Relaxed Nails & Spa

So I have been coming to this place pretty randomly over the past year or so (maybe about 5 visits). It’s right down the street from my home, so it’s super convenient. Initially, I was pleased with the place; it’s super clean and modern compared to other nail shops in the area. But after my first few encounters, things went down hill.
The customer service and attention to detail here could really use some serious work. The place is pretty open to walk-​ins, but I’ve been turned away twice, which is ridiculous. And, I’ve had to have my GEL nails fixed three times (3 out of the 5 visits).
Most recently, I went in to get a nail fixed on a Sunday after getting my gel nails done on a Friday; it was clear that the gel polish was not applied properly and there was no attention to detail (just sloppy work). I walked in and stated the issue and pretty soon one of the techs (believe her name is Kate) comes over with an attitude asking to see my hand. She came over like she was super annoyed with me and THEY are the ones who did not apply the gel properly (Alex is the one who did my nails initially). She does not ask how I’m doing or anything, then proceeds to scrap off the section that came off of my nail (usually the entire nail is fixed) and reapply the gel just to that section. Smh. Later I’m at home and notice that the gel polish is all bubbly and lifting up, within like 2 hours of getting it re-​done (paid 40 $ for that pitiful gel fill-​in BTW).
Lastly, I can never remember who does my nails normally, so when a new person ends up doing them, they always ask, «doesn’t _​_​_​_​usually do your nails?” — I’ve always found this question annoying, why does that even matter.
They are super sloppy with the gel polish and very rude and unprofessional at times. I will not be returning. (gave two stars for my two pleasant visits, the cleanliness, and the décor).

I used to LOVE this place. I’ve been going since it first opened. Some of their nail techs are awful (a few of the younger techs are very sloppy), but they have a couple of real gems, especially Joanna. Joanna, you are truly the best!
However, whenever I go recently, whether it’s the weekend or a week day, I get turned away. This is a walk-​in style place, so they should staff appropriately in order to accommodate walk-​ins. A 15 or even 30 minute wait is fine, but two or three hours?! That’s a management problem. It’s now happened enough that I’ve decided to write this review.
Also, sometimes my manis start to wear off within a day or two, which is frustrating. I don’t know if it’s the quality of their base and/​or top coats. The other nail salon up the street, Nail Spa, may not have the pretty décor or a huge color selection, but I can always get in, even when they’re packed, and my manis last for a week and sometimes even longer.
I wish Relaxed would take a page from their play book! I hope management sees this review and makes some changes.

I think I have finally found a nail salon that is clean, professional and reasonably priced. I live in DC so I have a plethora of salons to choose from but they are either quite dirty or overpriced. Relaxed was neither. I started simple with a mani/​pedi but was happy with my service and the time that was spent on it especially since I came in shortly before closing. They didn’t rush at all. I will be returning.

They opened over a year ago in the neighborhood, and I got an email offering a free manicure, which I had never used. I wanted to treat myself with a manicure and a pedicure, and the sign on the door said walk ins welcome. And YES they were, though the lady who walked in behind me had a half hour wait.
First of all, I am a guy, so I do not want to hear all the local gossip and chatter, there was none of that. The nail technician went to work and while it seemed like she was fast compared to other mani-pedi’s I have had, she did a great job. First the pedicure, then the manicure, I was all done within an hour.
Then the price, it was half of what I would have paid for one service at one of the fancy Men’s salon’s here in DC. And my free manicure coupon worked, so it was a total win! Today a day later my nails look terrific. For sure I will be going back more often, as I always feel I want a manicure before I go to any event where my hands will be seen.
Yes, I am a FAN!

I went here for underarm waxing and I didn’t like it. They use chocolate wax. The lady that did my waxing is like in a hurry that she didnt remove all the small hair. She’s not good in plucking too. I was disappointed for $ 18.

I got a regular mani ($ 17) at Relaxed Nails & Spa. It was a basic mani, nothing special, but nothing to complain about. I didn’t get a pedi because I didn’t need one, but a mani/​pedi is $ 43. I might go back to try it out in the future. I like how the place is clean and simple. The fans are integrated into the tables which helps to not clutter the table tops. From the storefront, it might seem like the place is always empty, but it’s not! The pedicure massage chairs are in the back, so if it’s empty up front, they are probably busy with pedicures in the back. The staff and clients are nice as well. I had a pleasant time, good conversation, and no complaints. This is a solid place.

Clean, nice manicurists, good prices

I’ve been a repeat customer here for almost a year and I wouldn’t go anywhere else. It is always a pleasant relaxing experience. The staff are friendly and do excellent work. The ambience is just what I want after a long day at work or treating myself on a weekend. Bonus: I love the music they’ve been playing lately — great American songbook/​jazz standards.

I just had a mani and spa pedicure here. It was extremely clean, pleasant, and, dare I say it, RELAXED experience! They have a great selection of OPI and Essie, my nail tech, Sophia, was great, and it was priced around the same as everywhere else in DC. I wish they took AmEx.

A fine place to get your nails done. I have been here many times and liked my mani/​pedi every time. The place is clean and quiet. Very relaxing!

