Coco A'mour Nail Spa — Local services in Alexandria

UPDATE AFTER OWNER RESPONSE: I unfortunately can’t leave zero stars because it is what they should receive after this bizarre interaction and the owner’s response, implying that I was difficult when I literally explained that I was willing to give them another chance and pay for them to fix my nails! They were the ones who were rude to me. Plus it is an outright lie to say I received multiple refunds because I only got a refund for this manicure pictured. And I was grateful and wasn’t expecting anything else which is why I went back and intended to pay for a new one. I was very polite but firm in person and Coco was the one ridiculously rude and dismissive — it sounds like she doesn’t know how to operate a business focused on customer service and basically just disparages people individually if they have a bad experience.

Look at the other reviews of people who say the same things. Go visit Divine or Meraki and they’ll give you a much better service.

ORIGINAL REVIEW: I have received several services at this place and this will be my last.

I had been in multiple times to receive dip nails with nail art and the last time I went in, got a French design that began to chip within 24 hours. I explained this to them and they asked me to come back so they could fix them. They redid them and then they still continued chipping the next day. Which leads me to believe they aren’t using quality gel or their technique is way off because this has never happened to me anywhere else. I was refunded for this and wanted to give them another chance, especially since I wanted new nails because mine are horribly chipped.

Anyway, I came back a week later after calling and making an appointment at 6 pm. I arrived and explained I had an appointment, they looked at my nails and said okay, and they told me they were running behind, to go run an errand and to come back. I’m not sure if this was a stalling technique or a passive aggressive way of telling me I shouldn’t be there since plenty of other people came in for unscheduled services while I was there. But I came back at 6:30 and waited 15 minutes, where I was totally ignored before my appointment started, while Coco kept saying I had no appointment OUT LOUD to others, even though I literally called them and made one earlier that day! She denied that I ever called them too; which is false.

I got a pedicure first and then when I went to start the manicure, I showed them a split nail design with dip base and gel (which is just one swipe of polish because I’ve gotten it done before) and Coco took one look and refused the service. I was literally willing to pay for a redo!

She said the nail techs were too scared to do my nails because they wouldn’t stick. Which is literally crazy. The issue with my nails happened once with French tips that weren’t sealed correctly. It had nothing to do with the dip/gel combo - it is the technique and product that makes the difference. That is not my fault. And if you aren’t willing to give customers what they want and are graciously willing to pay for, what are you doing in this business?

I have never been turned away from a salon and I will never be back. This was such a waste of time, literally 6-7 hours to fix this one horrible nail job and I feel totally duped because I was willing to give my neighborhood spot another chance too.

Have zero clue how this place stays in business but they need a lesson in business management and customer service. Coco was extremely rude and it was borderline upsetting because she totally overreacted, and I guess she did that to someone else today too. So at least it wasn’t just me but I’ve never been treated...

This is the best salon in Alexandria, all day every day! And the best salon I’ve ever been to between New Jersey, the capital of women’s grooming; Florida, a close second; and the DC area.

I’m a lifelong (nearly 40 years) nail biter. In January 2023, I decided I had to start getting my nails done to have less scary, haggard hands. I started with gel tips at another salon that grew out. In January 2024, after sampling many salons in Alexandria, I tried Coco A’mour and never left. My first visit, Coco examined my nails, which at the time were growing upward, and suggested I switch from gel to powder. The price was the same, so I decided to give it a try, and it was the best thing I’ve ever done. I’ve visited every 3 weeks since, seeing Gizelle most of the time. Every time I come into the salon it’s a fun, light, friendly place. One night I was there and a highly prominent (and controversial) Congresswoman came in with her security detail for a manicure, and was in and out - no fuss, no delays, nobody making a scene. Here, the customer is a partner with the technician, and I’ve always been over the top happy. If I want my nails shorter, no questions asked - in every other nail salon I’ve had to spend 3-5 minutes justifying why I wanted my claws trimmed. I like my toes very short - great, whatever I want. After coming here for 4+ months, my nails grow the way nails should, my nail beds have lengthened, and my hands look like a real girl’s hands. Today I saw Mai and decided to finally try a little design flair. They came out PERFECTLY! I’m so excited about how they came out I’m text bombing all my friends.

The spa was always beautiful and well appointed, but they recently upgraded their furniture, and I remember when that happened Gizelle commented about how happy she was and how proud it made her to work in such a nice place. I’ve NEVER heard any technician or stylist speak with such pride about where they’re working!

I can’t possibly overstate how much I ordinarily hate going to salons of any kind - hair and nail. I get restless and impatient and always want it to be over fast. I’d literally rather be plain and ugly than spend more time in a salon than absolutely necessary for basic maintenance. But Coco A’mour made me understand why women look at this time as a treat to be appreciated. If every spa or salon was like this I’d look like...

From Loyal to Lost Customer

I’ve been a loyal customer at this salon since moving to Arlington last July, consistently tipping well and showing up on time. Unfortunately, today’s experience was the last straw.

I received a call 30 minutes before my 10:30 AM appointment saying my nail tech was running late and asking if I could come at 11:00 AM. I was understanding and agreed. When I arrived, my nail tech had just started with another client. I waited another 30 minutes before another tech began removing my dip powder.

Since my tech was still unavailable, I was asked if another tech could do my pedicure. I agreed, and I want to make it clear that she was professional, polite, and did a phenomenal job. She asked about my color choice, and I, as always, requested matching colors. She brought over a palette she thought was correct, but my tech later told her it was the wrong one—it didn’t have matching dip.

The tech doing my pedicure was genuinely apologetic and offered to change the polish after my nails were done if I wasn’t happy. Meanwhile, when my usual tech finally started my nails and I pointed out the clear mismatch in color, her only suggestion was to polish over it with regular nail polish. I reminded her that regular polish won’t hold up like dip, and instead of finding a better solution or even offering a small discount, she said nothing. I ultimately said I’d live with it.

I still paid full price.

After nearly a year of loyalty, this experience was disheartening. I expected better. This visit confirmed that this salon values quantity over quality when it comes to customer care.

To the owners: please don’t reply with a canned apology or a hollow offer to "make it right." Given the experience I had, I believe the only appropriate and professional response is to issue me a refund and do better. Your current and future customers...