Talk to me about Builder Gel please!

[prangers]

I am off on holiday soon where these things are way cheaper than the UK. I have had gel nails before and loved it, but it’s too £££ to have it done often (I’ve literally had about 4 sets ever!)

My nails are short, I work outside a lot, and I am also 51 which, it appears, has also meant more fragile nails (along with a multitude of other things.) Hence, would builder gel protect my real nails, and potentially mean they can survive being a bit longer? I like short and neat, but fancy a change (but not talons!)

It’s uncharted territory to me so please fill me in!

The nails would done at the start of the holiday, and probably another fresh set at the end (I’m away nearly 3 weeks.) Sorry, should have said!

I wouldn’t trust a salon abroad, I’d be worried about their hygiene. I developed an allergy to builder gel sadly, no more gel nails for me for now. A normal gel manicure without builder will still be strong and last well.

Tbh I’d get them done at a reputable UK salon. I’d also opt for Bio Sculpture as they’re a reputable brand and Hema free. They were very good for my nails when i had them done and helped strengthen them a lot.

Builder gel and actually any gel nails are not good long term, ask anyone that’s stopped them what their nails are like! Start by rubbing oil into you nails every night any oil is better than nothing. Then use a sally hanson varnish for your nails type. I have fantastic nails but the took a year to recover from gels.

I have BIABs done regularly. My nails are too brittle to cope with gel polish. Gels tends to lift and also cause splitting on me. The BIAB is the only thing that stops my nails from chipping and crumbling. But it doesn’t actually improve the health and strength of your natural nails. It’s like scaffolding. It offers support. Buts that’s all. And it’s not like acrylic false nails. They can’t craft longer nails with it.

I agreed BIAB ruined my own nails. It has taken over a year for them to recover. Put oil on your nails several times a day and have a manicure. It’s surprising how a good manicure can make even short nails look good.

I started with builder gel but then saw how it was racking my nail bed. I now use gel wraps which are semi cured - I do it at home and they look great. When I’m done with them, they soak off in about 5 minutes and there’s no nail damage.

Thank you for all the responses. I’m not really bothered about having shorter nails, that generally suits my lifestyle more, but I was assuming that builder gel helps them grow a bit longer and protect them. It looks like that isn’t actually the case.

I’ve only read about it from the point of view of salons which isn’t the same as hearing it from people like this because obviously you’re not trying to sell the product!

Once I am back from holiday, I will probably just have whatever I have soaked off and I won’t bother replacing it. That’s what I did last year and I really enjoyed having dressed up fingers until I got back into my real life!

@Wheesht2 I use vitamin E on my nails a lot, it’s since I hit menopause that they’ve become more prone to breaking. I also use biotin.

It does help them grow longer if you are a picker, biter or have bad nails to help with.

I’ve had that done a couple of times and I don’t think it actually did anything.

Only have gel on my toes now, they trashed my fingernails last time, took ages and lots of nail oil/vitamins to get them back. I’d get a good manicure instead.

I’d agree with this. I had BIAB for the first time ever on my brittle, weak nails about 2 months ago. I typically don’t do nails (had acrylics 30 years ago; never had gels) as I work an allotment and they‘ve always broken being in water and doing soil and plant work. I was amazed at BIAB strengthened my nails and allowed them to grow to a decent length (longer than I’ve ever had them). I got them taken off after three weeks and now l’m just wearing SH nail strengthener and normal polish. The polish is chipping but I’m reluctant to use gel polish.

I would have BIAB again but it would be at 6 monthly intervals as I like my nails to have some natural light/sun. Perhaps people who have BIAB frequently ruin their nails through the removal process (strong solution used?). For me, BIAB has been a game changer. I’m never going to be someone who regularly ‘does nails’ but my nails were in a sorry state before BIAB and aren’t now even with just normal polish.

I believe the technique used is very important. I pay a decent amount and go to a nail spa where good techniques and products are at the heart of the matter. However there are cheaper salons where I live that are cheaper and whisk you in and out on a conveyor belt - you know the ones I mean . Their aim is do nails quickly and get onto the next customer. The tools used and speed at which they are used by some places contribute to the condition. Usually they are often buzzed off as opposed to soaked off.