Gel, BIAB or extensions?which is right for you

Walk into any nail salon and you’ll hear the same three words again and again: gel, BIAB and extensions. They can look similar once they’re finished, which is why so many people book one when another would have suited them better. The differences come down to three things: what the product is designed to do, how it sits on your natural nail, and how it needs to be looked after. Once you understand those, choosing becomes simple.

Gel manicure: colour that lasts

A gel manicure is the closest thing to a classic polish, but with far more staying power. After your nails are shaped and your cuticles are tidied, a thin base coat goes on, followed by two or three layers of gel colour and a glossy top coat. Each layer is cured under an LED lamp for under a minute, which means the polish is fully set before you leave your seat. There’s no drying time, no smudging in your handbag and no waiting around with your hands in the air.

Gel is a coating rather than a structure. It’s thin and flexible, so it follows the shape of your natural nail and doesn’t add any real strength or length. That makes it ideal if your nails are already in good condition and you simply want colour that won’t chip for two to three weeks.

Gel suits you if you’re happy with your natural length, you like a high-shine finish, and you want a manicure that survives typing, cooking and a busy week without a single chip.

Think twice if your nails are very soft, peeling or prone to snapping. Gel will look lovely, but it won’t stop a weak nail from bending and breaking underneath.

BIAB: strength for natural nails

BIAB, short for “builder in a bottle”, is a thicker gel that’s designed to build a little structure onto your natural nail. Your technician applies it in a slightly heavier layer and shapes it so the nail has a gentle curve and a stronger apex, the point that takes the most pressure. It can be worn clear for a natural look, in a soft nude or milky pink, or with a gel colour on top.

The big advantage of BIAB is that it doesn’t need to be removed at every appointment. Instead, your technician files the existing product back and infills the new growth at the base of the nail. Because you aren’t soaking everything off every few weeks, many people find it the easiest way to grow their natural nails without them breaking halfway there.

BIAB suits you if your nails are thin, bendy or always breaking at the same length, or if you’re trying to grow out your natural nails after a break from extensions.

Think twice if you want dramatic length. BIAB can add a touch of length to a nail that’s already grown, but it isn’t designed to create long shapes from scratch.

Extensions: length and shape, your way

Nail extensions add length beyond the natural edge of your nail. Depending on the system the salon uses, they’re built with gel, acrylic or a soft gel tip. Your technician sizes each nail to fit, then shapes the extension into the length and outline you’ve chosen, whether that’s a short squoval, an elegant almond or a long coffin.

Extensions open up the most creative options. Long shapes give nail artists a bigger canvas for chrome, ombré, French tips and hand-painted designs. They’re also the obvious choice for weddings, holidays and big occasions when you want your hands to make a statement.

They do take more looking after. As your natural nail grows, a gap appears at the base and the balance of the extension shifts forward, so you’ll need an infill roughly every two to three weeks. When you want a break, a professional removal is essential.

Extensions suit you if you want length and shape that your natural nails can’t give you, or you love bold nail art.

Think twice if you work with your hands a lot, or you’d rather keep maintenance to a minimum.

How long does each one last?

As a general guide:

• Gel manicure: two to three weeks before regrowth shows or you want a change of colour.
• BIAB: two to three weeks between infills, and you can keep it going for months with regular maintenance.
• Extensions: two to three weeks between infills, depending on how quickly your nails grow.

Everyday habits make a big difference to all three. Hot water, cleaning products and using your nails as tools will shorten the life of any manicure.

What about the health of my nails?

All three treatments can be kind to your nails when they’re applied and removed properly. The damage people worry about usually comes from two things: aggressive filing of the natural nail, and peeling or picking product off at home. Both strip away layers of the nail plate and leave it thin and sore.

If you’re worried, tell your technician. They can use a gentle prep, keep the natural nail intact and recommend infills or a careful soak-off instead of starting from scratch each time.

Still not sure?

The easiest way to decide is to ask. Send us a WhatsApp message with a photo of your nails as they are now and a picture of the look you’d love. We’ll recommend the treatment that will get you there, explain how long it will take, and let you know the price before you book.