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    Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle

    3.8 (134 reviews)
    PriceyNail Salons
    Open 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Services - Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle

    Manicure

    Manicure and pedicure

    Pedicure

    6 More Services

    Nail polish change

    Toe polish change

    Hand polish change

    Nail polish removal

    Toe polish removal

    Hand polish removal

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    Reviews With Photos

    Stephanie C.

    I have never been to Varnish Lane but had always heard good things and spent some time reading reviews online -- especially related to how they were handling opening up again with COVID precautions. I haven't had a manicure since February and have slowly been re-emerging into other activities and felt that it was time. I think that Varnish Lane is taking a lot of great safety precautions -- temp checks + hand sanitizing before entering, masks, gloves, plexiglass, fewer customers and actually cleaning regularly -- but given I was a new customer, I was a little shocked with the actual setup and how close my tech was to me the entire time. It was one of those moments that maybe I should have just left instead of pushing through my discomfort but I stayed and got a truly top-notch manicure. We both had our masks on the entire time but we were at some points less than a foot from each other and I will admit, I'm going to be a little paranoid the next couple of days. I'm just being 100% honest! They also require that you wash your hands before your service but aren't really enforcing it well. A woman who sat down after me barely rinsed her hands (and didn't use soap!) and no one said a thing to her. But my manicure is stunning. It was my first time doing nail art and the tech was great about suggesting ideas and keeping it simple. So much attention and detail was put into my manicure and it shows it. I didn't realize how much I missed having my nails done (I was a regular going every two weeks) until now but am not sure I'd go back to Varnish Lane in COVID times just given the setup.

    Their waterless policy that no one mentioned on the phone.

    I picked this place by looking for a nearby nail salon to get a pedicure. Some things I wish I knew before arriving: - They do waterless pedicures. My favorite part of getting a pedicure is soaking my tired feet! I really wish the person booking my appointment had mentioned this. I would have gone elsewhere -even though my appointment was scheduled for 15 minutes after I called they still insisted on taking my credit card information and informing me that if I did not show up they would charge my card. There is a way to share a cancellation fee policy that is a bit nicer and it was a very awkward way to introduce me to their business. Anyway the pedicure was fine. My callouses were minimally removed. I have a lot of callouses after the pedicure. The woman who did it barely spoke. I'm not sure if she spoke English at all. They did not offer the paper flip flops that most places offer. Instead they offered to sell me some flip flops. After asking two different people they finally gave me the flip flops. If you want to pay $52 for essentially what was a nail polish change then come here by all means. If you want callous removal, exfoliation or leg masks then definitely go elsewhere.

    Such an enjoyable pedicure experience. Truthfully, it was probably the most relaxing pedicure I've ever had. I was a little weary of going to a 'waterless' salon for the first time--I thought it wouldn't be the same pedicure experience without the foot bath. However, I didn't miss it at all. Their recliner chairs were so comfy and instead of my feet soaking in a tub, they were massaged for most of the experience with different lotions and serums. My nails came out beautiful as well. The other thing I noticed is that there are no tables for manicures--everyone gets to sit in a comfy recliner and they'll do your manicure right there too. Overall, lovely and peaceful experience.

    Main Line Manicure (with a pale pink/natural polish).
    Michelle T.

    Although I've gotten in the habit of visiting another upscale nail salon closer to my home, I was really intrigued by the waterless concept and decided to give this new spot (convenient to my office!) a try. I'm so glad I did -- I've now had two manicures here, and I've been totally pleased with the experience each time. Count me as a convert! The nail technicians were warm, friendly, and helped create a calm and relaxing environment. They both showed a lot of pride in their work and were happy to either stay quiet and let you relax or have a pleasant, friendly conversation. I appreciated that they paid careful attention to my cuticles: today, Anu realized mine were kind of delicate in some areas and explained that she wouldn't cut them for that reason, which was thoughtful and a sign of a true professional. I was *blown away* by how well the color I selected the first time held up -- I'm not really easy on my nails and often choose a pale color for fear that it'll chip quickly. But the website and signage inside suggested that the finish might last longer with a waterless process (nails don't shrink and expand after being soaked), so I took a chance and picked a beautiful periwinkle color. The finish still looked great 10 days later and was still in impressively good shape a full 13 days later when I came back again. I like that you can select different services (called Main Line or Luxe) depending on whether you want a little extra TLC, including paraffin.

