COSMOBEAUTYBARDC — Local services in Washington

I used to love coming here. Mollie was my regular nail tech for over a year. Around my birthday last month, I made an appointment with her directly through text message. This was weird to me since YoYo usually gives Mollie the phone directly to confirm the appointment. The appointment we scheduled, I missed. This was the first time this had ever happened. I usually cancel ahead of time and schedule a new appt. From then on, they treated me as if I wasn’t a regular customer who had good rapport with them, supported them and tagged them on IG along with giving them more business since people always looked to me for Nail inspo. When I would call or text Mollie, I would get the run around as if she was too busy to respond. When I finally made an appointment after several attempts, I was passed around in the shop. When I was sat down, YoYo started me off then had a new employee take me to finish my nails. I was so livid since Mollie who seemed so busy when I would call as of late, was present and tending to every other customer that requested her except me. The new girl who was appointed to me was very sweet but I was used to how my service was with Mollie so naturally I wasn’t happy with my nails. I would show Mollie a picture and she could execute it. Not saying that the techs aren’t talented, but I felt discriminated against for missing ONE appointment. I felt disrespected and wanted to return the favor to everyone in there. But instead, I decided wasn’t coming back and the new girl understood and suggested I don’t pay either for getting such terrible service as a veteran customer.

She also mentioned they have been treating regulars this way for a little while now. She told me how during my time there, YoYo called me picky and wished her luck on doing my nails. I couldn’t believe it. We have to speak up for service we are paying for. I don’t care what anyone says. If they want to stay in business, they need to check themselves and realize how they are treating customers who are the reason they are open in the first place. That 4 star rating can drop at any time so some humility is definitely...

I recently moved to DC and was looking for a new nail place, so I came here to get my nails done. It was not a good experience for a number of reasons. First, I showed one of the employees the picture of what I wanted and explained that I wanted that as a refill over what I already had to which she then said that she could do. She then began working taking off the my nails very roughly and did not do a clean job. She then walked away and I was left unattended to far about 10 minutes with no explication. I was then passed to another employee in the shop who I also showed what I wanted and he said he could do it. He began the putting a “clear” refill at the bottom of my nail which is not what I asked for. I then asked him what he was doing and explained that that was not that that was not what I wanted. He then said that in order for me to get what I want, I would need to get a new full set, which is not what was said prior to stating the job by him or the other worker that began taking off my nails. To top it off the “clear” acrylic was not even clear, and it was clear where the polish divided. Once he finished my nails, headed to the front to pay and was then informed that the total was $90. It was $45 for my pedicure, which I can understand, but it was also $45 for my refill as well, which was ridiculous. I then tried to explain to the employee checking me out that this was not what I wanted and explained that I was confused on what was happening, and she then explained that what I wanted couldn’t be done how I wanted it, which was not expressed at the very beginning. I was so upset that this point I just paid and left. I also went with a friend that was not happy with her experience as well. I would highly not recommend this...

I was a repeat guest because I love their work but it's wildly disrespectful how long they make certain people wait for service. I had a 6 day work week and just wanted to get my nails done on my one day off that week so I called and asked if they had availability and whoever I spoke with on the phone (short hair, always looks stressed) told me to come in at 3. I came in at 3 and sat for TWO HOURS without anyone even soaking my nails off. It takes like 5 mins to do the soak off and they have on multiple occasions stopped doing my nails in order to do this very same process or other things for white women who got there after me.

In Madam CJ Walker's old building on MLK Day, I called and asked what time I should come in- she said 6, I said ok! Considering how many hours I waited last time, I was 30 mins late. They were busy, no worries. I ask them for a nail file and the tools to start soaking my nails on my own (could be a safety practice to deny this request, which is valid) to demonstrate that I had no interest in sitting idly when my nails should be soaking off for EVERYBODY'S time efficiency. When they rush to get my nails off it damages my nails but it's not just for me, I'm asking to help them streamline service for their own sakes as well. I sit for AN HOUR while there were at least 3 opportunities, natural pauses in services rendered, for someone to soak my nails off but it's not a priority. It wouldn't be a big deal if I hadn't noticed a stark difference between the way they respond to me vs white women. I tip well over 20% as I work in hospitality but this doesn't ever seem to matter. Does she remember me even?

Never going...