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Before getting BIAB nails, I was disillusioned with nail salons.
Design by Bella Geraci, Devon Abelman
BIAB, however, was able to reel me back in after a six-month sabbatical of manicures.
BIAB is the abbreviation for Builder in a Bottle, a formula from nail-care brandThe Gel Bottle.
Kandalec has reached for BIAB for the last four years when working with her celebrity clients, likePinkandJessica Chastain.
My nails at the start of my BIAB nail appointment.
Read on to learn more about the benefits of getting a BIAB manicure and my experience with it.
What are BIAB nails?
BIAB is a thick, viscous, multitasking builder gel.
My nails at the start of my BIAB nail appointment.
Typical builder gel is housed in a pot and used for reinforcing weak nails.
Its often topped with classic gel polish to add color and designs fora structuredorhard gel manicure.
BIAB is strong and durable likeacrylic manicuresbut provides a lightweight, natural finish like gel, she adds.
Nail artist Julie Kandalec using an ultra-thin brush to ensure the BIAB polish is thinner around the edges of the nail.
BIAB is for professional use only.
What are the benefits of a BIAB manicure?
Daily tasks like typing, household chores, and workout classes can weaken nails over time.
My BIAB nails curing under a UV-LED light.
Think of BIAB as armor for your nails, Kandalec says.
Its viscosity also helpsvisiblysmooth ridges, splits, and discoloration.
It wont change the actual structure of your nail, though.
The final result of my BIAB nail experience.
Its very difficult tosmooth out ridges, Dr. Gohara explains.
Ridges are a function of genetics, what we do to our nails, and time.
How does a BIAB manicure compare to a gel manicure?
With this in mind, neither manicure is better than the other, Kandalec says.
The manicure you choose simply comes down to personal preference.
Can I get a BIAB manicure with extensions?
Although they are more traditionally done on natural nails, you could get a BIAB manicurewith extensions.
The tips can be sculpted with forms or glued on as they would be for an acrylic orGel-Xmanicure.
Some nail artists glue the tip on with BIAB gel instead of adhesive for longer retention, Campos says.
My BIAB manicure experience
My nails at the start of my BIAB nail appointment.
Before I dive into my BIAB manicure experience, allow me to tell you more about my nails.
First and foremost, theyre tiny and slightly pudgyI like to keep them short andround.
Prior to trying BIAB, Id taken a break from visiting my nail artist for my monthly gel manicures.
On the day of my manicure, I went for a look inspired by a Koreannail art trend.
BIAB manicures begin the same way as any other manicure: with nail prep.
Kandalec got theshape of my nailsand the state of my cuticles in order with some buffing and filing.
Then, she dehydrated my nail beds with acetone.
This step of the process mesmerized me.
Kandalec worked one nail at a timepainting each nail and then curing it.
While that nail was under theUV-LED light, she worked on the same finger on the opposite hand.
This ensured my nails grew out more seamlessly without a stark gap between the cuticle and the BIAB.
Before curing the nail, Kandalex held my hand upside down.
Alas, I was wrong.
Building a proper apex provides better retention and extends the life of the manicure, Kandalec says.
My BIAB nails curing under a UV-LED light.
My BIAB Nails
The final result of my BIAB nail experience.
The red polish looks so juicy and adorable that I cant stop staring at my manicure in adoration.
Even better, I couldnt peel my nails down to the quick even if I triedBIAB is rock-solid.
I also have unintentionally put my BIAB nails through durability tests.
The day after getting the manicure, I built some furniture and spring-cleaned my apartment.
My nails still looked as fresh as when I left the appointment.
Its an unbelievable outcome that lasted so long and helped me build a more positive relationship with my nails.
Where can I get a BIAB manicure?
How much do BIAB nails typically cost?
The cost of BIAB nails depends on what salon you go to and what your final look entails.
A simple, one-color BIAB manicure on natural nails typically ranges from $40 to $60.
The price increases with the addition ofnail art, extensions, or achrome finish.
Overall, I highly recommend BIAB to those looking for a more durable, long-lasting manicure.
Honestly, I dont think I could ever go back toclassic gel manicuresafter this.
In my experience, those are like wrapping your nails in aluminum foil, and BIAB is stainless steel.
In the words of Daft Punk, my BIAB nails are simply harder, bettermaybe not fasterbutabsolutelystronger.
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