The BIAB nails trend is now making regular appearances in our social media feeds. Short for “Builder in a Bottle,” BIAB is winning fans thanks to its strength, durability, and beautiful finish. It has become a go-to for those looking to protect and grow their natural nails as well as anyone who wants to save money and spend less time swapping manicures. This article looks at the BIAB nails trend’s beginning, its current appeal, and where it might be headed. You’ll also find a few design ideas for inspiration, plus tips on application.
The BIAB Nails Trend: in the Beginning
The first builder in a bottle product was released by The Gel Bottle Inc in 2016. It became so popular that the company trademarked it in 2018. The founder relates where the inspiration came from. She says that she broke a nail on vacation and all she had to fix it was a top coat. She realized the need for a simple brush-on solution that could strengthen the natural nail even if it was broken.
From that humble beginning, we now have much more than structured manicures and protected nails. We also have beautiful nail art thanks to builder gel in the bottle. BIAB comes in gorgeous natural shades that serve as flawless canvases for stunning designs like these rhinestone starfish.
LAVIS Builder Gel in the Bottle Version 2 Collection
BIAB Nails Now
It wasn’t long before other nail brands like Orly and Lavis released their own versions of builder gel in a bottle. At first, it was a limited palette with clear and sheer shades. Now, it looks like the future of BIAB is moving toward exciting new colors and effects. Lavis has already expanded their collection up to eighteen colors. Let’s take their product as our example.
Lavis builder in a bottle offers a flawless manicure for up to three weeks. It’s extremely resistant to peeling and chipping, making it ideal for protecting natural nails while they grow and preventing nail biting.
What’s more, the thick, luxurious formula is odorless and straightforward to apply. It cures to a glossy finish under LED or UV light in just sixty seconds. That’s a lot faster than the original BIAB polish that took 99 seconds! The end result is a flexible, glossy shine that doesn’t add thickness or weight like acrylic.
You can use builder gel alone with a base and top coat, or underneath regular gel polish. It’s also compatible with all sorts of nail art tools like chrome powder.
Instead of removing all the polish after a few weeks, BIAB can be infilled or backfilled. Should you wish to remove it completely, it’s a safer process than acrylic removal. File down the gel until a thin layer remains, then soak in acetone for a few minutes as you would to take off regular gel polish.
BIAB Summer Manicure
Here’s a set that the artist titled, “European summer fun”. It has fish nails, olive nails, and a fun vacation vibe. These are all trends that are in the spotlight currently.
If you apply opaque gel polish to decorate a BIAB base manicure, it’s recommended to use clear builder gel so that the darker polish on top cures properly.
And honestly, builder gel is perfect for summer manicures. It creates a durable foundation that holds up to swimming, gardening, sports, and travel. It can add length to and strengthen the natural nail while decreasing the time needed to maintain the manicure.
What Shape is Best for BIAB nails?
Since BIAB is a protective layer that prevents breakage, it makes square tips and stilettos a possibility for those with weak natural nails. Moreover, BIAB manicures preserve nail health since they don’t need to be fully removed every time. So, there’s no need to stick to short nails and round tips if that’s not your style.
Here the artist has decorated a Russian manicure with dried flowers and cheerful colors. The base is a milky BIAB.
LAVIS C04 - 21 - Gel Polish 0.5 oz - Wildflower Whimsy Collection
LAVIS C05 - 07 - Gel Polish 0.5 oz - Neon Obsession Collection
Dried Flowers
How to Do BIAB Nails
Let’s continue with Lavis Builder Gel, this time in the sheer pink shade Rosé. The artist used sanding bands, a nib bit, and a small cylinder bit to perform a Russian manicure. They tamed the cuticles, smoothed the nail edges, and buffed the surface. Next, they applied Lavis Protein Bond & Primer and base gel.
Now comes the first layer of builder gel. That’s all pretty straightforward. But here’s where BIAB differs from regular gel polish in the application technique. Instead of vertical brushstrokes like the first layer, the viscous polish requires small side to side strokes, too. Use a medium amount and work it down from the cuticle to the free edge.
It’s best to watch a video that shows the method. You’ll see how the builder gel is distributed across the nail with small, curved movements as if the artist were drawing scales on a fish. Meanwhile, it’s essential to avoid building up the product on the edge.
What’s convenient is that BIAB makes it easy to build an apex to fortify the natural nail. Artists turn the hand upside down for a few seconds and allow gravity to shape the apex before curing. This process works best when each nail is treated individually.
Once the builder gel is cured, refine the nail with a file. When the manicure is finished, add the final gloss with Lavis Diamond Top Gel.
Isn’t it amazing how a single sheer color beautifies the nails with so little effort?
The Future of BIAB: Milky, Dark, and Shimmery
Since builder in a bottle is so thick, it used to only come in clear and sheer colors. That’s to cut down on curing time and make sure that the polish sets perfectly. But now brands are releasing milky, shimmery, and dark BIAB shades. We can’t wait to see what artists do with the new colors and effects.
DND Gel Nail Polish - 750 Fudgsicle
Be a BIAB Innovator
We have to warn you, BIAB is addictive. No other nail enhancement offers the same benefits, especially for those who want a carefree, healthy manicure for growing out their nails. We predict that anyone who invests the time to master builder gel will be ahead of the curve.
Chaun Legend Gel Polish - LG5041 Fia-Get-Me-Not
Conclusion
Are you ready to join the BIAB nails trend? Explore the beautiful builder gel colors in our store and discover how much you can save with discounts and free shipping!