The shop was quite good when it opened; I think they put their best technicians there so the reputation would be established. Now they seem to have pulled the stars and left the trainees. Although still clean and with excellent music piped in, the service has declined badly. And yesterday was the worst! I had a mani-​pedi. My toe was cut, the nails not trimmed properly. The polish did not stay on my hands for 24 hours because the manicurist gave a cursory swipe of my nails to remove cream but didn’t get it all. I asked her to do it again and she said she got it all. She did not. After the manicure I sat at her station while she ATE and checked her phone. I expect that from the place across the street but not here.
Management, please stay on site and train these young women better!

As a person who is accustomed to $ 35 mani/​pedi combo, I was sticker shocked at the price of the gel manicure ($ 35).
However, from what I have heard, you can’t get anything much less expensive here in DC.
The manicure was well done, the environment pleasing and sanitary. I would most certainly go back, however not for cordial conversation.

I was excited to learn a new nail place was opening up in Chevy Chase and have gone there four times since it opened early this year. I’ve been there for 2 pedicures, 1 manicure, 1 gel full set and 1 gel fill-​in.
The space is nice, clean and all of the staff are incredibly friendly. The owner who had a major presence when they first opened hasn’t been there as much and I’ve noticed a change. They accept appointments but walk-​ins are welcomed with a bit of a wait.
I was disappointed today when I went in for a gel nail fill-​in. Doan did my nails and was very meticulous until she got too close to my nailbed not one, not two, but three times, causing bleeding on 2 fingers on my right hand and 1 finger on my left. She apologized but that didn’t stop the bleeding. It was so bad on my left hand that even after I washed my hands, she had to apply antiseptic twice and it was still bleeding. At that point, I was about to say this is enough but it finally stopped so she proceeded to do my gel french manicure.
When it came time to the hand massage, she said I was done. She must have seen my confused look so she asked if I wanted lotion. She literally put a dab of lotion on each hand and was like you’re all set. No massage? I’ve never gotten my nails done and not had a least a 1 minute hand massage at the end.
When I checked out it was $ 45. ($ 25 for the fill-​in, $ 15 for the gel color, and $ 5 for the french). Pretty sure I’ve never spent less than $ 40 there. It’s definitely not the most reasonable. I’m pretty sure I only go there because of convenience. After today’s experience, I’m not sure if I’ll be back.

I was so excited when this place opened. It looks great, they have amazing massage chairs, great décor, and its super convenient. I first rushed in for a polish change which they expeditiously accommodated. It lasted about 5 days. Then my mom and I went in for mani-​pedis and I couldn’t have been more disappointed. Not only did the lady doing my pedi NOT scrub my calluses off, but she was indignant when i called her out about it. And then the «foot massage» was really just her touching/​poking at my feet a couple times. When she announced she was done, and I responded with surprise at how bad the pedi was (lest I forget to mention my cuticles were still a mess), her colleague who was working on my mom said, «Oh each person does their style of massage». Oh really? I expected much better professionalism and a certain level of standards. My mani only lasted a day and a half before chipping badly. My mother said it was one of the worst experiences in a nail salon ever and her nails got chipped after about 30 hours too.

The décor is super clean, new and white, prices are very reasonable ($ 43 for a mani/​pedi combo). The manicurist (Lilly) did a beautiful job on my nails. Great neighborhood too.

I hate to give a less than stellar review because this place is new, clean and the staff was so pleasant. Unfortunately, the lady doing my pedicure have me the equivalent of a deep paper cut on my toe when doing my $ 32 pedicure. Ouch! It really stung. Other than that, it was fine. Because the pace only opened 4 months ago, the massage chairs have not stopped functioning like in many salons. $ 32 for a basic pedicure was fair enough. Parking can be a hassle– there are meters and a very, very small lot.

Agree with the other reviews. The salon is clean and fun, while remaining calm/​serene. The technicians are great, with children and adults (brought 8yo daughter who requested stars/​stripes on hands and mixed colors on toes, and all requests were handled pleasantly and efficiently). Also had a wax, which was quick and relatively painless. It’s my new nail joint.

I adore Lily, who gave me my first pedicure!
I went in to get a pedicure and a manicure and I was extremely happy. Lily was sweet and friendly and more than willing to engage in conversation with me. The pedicure and manicure stations are both neat, clean, and sanitary and the pedicure stations have massage chairs to make your experience all the more amazing. You also get offered your choice of beverages, which is fabulous!
The job they do is quality. It doesn’t look like somebody just slapped some polish on your hands and let you go, the coats are even and the paint didn’t chip on my nails for over a week. I’m sure it would have lasted longer if I hadn’t had to remove the polish for a performance.
The atmosphere inside is great, but I strongly recommend making an appointment. There aren’t a slough of technicians sitting around idly, so if you come in without an appointment you may have to wait 15 – 20 minutes or more. I especially love that there aren’t any weird, loud noises coming from 100 TVs or a radio that we can’t see. And while I was there I saw a handful of mothers coming in with their children and the technicians were equally as accommodating of the children as they were of the adult customers.
All in all a great new addition to the neighborhood.

Excellent all around. 1 hr. in the salon felt like a relaxing break and perfect end to a long day.

A really welcome addition to the neighborhood. So fresh and clean and spacious. John, the manager, is running the salon with great intention and desire for excellent customer service. He wants to hear what customers want and need, and he is creating a fun, welcoming atmosphere with top-​notch services too. I appreciate their being no televisions, the option of wine or water, a calm atmosphere. I’ll be back.