You know the feeling. You’re sitting in the salon chair, scrolling through TikTok, and you see that perfectly milky, ethereal glow. It’s not quite white. It’s definitely not clear. It looks like a cloud had a baby with a marshmallow. You show it to your tech and say the magic words: Funny Bunny and Bubble Bath nails.
It’s the combo that basically broke the internet.
But then you get home, look at your hands in the kitchen light, and something feels... off. Maybe it looks too streaky. Maybe it’s weirdly pink. Or worse, it looks like you just painted your nails with White-Out. Getting that specific OPI cocktail right is actually a lot harder than the "clean girl" aesthetic makes it look. Honestly, it’s a science of layering that most people (and even some pros) mess up because they treat it like a standard two-coat job. It isn't.
The Chemistry of the Viral OPI Layering Trick
OPI Funny Bunny is a soft, starker white. It’s a "soft white" because it isn't quite as aggressive as Alpine Snow, but it still has high opacity. On the flip side, OPI Bubble Bath is the legendary neutral pink. It’s sheer. Like, really sheer. When you try to wear Bubble Bath alone, you often need four coats just to cover your nail bed’s natural moon, which usually leads to a goopy mess that never dries.
Mixing them is the hack.
The goal of the Funny Bunny and Bubble Bath nails trend is to use the white of Funny Bunny to "cancel out" the natural yellow or blue tones of your nail plate, while the Bubble Bath adds a skin-mimicking warmth. Without that white base, the pink can look muddy. Without the pink top, the white looks flat and harsh.
How many coats do you actually need?
Most people go for the "Sandwich Method." This usually involves one coat of Funny Bunny followed by two coats of Bubble Bath. Some swear by the reverse. If you want a "milky" look that leans more toward porcelain, you put the white on top. If you want that "your nails but better" look that looks like a high-end spa treatment, the pink goes last.
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It’s about light refraction.
When the sheer pink sits on top of the soft white, light passes through the translucent pigment, hits the white layer, and bounces back. This creates depth. It makes the nail look three-dimensional rather than just painted. If you use two coats of Funny Bunny, you lose that. It becomes a solid block. You’ve basically just painted a wall at that point. Stick to one coat of each if you’re a minimalist, or the 1-white-2-pink combo for the full "Bubble Bunny" effect.
Why Your Tech Might Be Doing It Wrong
Let’s be real for a second. Salon techs often hate these sheer shades. Why? Because they show every single mistake. If the prep isn't 100% perfect, Funny Bunny and Bubble Bath nails will highlight every ridge, every bit of dry cuticle, and every uneven brush stroke.
Streaks are the enemy.
If your technician is rushing and applies the polish with too much pressure, the brush bristles part the pigment. You end up with "railroad tracks" on your nails. To get this look right, the hand must be incredibly light. The polish should almost float onto the nail. Also, many salons dilute their bottles with nail thinner when they get low. This is a death sentence for a milky mani. If the polish is too thin, the pigment won't self-level, and you’ll end up with a patchy finish that looks like a DIY disaster.
The Chrome Factor
Lately, people are adding a "glazed donut" twist to this combo. If you add a layer of Tin Man Can (that’s the specific OPI chrome powder Hailey Bieber made famous), it completely changes the vibe. It shifts from a classic neutral to something futuristic. But beware: chrome sticks to imperfections. If your Funny Bunny layer underneath is even slightly lumpy, the chrome will make it look like a topographical map of the moon.
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Real Talk: Skin Tone Matters More Than You Think
Here is the part nobody mentions in the 15-second GRWM videos. Bubble Bath does not look the same on everyone. It has a distinct peach undertone. On some people with very cool, blue-toned skin, Bubble Bath can actually look a little orange or "dirty."
If you find that the classic combo looks weird on you, you might need to swap.
- For Deep Skin Tones: Funny Bunny can sometimes look too "chalky." Some techs recommend a layer of OPI Mimosas for Mr. & Mrs. instead of Bubble Bath to get a richer, creamier tan-pink.
- For Very Pale Skin: One coat of Funny Bunny might be too much. You might actually prefer two coats of Bubble Bath and just a dot of white mixed in on a palette before application.
- For Red/Olive Undertones: You need the white layer to be very thin. If it’s too thick, the contrast against your skin will make your fingers look flushed or "red."
It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. It’s a custom blend.
DIY Pitfalls: How to Not Ruin Your Mani at Home
If you’re doing this at home with regular polish (not gel), God bless you. It’s hard. Regular polish dries as you work, which is the worst thing that can happen to a sheer shade.
You need to work fast.
Three strokes. That’s the rule. One down the middle, one on the left, one on the right. If you go back over it a fourth time, you’re going to drag the polish and create a bald spot. And for the love of all things holy, wait at least five minutes between layers. If the first coat of Funny Bunny isn't "set," the Bubble Bath brush will just pick it up and swirl it around.
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The Secret Ingredient: The Top Coat
The final look of Funny Bunny and Bubble Bath nails depends entirely on the top coat. You need a high-plump, "gel-like" top coat. This fills in any remaining micro-streaks and gives that "squishy" look. If you use a thin, watery top coat, the mani will look flat. Look for brands that market themselves as "plumping" or "macro."
Maintaining the "Clean" Look
The biggest downside to this look? It shows dirt. If you’re a gardener, or you cook with turmeric, or you use self-tanner, these nails are your enemy. The light, porous nature of the sheer polish means it stains easily.
Pro tip: if your nails start to look a little yellow or dingy after a week, don't soak them. Just take a cotton ball with a tiny bit of non-acetone remover and very—I mean very—lightly swipe the surface. Then, re-apply a fresh layer of top coat. It’s like a mini-facelift for your manicure.
Moving Toward a Better Mani
To actually achieve the perfect Funny Bunny and Bubble Bath nails, you have to stop thinking about it as "painting your nails" and start thinking about it as "layering filters." Much like a photo editor, you are stacking levels of opacity and tint to find a balance.
- Step 1: The Foundation. Ensure your nail plate is buffed smooth. Any ridges will cause the Funny Bunny to pool and create dark spots.
- Step 2: The Anchor. Apply one thin, even layer of Funny Bunny. Do not worry if it looks slightly sheer; it’s supposed to.
- Step 3: The Tint. Apply the first coat of Bubble Bath. This is where the color starts to warm up.
- Step 4: The Depth. Apply the second coat of Bubble Bath. This "buries" the white and creates that milky, translucent glow.
- Step 5: The Seal. Use a thick, glossy top coat to add the "bubble" effect.
If you’re at a salon, ask for "one coat of Funny Bunny and two of Bubble Bath" specifically. Don't just show a picture. Most techs will appreciate the specific instruction because it takes the guesswork out of a notoriously finicky request. If they try to talk you into just one shade, stand your ground—the magic is in the mix.
Once the set is finished, check the edges near the cuticles. Sheer colors have a tendency to "flood" the sidewalls if the tech isn't careful. A clean perimeter is what makes this look "expensive" versus just "pinkish." If there's any overflow, ask them to clean it up with a brush dipped in acetone before you go under the lamp or leave the chair. This creates that crisp, professional gap that defines a high-end manicure.
Keep a cuticle oil pen in your bag. The "clean girl" aesthetic relies entirely on the skin around the nail looking hydrated. Dry, white flakes of skin will immediately ruin the ethereal vibe of the polish. A quick swipe of jojoba or almond oil twice a day keeps the look fresh for the full two weeks.