Golden Nails

Rush jobs here and indifferent service. Not very good massage, polish not applied to edges … Will look for more professional salon.

Needed a quick regular mani before going out of town. I made an appt, but it was pretty slow that day and they took me in quickly. The technicians are used to people coming in during/​after work and do a good job within a reasonable time. My technician wasn’t very chatty (which was appreciated) and got right to work. They charged $ 15 for a reg mani which is normal for the area.
They have signage on the sidewalk so you can find the place. It’s a bit small, but the tools are clean and they do a great job. Will keep them in mind next time!

It’s been about 2 years since I was last at Golden Nails to have a manicure with Lynn. Great to see how Lynn continues to do a fabulous job on a manicure. It’s almost like looking at new hands when she’s done.
I have gel manicured nails and I like the technique Lynn uses to remove the gel. Soaks nails in acetone filled bowl and puts a bowl of warm water under the bowl filled with acetone and then gently scraps off gel without damaging nails. I like the this and will have to pass it on to my nail technician back home.
Great manicure and massage that didn’t disappoint. Next time in town and need a manicure, I’ll be back…

A friend and I went there this past Sunday and for whatever reason (they were not able to explain why) the only acceptable form of payment on Sundays is cash. It was very inconvenient as we were not told until after we got our manicures and I had to run to the ATM to get money out. Not only that, but I do not recommend this place any other day of the week either– the manicure both my friend an I received was not worth paying for. Poor polish job, no top coat, hand massage was a few seconds long and there was no drying station. I’m really disappointed in the service we received and will not be returning.

Located in the basement, it was a little difficult to find since I am new to the area. Small place but sufficient. I got a gel mani & pedicure from Linda. She was great and paid attention to detail. If you are looking for a great mani/​pedi, I would recommend coming here. It’s not fancy like a spa but my nails look and feel excellent for $ 60.

Okay, I’ve gone twice and broken my rule of «try anything once» twice if I like it. NOPE… They are not the quickest and God forbid someone has made appointment that you are unaware of so there I sat for 20 minutes, 15 minutes of that 20 minutes I literally watched the tech lotion a woman’s hands… I won’t be going back, I had gel-​nails I left and went to Bed Bath and Beyond and purchased a nail clipper and file and took my nails off myself.

3.5 stars
I admit, I was really put off by all the negative reviews. I used to go out of may way to get to salons in Dupont even though Golden Nails is the closest salon for me. I finally caved in and glad I did.
This place is not to be confused with Golden Nails on H street (absolutely terrible in my experience). The entrance is on D street, not on 7^th St. It’s in the basement but it’s clean and pleasant enough. I had my nails done by all ladies here and have to say that while most are excellent, some are just OK. I was particularly turned off by one lady who did some things that were not hygienic. I’ll try to avoid her in the future but other women were good. Prices are decent as well, especially for the area.

I had a standard manicure. The quality was middling (bubbles, visible brush strokes), and the service was slow even though I had an appointment. I would go back for fun but not to have my nails done for a special event.
Update 5 days later: The polish is cracking, which I’ve never seen happen before. Probably wouldn’t go back.

Because this is one of few options for my acrylic nails by my job, I’ve been here quite a few times, but I stopped going.
I’ve tried twice for a pedicure. Not worth the money ($ 30?), but they suffice when you’re in a pinch.
Acrylic nail fills ($ 25?)– they do a great job for a basic fill (square nails) and polish. I stopped going because if I asked for any shape other than square it was a problem. If I asked for more than just a basic polish or french it was a problem. If I got glitter polish, the nail tech would always tell me I «like teenager style.» I was also told that I could come to them for a fill, but go get my designs some where else and that most of their clients want soft pink and french manicures.
Don’t quote me verbatim on the price, but they aren’t your regular nail shop prices. They are more expensive than most because of their downtown location. It seems to be the preferred shop for many working ladies in this area.

Love this place! Super convenient location and fantastic service! Anne is amazing… I will never trust anyone else with my nails and eyebrows.

This review is for Thu. I have been going to her for almost 12 years. I followed her there. She is the greatest. No one else will touch my brows. She is sweet as can be and talented also!

