Bunny Nail Spa — Local services in New York

tldr: terrible gel manicure removal experience, nails still severely damaged 2 months later

I came to get a Russian manicure removed because Bunny was the cheapest in the area. I had never gotten a gel manicure removed before, so I didn’t realize at the time, but their removal process was extremely damaging, and even months later my nails are still recovering.

They began with acetone method but rushed it, so when scraping afterward the gel wasn’t loose yet, but they were still trying to pry it off. It was very uncomfortable and made my nail beds ache.

They then used the drill. It really hurt a few times when they went over the nail, which should’ve been a massive red flag that they were hitting nerves. I’ve since learned that you’re supposed to leave 10-15% of the old material on the nail to avoid massively weakening the nail, but they didn’t do that, and definitely removed way too much.

As a result, my nails were literally bending in half — in both directions, both toward the finger and away from it, which is particularly painful — and I couldn’t even wash my hair without my nails bending and hurting. Because of the bending, my nails have been cracking and chipping ever since (they all look like that photo)

On top of everything, they insisted that I had gotten a hard gel and they charge more for that. I later checked my manicure receipt, and it was soft gel. Needless to say, I will not be returning.

Edit: business responded, blaming me for coming during a busy time. Not sure why they didn’t just communicate that they didn’t have time, instead of rushing my removal and doing a bad job — it was painful during the appointment and is still painful months later. I gladly would have paid more for a competent removal and for my nails not to turn...

The 2 stars are for the salon/venue itself, which is very clean, inviting, and pleasant aesthetically. The staff was also very nice and accommodating. I was able to call in advance and come in shortly after, which was ideal. However, the service itself was terrible! I just needed a simple gel manicure - no frills or designs, just one simple color. It's easily one of the worst gel manicures I've ever gotten. My nail shapes are all crooked and uneven, my cuticles weren't touched, and the paint looks like it was put on by a child. The nail tech was very slow and more so, I could tell that she was unsure of what she was doing (or perhaps very new). My nails are all different shapes and different lengths. She didn't ask me if I wanted them square or round (in retrospect, I should have let her know myself when she didn't ask). Either way, I feel like based on other reviews here, there are talented nail techs at this salon, but I just happened to stumble upon one who has no idea what she's doing. Sigh. Not sure I can justify coming back again to give them another shot with a different tech, but perhaps I will if I'm in the neighborhood. Prices...

Got a hard gel manicure - it turned out fine but there were a couple causes for concern/reasons I won’t be visiting again.

was forced to wait 45 mins PAST my appointment time because they had accepted two walk ins right before my appointment once I finally sat down, I explained to the tech that I had a skin condition, was completely cut off and tech just got right to work, instead of removing my nails like I had made the appointment for, she just cut them with regular nail clippers and pressure on the apex there was no cleaning or sanitizing of tools in between appointments. The drill bits were dirty and nippers, etc. despite having me wait and having her ladies busy, every time someone walked in they would accept them. once the manicure was over and I go to tip - I see “5 Star Review = $5 off your service”.

Overall the manicure was fine, but the wait, the dirty tools, and ignoring any sort of time constraints/ rushing through definitely makes me think that there are better nail salons in the city for the same price. My gel overlay is THICK to add onto all of this. Definitely won’t be visiting...