I tried the trendy BIAB manicure.

It's easy to love acrylic nail polish, but it can damage your natural nails. If you're looking for something gentler than acrylic nails and thicker than a home gel nail kit, say hello to BIAB Nails.

BIAB (Builder in a Bottle), pronounced bee-yab in the salon world, is a form of nail enhancement that combines the benefits of gel polish and acrylics. Also called structured gel (BIAB is a trademark of The GelBottle Inc. which invented the product), it is thicker and tougher than regular gel manicures while maintaining a gel-like consistency.

"BIAB promotes nail strength and growth and is ideal for those seeking a long-lasting, low-maintenance, natural-looking manicure," explains Juanita Hoover-Millet, who uses BIAB at her Los Angeles salon, Townhouse. She discovered the product while researching innovative nail products that strengthen and nourish natural nails; BIAB's durability, reinforcing effect, and long-lasting benefits made it an easy decision to implement.

Everything you need to know about BIAB nails, from the products nail professionals utilize every day.

BIAB (Builder in a Bottle) is a nail product invented by Gelbottle. Thus, BIAB nails are simply nails treated by that product. [Technically speaking, the reason why The Gel Bottle BIAB is so great and gives such good results is because BIAB has a thicker viscosity than regular base coats, which allows it to create a structure called apex," said Jorg Jorg, The Gel Bottle's Training & Giorgia Cappella, Training & Education Manager at The Gel Bottle, Inc. The apex is the natural curve of the nail and is the stress point of the nail (the stress point can be found by gently pressing on the free edge of the nail)." When using BIAB, it is imperative to create an apex to support the stress point of the nail and increase its strength for growth.

BIAB is applied directly to the natural nail with a brush, just like gel polish, and then cured with an LED or UV lamp; remember that BIAB nail appointments take a little longer than a regular gel manicure. The process includes prep of a regular manicure, application of a base coat (you will probably see the technician using a BIAB rubber base), a BIAB polish of your choice, filing and refinishing, and a final swipe of topcoat.

The gel bottle recommends 90 minutes for fresh set and another 15 minutes if gel-off is required.

Depending on your location and experience with nail techniques, the cost of BIAB nails may vary. Still, you can expect to spend between $40 and $60 for a fresh set of nails.

"While BIAB may be more expensive than a traditional gel polish manicure, it is generally less expensive than other nail enhancement options such as biosculpture or hard gel," Huber-Millet explains. 'They also tend to last longer than gel polish, making them a more cost-effective option in the long run.'

BIAB nails can last three weeks or more, but when ready for removal, technicians remove them with an e-file and acetone. Nail artist Caitlin Hughes explains, "The best way is to have a professional remove the majority of the nail down to a thin base coat with an e-file, then soak off the rest with an acetone-soaked cotton ball wrapped in foil."

While manicure habits are completely personal preference, there is a reason why many nail artists prefer BIAB over acrylic nails.

"BIAB is a great and easy option for those who want more shaping or want to grow out their natural nails a bit. It can also provide a base layer of structural protection for those with thin natural nails, regardless of whether they want to lengthen them or not," Hughes explains. That's because BIAB soaks in and falls off just like gel nail polish."

BIAB differs from standard gel polish in several ways.

BIAB differs from standard gel polish in several ways. For one, it is thicker and stronger than standard gel polish. Says Huber-Millet, "BIAB also contains ingredients that help nourish and strengthen the nail, allowing the natural nail to grow longer and stronger."

While BIAB nails help protect the natural nail, it is still necessary to practice nail safety.

Hughes says that, as with other nail enhancements, clients should be careful not to pick at or remove BIAB. He says, "BIAB, in particular, is a more structured layer that is more difficult to remove and can cause more damage to the natural nail if not removed properly. The best way to maintain BIAB set is to use cuticle oil at least once a day and maintain a schedule of nail balancing and filling (not complete removal) every three to four weeks to avoid premature lifting."

The most difficult part of trying BIAB nails was choosing a color. The rest was as simple as sitting down, sipping soda water, and letting my amazing nail artist (Tara Hay of New York) do the work.

The process is a bit lengthy (requiring a filing and polishing step), but since the color is built into the product, it goes very quickly. There is no need to go through the process of crafting, molding, and painting. In fact, Hay had just enough time to make a very pretty cherry on my chocolate brown shorty. Haley Beaver's Farmer's Market Nails.

As I walked out of my appointment, I couldn't help but notice how strong my nails were. They also look quite pretty, smooth to the touch, like a traditional gel manicure.

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