    Pedicure
    Vanessa M.

    My boyfriend and I got pedicures. Mine was with Sadiah and I loved it! We got the luxe lane one and it was nice, I'm positively surprised with the whole process. I recommend Sadiah's service 100%.

    Erin P.

    Varnish Lane is my SPOT when I need to relax and treat myself to an amazing manicure. The vibe is so calming, sleek, and chill. The staff is always amazing and friendly! I love that it is waterless, which is more sustainable and more hygienic! I feel home when I am here, since everyone is so friendly and it's just comfortable and calming. The color selection is also excellent, and they offer regular and gel options. At Mt. Vernon, Ally is wonderful and has such an attention to detail. Their customer service is also exceptional. The day after one service, I had some bubbles that settled on my manicure. They squeezed me in and fixed for no cost, no questions asked. Their online booking system is also very easy to use. They also feature a super cute shop with handmade jewelry, lovely candles, cute cards, and clean beauty. Need a treat for yourself and someone else? Look no further. This is your new favorite spot, I promise!

    Gel manicure
    Laura W.

    I used to get a mani/pedi once a month but I haven't gone since December 2021 out of an abundance of caution after becoming pregnant. In June, I had a 10 day vacation planned and decided to get my nails done as a special treat for myself and started researching nearby nail salons. I'm new to DC, so I don't really have a reference for comparison, but felt the price for a Main Lane gel mani/regular pedi, was a little expensive at $96 before the tip. However, there's a lot to love about Varnish Lane, so let me start with all my pros about why I ultimately chose to go here instead of other nearby salons: 1) My gel manicure lasted an impressive 17 days before it started to chip, and this is despite hiking, washing dishes, cleaning and being generally rougher on my nails than usual. 2) Even though I didn't have any polish to remove and it was just used to clean up the edges, I loved the fact that they use a plant based nail polish remover, a much less toxic option for me as an anxious pregnant person. 3) Varnish Lane is a no drill zone! It was probably one of the most peaceful mani/pedis I've ever had without all that racket. I also hate when a drill is used to shape or buffer, I feel like it destroys my nail beds, so it's nice to know it's not even an option to worry about here. 4) I thought it was really nice that they asked in the appointment intake form if there was any music you'd like to hear while you're there. 5) I really appreciated that they are "waterless". They do use steamed towels which I'm pretty sure had to have had water on them but still it was way more conservative than any other salon I've been to and considering the seriousness of global water supply issues, I feel good about spending my money at a business that's taking steps to be part of the solution. 6) I have very sensitive cuticles and both technicians that did my mani and pedi were extremely gentle and careful. And my first point is a testament to their good work considering how long my mani lasted. 7) And finally, inside was nice and clean. The decor and comfortable seating felt chic yet homey. Now for the cons, which interestingly enough are sometimes directly related to something I found to be a pro : 1) There was no color match option for gel and regular polish, so I was limited to picking a safe neutral color that was a guaranteed match (black). I'm not sure if this is just not a thing in DC in general or if it just isn't done at Varnish Lane, but I like my toes and fingers to match but I don't like doing gel on my feet, only my hands. Where I'm from (Florida), this is very common and offered at every salon I've ever been to. 2) Even though I really appreciated that they are waterless, I missed the soak of a standard mani/pedi and felt my feet and nails weren't as clean as they normally are after a trip to the nail salon. 3) This didn't really effect me and I'm only listing it as a con for others to be aware of because I can see how it would be a problem for them, but because there's no drills, they can't remove dip powder polish, which means if you have it on your nails, you have to remove it prior to coming or they won't be able to do your nails. While I was there, someone came in with powder still on for their appointment and they were super bummed they had to cancel for this reason. 4) I know this might seem silly but the technician that did my pedicure didn't put my flip flops on my feet after, which is something I've become accustomed to because I'm super clumsy and there's a huge risk of me ruining my pedicure if I do it myself . Plus having this big ole belly added an additional unexpected challenge! 5) One last little, nit picky con that I'm sure has been corrected by now so it's almost not even worth mentioning but in this beautiful, serene space, there were 2 light bulbs burned out in the main light fixture in the middle of the salon. Overall, it was a nice, relaxing experience and even though it's a little more than I'm used to spending, I plan to return soon for some self-care and pampering and I might even spring for a massage upgrade to my pedi next time.

