Eastern Market Nails

This nail salon is great. Great service, great location, and a great choice of colors leads to a great experience! The salon is tucked away on the top floor of a multi-​use building. The staff is super friendly and accomodating. They have many regulars who they get to know, which makes the place feel very inviting. The space is very clean and you can tell they care for the salon. This will be my new regular spot!

I love this place! I’ve been coming here once a week for a couple of years.
Friendly, great service, and amazing Mani/Pedi’s.
My favorite place on Capitol Hill :)

Mani and pedis are good. However I’m not going back because the last time I felt very uncomfortable when they starting speaking vietnamese and I felt they were making fun of me. It is rude to speak a language that other people don’t understand, when they can speak perfect english if they want.

They are always so kind and welcoming here! Wonderful services and wonderful women. I never feel like they are hurrying to get to the next person, they talk with me as they do my nails, and everything is sterile and packaged new for each person.

I have been going to Eastern Market Nails regularly for just under a year. I really like the vibe in the place – it’s calm and relaxed, and the techs have started to learn my name. I also like that it is small. It means you will need an appointment, but also means there’s less traffic coming through, unlike the places that have a lot more techs to accomodate walk-​ins.
I think most who come here are regulars. Some of them can be rather obnoxious, talking loud, trying to make sure the whole room knows they’re regulars. One day a middle-​aged lady who likes to talk about herself came in seeking an appointment, but instead of keeping it short, she sat down next to me without ever acknowledging my presence or apologizing for interrupting and tried to have a conversation with Sunny while she was giving me a manicure. Thank goodness Sunny recognized that it was inappropriate and gently sent her on her way.

I’ve been going to Eastern Market Nails consistently since I first moved to the district approximately three years ago; they’ve been my go to place in DC through two moves (including one which brought me to NW DC). All of the technicians are great and super friendly; they have many regular clients, which underscores their great customer service.
Appointments are definitely needed, but super easy to secure (I’m often able to call in the morning for an evening appointment or day before); they’re often willing to be flexible and stay open a half hour late or so if you’re coming from work like I do frequently. Remember to bring cash for a tip!

I visited this shop by recommendation and although I am not a huge «get your nails done» chica in this area due to me being accustomed to my NYC prices, I ditched the random spot I had been attending since it was my birthday and the remnants of the last UV gel nail polish was embarrassing to say the least.
On a Friday, I walked in (appointment-​less) to a cozy, busy upstairs unit about 11:50a, was scheduled for a UV gel color change & pedicure for 12:30. I came back and was greeted by a few lovely ladies was asked to pick my color. decided to nix the pedi due to time constraints but had Vivian as my nail tech. SOO friendly and kind, she was attentive and we chatted a bit but she was fast and most importantly efficient.
It’s now 1 week later, my UV gel polish change is chip-​free and my nails look really great. Although I told her I’m going to give up on the UV gel life (since it’s not great for your nails) I may have to make an appointment during the remainder of December until my schedule permits me dedicating the time & attention to my natural nails.

I’ve been a customer of Eastern Market Nails ever since I moved to the neighborhood about three years ago. They are always busy, so make an appointment, but they do great work. Staff is very friendly, and you always walk out with a great mani/​pedi. I also get my eyebrows waxed here.
One month I had a ton of events coming up and opted for a gel manicure instead. While cooking dinner I accidentally sliced off a huge piece of gel. I went back the next day and they took time out of their insanely busy load to fix it and did so for free! I tipped of course but it was greatly appreciated.
I’ve been to plenty of other nail salons and I’ve never had equal service and at the same price point. Great place! Highly recommended!

Eastern Market Nails has been my «go to» nail salon for at least a decade. I tend to find a specialist that I really like and stick with that person, though all of the staff are very friendly and considerate. As of late, I’ve been splurging on the Reflexology foot massage. As one who walks a lot, this is pure luxury…
The salon is clean and bright and atmosphere is joyful. The prices are reasonable for DC, however I’ve never understood why nail services are so much cheaper in Manhattan??? If any one knows, please fill me in.
Since I asked this question, I found out that salon workers in NYC are exploited and underpaid. A big story came out about this, so I stopped visiting salons in NY and happily pay my nail specialist whatever she charges!

Normally everything is great here, if not a tad pricey, but hey, that’s the area. I went in to get a gel fill on my nails. While the nail tech did a pretty good job with the gel, when it came time to the polish, it all fell apart.
First, I had a bright color that was pretty light, so it should have had 3 coats. They only applied 2 coats, even though you could tell some areas where the color was uneven. It wasn’t even smooth, my thumb nail looks like the surface of the moon, there are three depressions because the polish was not applied smoothly. Also, none of the edges are neat, if I wanted my nails to look messy like this, I would have done them myself. For $ 45 I expected a much better job.
I feel bad because I like this place, the techs are very nice, but doing this bad on something so simple as polish is pretty unforgivable. I will probably not be returning. I’m on a budget and can’t afford to have this polish mess fixed, so I’m stuck with messy nails now for 3 weeks. Save your money and head elsewhere.

I’m giving this 2 stars because this only happened 1 time out a few that I’ve been.
I went to get my lip and eyebrows waxed and I’m pretty sure I was burned or something. To be honest it didn’t feel like the wax was hot enough… So maybe it was just warm and pulled off the top layer of my skin somehow.
Any way… I woke up the next day after the way and I had 3 cuts on my upper lip and bus all over my eyebrows.
This is unfortunately because I like this place, but this was too much. Especially since I have a wedding in a few days.
See photo.

It is a small shop so I advise you call ahead. The staff is very attentive and took their time with me. I am happy with my manicure and pedicure.

They give a mean pedicure! And the price is great. The shop itself is small but the ladies are all nice and my pedicure lasts for weeks which is the best part. I’m a new regular.

