IBX Nails System: The Answer to our Gel Manicure Addiction?

March 29, 2015

I am always looking for new ways to strengthen my nails. They’re decent, but my tendency to pick off polish—especially gel—keeps them just weak enough to need help. You can imagine my excitement when I stumbled upon the holy grail of nail recovery: IBX Nail Systems.

Thankfully, Paintbox Nails—the ultimate destination for salon nail art—began offering the treatment this past winter. I quickly made my appointment and was in the salon within a week. The treatment is offered worldwide, but isn’t offered widely in the United States—yet.

[How to Remove Your Polish Without the Fumes]

IBX Nail Systems uses the same technology as a gel manicure to heat and cure the treatment into your nails. The difference between a gel mani and IBX is that gel polish is topical while IBX soaks into your nails to strengthen and repair.

There are two types of IBX nail treatments: repair and regular IBX. First, repair is applied only to problem areas, which in my case were my peeling tips and a few white spots from an old gel manicure. According to the IBX website, repair is an intense treatment that acts almost as double-sided tape to bond the layers of the nail together. Next, one coat of the true IBX treatment is applied to every nail. This treatment strengthens the nail, aids growth, and protects the nail plate from a gel manicure.

The whole treatment only added around thirty minutes to the beginning of my manicure, which was enough time for my manicurist to convince me to stop peeling off my gels. An added benefit? I discovered Paintbox provides complimentary gel removals. Score.

Eleanor Langston, CEO & Founder of Paintbox Nails in New York City chatted with me about her decision to offer IBX, which made me even more excited to try the treatment.

Of the actual product, Langston only had great things to say. “I was really wowed by the science behind IBX. I was extremely impressed with all of their clinical studies and how much testing went into the development of the formula,” adding, “I think IBX is a great solution for our clients with extremely thin or weak nails, as it gives your nails the bulk that they need to keep from splitting and breaking.”

After receiving just one treatment, I truly can tell a difference. I am proud to say that due to encouragement from my manicurist and a bit of self-determination, I did not pick off my gels. My nails have not split and definitely feel stronger. And for just twenty dollars, the price is definitely worth the payback.

For more nail art inspo, follow Paintbox on Instagram and Twitter.