Beginner Build It (BIAB) Masterclass

BIAB (Builder in a Bottle) is one of the fastest-growing nail systems in Ireland — a gel-like builder overlay that gives clients the strength of an enhancement with the natural look and easy soak-off of a gel polish. If you keep seeing BIAB nails on Instagram and client requests coming in for it, this Beginner BIAB Course in Dublin is where to start.

This is a hands-on, in-person course run from our own training centre in Swords, Co. Dublin, using Magpie's new Build IT system — a HEMA-free builder gel developed for exactly this kind of natural overlay and extension work. Whether you're brand new to nails or an existing technician looking to become a BIAB nail technician, this beginner course gets you there.

What Does BIAB Stand For?

BIAB stands for Builder in a Bottle — a gel-based builder product applied like a gel polish but formulated to add real strength and structure to the nail, similar to a builder gel enhancement. It's used as an overlay on natural nails, to add length as a short extension, or to strengthen and repair a weak or damaged nail, all while staying easy to soak off.

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Who This Course Is For

This Beginner BIAB Masterclass is designed for complete beginners — no nail technician experience is required. It's equally suited to:

• Anyone who wants to become a BIAB nail technician from scratch
• Qualified nail techs adding BIAB / builder gel to their treatment menu
• Salon owners upskilling staff on a newer, in-demand service
• Beauty students looking to specialise in builder gel systems

Students must be 16 years or over. You'll be working on your own hands during the practical, so nails must be free of all product on the day.

Why BIAB Is So Popular Right Now

BIAB has become one of the most requested nail services in Irish salons because it sits in the sweet spot between gel polish and full acrylic or gel extensions. Clients get a manicure that's noticeably stronger than gel polish alone, without the extra filing, weight, or longer removal process that comes with traditional acrylic. For technicians, that combination makes it an easy service to sell — it photographs well, it's comfortable to wear, and clients tend to come back for infills rather than trying to remove it themselves at home.

• Stronger and more durable than standard gel polish
• More natural-looking than traditional acrylic
• Soaks off easily — no harsh filing or damage to the natural nail
• Can be used as an overlay, to extend, or to repair a nail
• Fast to apply and cures in just 60 seconds under an LED lamp

Learning builder gel properly — not just watching a tutorial online — is what separates a technician who can confidently offer BIAB as a menu service from one who's guessing.

BIAB vs Gel Polish vs Acrylic — What's the Difference?

Gel polish is a colour-only system with little to no added strength — great for colour, but it won't reinforce a weak or bitten nail.

Acrylic is a strong, durable enhancement system, but it involves more filing, a longer application process, and a more noticeable soak-off or removal process.

BIAB / builder gel sits between the two: it adds real strength and structure like an enhancement, but keeps the natural look, lighter feel, and easy soak-off of gel. That combination is exactly why so many clients are asking for it by name, and why it's a valuable service to add to your menu as a beginner or existing technician.

What You'll Learn

This course covers everything you need to safely and confidently offer BIAB as a beginner, taught step by step with educator demonstrations followed by hands-on practical training:

• Nail anatomy
• Consultation, contra-indications, diseases & disorders
• Prep and filing of the natural nail
• Product knowledge
• Health & safety
• Build IT chemistry — how the product works
• Build IT natural nail overlay technique
• Educator demo followed by supervised student practical
• Infills
• Removal
• Aftercare advice
• Tips & troubleshooting for common issues

What to Expect on the Day

This is a full, hands-on training day from 9.30am to 4pm — not a lecture. You'll move between short demonstrations from your educator and guided practical time working on your own hands, so you leave having actually applied Build IT yourself under supervision, not just watched it done. Class sizes are kept small so everyone gets individual support during the practical, and you'll leave with a completed set of nails, a certificate, and the confidence to repeat the process on a client.

What You'll Leave With

• Hands-on experience actually applying Build IT yourself, not just watching a demonstration
• A completed set of BIAB nails from your practical training
• An AIT accredited certificate of completion
• The technique and confidence to offer BIAB as a client service
• Aftercare, infill and removal knowledge to support your clients afterwards

Learn From Experienced Industry Educators

All NSI educators have extensive salon experience and are qualified trainers. Every educator teaches to the same high standard, so your experience is consistent no matter which day you train on — and we provide ongoing support after your course, so you're not left on your own once you're back in the salon.

About the Magpie Build IT System

In this beginner class we teach on Magpie's new Build IT, a HEMA-free builder gel specially formulated to offer an incredibly hard-wearing manicure that's still easily soaked off or infilled — designed to give extra strength and support for a natural-looking overlay or extension.

• Baseless
• HEMA, IBOA, IBOMA & DI-HEMA free
• 10 shades available — clear and cover shades
• Chip & lift resistant
• UK manufactured
• Effortless self-levelling
• Overlay, extend & repair
• 60 second cure in the Magpie lamp
• Easily soaks off

Course Dates & Duration

This is a one-day, in-person workshop at our Dublin training centre, running 9.30am–4pm. Upcoming dates:

• 27th July 2026, 9.30am–4pm
• 1st September 2026, 9.30am–4pm
• 16th November 2026 9.30-4pm

Class sizes are kept small so every student gets hands-on support from the educator during the practical.

