Beautifully structured, natural-looking nails, tailored to your own nails. BIAB is currently Aesthete Beauty’s most popular nail treatment, chosen by clients who want stronger-looking natural nails with fewer everyday breaks while their own nails grow.
Every BIAB appointment starts with an assessment of your natural nails, and the structure is built around them rather than one standard approach. At Aesthete Beauty in Dundee, BIAB is carried out by Radina Ignatova, a professional nail expert with over 11 years of experience whose work has been featured in Scratch Magazine and Who What Wear UK.
BIAB Manicure starts from £49, or from £79 with Russian manicure. Book online any time.
I've been to Aesthete Beauty three times now to get Biab nails done, and I love the excellent job Radina did on my nails each time. Professional, friendly and the best manicure I've had in Dundee. Highly recommended.
Lindsay McKay
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★★★★★
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Google Review
BIAB stands for Builder In A Bottle. It is a strengthening builder gel, applied as an overlay on your natural nails to give them carefully engineered structure while keeping a natural, refined look.
BIAB does not change the natural nail itself. It protects the nail while it grows, and the extra structure can reduce everyday breakage. That is why many clients who previously struggled with constant breaks find they can finally keep their natural nail length.
It can be left in a natural sheer shade or finished with gel polish from over 230 colours. The most popular finishes are French, ombré in nude pink or soft white, and chrome.
Support while your nails grow. BIAB gives your natural nails external support. The overlay acts like a protective shell while the nail grows underneath, which can reduce everyday breakage, so many clients find they can keep their natural length.
Infills instead of full removal. BIAB does not need to be removed and reapplied at every appointment. Fresh product is added to the regrowth area instead, which means less repeated filing of the nail plate.
A product chosen with care. Aesthete Beauty uses Andreia Professional One Bottle Builder Gel, chosen for its professional performance and modern formulation. It is HEMA-free, Di-HEMA-free, hydroquinone-free, TPO-free, vegan, self-levelling and high-resistance, and a Salon Services Winner 2026. These are facts about the product, not a promise that it suits everyone. HEMA-free does not mean allergy-free, so if you have ever reacted to gel nail products, please message us before booking.
Low-heat formula. The BIAB system is designed to reduce heat sensation during curing. Some clients, particularly those with thin natural nails or after previous over-filing, may still feel temporary warmth while the gel cures.
Harder to bite. BIAB’s thickness makes nails harder to bite or pick, which many nail biters find helps them leave their nails alone.
Regular maintenance. Maintenance is generally recommended at around three-week intervals, although your own recommendation may differ.
Gel polish adds long-lasting colour and shine. It suits clients who are already happy with the strength and length of their natural nails.
BIAB adds carefully engineered structure while keeping a natural look. It suits clients who want extra support, better durability and help keeping their natural nail length. Where appropriate, it can also support short nail extensions.
Nail extensions (Polygel, BIAB or Builder Gel) are for clients who want immediate extra length or a complete change of shape.
The right choice depends on your goals, your natural nails and your lifestyle, and you will be advised at your appointment.
Aesthete Beauty is known for excellent retention, and clients regularly return with BIAB that is still exceptionally well maintained. That comes from the complete service: consultation, assessment, preparation, product selection, structure and apex placement, application, maintenance and aftercare. Your lifestyle and natural nail condition play a part too, so results vary from client to client.
Chipping is not automatically a product problem either. Natural nail flexibility, length, occupation, everyday knocks, maintenance and product choice all affect how BIAB wears, which is why different clients need different levels of structure.
For the most refined finish, BIAB can be combined with Russian manicure. It is the premium upgrade, with exceptionally detailed cuticle work and very precise product placement, so the regrowth is less noticeable as your nails grow. It is not required, and many clients achieve beautiful BIAB results without it.
Just had amazing service from Radina today. I love my BIAB french polish nails. I had been going to another competitor chain of salons where Radina was previously employed for a number of years but after she left there, the people who continued doing my nails left them in such poor condition that I was afraid to go anywhere else. They were thin and flaking and sore. It was a relief to find Radina again! Today is the second appointment which I have had with her for my nails in her new salon and I am overjoyed to be able to have nice nails which feel stronger and healthy, once again.
BIAB can be applied in two ways, and the method is chosen for your nails.
