FOXY NAILS

Know your nail treatments

Five options. Clear differences.

Some treatments build structure or length; others add colour. A similar finished look can come from different products.

Illustrative application examples · Shape and finish are your choice.

BIAB

Builder in a Bottle

What it is: A branded builder gel, commonly used as an overlay on natural nails.
Purpose: Adds structure over your own nail.
How it sets: Cures under a nail lamp.
The difference: We can add up to 4 mm of extension with BIAB.

Gel extensions

Added length with gel

What it is: Gel enhancements that extend beyond your natural nail, using forms or tips.
Purpose: Adds length and creates a chosen shape.
How it sets: Gel cures under a nail lamp.
The difference: Unlike gel polish, the extension builds length. Systems and removal methods vary.

Acrylic

Liquid-and-powder enhancement

What it is: Liquid monomer and powder combine into a mouldable bead that hardens.
Purpose: Creates an overlay or added length.
How it sets: Traditional acrylic sets without a lamp.
The difference: A gel colour or top coat applied afterwards may still need a lamp.

Shellac

A brand of gel polish

What it is: A thin gel-polish colour system applied in layers.
Purpose: Adds colour and finish, not length.
How it sets: Cures under a nail lamp.
The difference: A colour coating, rather than a builder overlay or extension system.

Regular polish

Traditional nail colour

What it is: Also called normal polish or nail lacquer: a colour coating brushed onto nails.
Purpose: Adds colour and finish, not length.
How it sets: Air dries; no curing lamp.
The difference: Unlike gel polish, it needs time to dry after application.

Compare the five options
Treatment	Usual purpose	How it sets
Acrylic	Overlay or added length	No lamp for traditional acrylic*
Gel extensions	Added length	Nail lamp
BIAB	Builder overlay or up to 4 mm extension at Foxy Nails	Nail lamp
Shellac	Colour coating; no added length	Nail lamp
Regular polish	Colour coating; no added length	Air dries

*Gel colour or top coat applied over acrylic may still need a lamp.

Before you book

Which adds length?

Gel extensions and acrylic can add length. We can add up to 4 mm of extension with BIAB. Shellac and regular polish add colour, not length.

Which should I choose?

Tell your nail technician about your natural nails, desired length and finish. They can explain the options, upkeep and removal for the system used.

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About this guide and sources

Product explanations checked against manufacturer information. Application, upkeep and removal depend on the specific system. These illustrations are examples, not a product inventory or application tutorial.