Kit Options — What You Need vs What's Included

You can bring your own kit or purchase one when booking. Either way, the course is trained on genuine Magpie Build IT products.

If bringing your own kit, you'll need the following Magpie products with you on the day:

• Magpie Build IT bottle (you choose the colour)
• Magpie Top It Off Clear
• Magpie Build IT Clear
• Magpie gel polish colour (you choose the colour)
• Magpie Prep & Dehydrate
• Magpie 240 grit zebra file
• Magpie 180 grit zebra file
• LED lamp (bring your own — a Magpie lamp is recommended to ensure correct curing of the product)
• Dust brush and detailer (bring your own)
• Cuticle pusher and nipper (bring your own)

If you choose the kit option when booking, you'll receive:

• Magpie Build IT (choose the colour)
• Magpie Top It Off Clear
• Magpie Build IT Clear
• Magpie gel polish (choose colour)
• Magpie Prep & Dehydrate
• Magpie 180 grit zebra file
• Magpie 240 grit zebra file

If you'd like specific colours, let us know in the comments before paying — otherwise colours will be chosen for you and your kit will be ready at your desk on the day of training.

Accreditation & Certification

NSI's courses are AIT accredited, and you'll receive a certificate on successful completion of this course — recognised training you can point to when offering BIAB to clients or applying for salon roles.

Where This Course Can Take You

Once qualified, BIAB opens up a service you can add straight to your treatment menu — whether that's in an existing salon role, as a mobile technician, or as the starting point for your own nail business. It also naturally leads into longer appointments (infills and removals), which is what turns a one-off client into a repeat one.

What can you do after this course?

• Offer BIAB as a paying service on your salon menu
• Work as a mobile nail technician offering BIAB to clients
• Start building your own nail business
• Turn one-off clients into repeat clients through infill appointments
• Progress onto further nail training, such as our Nail Technician Masterclass

About NSI's Nail & Beauty Training School

NSI Hair Nail and Beauty is a trade-only wholesale supplier based in Swords, Co. Dublin, and the Irish distributor of exclusive professional brands including Magpie. Alongside wholesale, we run an in-house training school on site — proudly serving Irish salons and nail technicians since 2000 — offering everything from beginner courses like this one through to full multi-skill masterclasses, as well as AIT and ABT accredited online courses for students learning remotely. We also run our own nail and beauty salons, so the techniques taught here are the same ones used day to day on real clients, not just theory.

Why Train With NSI

• Over 25 years of industry experience — training Irish salons and nail technicians since 2000
• AIT accredited courses, with a certificate on completion
• Learn from experienced salon educators
• Hands-on practical training, not just demonstration
• Small class sizes
• Ongoing support after your course
• Trusted by thousands of beauty professionals

Continue Your Training

Many students combine this course with related skills to round out their nail menu:

• Build It (BIAB) & E-File Combo — learn BIAB alongside e-file use in one booking
• E-File Course — build confidence and speed with an electric file
• Gel Polish Course — round out your menu with classic gel polish application
• Nail Technician Masterclass 10 in 1 — our full multi-skill course for those who want to train across the whole nail menu in one package

See our full range of nail and beauty courses in Dublin for other options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does BIAB stand for?
Builder in a Bottle — a gel-based builder product that adds strength to the nail while staying as easy to soak off as gel polish.

Do I need any experience to take this course?
No — this course is suitable for complete beginners and no experience is required.

Is there an age requirement?
Yes, students must be 16 years or over.

Do I need a model for this course?
No — you'll be working on your own hands during the practical, so no model is required.

Is this course accredited?
Yes, NSI courses are AIT accredited, and you'll receive a certificate on successful completion.

Where is the course held?
At our training centre in Swords, Co. Dublin.

Do I need to buy the kit, or can I bring my own?
Either — you can purchase the kit when booking, or bring your own Magpie products from the kit list above. Both options are available when you add the course to your cart.

Whose hands do we practice on?
Students work on their own hands, so please arrive with nails free of all product.

What if I want specific product colours?
Let us know in the comments before paying — otherwise we'll choose colours for you and have your kit ready at your desk on the day.

How long does BIAB typically last?
Like most builder gel systems, BIAB is typically maintained with an infill every 2–3 weeks, similar to other gel or acrylic enhancement systems.

Can I upgrade to a bigger course later?
Yes — many students start here and go on to combine it with our E-File Course, or take our full Nail Technician Masterclass 10 in 1 to cover a complete nail menu.

Can this course lead to offering BIAB professionally?
Yes — this course is designed to take you from beginner to confidently offering BIAB as a service, whether that's in your own salon, as a mobile technician, or as a new skill added to an existing nail menu.

Ready to learn BIAB? Choose your date and kit option above and book your place — spaces are limited to keep classes small.