Builder Gels
Builder gels at Boozyshop: strong nails with a natural look
A builder gel is a thicker gel you use to strengthen, even out or slightly extend your natural nail. You cure it under a UV or LED lamp, after which it lasts for weeks and grows out neatly with your nail. This collection brings all three kinds together: builder gel from a pot, BIAB from a bottle and acrylic gel.
Which builder gel suits you?
The three kinds differ in packaging, thickness and what they are good at.
| Type | Packaging | Strength | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Builder gel pot | pot with spatula | strongest | extending on tips or dual forms, building a clear apex |
| BIAB | bottle with brush | flexible | strengthening healthy nails with a thin, natural layer |
| Acrylic gel | bottle with brush | strong | nails that split easily, a clear apex, a short extension |
Builder gel from a pot
The classic version, also known as hard gel. Thick and firm: you pick it up with a spatula or brush and shape it yourself. That takes practice, but you get full control over the apex and you can really extend with it. Everything in one place in builder gel pot.
Builder in a bottle (BIAB)
Builder gel in a bottle with a brush: you apply it like gel polish, but it is thicker and it carries. Flexible, easy to keep thin and the simplest of the three. Ideal if you want to grow out your own nails without extensions. Have a look at the BIAB collection.
Acrylic gel
The hybrid of acrylic and gel: firmer than BIAB, without the smell and the rush of acrylic. Ours are liquid acrylic gels from a bottle with a brush, self-levelling. Take a look at acrylic gel.
What is the difference between builder gel and gel polish?
Gel polish is colour, builder gel is construction. Gel polish is a thin layer that gives your nail colour and shine but carries nothing: if the nail underneath breaks, the polish breaks with it. A builder gel is thicker and strengthens the nail itself. Both cure under the same lamp, and you can simply paint gel polish over your builder gel.
How do you apply builder gel?
- Push back your cuticles, file your nail into shape and matte the surface with a buffer.
- Degrease the nail plate with a cleanser or primer.
- Apply a thin layer of base and cure.
- Apply the builder gel and build your apex: the thickest point sits about a third of the way up your nail, measured from the cuticle.
- Cure under your UV/LED lamp: 60 to 90 seconds under LED, 2 to 3 minutes under UV.
- File the shape if needed and wipe off the dust.
- Finish with a top coat or paint a colour over it.
Work in thin layers and keep the gel off your cuticle. That is the main cause of lifting, and the main cause of irritation as well.
How do you remove builder gel?
Builder gel soaks off less easily than gel polish, so you file away most of it.
- File off the shiny top layer with a file or nail drill.
- File the layer back until only a thin remainder is left.
- Place a cotton pad with remover on the rest, wrap your nail in foil and leave it for 15 minutes.
- Push the softened residue away with a cuticle stick and care for your nails with cuticle oil.
Never pull or pry a layer off: a layer of your natural nail comes with it.
Builder gel and acrylates
Builder gels are built from acrylates, and that is where the strength comes from. If you are sensitive to acrylates or your cuticles get irritated easily, read the ingredient list on the product page and keep the product off your skin. Products without HEMA are in HEMA-free gel polish.
Frequently asked questions about builder gel
How long does builder gel last?
Three to four weeks. After that your nail has grown out far enough that a refill is nicer than waiting.
Can you put gel polish over builder gel?
Yes. The builder gel is your building layer; you simply paint gel polish over it and finish with a top coat.
What is the difference between builder gel and BIAB?
BIAB is builder gel in a bottle with a brush. Same function, easier to apply and a bit more flexible; builder gel from a pot is firmer and better suited to real extensions.
Can you extend your nails with builder gel?
Yes, ideally with nail tips or dual forms. With BIAB the extension stays limited to a few millimetres.
Is builder gel bad for your nails?
Not if you apply and remove it properly. Damage almost always comes from pulling it off or filing too aggressively, not from the product itself.
Everything for your builder gel manicure
- Prep, cleanser and primer for a clean nail plate
- Base coats as an adhesion layer under your builder gel
- UV/LED lamps for curing
- Nail tips and dual forms for extending
- Top coats for shine and protection
- Nail drills and files for refills and removal
Buy builder gel at Boozyshop
Ready to make your nails stronger? At Boozyshop you will find builder gel, BIAB and acrylic gel from brands such as Modelones, Glitterbels, Semilac and XFEM, plus everything you need around them. Spend €35 or more and you get a free gift with your order. Not sure which kind suits your nails? Our beauty experts are happy to help via chat or email.
