Go literally anywhere else!!!! This was by far the worst gel manicure experience of my life and I've had tons. A) they lie about availability to get more people into the salon. B) the woman IMMEDIATELY cut my pinkie and never really cleaned it up. I'm sure the polish on that nail will come off first as there is definitely blood under it. My cuticles weren't in amazing condition when I came in, but again, I've never had this problem anywhere else. C) she spent about 4 seconds on each cuticle...the main reason I even come to salons. D) she didn't ask what shape I wanted my nails and then insulted their existing shape and made them the shape SHE preferred, not what I asked for. E) she REPEATEDLY (like 5-7 times in 20 minutes) got up to do other shit not related to my manicure, then would come back bitching at me about the UV light being off. F) the total time she spent on my nails was 22 minutes. I've never had a gel manicure take less than 40. G) $40?! I live in Los Angeles and have NEVER paid over $35 for a gel manicure. Especially such a shitty one.The sad thing is that ALL of this could have been avoided if she took her time in the first place. I'm really mad that I wasted my time and money on this place. Read Less

Worst place ever.The service was horrible.The Chinese leady cut the cuticle aggressively and it hurt like hell. When I get the manicure on one finger messed up, she screamed at me. She, in a very rude tone, asked how I got it like this and toled my not to move at all. When I toled here that she was super rude to me and I didn't like the way she talked to me, all she said was "too bad you feel like that". She didn't even apologize. Read Less

I was hesitant to visit this salon because of the negative reviews. I went anyway for a pedicure and gel manicure. The location is very convenient right in the heart of downtown Bethesda. I will not go back to this salon for future appointments. The salon is chaotic and unorganized. The salon is also not clean enough for my standards-- The manicure table did not appear to be clean and the gel manicure drier/set machine was dirty. There were also fingernail clippings from a previous customer on my table-- Ick!!! The girls working at the salon all seem very sweet and competent. Read Less

It wasn't worth $40 for a gel manicure. The woman was rushed and distracted. The most surprising part was that the "tool" she used on my cuticles was her thumb nail - no joke. Then when I went to pay, knowing I wasn't inspired by the performance, she made a snarky comment under her breath. I told her I couldn't hear what she said, and she replied with something about how I should tip her. Here's a tip to you yelpers - go somewhere else or just push back your own cuticles. Read Less

I rarely get manicures, but I wanted someone else to do my nails before I have professional engagement photos taken this evening (Sunday). When I walked in to Blue Zen around 11:15 AM today, there was only one manicurist in the shop. I waited about 10 minutes until a second employee arrived, then chose a color and sat down. The woman was rushed and kept looking behind me at the door like she had someone else coming in. She didn't do a great job applying the light pink color I chose (some streaking was visible if you did more than glance at it), but it was fine enough and I didn't really care as long as it made it through tonight without chipping. I paid $4.00 extra for OPI's gel-like lacquer polish, knowing it wouldn't be as chip-resistant as gels but figuring it'd be stronger than real polish, and sat in front of the fan for at least 20 minutes to make sure it was all set. Well, guess what: It's 3:15 PM (~3 hours after I left the salon) and the thumb on my left hand (ring hand, of course) just chipped. I'm pretty upset: it was only $20 ($16+$4), but what the heck did I pay for if it didn't even last 3 hours, despite careful use? I could've done that myself!I wasn't expecting much from a walk-in with 3.5 stars, but I figured any decent salon could do a basic manicure that will last at least 8 hours, right? Apparently not. I should have researched the best salon in the area and made an appointment, but I've been busy at work. Unfortunately, this was one of the worst manicures I've ever had. Read Less

I have been going to Blue Zen for years. I can't speak more highly of the staff and manager. They are so friendly, competent, helpful, courteous and collaborative. The place is always clean and the nail polish color selection is really great. I highly recommend their services. Read Less

I started coming here mostly for the convenience since I live right in Bethesda row. It doesn't appear at first glance to be a 5 star nail place but the women are sweet, they do a fantastic job and I keep coming back now not just for convenience but because the business is really great, quick and well done! When I want to relax and have a leisurely mani pedi I might go elsewhere but usually I don't have a long time so this place is perfect for service, quality and being able to get on with my next activity quickly! Read Less

Outstanding place for a mani/ pedi with a wonderful owner and a staff that's more like family than a business.  They go out of their way to please and accommodate their customers not to mention they do a great job! Read Less

I came in as a walk in and they were able to get me in pretty quickly. I got a pedicure and it was one of the best i've ever had, plus the lady gave an awesome massage. love the salon and the workers were friendly! cash only for tip so make sure you have some on hand! Read Less

In the heart of Bethesda, the best nail spa in the entire metro area! I adore the owner Laura and her team of very talented and well trained staff. I have never had a better experience anywhere else! Laura will very rarely turn down a walk in customer and keeps the cleanliest shop I've ever been in! Her entire team are extremely diligent to provide the best services from manicures and pedicures to eyebrow waxing, their goal is obviously quality and a true relaxing spa experience! I love this place and do not trust my nails and eyebrows with anyone else! There's a reason I and many others in the Bethesda area are customer loyal to this gem of a spa. Read Less

Gel manicure lasted over a week, quick & efficient service, will go back if in the area needing a refresher. I think some of the poor reviews were likely comparing this to a much larger spa instead of a convenience service in a busy area. The prices make sense to me given the location & convenience. Read Less

Gel manicure lasted over a week, quick & efficient service, will go back if in the area needing a refresher. I think some of the poor reviews were likely comparing this to a much larger spa instead of a convenience service in a busy area. The prices make sense to me given the location & convenience. Read Less

