Nail polish used to be simpler. First, there was the traditional formula you could get from Boots, then came gels, acrylics and shellac. Now? BIAB nails have joined the party. But in place of simplicity, we now have plenty more choice and innovation when it comes to creating manicures that look great and last the distance.
But to clear up any confusion, we have everything you need to know about BIAB nails below…
What is BIAB?
The next-gen formula seems to be everywhere. It's already built up an A-list following, with the likes of JLo, Dua Lipa and Kim Kardashian all opting to wear BIAB and #biab has over 480 million views on TikTok with users sharing their nail journey and try-ons. But while some fans are still catching on, it actually launched in 2015 under vegan nail brand, The Gel Bottle, which was created by Brighton-based founder and professional nail technician, Daisy Kalnina.
As for how it differs from the formulas used by previous manis? We asked Giorgia Cappella, head educator at The Gel Bottle to talk us through the details.
For starters, BIAB is a professional-only soak-off soft-gel “specifically formulated to be used as an overlay on the natural nail,” explains Giorgia. It's gentler than acrylic, but thicker than regular nail polish and gel polish. The protective shell it creates over nails is designed to encourage natural nail growth and strength.
“It was created to provide extra strength and protection against breakages, allowing customers to grow their nails to new lengths,” says Giorgia. In terms of appearance, it looks similar to gels and shellac, creating a smooth shiny, manicured finish, but the application process looks a little different.
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How is BIAB applied?
Prep
Your manicurist will start by prepping the nails (filing, buffing, cuticle work) and removing any residue on the nail with pure acetone.
Base
Next your manicurist will apply the base (a thin layer of the BIAB polish over the natural nail, or the brand's rubber base if you want to use the clear or white shade), which is cured like a normal gel base on a low heat mode.
BIAB
Here's where things start looking a bit different. Rather than traditional-looking liquid polish, the BIAB nail colours come in thicker gels. Rather than a thin coat of your nail colour of choice applied over the nail, your manicurist will apply a thick bead of BIAB, spreading it side to side and dragging the soft gel away from the cuticle. You can choose a natural colour and use BIAB as your base before following with a gel colour on top. Or you can choose from BIABs wide range of colours and make this step your colour coat. Your manicurist will work to avoid creating a thick build-up around the free edge and cuticle, then seal the free edge. You can do this step twice if you want a more opaque finish, building and curing one nail at a time.
Refine and buff
Next your manicurist will wipe each nail with alcohol to remove any stickiness, then they'll refine the finish of the polish by filing it (which makes it more glossy), removing any dust with a duster brush.
Extras
Once you've got the base, you can go in on top with nail art, or if you're just using the BIAB as a base, you can apply any regular gel shade you like on top, then finish with a thin layer of top coat.
