Women's Lifestyle November 6, 2025 0 Comments

Builder Gel: The Secret Beauty Hack Pros Swear By – But Is It Really Worth Your Time and Money?

Ever wondered why gel manicures seem to outlast their regular polish cousins, keeping your nails vibrant and chip-free for weeks on end? It’s a nail world mystery – quick-drying, glossy, and tough as nails, gel polish has certainly won hearts both in salons and at-home setups. Yet, it often gets the side-eye for allegedly wrecking your natural nails. Here’s the twist: the real culprit might be how gels are prepped and removed, not the gels themselves, as dermatologist Sheila Farhang notes. Now, enter builder gel – the comeback kid of nail trends that promises to boost nail health while ditching the usual gel stigma. Combining strength with flexibility, this hybrid gel is changing the game by repairing and reinforcing your nails, leaving them stronger and oh-so-smooth. Curious how builder gel walks the line between soft and hard gels, and if you can master it at home? Let’s dive into this nail revolution together! LEARN MORE

Opting for gel over regular polish is a common practice for nail enthusiasts looking to give their manicures extra staying power. Gel formulas are also commonly preferred at home and at the salon, as they’re quick-drying, seamlessly maintain their vibrancy, and are often more resistant to chipping over time—though they tend to get a bad rap for being more damaging to your natural nails. “Problems from gel nails often result from incorrect preparation and/or removal of the service, not the product itself,” dermatologist and CND brand advocate Sheila Farhang previously told Bazaar.

To encourage healthy growth and strength while combating negative stigma around gel polish, builder gel has re-emerged as one of the buzziest nail trends to date. While most gel formulas are either soft, meaning they can be soaked off with acetone, or hard, typically requiring the help of an electric nail file to remove, builder gel fits somewhere in the middle of both extremes.

What Is Builder Gel?

“Builder gel combines the strength of hard gel with the flexibility of soft gel,” says Juanita Huber-Millet, Townhouse founder and creative director. “It reinforces and repairs natural nails, helping them grow stronger and healthier while maintaining a smooth, polished look.” Also known as Builder In A Bottle (or BIAB), this form of gel aims to add structure and support to natural nails with rounded apexes, their highest point, to prevent breakage and splitting. It’s also applied in thicker layers than regular gel to reinforce sturdiness, smooth ridges, and increase overall volume.

Courtesy of Townhouse

Can Builder Gel Be Used at Home?

According to experts, builder gel manicures are most successful when applied in professional salons. But with the current virality of the formula, top brands like Aprés Nails and Olive & June are making it easier for fans to use this method at home. “Like any beauty service, you’ll get the best results when you see a professional,” explains Eunice Park, brand development and education director at Aprés Nail. “Builder gel in particular is an advanced skill when you’re building the structure into the nail, and it’s easy to flood the cuticle and sidewalls with gel. If you are trying to do this service at home, I would recommend going slowly and practicing building out a proper shape. Practice makes progress.”

Olive & June Builder Gel Kit Builder Gel Polish

Credit: Olive & June

Aprés Nail Soft Gel Builder in a Bottle

Credit: Amazon

Orly GelFX Builder In A Bottle Intro Kit

Credit: Orly

Gelish Pro 45 Mini LED Light

Credit: Amazon

When Should Builder Gel Be Removed?

Whether you create your own gel manicure or decide to head to the salon, it’s understandable to feel tempted to leave your polish on for as long as possible. It can be hard to say goodbye to a good beauty look, but extending the life of your manicure upwards of three weeks often does more harm than good. “Olive & June Gel and Builder Gel are formulated to last up to 21 days. Once the polish starts to crack or lift, it should be removed,” says Anne Reigle, vice president of product development at the brand.

How Can I Maintain Nail Health While Using Builder Gel?

As previously mentioned, proper removal is essential after any gel manicure to minimize breakage and help nails retain their strength. Professionals also recommend using care staples like cuticle oil and nail strengthener between appointments to avoid potential peeling and brittleness before your next appointment. “Picking or forcing off your gel mani can lead to removing layers of natural nail and damage,” continues Reigle. Huber-Millet agrees, adding, “Healthy nails start with consistent care.”

Meet the Experts

Sheila Farhang is a board-certified dermatologist and CND brand advocate.
Juanita Huber-Millet is the founder and creative director of Townhouse nail salon.
Eunice Park is the brand development and education director at Aprés Nail.
Anne Reigle is the vice president of product development at Olive & June.

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