Freehand application means the builder gel is applied directly to the nail and carefully sculpted by hand, which suits natural-looking overlays.
Dual forms are reusable moulds that fit over the nail. The gel is placed inside the form, pressed onto the nail and cured, which helps create an even, consistent shape with very little filing afterwards.
Neither method is right for everyone. Radina chooses based on your natural nail shape, nail condition, the structure needed and the look you want.
Hygiene comes first. Every client gets fresh disposable files and buffers, with an orange stick where appropriate. Metal tools are thoroughly cleaned and hygienically prepared between clients, gloves are worn during nail treatments, and Vodex dust extraction runs during all e-file work, capturing dust at source. The salon does not use traditional acrylic systems, so there is no strong monomer odour. Clients bring it up in their reviews: “Friendly, clean boutique salon.” “A huge selection of colours and a very clean place.”
If you have never had BIAB before, here is exactly what happens.
You will receive a form by email before your appointment, covering your nail history, previous enhancements, relevant medication, your expectations and anything that might affect the treatment. It helps prepare your appointment, and your nails are always assessed in person too.
Radina assesses your natural nails in person, because their condition on the day decides how the treatment is adapted.
Your nails are shaped to suit you.
Your nails are prepared to suit their condition before the BIAB is applied. If you have booked Russian manicure, this is where the detailed cuticle work happens.
The BIAB is structured for your nail length, shape, natural strength, lifestyle and the look you want, freehand or with dual forms. Where appropriate, it can also support short extensions.
Choose from over 230 gel colours, or finishes such as French (our most popular), ombré in nude pink or soft white, chrome and cat-eye.
You will receive aftercare advice and your own maintenance plan. Regular maintenance is generally recommended at around three-week intervals, although your recommendation may differ.
BIAB Manicure starts from £49. BIAB Infills from £49, or from £55 if it has been more than four weeks. BIAB with Russian Manicure starts from £79.
BIAB Removal starts from £20. Nail repairs are £6 each.
Add-ons: French tips £5, chrome from £7, cat-eye from £7, nail art from £7.
All current pricing is in the online booking system. If you have a question before booking, message us on WhatsApp (for questions only; appointments are booked online).
BIAB may suit you if you:
If you want immediate length, nail extensions are the better choice. Final suitability is assessed through your consultation and an in-person nail assessment.
Nails were in poor condition prior to visiting this salon. I got really informed advice about treatments and how to look after my nails moving forward. So glad I visited. IBX treatment and biab from the lovely Radina. Felt really looked after and she was so friendly. Salon is clean and welcoming and quality products used. Fabulous experience from start to finish. Next 2 visits already booked in.
BIAB stands for Builder In A Bottle. It is a strengthening builder gel applied as an overlay on natural nails, giving them structure while keeping a natural look. It can be left sheer or finished with gel polish.
BIAB does not change the natural nail itself. It adds structure that protects the nail while it grows, which can reduce everyday breakage, so many clients find they can keep their natural length.
Regular maintenance is generally recommended at around three-week intervals, although your own recommendation may differ. It depends on your nail growth, lifestyle, nail condition, finish and aftercare.
Where appropriate, BIAB can support short nail extensions. For more length or a bigger change of shape, our nail extensions are the better choice.
Correct application and professional removal help protect the natural nail. Damage is more likely when BIAB is picked or peeled off, so always book a removal or an infill rather than taking it off yourself.
Yes. Aesthete Beauty uses Andreia Professional One Bottle Builder Gel, which is HEMA-free, Di-HEMA-free and TPO-free. HEMA-free does not mean allergy-free, so if you have ever reacted to gel nail products, please message us before booking.
BIAB Manicure starts from £49, BIAB Infills from £49 (from £55 after four weeks), and BIAB with Russian Manicure from £79. The online booking system always shows the current price.
I have been getting biab nails since December with Radina. My nails look amazing everytime. Radina really knows her stuff and takes time to make sure my nails are perfect. She has an excellent attention to detail and is very attentive. I really look forward to my visits as Radina is such a lovely person also.
If you would like beautifully structured, natural-looking nails with fewer everyday breaks, book your BIAB appointment online. If you have a question first, message us on WhatsApp.
We serve clients from across Dundee and the surrounding areas including the West End, Broughty Ferry, Newport-on-Tay, Monifieth, Carnoustie, and further afield.
