The customer service at the front desk was amazing and I didn't have to wait long (I didn't have an appointment). The lady who did my pedicure was phenomenal. I didn't get any color so I can't comment on that. It's a really cute place and very clean. They have a nice bathroom too. read more

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The service and professionalism at the Mt Vernon location has been outstanding. I have been there twice now, and both experiences were great. Very knowledgeable technicians, and they are very transparent regarding the various products and services so you make the right choice. read more

Best Salon in D.C. !! I feel like this salon was made with me in mind. The services are so relaxing they take such great care of me. I love that they include a real massage as apart of their services. The ambiance is exactly what you look for in a luxury salon. The music is calming and smooth listening. I would highly recommend it for those starting their natural nail journey. read more

I love varnish Lane one because they pay really close attention to detail to the really ethical in the products that they choose. The decor is incredible. The service is nice, quiet, fast and concise. Yes, it is a little bit more expensive but the quality of work that they do is clear. Also, it is actually a lot safer to get a manicure and pedicure without water because the spread of pathogens and bacteria. The risk is so much lower without soaking your hands and feet in water. The salon is really quiet and Serene. It's a nice place to relax you can get your nails and toes done at the same time. The staff were really cute overalls. It's just a 10 out of 10 vibe. read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Interior - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I honestly really wanted to love this place, their service is excellent and the spa-like environment was really nice. However, it took less than 3 weeks for half of my gel pedicure to literally fall off -- not even chip -- but completely come off (see photo). I usually get a gel pedi every 5-6 weeks, and have never had a problem like this with how short they stayed on. Not sure what the issue was, but I don't think I'll be returning, unfortunately, because I can't justify returning every couple of weeks just to fix gel polish that refuses to stay on. read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Nail polish came fully off on 5/10 toes within 3 weeks of the gel pedicure - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

If I could give 6 stars I would! Salon is clean and comfortable with reclining chairs. The manager Nae is so professional and personable. My Dazzle Dry mani always lasts at least 5 days without chips but usually lasts even longer than that. read more

This is the second manicure I've had at Varnish Lane. The first manicure is gel & the second was a Dazzle Dry manicure. Both nail techs had extreme attention to detail and took their time. I also appreciated how efficient their gel-removal process was and that they didn't use a power tool to scrape it off. Quite honestly, I'd say this rivals Nail Saloon in Logan as one of the best nail salons in DC. The only downside is that the manicure is done to one side of the reclining chair, so you do have to be able to angle your body to one side for awhile while it is happening. Highly recommend. read more

Varnish Lane is always consistently a great place to go for either a manicure or pedicure. I love the petty spa oasis-like environment and chill service. The prices are reasonable and I live looking over the small store section at the front too. read more

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. read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I had been going to a nail place around the corner from here for awhile, but they had been destroying my nails and overcharging me at the same time. Because of this, I decided to try Varnish Lane. When you first walk in, it's very minimalistic and inviting. The front counter staff was incredibly nice, social, and helpful. Already from the first five minutes I was having a great time. It was easy to pick out colors. At first I was a little skeptical about the no water pedicure but ended up LOVING it. The chairs were comfortable and the worker did a great job on my toes. I wish I would've gotten a manicure as well! Prices are reasonable for what you get. I came out with awesome toes and feeling great. I highly recommended. read more

The small selection of zoya colors is embarrassing. There should be a full range of all the reds, and pinks and purples in every tone. Why are they not restocking and investing in the new collections? This has been an issue for a few years now. I'm not sure if I can bring in my own zoya bottle, which is would be more sanitary, when in the past years customers weren't allowed to touch their polishes on the wall. The lack of color options is problematic and I see it's not a priority to be resolved so I think I need to find a new salon which is a shame because I really liked the concept of this salon (not the waterless gimmick, but on time appointments, the cleanliness and no gossiping). The pricing here is interesting: They carry Deborah Lippmann and Dazzle Dry which both retail for $20 a bottle. Now they do keep dazzle dry in stock and have a lot more colors than zoya (oh wait is that strategic?), but if you want the dazzle dry it's an extra $12 charge, half the cost of the bottle when you're not using that much. When the Deborah Lippman is no extra charge. If you want ombre nails, a different color on each nail, that's an extra charge for "nail art". Where is the nail art? You're using the same amount of nail polish! The last time I went the front desk person stepped outside to take a phone call and the front desk phone rang for 15 minutes straight and no one answered it. They finally, after years, updated their website to let you book for 2 guests at a time. That was always such a hassle to do. I see people complained about the ridiculous $10 charge for gel polish removal, I mean it's all all the same process, if you get new gel you need the old removed. It's not a separate service. So they raised the price of gel nails $10 on their menu to include removal now. Used to be $64 now it's $72. For $70 I can get Gel X nails with chrome elsewhere, not paying that for gel. Other nail salons in DC are charging $35-40 for gel nails, including the removal. read more

