Expressly Nails

This is a true hole in the wall inside an office building. As soon as you open the door you practically run into the first mani table. I went there for a nail repair. My tech was Sandy and she was very nice, very friendly, however she was very rough. She gripped my hand tighter than I would have liked. All in all she was able to take care of me under 30 minutes. I’m not sure how much a nail repair costs because I wanted to pay with my ATM card and they only accept cash (something I didn’t know beforehand). I don’t usually carry cash but found a five dollar bill in my purse and gave it to her. She was fine with that and that’s why I gave an extra star. Unfortunately I won’t go back, mostly because its too much small of a place with no windows that I recalled.

*** as a heads up, I never actually went to this place… this review serves as a heads up (and the reason that deterred me from going):
1) they are appointment only
2) their *special* rate for a mani/​pedi is $ 50
yikes!

Sandie and Blythe have saved my feet and hands from disaster millions of times. They are so good about trying to squeeze in an appointment even when they’re busy, and Sandie is hands down the BEST pedicure in DC for anyone who doesn’t like dry feet. For their «basic» pedicure she does more than a lot of «spa» pedicures… gels, scrubs, good massage, wrap and she is a NINJA with that foot file. Only reason not five stars is there are only two of them and sometimes you really can’t get in and you’re forced to make do with lesser places :(

I got an eyebrow waxing here– so I cant comment on the quality of the nails, but I was unimpressed overall. Definitely do not get your waxing done here– there isn’t really a private space, I had to sit an a pedicure chair while it was done, it was unclear how sanitary things were, and the quality of the job was mediocre at best. The décor and room was also small and cramped. On the good side, the people are very nice, location is good (2 blocks from my office) and its cheaper than another of the other nearby places. I probably won’t be going back unless I’m in a bind and don’t feel like paying double the price somewhere else.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the experience, but disappointed with my manicure. I called ahead and specified that I wanted a french manicure. (Normally I do my own nails, but every few months I need my cuticles cleaned up and my nails professionally shaped — I admit I’m a bit of a picker.) I went in at the appointed time and Sandy was just finishing up with another client. The two of them as well as the other technician and her client were all chatting. I joined in the conversation and it was quite nice, especially since English was clearly their first language (nothing against other languages, I just prefer when people can understand my requests.)
She cleaned up my nails fairly nicely, my only gripe is that the office phone rang and she took a personal call (cradling the phone between her ear and shoulder) while filing my nails. Uh??? I guess I’m lucky she decided to hang up before starting to paint.
This is where I have a problem. She did the white of one nail then asked if it was a good amount. I said «sure, as long as it covers the natural white» I then told her about one horrible french manicure I’d had where they neglected to cover the natural white arch of my nail and she laughed. Joke was on me though — when I got home I noticed that she had done the same thing! She had also failed to clean up stray polish — my cuticles and the skin around my nails were all painted white. Luckily, the whole thing peeled off in a matter of days.
I saw some other people who had solid manis and pedis and they looked to be fine. $ 18 was a good deal, but I doubt I’d come back here. Overall, I was unimpressed.
UPDATE (10÷20÷10):
About one week ago (so three months after I originally posted this review) I received a message from Blythe, the owner of Expressly Nails offering to «right a wrong» by either giving me a refund or a free manicure. That made a huge impact on me and earned them another star on my review. Good move, E.N.

For the price of an OPI manicure in DC, I’d go again. But it’s up to you to see if it’s worth it for their nail work. $ 18 for just manicure, $ 50 for mani/​pedi special.
For just a manicure it’ll take 30 minutes, and lunch slots tend to fill up pretty quickly. Imagine a hole in the wall and a cramped room with a couple pedicure chairs, two small manicure booths and a small high table with two nail dryers on them.
It won’t be fantastic. Your cuticles will not be perfect, and it will start to crack sooner than you think. However unless you’re going to be sticking your fingers in people’s faces all day it’s not noticeable the first week. For the price and convenience in DC, I would go again even if my nails didn’t last as long as other places, just not on a regular basis.

My coworker and i went here today. the space is so weird and cramped. We both had the lady who sits right when you walk in the door. sorry i don’t remember her name, she was asian (there are only 3 ladies there, all different nationalities).
Niether of us were at all impressed. She did a really sloppy job on mine and there was A LOT of nail polish on my cuticles. I had to actually have her go back through and remove it after she said she was finished. The filing was very rough and one nail was filed so sharply it is cutting my flesh as I type. $ 18 is a good price, but I don’t think i’ll go back unless i make an appointment with one of the other 2 ladies that work there.

I had no idea this place existed, but now I’m excited! It’s half a block from my office, so super-​easy to make lunchtime appointments!
Sandie did my spa pedi as part of the Hawt on Unilocal discount. She was sweet and did a great job. That’s all I need! No awkward attempts to make conversation, but definitely friendly with all her customers! I loved all the lotions and exfoliating gels. My feet really need to be scrubbed and Sandie did a great job.
The place isn’t the most fun spot to spend an hour (the smell made me light-​headed) but it’s convienent and prices are good.

Tried this for the first time today based on Unilocal recs. Sandie did my mani — nice selection of essie and OPI. Mani is $ 18 and by appointment only. She’s so nice and personable and they have excellent driers (with the light, not the fans). My manicure was excellent and I will be going back. I agree with the décor remarks, but the space is clean and bright, and the pedicure chairs look really nice.
The downside: my nail smudged, and it never does that. But it was pouring rain and I was rummaging through my purse for an umbrella. It happens!

I have to start by saying that I would have given all five stars except for the fact that location screams – in my humble OPINION – brothel! You take the elevator in an old office buidling and the layout of their space was clearly not designed for a salon atmosphere. I believe I remember that the place was carpeted (could be wrong, it was last summer). Though I’m not alleging that any untoward behavior took place behind certain closed doors, the atmosphere just gave the impression that such events could be plausible.
Now, I went in there with no appointment (well I called 10 mins ahead after being negged from everywhere else) on a Friday afternoon, around Lunch in the summertime. This was my first pedi of the summer and my feet where atrocious but the nice asian lady (seemed to be owner or manager) gave them A-​list treatment and assured me my dogs weren’t the worst she had seen. She was an absolutely sweet professionial and my nail color did not chip for weeks. Seriously, my next pedicure wasn’t until at least 2 months later.
I feel like this place does exceptional work, I just wish they’d save up enough money for a more professional space. It’s hard to relax when you feel like the DC Police Vice Squad is going to knock down the door at any minute.