist to gently remove by soaking off, or if you do DIY gel polish then use a peel off base coat

Don't get them removed with an electric grinder. Very few people can operate these exceptionally well without causing damage to the nail. Some are really bad and damage the nail bed

Don't pick them off - you can remove a layer of natural nail that way

Gel works for me, but I remove carefully

None of these systems trash your nails on application or wearing - it's all down to the removal

That’s not quite true. Maybe if your nails are strong and healthy to start with, but if your nails are thin because of previous nail treatments like acrylics, then there is a risk that the gel will penetrate through the spongier layers of the nail plate and into the nail bed, causing potential allergic reactions. Similarly, simply wearing any covering on the nail can cause micro damage through general wear and more so if the nail is thin and damaged - any nail covering is only as good as the nail it’s adhered to.

IDontKnowWhatYouMean · 22/01/2025 00:17

@jackstini can you recommend any particular products that can be bought online to remove biab at home?