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

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. read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Their waterless policy that no one mentioned on the phone. - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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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. read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Main Line Manicure (with a pale pink/natural polish). - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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%. read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Pedicure - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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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! read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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. read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Everyone is very nice at this location and the service was great, but I think that the prices are too high for what you are getting. There isn't anything very different from a regular nail salon - just nicer interior design and no water is used during your service. I understand the environmental consideration but I personally feel more comfortable soaking my feet prior to the technician doing my pedicure. read more

Everything about my recent repeat visit to Varnish Lane was wonderful; the nail technician, ambiance and relaxed environment is perfect for a time out manicure or pedicure. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Gel manicure - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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. read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Gel mani - poor quality. - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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. read more

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My favorite nail salon I've been to. I will start by saying that it is pricier than other places in town. However, the quality of the gel manicures here is worth it to me. They've switched over to mainly using CND Shellac for gel, which is great bc they have really cute colors. They are very thorough and get the layers very thin so the end product looks great. I've seen the other reviews about the gel peeling off and that has not happened to me but may have been a function of the nail polish brands. Finally the salon is kept very clean. read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I had a very relaxed and fulfilling experience here. It's not very often that as a client you ask for something and there is reciprocation. We chatted about the desired shape and aesthetic, and I in return got exactly what I asked for. I am very pleased and left with a return appointment in two weeks. Their team is very professional and clearly happy to be there and serve their patrons. read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Vanish lane nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Had a great initial experience at Varnish Lane. Found out after the fact that they severely underpay their immigrant Southeast Asian employees, some of them working ten hour days with no breaks and making less than minimum wage at the end of the day. Called them out on Instagram and they proceeded to delete the comment and block me. I feel bad for the wonderful POC staff lower down the chain who have to put up with the performative activism of upper management. (And Rose, the nail artist that everyone raves about in the reviews, no longer works there. You'd wonder why...) read more

I must admit, I was nervous about booking a wellness service via ClassPass and even more so when I read that Varnish Lane services are completely waterless. Upon arrival, the greeting and atmosphere of the salon put me at ease. I'd booked a main lane pedicure and was escorted to a comfortable reclining chair and was introduced to my technician. I was pleasantly surprised by this unique experience. No foot soak but a series of hot towels and moisturizing treatment. My feet are soft and are quite literally glowing. I will definitely will be back, may even add the additional massage next time. #ClassPassInsider read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Beautiful aesthetic and calming atmosphere - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The manicurist/pedicurists are always fantastic. They take their time and even standard polish lasts 2+ weeks with the dry manicure. I love the aromatherapies and massage included with the deluxe pedicure - definitively a relaxing and indulgent experience that is worth the splurge. Now for the negatives - the front desk staff is consistently rude and lacks customer service. I've been coming to the salon for the past 2 years and this has been true for about the last year. One prior front desk person used to chain smoke outside the front of the salon, the current one is on her phone and gives attitude and was not ready to start checking people in at 9 AM despite a line of 4 people who arrived on time for their appointments. I also think the selection of colors is sparse, especially with popular color tones like neutrals/pinks/reds. Update: there is literally no toliet seat on the toliet. I notified the front desk person and she said "I know" and laughed. read more

I have been to this location many times but today was my second time with Lesley! She is super detail oriented. I am very particular when it comes to my nails and Lesley does an amazing job with shaping and nail art. Worth the $$ every time. read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Service was nice but the quality of work was mediocre. My gel nail polish chipped after 8 days the first time I got a manicure and this last time I got it the same thing happened but in 3 days. It was really disappointing. read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Chipped gel nails after 3 days of getting manicure. - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This used to be my go-to salon, but I'm disappointed with my recent experiences. Please keep in mind that these prices are high when compared to services provided at salons nearby... I received the luxe lane gel manicure and the entire set peeled off within a week. I called the salon to express my dissatisfaction, and they were extremely accommodating in getting me back in as soon as possible to fix them. I was appreciative of this! Unfortunately, the new set of gel I received does not even cover my entire nails (see pictures). Customer service was great, but not enough to bring me back to the salon for another disappointing manicure. read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Luxe lane gel manicure - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great attention to detail, design work was excellent, awesome service, nice ambiance! If you want a meticulously and well done design, make an appointment with Pie!!! She's the best and is very sweet and kind :) read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I can't speak to other locations, but if you make an appointment and don't want it cancelled or rescheduled at the last minute do not book here! Today was the THIRD time this has happened and I'm scheduled to travel tomorrow morning. It's inexcusable to be that unreliable as a business, particularly give the prices of their services. They've lost me as customer because of this pattern. read more

