Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. "Builder gel is basically an extra layer of protection for your nails," says New York-based celebrity nail artist, Shirley Cheng. ...

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.

Wed, January 21, 2026 at 1:00 PM UTC Sometimes, it can feel like getting a manicure involves choosing between a design or shape that looks good but might cause damage and one that preserves your nail ...

Everyone's talking about BIAB nails, which claim to be a healthier and longer-lasting alternative to gels. So, I tested this 'builder manicure' to see what it involves and whether it's right for you.

Being right-handed, my nails on that side naturally go through more, and it's always the side that lets me down. One nail will break, and then I have to cut them all off and go short *sigh*. Recently, ...

The service menu at a nail salon is bursting with options, and if you don't know what each one is, it can be hard to decide the right manicure type for you. BIAB nails, for example, or structred nails ...

It can be hard to tell but there are differences between the three. Gel nail polish was developed by CND under the brand name Shellac and is a liquid polish that is cured (basically hardened) under a ...

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." The cortisol spike I get when I walk into a nail salon is borderline alarming. Selecting my nail shape ...