Nails

Builder gel is coming soon to Shwe, at some point in September 2026. Our team have completed their training and are working through their case studies now, so we'll share an exact launch date closer to the time.

Until then, all of our current nail services are overlays on your natural nails, and we don't offer nail extensions.

In the meantime you can book for Gelish Structure Gel as an add-on treatment to your gel nails for extra strength.

Structure Gel is a soak-off strengthening gel applied before your gel colour to give extra support, smooth ridges, and help protect weaker nails. It's ideal if you want longer-lasting gel nails while keeping your own nails healthy, and it works beautifully with our full range of Gelish colours.

Please note: while builder gel is coming soon, we can't currently remove or infill builder gel until our training is fully complete. If you're already wearing builder gel from elsewhere, please don't book our gel removal and reapplication services (Gel Fingers or Gel Toes Removal & Reapplication). Those are for standard gel only.

Shellac is a nail polish with gel properties (which help it last longer than normal polish - they claim 2 weeks wear), the call it a Power Polish (as it’s a hybrid between polish and gel).

Gelish is a pure gel system. This means that you’ll get longer lasting nails - 3 weeks wear, instead of their claimed 2 weeks.

Other benefits of this system is that you’ll be able to use all the contents of the bottle and it won’t go gloopy towards the end of the bottle, that you would otherwise get with a polish based hybrid system (as polish still dries out).

We are insured to carry out treatment on any age with Parental consent. Our supplier, Gelish also do not have a minimum age requirement.

No – we don’t remove acrylic nails. We only remove gel nails that have been applied at our salon.

If you currently have acrylic nails, you’ll need to have them professionally removed elsewhere before booking in with us. Once they’re removed, we’ll be happy to look after your nails with one of our gel nail treatments or a strengthening Gelish Structure Gel overlay.

Gel (like our Gelish gel polish) is a coloured coating that goes onto your natural nail to give a glossy, hard-wearing finish that lasts around three weeks. It adds colour and shine, but it doesn't add much strength or length.

Builder gel (or sometimes called BIAB) is a thicker, stronger gel that builds a little structure over your natural nail. It's still an overlay on your own nail, not an extension, but it adds strength and a subtle arch, which makes it ideal if your nails are weak, prone to breaking, or you just want something that lasts and feels sturdier. It can be worn natural or under a colour, and it's maintained with infills rather than being fully soaked off each time.

In short: gel is mainly about colour and shine, builder gel is about strength and durability. Builder gel is coming to Shwe soon, and we'll be able to help you choose which is right for your nails.

Yes. BIAB stands for "builder in a bottle," and it's simply a term for builder gel applied from a bottle with a brush. Lots of salons and clients use the name BIAB, but it's the same type of product: a strengthening builder gel worn as an overlay on your natural nails.

BIAB isn't actually a product name, it's become a general nickname for this kind of gel, a bit like how people say "hoover" for any vacuum. There are several brands that make builder gel, and at Shwe we'll be offering Gelish Builder Gel, part of the Gelish range we already use and trust for our gel nails.