Varnish Lane is my new go-to nail salon! They took the COVID-19 precautions seriously while still providing a calm and relaxing environment. I am so pleased with the service they provided and will definitely be back! read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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One of our technician was more than 15 mins late, and only performed 20mis service on 45 mins service that she was 15 mins late of. This is another form of corruption. The massage was terrible and felt rush. I choose Main lane service for a reason and not choosing Quick Lane bc I wasn't in a rush, and wanted to enjoy the whole experience not just half of experience especially when I bring guest over. I did appreciate your technicians work, that was why I still tips more than 20% but I won't be coming back. read more

I had an amazing experience at Varnish Lane. I was delighted to get a manicure and custom design by Rose. I saw her beautiful designs on Instagram and booked an appointment with a design in mind. She's executed my design perfectly! The space was clean, the vibe was nice, and Covid-19 safety measures were in place. I felt safe and very comfortable. I would totally recommend this shop, and Rose was an amazing nail technician. read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - Nail design by Rose - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I would have given a 5 star because honesty ROSE was amazingly fantastic and the other two women who serviced my mom and daughter were lovely as well. I have been here now twice- seeing Rose both times because thats how amazing she was! But As someone in the industry (hairdresser @strandofamy) I found it hard to see the staff members having to lean over and not have proper table situations. Our backs are completely destroyed as industry people to begin with! So having to hunch over more than necessary can be limiting their work span! Esthetically the space is minimal and beautiful. Very clean and abiding by all Covid Standards, thank you! But I would imagine there could be a unique table that could slide over the lounge chairs, providing more service area and height while doing ones hands! Just something to consider- we really have it tough in the industry as it is and it's hard to see postures effected purposefully! Needless to say I just wanted to give a little input! read more

I have gone twice for gel mani w/ design to the same tech and have loved my experience. I really loved this tech's work and only planned on coming back to her. I was running late for my third appointment so I called and asked if I could come in 30 minutes late, they said no. Interesting because I think my slot is for 90 minutes or even longer and it never takes more than 45 minutes. Whatever, I'm fine with that, just wanted to reschedule with the same tech and next available was the next week, which was fine with me but that didn't avoid the $40 dollar cancellation fee I was charged. It's such a shame that this is how clients are treated, I really loved working with my nail tech but I will never be returning. read more

Varnish Lane is my go-to nail salon in the area! The atmosphere and interior of the place is calm and clean. I appreciate that they are taking Covid seriously with thermometer tests, taking extra care in hygiene, and requiring everyone to wear a mask. I had an appointment today for a gel mani and lux gel pedi and as always, the service was impeccable. This was the second time that Pie has done my nails and the treatment and care for my nails were TOP TIER. The entire process was handled with care and my feet are left feeling so well nurtured including my hands and nails. Pie is the only nail technician that doesn't leave my nails chipping in a week or so. I'm glad that I gave Varnish Lane a chance! read more

I would first like to say that the ambiance and convenience of this salon kept me around for a while. It is a beautiful spot, and the atmosphere is very relaxing. Unfortunately, I will not be back after my last visit several months ago. The reason I am just writing this is because I sent them a couple emails and never got a response. The last time I visited Varnish Lane for a gel manicure I was not at all impressed with the quality, especially for what I paid. It is very expensive. The nail technician cut my cuticles way too short - it was quite painful. She then finished off the manicure by putting oil on my nails and the paint never fully dried which made it look like I had pressed my nails against something. Since I live in on the same block, I went back and the nail technician begrudgingly fixed a few of my nails. After about a week, a few of my cuticles started to peel where they had cut them so short - see photos. At that point I emailed them several times, and they never responded. I do appreciate their attention to detail when it comes to safe Covid-19 practices. They have that nailed down pretty well, but it's not enough to keep me coming back, and I live on the same block. I will go to the nail salon right around the corner once Covid-19 clears up a little and save myself some money and hassle. Hope this helps someone! read more

Varnish Lane Mt. Vernon Triangle - See middle finger and ring finger - cuticles cut too short. - Nail Salons Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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