BIAB nails and nail extensions in Paris 1st
Strengthen your natural nails without adding length — BIAB nails, the Builder In A Bottle overlay — or gain length now (tips, Gel-X, sculpted forms). OPI gel polish included, lasts 3 to 4 weeks. Three minutes' walk from the Louvre, open 7 days, English spoken.
BIAB overlay strengthens the natural nail without adding length (€60 with built-in colour, 60 min; €70 with OPI gel polish, 75 min). Nail extensions add length: tips €65, Gel-X €75 or sculpted forms €85 (75 min to 90 min), OPI gel polish included. Either way, plan an infill every 3 to 4 weeks (€60, 60 min) and a removal at the salon (€20), never by peeling. An overlay suits soft or brittle nails that do not need length; extensions suit those who want to gain it. Payment is by card or cash at the salon, or by card online when you book. We are at 7 rue d'Argenteuil, Paris 1st, a 3-minute walk from the Louvre, open every day, 10am to 8pm, except 1 May. The team speaks English, French and Chinese, and online booking shows live availability.
Strengthen, lengthen or maintain: where to start?
Three needs, three answers — all applied by our nail technicians, OPI gel polish included.
BIAB overlay
Happy with your length but your nails peel or snap? BIAB builder gel reinforces them without adding length. Soft, brittle, bitten or damaged by a bad removal: this is the set that rebuilds.
Nail extensions
Want length right away, without waiting for growth? Tips, Gel-X or sculpted forms lengthen and strengthen in the shape you want — almond, square, coffin, stiletto.
Infill, repair, removal
Already wearing a set? An infill fills the regrowth every 3 to 4 weeks, a repair saves a broken nail, and removal is always done at the salon, gently.
What is a BIAB overlay, and who is it for?
Builder In A Bottle — the flexible builder gel that replaced fake nails for those who want to keep their own
BIAB (Builder In A Bottle) is a semi-transparent, flexible, self-levelling builder gel brushed directly onto the natural nail. Thinner than a tip and far stronger than polish, it forms a shell that follows the nail's curve and absorbs everyday knocks. You will also hear gel overlay, kapping or builder gel: it is the same family of product, and the service to book at You Rêve is called "Gel reinforcement / BIAB Kapping".
Who is it for?
- Soft or brittle nails: the gel reinforces and protects while healthier nail grows through.
- Bitten nails: the shell creates a barrier that protects the nail while it grows back, and restores a shape.
- Natural nails you want to keep: the result is invisible, just stronger and glossier.
- After a bad removal: BIAB rebuilds a smooth surface while the nail recovers. See also damaged nails after gel polish or gel: what to do.
How is it applied?
- Gentle prep: shaping, cuticle push-back, light buffing of the surface.
- Builder gel brushed on in a thin layer with a natural arch.
- LED cure, layer by layer.
- Finish: colour mixed into the gel, or an OPI gel polish on top, then nourishing oil.
Two options: coloured BIAB overlay (€60, 60 min) — one step to strengthen and colour — or BIAB overlay + gel polish (€70, 75 min) to pick any shade from the OPI range. Wear time: 3 to 4 weeks, then an infill or a salon removal.
| Criterion | BIAB overlay | Tips / Gel-X |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | Thin, invisible | Thicker, visible |
| Gentle on the natural nail | Very | Yes, with professional removal |
| Flexibility | Flexible | More rigid |
| Length | Your own | Added |
| Wear time | 3 to 4 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks |
Read more: BIAB vs builder gel, the difference.
Nail extensions: tips, Gel-X or sculpted forms
Three ways to add length — every set includes an express (or Spa) manicure and OPI gel polish
Tips: the classic extension
Pre-shaped tips glued onto the natural nail, then covered with gel to strengthen and shape them. The most affordable way to gain length, ideal on very short nails or for a first set. For: short or brittle nails, a neat and uniform result. Wear time: 3 to 4 weeks. Price: €65 (75 min).
Gel-X: the gentlest on the natural nail
Soft-gel tips that cover the whole nail and cure under the lamp, with no aggressive filing of the surface. Light, flexible, very natural, and easier to remove than classic tips. For: weakened nails, a first "gentle" extension. Wear time: 3 to 4 weeks. Price: €75 (75 min).
Sculpted forms: gel built to measure
No pre-made tip: a temporary form is placed under the free edge and the extension is hand-sculpted in gel, shape and curve to the millimetre. The most customisable technique. For: serious length, a precise shape (almond, stiletto, coffin). Wear time: 3 to 4 weeks. Price: €85 (90 min) — listed as "Sculpted-form gel extensions" in the price list below.
| Criterion | Tips | Gel-X | Forms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very short or bitten nails | Ideal | Ideal | Possible |
| Weakened nails | Good | Gentlest | Good |
| Serious length | Possible | Limited | Best suited |
| Natural look | Neat | Very natural | Most refined |
| Wear time | 3–4 wks | 3–4 wks | 3–4 wks |
| Price (express manicure + gel polish included) | €65 | €75 | €85 |
With a Spa manicure instead of the express one (scrub, hydrating mask, cuticle care), allow €75 for tips, €85 for Gel-X and €95 for forms.
Acrylic, polygel, dip or press-ons? Every fake nail technique explained, and what we apply instead.