    Samantha P.

    I just moved to the neighborhood and scheduled a gel removal and quick service manicure at Varnish Lane. The booking process was really easy. You add services to a cart and choose your date and time. The interior is gorgeous. Very clean, and there were several people getting manicures and pedicures. I opted for a regular nail polish manicure instead of gel or dip to heal my nails from the last place I got gel done, and they're lasting well. It's been about a week and they haven't chipped at all. I'll definitely be returning for a pedicure soon.

    Gel mani - poor quality.
    Rachel P.

    Sad to leave a negative review as the staff and ambience here are great, and it's in a super convenient location. However, I've had issues with chipping of my gel manicures the past two times I've been, within a week of getting them. The first time wasn't a big deal so I went back again for another gel mani right before vacation and 5 days into my gel mani and trip, a whole nail just peeled right off (see pic). I have a few other fingers that are peeling too and it's only been a week. For the price they charge, sad to see the quality isn't that great. If I had been in the country I'd have gone back to have it fixed, but just spent the trip with an odd looking right hand.

    My nails chipped and a whole polished nail fell off within one day.
    RH R.

    I spent $48 for a manicure with gel polish. It's supposed to last at least a week. The polish on the entire pinky nail fell off on both hands within one day. Majority of my other nails are chipped. I'm on vacation so I don't have time to go get them fixed within a weeks time. Also I didn't like how two of the employees working the front desk (i think one was the manager) talked about one of the customers because she asked them to wear a mask. Wouldn't recommend Varnish lane.

    Beautiful aesthetic and calming atmosphere

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    Wonderful service and a relaxing environment. I love my pedicure and the whole experience. Will be coming back!

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    Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle Reviews in Other Languages

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    Review Highlights - Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle

    It didn't feel sterile, although it was still very very clean especially during COVID.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

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    nailsaloon - Logan Circle

    nailsaloon - Logan Circle

    4.1(389 reviews)
    1.0 miLogan Circle, Downtown
    $$

    I thoroughly appreciate a beautifully decorated space with quality service to match. This was my…read morefirst time visiting and I will indeed return again! Thank you to Marlon, for running a tight ship at the front desk and offering great check in services. Of course Marlon did it all from checking guests in, to providing them with beverages as needed. Thank you so much Marlon for your hard work and hospitality. Next, the ambiance in this place can whisk you away and make you melt into the chair. It was so peaceful and professional and a girl can get with that! My nail technician, Nelida, was absolutely sweet and accommodating as she started off a little rough when doing the cuticles on one of my feet and after I expressed it, she immediately adjusted and continued to check on me along the way. Her services were excellent and she massaged away all of the stress in my feet. What an experience! I would say that the pedicure basins are cute but felt a little crammed and that was because of the items that the staff needed to place on top of it in order to do your nails. But, this didn't deter me from the services because the experience was worth my time and money! Definitely recommend this place for the person looking to get away and enjoy quality service! They are very eco-friendly and clean-something I truly admire. Cannot wait to visit again!

    Minus one star for the absence of massage chairs. The place is really cutesy, and the staff are…read morewarm, welcoming, and friendly. They offer a variety of beverages while you're being pampered. My man and I visited for a pedicure, and it was nice that they seated us together. Back home in California, I have a specific technician who does my pedicures--she's not afraid to dig in and tackle ingrown nails. The person I had while visiting had a gentler approach, despite my request to dig. It was clear she wasn't very experienced, though she was sweet as pie. On the plus side, she did an outstanding job with polishing my toes.