I have been going to Ellisville Nails for over 10 years. Jane, Jack and the rest of the staff are wonderful. I get compliments on my nails all the time. I always tell them, you need to go to Ellisville nails. Beautiful designs on my fingernails and they give amazing pedicures.Read Less

Amazing nails and over the top pedicures. I have been coming to Jack and Jane and their friendly staff for years. They keep getting better and prices stay the same. They do such a great job and people always comment on my beautiful nails. Beautiful shop too. I will come here forever. Read Less

Zero. Stars. This place used to be my regular jam. I returned mid summer and it was a horrible experience. I have a severe latex allergy, so there's always a show when I request an alternative. Btw, Miss Manager who gave me a hard time, if you require your staff to wear gloves, provide an alternative for the allergic population. I'm not the only one. After a few minutes of arguing, one technician agreed to do my pedi with bare hands. Fine.  This chick butchered me with the cuticle trimmer. I tipped her well, but don't know her name. Needless to say I got the hell out of there with quickness when it was over.Fast forward to this week.... I have a fucking fungus under my left big toe nail! I am absolutely certain it is from this salon. This place is filthy. The staff are rude. I'd love to know the last time there was a spore test for their autoclave.... Stay away, girls. Stay away. Read Less

This place isn't perfect, but I come here all the way from Alexandria to meet a friend for mani pedi time. That says something. My simple polish always lasts soooo long. I usually destroy a manicure within hours or at least by the 4th day. After a visit Sunday, everything is still perfect five days later. Okay not perfect. Honestly this time she seemed to be whacking my cuticles like the skin had trade value. But the polish looks good. I went in hoping for a matte gray, but they didn't have one. My friend brought here own polish which was a great idea. The atmosphere is non assuming, massage chairs are stellar, and they treat you best if you have an appt. Read Less

I finally found my nail salon since moving back to Maryland! I am really picky about my nails and to my delight this place met my expectations. I got my acrylics filled in to OPI big apple Red. My technician did an amazing job and was very professional. Her name is Melanie.I'm very pleased with the results, I will be going back. They were also very quick to get me situated without an appointment. Since it's by Bethesda Row, I felt it was a very cute area to get my nails done at too. Read Less

When people comment on how beautiful and natural my nails look, I tell them that Ellisville Nails takes great care of me. I love going to the shop to be pampered. They are the best in the area. You will be happy when you make Ellisville Nails your nail salon. Read Less

I have been going to Jane for a French Tip Powder dip over the past year. She does a perfect French tip. I am a licensed cosmetologist and therefore very picky. Tina gives an outstanding pedicure as well! The salon is clean. I recommend EllisvilleNails to everyone!!! Read Less

I was in the area after a long day walking around the city and decided on a whim that I wanted to stop for a mani pedi. Not knowing the area too well I had no clue where I should go. I did a quick yelp search and saw that this place was within walking distance but they didn't have a working website. I walked in and since I was on the phone I was not greeted right away, once I hung up my call I actually had to find someone to assist me. I will take some of the responsibility for this though since I was on a call when I walked in. Once I was helped I told them what I wanted (very reasonable price for the area) they helped me pretty quickly. Since I came in close to closing they did my mani pedi at the same time. It wasn't bad, I just never really experienced that before. I didn't see the uncleanliness that others complained of so I can't speak to that but overall it was a good service and if I'm in the area and in need of a pedi I would go back. Read Less

Went at a quiet time, so was able to walk in without an appointment. They did a good job, but the gel manicure/pedicure didn't even last a week. I'm guessing they use cheap, off brand polishes and still charge a fortune! Won't go back. Read Less

So if I had rated this salon a few months ago, I would have given it a higher rating. I recently decided to invest in acrylic nails; my first set was put on here. The first few times the staff was very accommodating, they took their time, made no mistakes and completed the somewhat lengthy process in a timely fashion.From then on, the experience got worse and worse. This last time, the woman working on my nails carried on a very loud phone conversation almost the entire time I was getting my nails done! I was absolutely shocked. While doing my nails, her own long nail was painfully digging into each finger she worked on, creating deep red marks on my skin. On top of that, I asked her to add a little polish to one nail, so that it would be a little closer to the cuticle. All around, this was the worst nail experience I've ever had. Also, because she was on the phone, I was examining my nails and she had left jagged edges on the acrylics, causing them to catch on items frequently. Honestly, I was so upset with the service while I was there that I didn't even want to return and ask them to fix it.I can't say that I've had a regular mani/pedi here, and they always seem busy. But I'd say based on the expensive prices, and very poor customer service, I would not recommend this place to anyone! Read Less

I have only been here once for a mani and I haven't been back since. When I walked in I asked for a mani. I picked out my pink color and I sat down. The lady who did my nails could not speak English. I mean that does not bother me at all. However, I thought she understood that I wanted my mani to be pink. I even handed her the color and I thought she understood. But she left my nails clear and I was confused because she was looking at me like she was done. And it hit me... She did not understand I wanted them pink. So I told her, "oh, I'm sorry can I get them in this pink." I was pointing at the color and I was convince she understood this time. But she didn't :( At this point, another lady who worked there came over and cleared up the misunderstanding. I thought that the lady doing my nails would feel bad. Cause if I were her, I would have felt terrible. But she didn't even say sorry. She just erased my clear and was giving me attitude that she had to paint my nails again. She literally quickly painted my nails leaving pink nail polish on my skin. And she was being so rough with my nails... It was clear she was annoyed at me. It was a pretty upsetting experience. I didn't even tip the lady... That's how bad she made me feel for her mistake. She made me feel like I was the one who made the mistake... Read Less