How often should you get an infill, and how does removal work?
What makes a set last, and what damages a nail
An infill (€60, 60 min) fills the regrowth and refreshes the colour: plan one every 3 to 4 weeks, before the extension starts lifting at the base. A broken nail is repaired individually (€10), without redoing the whole set.
Removal (€20 for extensions, €20 for overlay) is always done at the salon: gentle filing of the surface then controlled soaking, never peeling — peeling is what leaves nails thin and ridged for weeks. A strengthening treatment is applied before any new set.
- Gloves for washing up and cleaning: water and chemicals are a set's first enemies.
- Cuticle oil every day, and no acetone removers.
- Nails are not tools: not for opening, not for scratching.
Our work
Extensions and overlay created at You Rêve Paris
Nail art on overlay and extensions
A solid base is the best canvas: French, chrome, gradient, cat eye or baby boomer on any set
| Service | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nail art option - French design | 10 min | €10 |
| Nail art option - Chrome | 15 min | €10 |
| Nail art option - gradient | 15 min | €10 |
| Nail art option - magnetic cat eyes | 15 min | €10 |
| Nail art option - baby-boomer | 20 min | €20 |
How much do BIAB overlay and nail extensions cost?
Full prices, OPI gel polish included in every set — some services have an off-peak price on quiet slots, shown when you book
| Service | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gel reinforcement / BIAB Kapping | ||
| Gel reinforcement/BIAB Kapping with integrated colour | 60 min | €60 |
| Gel reinforcement/BIAB Kapping + gel polish | 75 min | €70 |
| Reinforcement removal | 20 min | €20 |
| Extensions – tips, Gel-X, sculpted forms | ||
| Extensions with tips + Express manicure + gel polish | 75 min | €65 |
| Extensions with tips + Spa manicure + gel polish | 90 min | €75 |
| Gel-X Extensions + Express manicure + gel polish | 75 min | €75 |
| Gel-X Extensions + Spa manicure + gel polish | 90 min | €85 |
| Sculpted-form gel extensions + Express manicure + gel polish | 90 min | €85 |
| Sculpted-form gel extensions + Spa manicure + gel polish | 105 min | €95 |
| Maintenance and repair | ||
| Infill + Express manicure + gel polish | 60 min | €60 |
| Infill + Spa manicure + gel polish | 75 min | €70 |
| Broken nail repair | 20 min | €10 |
| Extension removal | 20 min | €20 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between BIAB overlay and nail extensions?
BIAB overlay strengthens your natural nails without adding length: a thin layer of flexible builder gel that protects against breakage (from €60). Extensions add length with tips, Gel-X or sculpted forms (from €65). Fragile nails that are long enough: overlay. Want length: extensions.
What exactly is BIAB?
BIAB stands for Builder In A Bottle: a semi-transparent, flexible, self-levelling builder gel brushed directly onto the natural nail. It is applied on its own with the colour mixed into the gel (€60, 60 min) or under an OPI gel polish (€70, 75 min). It is the answer for thin, brittle or bitten nails.
How long do BIAB overlay and extensions last?
Three to four weeks for overlay, tips and Gel-X, and for sculpted forms too. An infill (€60) is advised around week three, when regrowth shows; a full removal and fresh set every two to three months keeps the natural nail healthy.
Tips, Gel-X or forms: how do I choose?
Tips (€65) are the most affordable set, ideal for a first extension. Gel-X (€75) is the gentlest technique for the natural nail: soft-gel tips bonded without aggressive filing. Forms (€85) are hand-sculpted to your exact shape, length and curve.
Do you do acrylic nails?
All our new sets are gel: tips, Gel-X or sculpted forms. We don't apply new acrylic (powder and liquid) sets, but we do infills on nails already done in acrylic or polygel (€60, express manicure and OPI gel polish included).
Do overlay or extensions damage natural nails?
No, as long as application and removal are done by a professional. Overlay and gel do not weaken the nail long-term. What damages it is peeling: never take your extensions off yourself. At the salon, removal (€20) is done by gentle filing and controlled soaking, followed by a strengthening treatment.
When should I book an infill?
Every three to four weeks, as soon as regrowth shows at the base. The infill (€60, 60 min) fills the regrowth and refreshes the colour; do not wait until the extension starts lifting on its own.
Can I add nail art on overlay or extensions?
Yes, and it is the best canvas: French, chrome, gradient, cat eye or baby boomer can be added to any set, from €10 per option. Mention it when booking so the time is allocated.
Can I get extensions on bitten nails?
Yes, that is often the main reason. Tips and Gel-X are ideal on very short nails; BIAB overlay creates a barrier that protects and reinforces the nail while it grows back.
How do I look after my nails between appointments?
Wear gloves for washing up and cleaning, oil your cuticles daily, do not use your nails as tools and avoid acetone removers. If a nail breaks, a single repair costs €10.
📍 To find us: our street, between rue Saint-Honoré and avenue de l'Opéra, with metro access and landmarks up to number 7.
Book your BIAB overlay or extensions
You Rêve Paris – 7 rue d'Argenteuil, 75001 Paris · Open 7 days a week, 10 am – 8 pm · Pyramides, Tuileries and Palais-Royal metro
Or call us: +33 6 28 97 33 37