If you had told me even 5 years ago that I would be such a nail girly that I would have a go-to nail-tech that I booked in with every 4 weeks without fail, and sit for 2 hours yapping as he perfected my mani, and I would enjoy every second of it, I would never have believed you. But, after sticking with BIAB for 2 years now, honestly, I have never been happier. My nails never break, and they grow so quickly at times it’s genuinely annoying because my gorgeous manis have to be infilled quicker.
My dedication to my BIAB routine does mean that I have a deep reluctance to try anything nail-related at work because it means switching from what I know works for me. But the originator of BIAB, The Gel Bottle, has just launched a new and upgraded formula, Hard BIAB, which promises to give the best, most resilient manicure of your life, so I was naturally all ears. My nail tech works with TBG, so I got to be one of the first to road test the new formula. Here’s the lowdown…
What is Hard BIAB?
The brand describes this as ‘TGB’s strongest builder formula yet’. It has the rigidity of a traditional hard gel or acrylic, but with the same application as your normal gel appointments. Thanks to how strong it is, it provides support for styles that require long overlays and extensions and promises not to snap or bend.
How is the application different from regular BIAB?
You won’t notice a difference in your appointment at all if you normally get the original BIAB. My appointment length was exactly the same, and the steps to apply are identical too. My nail tech, Leon Lester at LB Studios, Greenwich, did say that the consistency is thicker than BIAB, but that was nothing that I needed to concern myself with.
How is Hard BIAB applied?
Again, the same as BIAB, but if you haven’t dived into the world of BIAB yet, this is your run-through. After your nails are cleaned and shaped, your tech will apply a base coat, cure, and then apply your BIAB, cure again, and then you are ready to add colour or nail art. Lastly, you apply your top coat to seal everything in. The new Hard BIAB is available in 12 shades of milky whites, nudes and pinks so it can be worn alone or topped with a brighter or deeper gel colour. My favourite TGB shade is Teddy, a sheer pink, and this is available in a hard gel formula.
How long does Hard BIAB last?
Applied properly, you shouldn’t experience any peeling or lifting, and it should last you at least a few weeks before you either have it infilled or removed completely.
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What does Hard BIAB do to your nails?
If you are someone who has weaker nails and finds that your nails bend and break, but you love a lil mani, this is a fantastic option for you. The hardiness of the formula will revolutionise your nail game.
Can you remove Hard BIAB at home?
Sorry, but you do have to have this formula, like BIAB, professionally removed. Your tech will use an e-file to gently remove the gel and buff away any excess. Remember, though, you can also get BIAB infilled (partially removed and then redone from the nail growth) if you are obsessed with your mani and you just want it to last even longer.
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