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    nailsaloon - Logan Circle
    nailsaloon - Logan Circle
    nailsaloon - Logan Circle

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    Gloss Bar

    Gloss Bar

    4.1(149 reviews)
    0.6 miShaw, Downtown

    I wish I lived in DC so I could make Gloss Bar my normal nail salon. I made a last minute…read moreappointment to get a gel overlay and just took a chance on the tech. Ashima was AMAZING! My nails have never looked so good. She was so friendly and chatty as well. The salon is clean and pretty. You have a choice of drinks both adult and soft drinks. The amount of colors from which to choose is almost overwhelming. The front desk staff was awesome, making sure I understood what service I had booked. 10/10 HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

    I searched for a new DC nail tech after my last one moved. I saw one review about someone's…read moremanicure chipping after several days and I can confirm. I went on a Sunday morning and found the front desk a bit frantic despite there being 3 people working there. One pedicure tech finally sat me (for my appointment) but the foot bath wasn't functioning. Amber was my tech and moved me to another chair. While she was pleasant I thought the charge of $120 for a gel manicure and pedicure was too much given the lack luster environment. However, what cemented for me this place is horrible is that within 2 days the gel manicure chipped! First it was 2 nails. Now, 4 days later 3. I called and they wanted me to come back there to have them fixed. I said I would never return and they gave me some money back as I insisted. But the continued deterioration of the service after just days is clear this isn't good good nail spa. I don't recommend it and I wouldn't return.

    Photos
    Gloss Bar - Peeled of nail polish later in the day

    Peeled of nail polish later in the day

    Gloss Bar
    Gloss Bar - End result

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    End result

    Famous Nails Spa - dirty nails, messy polish, super thick and uneven builder gel

    Famous Nails Spa

    4.7(56 reviews)
    1.7 miDupont Circle, Downtown

    Highly recommend pedicure services from here!…read more While I was out taking care of errands, I looked up on yelp some nearby nail shops, in hopes of getting a serious spa pedicure, and that's when I came across the incredibly high reviews of Famous Nails Spa. I called them to see if I can come in the next 10 mins for a pedicure, and they took me without issue. I was warmly welcomed when I walked in and asked to sign in, and then I walked back to the pedicure chairs. My nail techinician, who didn't introduce herself and was not particularly warm towards me, greeted me and got down to business. Now-I warned her that my feet were in a rough condition, so I didn't mind her being all business because these toes needed THE business. The pedicure service was fantastic!! my feet were scrubbed and rubbed, my toes nails cut and shaped, and my polish was summertime ready. My nail technician offered me water towards the end of my service, which I graciously accepted, however I noticed most people were offered a beverage at the beginning of their service. The spa is relatively cozy in size and efficient, no frills or luxury, but everything was tidy, and my pedicure was done amazingly, and completed in a bit over an hour. I checked out efficiently and was given a somewhat short and dry good bye..hahahaha. But honestly, their service speaks for itself. I definitely would visit here again, and beware of the limited street parking.. prices are reasonable too!

    The nails I got started about 10 days after I got them and were very hard to remove - not sure what…read morewas used on them as my next tech was very confused. Not sure I'd come back here as they did not last

    Photos
    Famous Nails Spa - Entry to salon

    Entry to salon

    Famous Nails Spa
    Famous Nails Spa

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    Happy Nails Bar

    Happy Nails Bar

    3.8(65 reviews)
    0.9 miH Street Corridor/Atlas District/Near Northeast
    $$
    Certified professionals
    Available by appointment

    This is my go to in this area. Van is always so warm welcoming and accommodating via phone and in…read moreperson. Tony is my absolute favorite technician here along with another lady I cant recall her name but they are so kind, their recommendations are usually what you're trying to achieve and they always find a solution if you're not pleased with your service or if you have an issue. Tony is always very neat and my manicures are always exactly what I want.

    It was $145 without tip. I recommend going somewhere else if you want complex nail art and a keen…read moreeye to detail. I had to go back the next day but I realized there was still one nail where the top coat didn't cover all of the nail. That meant the sticker was jutting out a bit and irritating my skin. The nail artist is pretty decent with simple art and with most sticker application. I had wanted it all to be nail art and for them to tell me they couldn't do 3D nails. There is at least one sticker on each nail. Also I had to coax her to not give up but she was insistent on simply stickering every nail to make it go faster. The pedi was alright and pretty painless. The nail artist just missed a spot of paint and accidentally got a dot of red paint on the right big toe. I think about 2.5 hours was spent in total during the first visit and less than 10 minutes fixing the issues with the nails in the next visit.

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    Happy Nails Bar
    Happy Nails Bar
    Happy Nails Bar

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    Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - othersalons - Updated May 2026

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