When it comes to nail care, there’s nothing quite like having a solid foundation to build upon. And for many of us, that means a strong, healthy set of nails that can withstand the demands of everyday life. But what if you’re looking for a way to boost your nail strength and durability, without having to resort to professional treatments or expensive salon visits?
That’s where builder gel comes in – a super-strength polish that’s thicker than your average gel and is designed to provide long-lasting wear and impressive strength. And with a range of products available, including at-home kits and professional formulas, it’s never been easier to get your hands on this miracle worker.
One of the most popular builder gel products on the market is the Gel Bottle’s BIAB (‘Builder In A A Bottle’) system. But there are plenty of other brands that have jumped on the bandwagon, including BioSculpture – a brand that’s been a go-to for my nail needs for some time now. And with the latest addition of HEMA-Free Builder Gels to the market, it’s now possible to get your hands on a DIY builder gel mani kit.
14 Day Mani, the brand behind the at-home gel manicure system that promises a two-week-long mani, has just added HEMA-Free Builder Gels to its collection. These promise salon-worthy strength and durability, perfect for boosting weak nails or adding some extra length. As a fully qualified gel polish nail technician, I couldn’t wait to see how they stacked up against my professional products.
Essential Equipment Needed
- UV lamp
- Top coat
- Polish brush
- Base coat (optional)
With the essentials in place, it’s time to get started with the application process. 14 Day Mani suggests applying a thin layer of Perfect Prep Primer to the nail first to dry it out and help the polish stick better. But, as I personally don’t have very oily nail plates, I opted to skip this step and just ensure the nail was clean with a swipe of nail polish remover instead.
14 Day Mani’s Builder Gel Polishes are priced at £15 each and come with a built-in base coat so you can go straight in with two coats of your chosen shade of polish. The polish itself is super thick and sticky, but with a bit of practice and a small polish brush to hand for touch-ups, I was able to get a decent job done. And, as someone who rarely strays from neutrals, the shades are right up my street – I tried Cotton Candy and Iced Latte.
Application Tips
- Hold your hand upside down for a few seconds before curing to avoid the polish settling in the sides.
- Use a small polish brush to get into the corners and details.
- Cure for 60 seconds after each coat for the best results.
The finished result was impressive – it’s really glossy, even and strong, much stronger than your average gel polish. And, as someone who rarely strays from neutrals, the shades are right up my street. But, the major issue I encountered was that, on a couple of fingernails, the polish either partially or completely lifted off after a few days.
Long-Term Results
| Day | Polish Results |
|---|---|
| 3 | Still intact and looking great |
| 8 | Polish started to lift off, but still looked good |
| 14 | Polish completely lifted off |
I also used this builder gel system on my toes and didn’t have this problem at all – it lasted for weeks. And, I was seriously impressed with the overall finish and strength of the polish. But, as someone who has weak nails, I may have to stick to using it on my toes only, and keep my professional formulas on my hardworking hands.
In summary, I love the shades, finish and strength of 14 Day Mani’s builder gel polishes, but I’ll probably use it on my toes only, and keep my professional formulas on my hardworking hands.
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