Unilocal always leads me to good places. Eastern Market Nails is one of them. They always do a good job, they’re friendly and welcoming, and prices are reasonable. After my first two visits, I knew this would be my go-​to nailery. Remember that it is a small shop, so you will most likely need to call ahead. You also need to bring cash for a tip.
The first time I came, I followed the advice of my fellow Unilocalers and called ahead. They squeezed me in on a Saturday at 4:30’ish I think. Max was my technician and he did a phenomenal job. I received several compliments on my nails. I love the trendy ovaly pointy shape and he knew exactly what i was talking about and even gave me tips to maintain it. I’ve had this shape before but this one was my fave.
The second time I went they were booked for walk-​ins but they had something in 45 minutes, so they still fit me in. I had a very bubbly, friendly technician. I don’t remember her name but we had a really good conversation about second marriages. She was doing my mani/​pedi for my mom’s wedding! She loved my nails and gave me tons of compliments about them. Nail technicians usually do. They’re pretty strong and most people think they have gel, acrylic or some other junk on them when they’re just painted.
I came in today for a mani/​pedi today and had a completely different experience. The technician seemed annoyed by me. I think it was because I didn’t move my legs fast enough in and out of the water. She was so rude. My pedi was also rushed. My paint job was nice but it wasn’t a pleasant experience. After a long day at work a pedicure should be relaxing. I didn’t feel like looking at her unhappy face for another 15 – 30 minutes, so I just finished the pedi and cancelled the mani. I talked to a manager about it because I needed to know her name so that I can request not to have her again. She was really nice about it and just told me to request who I like.
They still get four stars because my last two experiences before that were excellent. I’m still going to continue to come here because they do a great job, plus I’m not going to let one bad apple spoil the bunch!

I decided to try this place out after reading all the good and helpful reviews here on Unilocal.I called this morning to make an appointment for 6pm the same day, today. They had an opening, so I was happy about that. This is the first nail place I’m trying in DC. I use to go to a few places in northern Virginia but now that I live in NE, I want a nail place closer to home.
I arrived at 5:30pm and asked if they also did eye brow waxing, they did! They were able to fit me in for that right away. They woman did a great job. She was very friendly, and pretty quick with the waxing. I wish I could remember her name!
Linda was the one who did my mani/​pedi. She was very nice and she did an excellent job on my nails. She listened to what I said, and she took her time to do a great job. I was reading on my ipad mini the whole time mostly and she left me alone, which was nice. I just wanted to relax and enjoy getting pampered.
I felt bad because I didn’t have much cash for a tip. I told them I will be going back and will definitely bring cash next time! I would certainly recommend this nail salon! They were very nice and friendly, and did exactly what I asked for. I’m so excited that I found such a good place, and close to where I live! Thanks ladies! I’ll see you in a few weeks :)

Very good service. Call for an appointment. The walk-​in wait is long.

I was very impressed by this place. They took their time doing both my pedicure and manicure, and both came out great. My pedicure lasted until my nails grew out too long, and I had to get them done just because of that! Definitely the best pedicure I’ve ever gotten, in terms of shaping my nails and taking care of the cuticles and skin.
The sweet people who work here were just wonderful.
They have massage chairs — awesome. They bring you magazines. They smile at you. All the equipment they used was definitely sterilized (they open up new ones sealed in plastic for each customer). The prices were great.
I brought my own polish, so not sure about the polish selection.
No complaints at all. I will be back any time I’m in DC.

NOTE: This is only a review of the salon’s waxing. I didn’t get my nails done.
I went her last month to get my eyebrows waxed and was pleasantly surprised. I’m used to getting my eyebrows waxed out in the suburbs in Maryland so i was worried that 1. they might not do a good job and 2. it would be expensive. I always get really nervous when they’re waxing that I’ll have no eyebrows when they’re done, but luckily I stayed still and waited to see the results.
They did a great job! My eyebrow wax was great and the price was only a couple dollars more than I’d get in the MD suburbs. I called ahead to see if they’d have an opening on a weeknight — they told me to come by in about 20 minutes. I waited a couple minutes when i got there, but that was it. I’ll be going back!

4.5 stars
Pros
Located right across from Eastern Market, EMNails is a clean, professional, reasonably priced nail salon on the Hill. Classic manicure is $ 16 + tip, $ 30 for classic pedicure. $ 44 for combo manipedi. Good selection of polish colors, all OPI, and they sell them if you want to touch up at home.
Also, I primarily get a manicure once in a while in order to get my cuticles all trimmed (something I’m too scared to do at home). Once pushing the cuticles down doesn’t work and I need professional help, I head to the salon (about 3−4x a year in DC, but I was monthly in LA). EMN has always done a thorough job of trimming my cuticles without hurting them, and shaping my nails nicely for that little extra oomph during special occasions.
Cons
So why not five stars? They’re not the best at keeping on schedule at this place, even with an appointment. Luckily there is a waiting area with plenty of magazines to choose from. Just be flexible with your dinner plans you plan for afterwards. Also, they do take credit card, but tip is in cash only.

Of late, I have become a bit of a connoiseur of nail places, seeking that perfect combination of cost + quality + atmosphere + convenience. I work in Federal Center SW (aka barren desert of services), so off I trot, in pursuit of not even perfection, just really good for not really expensive.
A fellow Unilocal-​er directed me to Eastern Market Nails, which I checked out yesterday, because as fate would have it, I was in need. Reservation, check. Good magazine selection, check. Great pedicure, check. Clean, efficient, friendly, check check check. Color selection — yay! Very very happy. Will be back.
Minus one star for not taking tips on credit card, hate that. $ 45 for mani/​pedi, $ 10 for mani polish change.