BUILDER GEL
Build it up
With clients aiming for strong, natural nails, builder gel could quickly become your salon’s best friend. Lollie Hancock finds out what you need to know
If there’s one thing we’re sure of, it’s that builder gel is becoming increasingly popular, with no signs of slowing down. Clients are moving away from acrylic extensions in favour of lengthening and strengthening their natural nails, and they’re turning to builder gel to get the job done – but what exactly is the product and how do you use it?
What is builder gel?
Builder gel is a type of gel polish with a thicker consistency to help strengthen the natural nails. “Builder gel is a hard gel overlay,” explains nail tech Bryony Howell. Chances are, when coming across builder gels, you’ve seen it referred to as “BIAB” – but not all builder gels are BIAB. “BIAB is the trademark name, created by The Gel Bottle Inc, that stands for ‘Builder in a Bottle’,” explains Howell. Other popular builder gel formulas include Dalí Artistic’s Gro Gel, Glitterbels’ Brush On Builder Gel, Gelish’s Structure Gel, INK London’s SOBIAB and 2am London’s Build it Baby.