Understanding Nail Treatments: BIAB, Gel & Acrylic — And Which Nail Shape Is Right for You?
This is the Mala guide to choosing the right nail treatment, from BIAB infills to acrylics, plus the nail shapes worth knowing before your next appointment.
Choosing your next nail appointment can sometimes feel like learning another language.
BIAB. Gel. Acrylic. Infills. Extensions. Almond. Coffin. Square. And then someone asks what shape you want when you’re still trying to decide what treatment you actually need.
The good news? It doesn't have to be complicated. At Mala Beauty Lounge, we believe your nails should work for you — whether that means strengthening your natural nails, adding length, experimenting with shape or creating the dream set you've been saving on Pinterest.
So, here's our guide to the different nail treatments and shapes, and how to decide what's right for you.
First things first: what's the difference between BIAB, gel and acrylic?
While they can all give you beautiful, glossy nails, they work in slightly different ways and are suited to different preferences.
BIAB: for strengthening and enhancing your natural nails
BIAB, or Builder in a Bottle, has become a favourite for anyone wanting stronger, healthier-looking natural nails without necessarily adding significant length.
It's a builder gel that's applied over the natural nail to provide additional structure and strength. It can help protect natural nails as they grow, while still giving you that beautifully polished finish.
And because BIAB can be shaped and finished in so many different ways, it's anything but boring.
Think:
Classic French tips
Soft pinks and neutrals
Bold colours
Minimal nail art
Chrome finishes
Tiny details and embellishments
If you're happy with the length of your natural nails but want more strength, structure and longevity, BIAB could be a great option.
What about a BIAB infill?
As your natural nail grows, you'll start to see a gap between the product and your cuticle. Rather than removing everything and starting again, a BIAB infill allows your nail technician to rebalance and refresh the existing enhancement.
It's a great way to maintain your nails while keeping them looking fresh.
Gel nails: glossy, colourful and endlessly versatile
Gel polish is ideal if you love the look of polished, perfectly coloured nails but don't need the additional structure that BIAB provides. Applied over your natural nails, gel polish cures under a UV/LED lamp to create a durable, high-shine finish.
It's perfect for changing up your colour regularly, whether you're drawn to classic reds, seasonal shades or something a little more experimental. And if you've already got strong natural nails and don't need additional reinforcement, gel could be all you need.
Acrylic: when you want length, strength and creativity
If your dream nails involve length, a particular shape or more elaborate nail art, acrylics give you plenty of scope to get creative.
Acrylic is created by combining a liquid monomer with a powder polymer to create a workable product that can be sculpted over the natural nail or an extension.
Once shaped and finished, acrylic nails can give you the length and structure needed for everything from a classic French manicure to a full statement set.
They're particularly popular if you want to:
Add length
Create a longer silhouette than your natural nails allow.
Experiment with shape
Longer nails open up possibilities including almond, coffin and stiletto.
Create statement designs
More surface area means more room for colour, art and embellishment.
So... which treatment should you choose?
There's no single "best" nail treatment. It really comes down to your natural nails, the look you're after and how much length you want.
If you want...You might love...Stronger natural nailsBIABTo grow your natural nailsBIABA simple colour changeGelLong nailsAcrylicDramatic shapesAcrylicBespoke nail artBIAB or AcrylicA natural, understated lookBIAB or Gel
Not sure? Don't worry. Your nail technician can talk through your options and recommend a treatment based on your nails and the result you're looking for.
Now let's talk shapes...
Once you've chosen your treatment, there's another important decision:
What shape do you want?
And while trends come and go, there are a handful of classic nail shapes that continue to be requested time and time again.
Square
Clean, structured and timeless.
Square nails have straight sides and a straight-across tip, creating a crisp and contemporary finish.
They're particularly striking with a French manicure and work beautifully on shorter nails.
The vibe: polished, modern, classic.
Squoval
Can't decide between square and oval?
You don't have to.
Squoval combines the straight sides of a square nail with softly rounded corners, giving you a slightly softer version of the classic square.
The vibe: effortless, practical, understated.
Oval
Soft, elegant and universally flattering.
Oval nails follow the natural curve of your fingertip and taper gently towards the end.
They're a lovely choice if you want the appearance of longer, more elegant fingers without going for an especially dramatic shape.
The vibe: feminine, classic, sophisticated.
Almond
One of the most popular shapes for a reason.
Almond nails taper towards a rounded point, creating an elongated silhouette without being as sharp as a stiletto.
They're particularly beautiful with neutral shades, French tips and delicate nail art.
The vibe: elegant, refined, effortlessly chic.
Coffin
Also sometimes called ballerina, coffin nails are long with tapered sides and a straight tip.
They're a brilliant canvas for creative nail art and statement colours, particularly when you want your nails to be part of the outfit.
The vibe: bold, fashion-forward, statement.
Stiletto
If subtle isn't your thing, say hello to stiletto.
Long, dramatic and sharply pointed, this is a shape designed to make an entrance.
It's particularly suited to statement nail art and anyone who wants their manicure to be a major part of their look.
The vibe: dramatic, edgy, unapologetic.
Does your nail shape matter?
More than you might think, the right shape can change the overall appearance of your hands and make your manicure feel more balanced. But here's the thing: you don't have to choose a shape because it's supposedly "right" for your hands, as your personal style matters too.
Love short square nails? Go for it.
Obsessed with long almond? That's your shape.
Want tiny hearts on a classic French BIAB? Bring us the inspiration.
At Mala, we're here to help you create nails that feel like you, rather than simply following whatever happens to be trending.
Bring us your inspiration
Pinterest board? Instagram save? Screenshot you've had sitting in your camera roll for six months?
Bring it. Our nail artists love taking inspiration and translating it into something that's personal to you — whether that's a subtle BIAB manicure, a classic French or a full acrylic statement set.
Because sometimes you know exactly what you want.
And sometimes you just know you want really good nails.
Either way, we've got you.
Ready for your next set?
Your inspiration. Our expertise. Your dream nails.