Stronger NailsZero DamageChip-Free For 2 WeeksBeginner Friendly10+ Sets Per BottleDone At HomeNail Dehydrator IncludedFull Kit $79 AUD Stronger NailsZero DamageChip-Free For 2 WeeksBeginner Friendly10+ Sets Per BottleDone At HomeNail Dehydrator IncludedFull Kit $79 AUD
Complete BIAB Guide

Your Step-By-Step BIAB Guide. Everything you need to know - from first coat to perfect removal.

Whether it's your first time ever doing your own nails or you're switching from the salon - this guide covers everything. Prep, application, curing, removal and what to do if something goes wrong.

✦ Step 1

What You'll Need

Everything marked In Kit is included in your Lash Vault BIAB Starter Kit.

💡
UV/LED Nail Lamp
In Kit
🌸
Prep Coat
In Kit
:art:
BIAB Colour
In Kit
💎
Top Coat
In Kit
✨
Pro Nail Filer
In Kit
✦ Step 1

Nail Prep - Don't Skip This.

Good prep means nails that last 2 weeks. Bad prep means lifting within days.

01
✂️
Shape and Trim Your Nails
Start with clean, dry nails. Trim to your desired length and shape using your pro filer. File in one direction only to avoid splitting.
⏱ 2-3 min ✓ File one direction only
02
🧹
Buff The Nail Surface
Use the buffing side of your filer to gently remove the shine from the nail surface. A few gentle passes is all you need.
💡Pro tip: Don't over-buff. You just want to remove shine, not thin out the nail.
⏱ 1-2 min ⚠ Light pressure only
03
🌿
Push Back Your Cuticles
Using a cuticle pusher, gently push back your cuticles. Don't cut them - just push gently.
⚠️Never apply BIAB touching your cuticle. Leave a 1-2mm gap between product and skin.
⚠ Leave a 1-2mm gap
04
🧴
Cleanse The Nail Plate
Wipe each nail with isopropyl alcohol using a lint-free wipe. This removes filing dust, natural oils and any moisture.
💡Pro tip: Do this step last, right before you apply product. Don't touch your nails after cleansing.
✓ No touching after this step ⚠ Most common cause of lifting
✦ Step 2

Application - Thin Coats Win.

The secret to long-wear BIAB is thin coats cured properly. Thick coats don't cure evenly and will lift. Trust the process.

🌸
cherry blossom
Apply Nail Dehydrator
Apply a thin layer of Nail Dehydrator to all 10 nails. This removes any remaining moisture and oils from the nail plate, creating the perfect bond for your base coat to grip. It dries on its own - no lamp needed.
⏱ Air dry - 30 sec ✓ No lamp needed
02
💎
Apply BIAB Prep Coat - Cure
Apply a thin, even layer of BIAB Base Coat to all 10 nails. Cap the free edge by running the brush along the tip of each nail to seal and prevent chipping. Cure under your lamp for 60 seconds.
💡Pro tip: Capping the edge: drag the brush lightly across the very tip of your nail after applying each coat. This seals the edge and is the #1 tip for preventing chips.
💡 Cure: 60 seconds ⏱ Air dry - 30 sec ✓ Cap the free edge
03
🎀
Apply Colour - BIAB colour - Cure
Apply your second thin coat of colour. This builds full opacity. Same technique - centre, sides, cap the edge. If you need a third coat for full coverage go for it. Always better to do an extra thin coat than one thick one.
💡Pro tip: For lighter shades like nudes and whites you may need 3 coats for full opacity. That's completely normal - keep each coat thin and cure between every one.
💡 Cure: 60 seconds ⏱ Air dry - 30 sec ✓ 3rd coat fine if needed
04
✨
Apply Top Coat - Final Cure - Done
Apply a thin layer of Top Coat over all 10 nails. Cap the edge one final time. Cure for 60 seconds. Once out of the lamp your nails are immediately dry. Wipe with isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free wipe to remove the sticky inhibition layer and reveal your mirror-shine finish.
💡Pro tip: Wiping off the inhibition layer: after the final cure, wipe each nail with IPA on a lint-free wipe. This removes the sticky top layer and gives you that perfect glass finish.
💡 Cure: 60 seconds ⏱ tada Instantly dry! ✓ Wipe with IPA after
⏱
Total Application Time
15-20 minutes
Including prep. You'll get faster every time - most people are under 30 mins by their third set.
✦ Section 4

Troubleshooting - We've Got You.