Let me preface this by saying I pretty much never get my nails done so I am no authority on the subject buuuuut I thought this place was great! I almost didn’t come because of the really low rating, but the convenience (and a touch of desperation) sucked me in.
I came in around 12:45 for a pedicure. This place is only 4 minutes walking from my office and reasonably priced, and who am I to be snobby? It’s a smallish space, about typical nail salon size (excluding big chains like pinkies) but clean looking and cozy. I did read some complaints here about it being in a basement but I think it adds to the cozy factor and it’s still pretty well lit. I thought it was the perfect place to spend lunch on a rainy day like today.
Anyway, when I came in there were maybe 4 customers being attended to. The woman who helped me was finishing up with another customer, so she asked me to pick my polish color and find a massage chair. I waited for her for only a few minutes soaking my feet, getting a chair massage and reading my book (which, if you were wondering, is the absolute ideal cure for Tuesday blues).
I should also mention that I thought the range of options in colors was great. Much more OPI than Essie, though, which I didn’t love. I personally like OPI better (it’s a better quality polish! Cmon!) but I like Essie colors more. Though I rarely buy them for myself, I like to get Essie colors at salons where I don’t have to contend with the streakiness myself. I wanted Essie «Sand Tropez» (specific, I know), and they had a near dupe in OPI, but I ended up opting for a more purplish greige (also specific).
Anyway, the woman (never did catch her name) was very friendly. She didn’t make conversation but I’m sure she would have been open to it if I had. Personally, I’m of the school that when you’re paying money to pamper yourself you should just get to sit quietly for once (don’t get me started on chatty hairstylists), but I know socializing is an important part of this experience for a lot of people.
Anyway, the pedicure was quick! On any other day I would have wanted a longer massage, but this was a lunch break pedi and not a winding Saturday one. I’m sticking with my 5 stars because it was EXACTLY what I wanted and I will absolutely be back, but I want to mention this for anyone who is all about the massage. I cannot promise that this is a great place for it!
Beautiful results. It had been longer than I care to admit since Id taken care of my feet, and she cleaned them up quickly and well. For the life of me I will never understand how manicurists paint better than I ever could in half the time, but she was done quickly and the results are lovely. I had just too much dead skin, but I will no longer be shy about going open-​toed to work!
I am usually stingy with 5 star ratings but I have good reasons for this one (1) like I said, EXACTLY what I wanted. The salon is in the middle of a busy office area and it provides the perfect lunch pedi, or mani if you’re so inclined. (2) I will absolutely be back. I saw a woman getting a gel manicure and they clearly have a good selection. Maybe this week! and (3) I have to be honest, I am influenced by the low rating. It just doesn’t deserve it, so anything I can do to pick it back up, I will!
Overall, loved the experience and I’m loving my pretty feet :)

I came here several years ago and had a pretty awful experience. I avoided going back, despite its convenient location. I found myself in need of a quick polish change, and the most recent Unilocal reviews showed improvement. I was glad to find out they were right! The salon seemed much cleaner and livelier, and my service was A-​OK. Will try a longer service soon!

The pedicures here are not luxurious but they are reasonably priced, done efficiently and skillfully. They take walk in customers without an appointment but the wait time can be long if it is crowded. They are open daily with convenient hours. Don’t be put off by the basement location just don’t expect a spa.
They have a nice selection of OPI and Essie polish colors. The women giving me my pedicure didn’t chit chat with me but I am fine with not talking.
They’ll be my go to place for a quick pedicure while in DC.

Golden Nails wasn’t necessarily bad but it wasn’t the best either. I wanted to get a pedicure and I was at work. This is the closest nail shop. They did the basics nothing special nothing too extra. I’ve definitely had cheaper pedicures $ 28 wasn’t expensive it just wasn’t worth it here. Running price for a pedicure is about $ 20. It did nothing to stand out to me. If I was really in need of a pedicure again I’d come here but if I had other options I probably wouldn’t. My polish is still on I guess thats a plus.

I was actually very pleased! Kaci is amazing! I had a much needed eyebrow wax which was perfect she listened to all my little details. (I’m a little picky with the brows) :) Then a mani that was great she did a wonderful job to make sure it was perfect!
Since I just moved to the area I was a little put off that it was in a «basement» setting but I had to give it a try and I’m happy I did!
Just a tip: they take credit cards, however you can only tip cash

For a nail salon that in a basement, Golden Nails wasn’t terrible. I typically tend to avoid these kinds of places, but I needed to kill some time with my friends.
The woman who did my nails didn’t say a single word to me the whole time, which was a little unnerving, but considering the fact that she did a great job on my nails, which ended up lasting almost 2 weeks, which is incredible, I’m okay with her silence.

Very clean and I loved the way Chu shaped my nails! She did a wonderful job. I went in days before and rushed out without letting my pedicure dry and when I came back Chu not only fixed the toe polish I messed up she painted a topcoat on the rest of my toes so they could shine more :)! I definitely will be back! Thanks Chu :)

Appropriately priced. Clean. Fast service. I went here on my lunch break, got a pedi/​shellac manicure & was in & out in an hour. The place was packed and they were moving people through pretty quickly.
Will definitely come back here. Beats any of the nail salons in the Penn Quarter/​Chinatown area!
(Make sure you bring cash for tips — no tipping on the CC’s)

Best place for matte gel colors. If you want a thorough job, they get it done and pretty quick. Nancy and Linda are seriously amazing.
They just re-​did their interior which is a dramatic upgrade!