Downtown Nail & Hair Salon Inc

Called the salon late to see if I could get a simple manicure before a job interview the next day. They said no problem and I was excited that they could see me. I came 5 mins early and waited just a few minutes. The nail apprentice, Kim?, saw me. She was either very nervous or something was wrong, she was very shakey and I tried to tell her that it was fine and I was in no rush. My nails ended up looking ok. Just asked for a simple clear polish. The next day, my polish was peeling off! It looked horrible and I had to remove all of it before my big interview. I was seriously disappointed.

I found this great little salon while on my first visit to Fredericksburg from NYC and am so thrilled that I wandered in. The salon is friendly, homey even, and I – your basic random New Yorker – felt welcomed immediately.
The ladies are talented and the service is simply outstanding. Jane took care of me and I can honestly say that I haven’t been this happy with a mani-​pedi OR this relaxed in ages. RUN, don’t walk, to this place. You will leave feeling (and looking) like a gazillion bucks. What a treat!

We moved to the area in the fall of 2011 and at the time, I insisted I would never leave my nail tech, Simon, in Old Town Alexandria. After all, an hour was NOT too far to drive for great nails, right, girls?
Well, it did not take long for the novelty of making that trek every two weeks wore off, despite how talented Simon (at Royal Nails on Royal St, just off King St) was. I was apprehensive, though, about starting over with someone I did not know.
I hit the jackpot, though, with the first place I tried, which was Downtown Hair and Nail Salon on Sophia Street. Oh, yeah, and for those from outside area who just KNOW the correct pronunciation is So-​FEE-​ah, well, it’s not. It is, curiously enough, So-​FI-​ah (rhymes with High-​a). Go figure.
Anyway, I was fortunate enough to find Rachel, who owns the salon and who is the queen of pink and whites. I am not exaggerating. Not only is she warm and friendly, she is freaking fabulous with nails. I already have my appointments set for the next six months — and for me, that’s a huge commitment. She mentioned planning for retirement in passing one day and I thought I would need therapy. That is a long way off, she assures me, so I’m trying not to think about it.
In the meantime, if you are looking for great, long lasting nails, this is your place. Oh, walk ins? Not gonna happen unless all the stars align. As I mentioned, my appointments are booked 6 months out, so if you want to get on the schedule, plan ahead.
It is a welcoming place and the services are outstanding. Give them a try.