Gel Polish, BIAB, Hard Gel, Acrygel or Acrylics? What Should You Offer Your Clients?

I’d love to tell you that one product fits all — but that’s simply not true.

In my nail skill roadmap post, I explained why it’s important to build your skills step by step, starting with the basics before moving on to more advanced techniques. The same approach applies when choosing the right product for your clients. It’s not just about what you like to work with — it’s about what suits your client’s nails and lifestyle.

Many techs choose to offer just one system — whether it’s BIAB, hard gels or acrylics. That’s fine, but it also means you're potentially turning away clients whose nails need something else. Every product has its strengths and its limits. And what we often forget? It’s the natural nail plate that decides what system is best — not us.

So, if you truly want to give your clients what’s best for their nails, you should understand and be able to offer gel polish, BIAB, hard gel, acrygel, and acrylics. Let’s break it down:

Gel Polish

Best for: Long-lasting colour on short (sometimes medium) natural nails

Gel polish is perfect when your client has healthy, strong nails and just wants long-lasting colour. It offers zero strength — so it won’t support weak or long nails. But for clients with naturally strong nail plates, even medium-length nails can hold beautifully with just gel polish. Expect 2–4 weeks of wear, depending on lifestyle.

BIAB (Builder in a Bottle)

Best for: Clients needing more strength on short to medium nails

BIAB is a soft gel that adds strength and structure — but there’s a limit. It’s brilliant for clients trying to grow their natural nails, but once they go past medium length, it can start cracking or breaking. For longer nails or heavy-handed clients, BIAB alone often won’t cut it. Expect 2–4 weeks of wear, depending on lifestyle.

Hard Gel / Acrygel / Acrylics

Best for: Longer nails and clients who need stronger support

These systems offer the strength needed for extensions and longer enhancements. If your client wants length, or works a lot with their hands, these are your go-to options.

Bonus: You can also use these on short nails — overlays using stronger systems are perfect for clients with weak or brittle nails, or those who need more durability day-to-day.

Expect 2–4 weeks of wear, depending on lifestyle.

Now Let’s Talk About the Natural Nail Plate

This is where most techs don’t look close enough — and it matters more than you think.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what enhancement types suit different nail plates:

Normal / Healthy Nails – Can handle pretty much any system: gel polish, BIAB, acrylic, hard gel, acrygel — you name it.

Weak / Damaged Nails – Best suited for acrylic or acrygel overlays or extensions. These offer the most support.

Dry / Brittle Nails – Again, acrylics or acrygel tend to perform better as they don’t rely on the nail’s moisture balance to stay put.

Blueish / Thin Nails – These are sensitive and tend to lift easily with harsh products. Stick to soft gels like BIAB for a gentler approach.

Remember: If a client is constantly lifting with gels, try acrylics or acrygel. And if acrylics are too harsh, swap back to gels. Sometimes, it takes a bit of testing — because not every nail responds the same.

Don't Stick to Just One System

It’s tempting to specialise in just one product. It’s comfortable. But when you do that, you limit your client base — because not all nails will last with that one product.

Offering all systems means you can adapt your work to fit your client’s nails, not the other way around. That’s what truly elevates your work and sets you apart.

Need help knowing when and how to learn each system?

Check out my Skill Roadmap blog post to see how to build your confidence one step at a time.

Maya xx