Ella Bonita Beauty Lounge — Local services in Vancouver

I wanted to love this nail salon but it’s so hard when their management and customer service were an absolute mess. I booked in with Angela (the owner) a week in advance for a 1:45pm appointment. I got at the salon at 1:40pm and Ivy (another nail technician/assistant manager?) checked me in, told me that Angela will be right back. At 1:47pm, Ivy told me that Serena will be doing my nails, Angela isn’t feeling too well and had been going in and out of the salon all morning. I’m sorry, but if she’s been in and out all morning, they could’ve called me and told me, giving me the option whether or not I’d be willing to see another technician or want to reschedule. Ivy didn’t even apologize for the inconvenience of this or anything. She said Serena is really good etc. and she’s almost done with her client, another 2 minutes. It doesn’t matter if Serena is good or not, it’s a matter of courtesy letting a client know if the requested technician isn’t available. By 2:05pm, Serena wasn’t done yet, so another technician, Angel, started to remove my gel polish that I had on. 2:15pm, a thumb left of nail polish to be removed, Serena is finally available, far from 2 minutes that was previously said. However, Serena was not sure if she can do the nail-art or not, so she asked Angel to do it. 2:40pm, surprise!, Angela came in. Called my name and asked, “Did you have an appointment with me?????” Yes, yes I did at 1:45pm I told her. At this point I was no longer in the mood to make conversation. She laughed and barely apologized, she said she had something else to do. She then asked if this was my first time at Ella Bonita. I told her no, it’s my 4th and I saw her the last 2. I never expect anyone , her included, who works in customer service to remember me at all, or making small talks. Just acknowledge that they made a mistake and forgot their scheduled appointment. She started doing nails with other clients after that, like nothing happened. There was another client who’s been waiting and they let the 2 other clients (who seemed to be regulars) after her to sit at the nail station. This woman started to look irritated and asked how much longer, she needed to charge her phone. Angela said Ivy will be done in 2 minutes, but it took her 10-15 minutes to actually finish the previous client. It bothers me how this seems to be a pattern. They want to be an exclusive and high-end nail salon claiming the best nail salon in Vancouver, however they’re lacking and far from that. I also wish the salon was a bit cleaner. Whenever I’m there, today included, I’ve never seen them sanitize the tables, used nail polish bottles, UV polish dryer (the inside were full of fingerprints, polish marks, powder, and it was sticky), even after it’s being used from one client to another. The tables were covered with powder and they merely wiped it. They’re always so unprepared, having to look for tools/items mid-appointment and scrambling around. I really like their work on nails, Angel and Serena really did a great job, I’m impressed with their attention to details on nails, even though the appointment that was supposed to be 1.5hours ended up being 3.3 hours. However, the salon’s customer service and way of managing the salon are very disappointing. I hope they’ll improve their ways...

I rarely write reviews, but my pedicure was done in October, 2024 just before my holiday. Now, in April, 2025, the damage caused by the pedicure still hasn’t grown out.

I went to try the salon based on top google reviews. I showed up with gel on my toe nails that needed removing. I asked to have my toes done with regular polish as I was going on an 8 week holiday without much opportunity to have gel nails redone. As I rather remove regular polish when it grows out, I opted for that route instead.

The gel was removed in a way that left my nails damaged. The nails were ground down too thin and have been breaking ever since. I had it break so badly once, that a whole piece lifted off exposing the nail bed and bled! It broke frequently, even just from wearing socks and shoes causing me serious discomfort. I was changing bandaids on my holiday frequently trying to balance enough tension to stop bleeding with trying to avoid cutting off blood flow. These were problems that flared up after a few days, once I was gone on my trip. When doing the cuticle work with the drill, she left noticeable ridges and channels which left the surface of the nail lumpy as it grows out. Even now after 5-6 months, only 2/3 of the big toe has grown out and I have left my toes bare ever since this pedicure.

The nail tech lacked professionalism. She was having conversations in a foreign language with her colleague while doing my pedicure. The nails were not clipped to equal shapes or lengths. When painting (in bright red), bare patches were left and I had to ask her to repaint some. Some had textured streaks. Some nails had differences in shine because she missed spots with the top coat. She just went to eat snacks at the reception and had me see myself off, not even offering to assist me in putting my flip flops back on.

The novelty of the luxury experience and pampering was completely overshadowed by her private conversations with her colleague. Her lack of detail in ensuring uniform length and shape made the final pedicure look lousy. Her lack of attention leaving bare spots with red nail polish that I had to request be fixed was seriously disappointing. The worst part is the outright damage she did to my nails through filing away too much nail thickness when removing the gel and carving ridges when doing the cuticle. She probably lacks proper training.

I know another salon wasn’t responsible for this, as this was the only time I had ever had gel polish removed. I generally opt for regular polish. I haven’t had another pedicure since that day.

I seriously regret getting this pedicure and feel the lack of skill needs to be addressed as I’m sure she is causing damage to other people’s nails too.

While the experience might have been different with a different tech, I can’t recommend this salon to others.

The photo with polish was taken the day of the pedicure on Oct 24, 2024. The other photos show the ridge carved out from her cuticle work with the drill on both big toes. All the other nails have thankfully all since fully grown out. The photos don’t even capture the thinness of where the gel was removed compared to my natural nail as it has been...

A Fantastic Nail Experience at Ella, Bonita Beauty Lounge!

I had the pleasure of visiting Ella at Bonita Beauty Lounge for a nail service for the past couple years, and I must say, it is always an incredible experience! From the moment I stepped into the salon, I was greeted warmly by Ella and her friendly staff, creating an inviting atmosphere that immediately put me at ease.

Ella's service was truly top-notch. Her attention to detail and commitment to providing the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. She took the time to understand my preferences and asked thoughtful questions to ensure she could deliver precisely what I was looking for. Her expertise and skill in nail art were simply exceptional.

The range of services offered at Bonita Beauty Lounge is extensive, allowing me to explore various options for my nails. Ella's vast knowledge of the latest trends and techniques enabled her to suggest unique and creative designs that perfectly complemented my personal style. Her dedication to staying updated in the industry was truly commendable.

During the service, Ella demonstrated exceptional professionalism and meticulousness. The hygiene standards were impeccable, and I felt completely at ease knowing that proper sanitation protocols were being followed. The tools and products used were of the highest quality, leaving me with not only beautiful nails but also a sense of confidence in the longevity of the results.

What impressed me the most about Ella was her genuine passion for her craft. It was evident that she took great pride in her work, and her enthusiasm shone through in every aspect of the service. Her friendly demeanor and ability to connect with clients on a personal level created a welcoming and enjoyable environment.

I left Ella, Bonita Beauty Lounge with stunning nails that exceeded my expectations. The level of artistry, attention to detail, and overall experience I received from Ella was truly exceptional. I highly recommend Ella's services to anyone looking for a memorable and extraordinary nail service.

Whether you're seeking a classic manicure or an intricate nail art design, Ella at Bonita Beauty Lounge is undoubtedly the go-to professional who will provide a phenomenal experience. I can't wait to visit again soon to see what new creations she...