Something not right? Here's what's causing it and exactly how to fix it next time.

⬆️
Lifting At The Cuticle
Usually caused by:
  • Product touching the cuticle or skin
  • Skipped the nail dehydrator step
  • Oils left on nail before application
  • Not buffing the nail surface
✓Fix: Always cleanse with IPA right before applying. Leave a 1-2mm gap at the cuticle and never let product touch skin.
💥
Chipping At The Tips
Usually caused by:
  • Not capping the free edge
  • Coats applied too thick
  • Top coat not sealed at tip
  • Using nails as tools
✓Fix: Cap the free edge on every coat - base, colour and top coat. Run the brush across the very tip of the nail each time.
🫧
Bubbles In The Product
Usually caused by:
  • Shaking the bottle before use
  • Applying product too fast or thick
  • Air trapped in the coat
  • Not buffing the nail surface
✓Fix: Roll the bottle between your palms to mix - never shake. Apply slowly and evenly. Thin coats cure cleaner every time.
🌊
Uneven or Streaky Colour
Usually caused by:
  • Coat applied too thick in one pass
  • Colour applied before base is properly cured
  • Not enough coats for the shade
  • Not buffing the nail surface
✓Fix: Always do 2-3 thin coats rather than one thick one. Cure each coat fully. Lighter shades may need 3 coats - that's normal.
🌡️
Colour Looks Different After Curing
Usually caused by:
  • Normal - gel shades deepen slightly under lamp
  • Inhibition layer not wiped off (looks dull)
  • Under-cured (looks watery or unset)
  • Not buffing the nail surface
✓Fix: Wipe nails with IPA after your final cure to remove the sticky inhibition layer - this reveals the true colour and shine.
🕯️
Product Feels Tacky After Curing
Usually caused by:
  • Inhibition layer - this is completely normal
  • Under-cured (lamp too weak or time too short)
  • Coat too thick to cure fully
  • Top Coat not applied properly
✓Fix: The sticky layer after curing is normal . Reapply the top coat and cure for 90 sec
✦ Section 3

Removal - The Right Way.

BIAB is designed to soak off cleanly without damaging your nail. Don't pick or peel.

01
📋
File Off The Top Coat
Gently file the surface of each nail to break through the top coat layer so the acetone can penetrate. Light passes only.
⏱ 2-3 min ✓ Light passes only
02
🛁
Soak In Acetone
Soak cotton pads in 100% pure acetone. Place one pad on each nail and wrap with foil. Leave for 10-15 minutes. Don't rush this step.
💡Pro tip: Bowl method: pour acetone into a glass bowl and soak your fingertips for 10-15 minutes. Works just as well.
⏱ 10-15 min soak ⚠ 100% acetone only
03
🪄
Gently Push Off Product
Remove the foil one nail at a time. Use a cuticle pusher to gently push the softened product off. If it's not budging, re-wrap and soak for another 5 minutes.
⚠️Never peel, pull or force the product off. If it's not coming away easily it needs more soaking time.
04
💧
Buff, Moisturise and Done
Lightly buff the nail surface to smooth it out. Wash your hands and apply cuticle oil. Your nails should look and feel healthy.
💡Pro tip: Cuticle oil is your best friend after removal. Acetone is drying - a good soak with oil brings moisture back.
✓ Healthy nails every time