BIAB vs builder gel vs Graphen Base: which should you use?
By Laloo Cosmetics SA, sole Southern African distributor of Laloo. Last reviewed 28 October 2026.
Short answer: all three are gels that strengthen the natural nail, but they do different jobs. Graphen Base is a thick base coat for gel polish that also levels and strengthens nails and builds up to 2mm of length. BIAB (builder in a bottle) is a self-levelling builder gel you brush on straight from the bottle for overlays, French sets and extensions on forms. Builder gel from a jar is the most sculptable choice for structured overlays and extensions of any length.
BIAB, builder gel and Graphen Base at a glance
Swipe the table sideways to compare all three
Graphen Base
Builder in a Bottle (BIAB)
Builder gel (jar)
What it is
A thick, graphene-enriched base coat
A self-levelling builder gel in an 18ml bottle with a short oval brush
A builder gel in a 30g jar, applied with a gel brush
Main job
Base for gel polish, natural nail strengthening
Natural nail overlays, French manicures and extensions on forms
Structured overlays, apex building and sculpted extensions
Length
Small extensions and repairs up to 2mm
Extensions on forms
Extensions on forms, including Dual Forms (Champion Gel)
Easy Gel: 1 min per layer, UV/LED. Champion Gel: LED 120 s, without heat
Removal
Soak-off in about 10 minutes, or e-file
E-file
Not stated by Laloo; check the label or ask us
HEMA-free
Yes
Yes, also TPO-free
Not labelled HEMA-free
What each product does
Graphen Base
A thick base that levels ridges and strengthens the nail. Apply it thinly under gel polish, float a bead over the nail to reinforce it (drop method), use a coloured shade as a French base, or build up to 2mm of length. It is also the base layer Laloo uses under acrygel and builder gels.
Builder in a Bottle
A builder gel that levels itself, so you get a smooth overlay with little filing (the no-file technique). The brush-on bottle makes it quick for natural nail overlays, and the milky, cover and shimmer shades suit French sets. With a form, it also builds extensions.
Builder gel
Thicker material in a jar that you shape with a gel brush. Easy Gel is thin and self-levelling, comes in over 20 colours and suits the no-file technique (except the Glamorous shades). Champion Gel is a single-phase, medium-viscosity gel for every building technique, from overlays to sculpted extensions.
Which should you choose?
If you want to…
Choose
Make gel polish last longer and strengthen thin, weak nails
Build. Fit a form if you are adding length. Apply a thin first layer of Builder in a Bottle and cure. Apply a second, more generous layer to build strength and the apex, then cure. Each layer cures in 60 s under an LED lamp or 120 s under UV.
Finish. Wipe off the sticky layer with cleaner, file to shape, then add gel polish or seal with Top Coat Non Wipe or Lampsi.
Builder gel follows the same order. Laloo states that Primer Bonder and a cured layer of Graphen Base Clear are essential before Easy Gel.
BIAB is a type of builder gel. The difference is the format: it comes in a bottle with a brush and levels itself, while classic builder gel comes in a jar and is shaped with a separate gel brush. Jar builder gels are the usual choice for longer, sculpted extensions.
Is BIAB the same as a rubber base?
They are close relatives. A thick base such as Graphen Base is made mainly as a base and strengthener and builds up to 2mm of length. Builder in a Bottle is made to build structure and extensions.
Can I put gel polish over BIAB?
Yes. After curing and removing the sticky layer, you can apply gel polish as usual, or finish with a top coat.
Does Laloo Builder in a Bottle soak off?
Laloo removes Builder in a Bottle with an e-file and the right bit, using gentle movements. Graphen Base soaks off in acetone in about 10 minutes.
Do I need a primer and base under BIAB or builder gel?
Yes. Laloo’s method is Primer Bonder (or Primer HEMA Free) on the prepped nail, then a thin cured layer of Graphen Base Clear, then the builder.
How long does each one take to cure?
Graphen Base: 90 seconds under an LED lamp. Builder in a Bottle: 60 seconds LED or 120 seconds UV. Easy Gel: 1 minute per layer under a UV/LED lamp. Champion Gel: 120 seconds under an LED lamp.
Which of these is HEMA-free?
Laloo Builder in a Bottle (also TPO-free) and Graphen Base are HEMA-free. Easy Gel and Champion Gel are not labelled HEMA-free. See our HEMA-free guide for the full list.
Not sure which one suits your clients?
Compare acrygel and acrylic too, or ask the Laloo Training Academy about hands-on courses. Order online with courier delivery across South Africa, free on orders from R1,700.
