The 10 Best Spring BIAB Nail Designs To Take To Your Next Manicure
Mood-lifting manicures that strengthen your nails.
There was once a compromise that came with getting regular manicures, which meant that brittleness, a weakened nail bed and potential damage was often the price to pay for a set of ultra-shiny gels. Thanks to the arrival of BIAB nails, however, you no longer have to choose between nail health and nail art.
'BIAB bridges the gap between natural nail care and long-lasting enhancements. Compared to regular gel, it offers more strength and structure — ideal for those prone to breakage or wanting to grow their nails out,' shares Giorgia Cappella, the Head of Education & Spa at The GelBottle Inc. 'Unlike acrylics, BIAB doesn’t require harsh chemicals or heavy filing, making it a gentler option that supports natural nail health over time. It’s the best of both worlds: strong, beautiful nails with minimal damage,' she shares.
FIND OUT MORE ON ELLE COLLECTIVE
No wonder, then, that there's been a move towards BIAB nail art, with a number of trends cropping up for spring. 'Pastel French tips, soft ombrés, micro florals, jelly finishes, negative space designs, and “barely-there” nails are trending for spring,' notes Cappella. 'BIAB makes an ideal base for intricate spring nail art thanks to its strength and smooth finish. Spring is all about fresh starts, and many clients are looking to reset and revive their natural nails after winter. BIAB not only supports nail health and growth, but also offers a clean, polished base that pairs beautifully with seasonal pastels, florals and playful nail art,' she adds.
What Is BIAB And How Does It Work?
'BIAB, short for Builder in a Bottle, is a revolutionary soak-off gel developed to help strengthen, structure and encourage the natural nail to grow. Applied like a gel but with the durability of a builder, BIAB creates a protective barrier that adds strength and shape without the need for extensions. It's the perfect hybrid between gel and hard gel, combining ease of application with long-lasting results,' shares Cappella.
'During a BIAB manicure in salon, your nail technician will prep the natural nail, apply the builder gel in layers to build strength and structure, and cure it under a lamp. It can be worn alone for a clean, minimalist look, or used as a base for nail art or colour,' she shares. It should lasts up to three weeks without chipping or lifting too.
The 10 Best BIAB Spring Nail Designs
Pastels
Using a technique known as 'sandwiching' — blending different hues to create a blurred finish — this manicure adds fresh appeal to classic pastel nail art.
Jelly Shine
A softer take on classic ombré, this subtle nail art adds intrigue to a 'quiet luxury' or nude manicure.
Toffee Glaze
The next iteration of the famed glazed donut manicure, meet 'toffee glaze' – iridescent and high-shine, but with more caramel and bronzed tones.
3-D French Tips
Coloured French tips have taken over this season – here's one way to switch them up with 3-D swirls and high-shine pastels.
Butter Yellow
Butter yellow has been dominating our algorithms lately and, as Cappella notes, is going to be huge for spring. 'Colour-wise, soft lilac, powdery pink, and butter yellow are having a major moment,' she notes.
Dainty Florals
If you usually shy away from intricate nail art, spring is the perfect time to experiment with subtle florals.
Abstract Lines
Abstract lines are the most understated way to wear your manicure this spring – you can DIY at home with a fine brush (and steady hand).
Almond Nails
If you're torn between a maximalist and minimalist manicure, here lies your middle ground – still soft and delicate, the coloured French tips add a subtle statement without veering into attention-grabbing territory.
Evil Eye
Fans of a minimalist manicure will love this teeny-tiny evil eye nail art, which you can reimagine in different colourways and styles.
Au Naturel
As Cappella notes, there's been a growing trend for 'your nails but better' BIAB manicures of late, such as soap nails and nonicures. 'These natural-looking nails have just a hint of tint and colour and are created using sheer builder gels,' she shares.
Amelia Bell is the Multiplatform Beauty Director for ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar, developing beauty strategy, writing, editing, and commissioning, and leading beauty content across both sites. Amelia has a particular interest in wellness and longevity, exploring the skin-mind connection, and decoding the latest treatments, tweakments and runway trends. She also has bylines for Women's Health, Refinery29, British Vogue, Harrods Magazine, and more.
Victoria Beckham Puts Her Own Spin On The 'Soap Nail' Trend
A Guide To Creating Cherry Nails For Summer
5 Sunny Nail Designs For The Summer Heatwave
The 4 Juicy Fruit Nail Trends To Try
