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Varnish Lane
Varnish Lane
Varnish Lane

Varnish Lane Mount Vernon Triangle

Nail salon in Washington, DC · 3 locations

Rated 4.1 out of 5 (169 on Google Maps) (opens in a new tab) Open now · until 6 PM

Carrie and Lauren Dunne founded Varnish Lane as a mother-and-daughter business. The first studio opened in Friendship Heights in 2015, the West End studio followed in 2018, and the Mt Vernon Triangle studio opened on July 1, 2019. The salons are owned by the founders and investors, and the business is not currently offering franchises.

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About

Carrie and Lauren Dunne founded Varnish Lane as a mother-and-daughter business. The first studio opened in Friendship Heights in 2015, the West End studio followed in 2018, and the Mt Vernon Triangle studio opened on July 1, 2019. The salons are owned by the founders and investors, and the business is not currently offering franchises.

Varnish Lane offers manicures and pedicures without water, so there are no basins or whirlpools in the salon. According to the salon, skipping the soak reduces the risk of nail infections, which it attributes to water in manicure and pedicure services, and helps skin hold moisture while polish lasts longer. The salon also states that each service uses up to 15 fewer gallons of water. The salon says Allure Magazine named it a top choice for waterless, long-lasting manicures and pedicures in the U.S., and that it is the first salon in the country dedicated to waterless services. It also points to coverage in InStyle and The Washington Post.

On a visit, technicians check each client for anything that could prevent or change the treatment before starting. Tools are sterilized with Barbicide and a hospital-grade autoclave, technicians wear gloves and wash their hands before and after each client, and nail stations are cleaned daily with disinfectant. An iWave bi-polar ionization air filtration system was installed in January 2021. The studios have comfortable leather recliners and complimentary beverages, and clients are asked to set phones to vibrate and step away from calls during services.

The menu uses polishes rated 7-free or higher, with no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, camphor or dibutyl phthalate. The salon does not offer acrylic nails, and it removes polish with a plant-based remover rather than acetone. Its own natural skin care line includes a nail kit, nail and cuticle oil and hand cream, and it also carries third-party nail brands including Zoya, Deborah Lippmann, Habit, Londontown and AILA. The founders review ingredients and test products personally before a brand is carried.

Appointments can be booked online or by calling the local studio, and all three locations offer weekend hours. A credit card holds every appointment and is charged only for services or for late cancellations and no-shows. Cancellations made less than 12 hours ahead are charged 50% of the booked services plus 20% gratuity, and no-shows are charged the full booked amount plus 20% gratuity. Groups of three to five need a card at booking, and larger parties must rent the space. Private events can be held in the studio or at offices and homes, subject to availability requested by email.

Waterless manicures and pedicures with no water basins or whirlpools, plant-based polish remover, and product choices made after the founders review ingredients and test them.

Studios have comfortable leather recliners and complimentary beverages.

Specials & promotions

  • $15 off your first visit

    Offer valid for new clients only. Not valid on products or gift cards. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. T&C’s apply.

    On their website as of Oct 28, 2026 · Where we saw it

Services

Final prices may vary.

The top-tier manicure and pedicure service, including a warm towel wrap, shaping, cuticle care, sugar scrub, wax treatment and extended massage. Luxe Lane manicures are $52 and pedicures $68, or $72 and $88 with gel polish.

  • Luxe Lane Mani $52
  • Mani $52
  • Luxe Lane Pedi $68
  • Pedi $68
  • Luxe Lane Mani w/ Gel Polish $72
  • Mani W/ Gel Polish $72
  • Luxe Lane Pedi w/ Gel Polish $88
  • Pedi W/ Gel Polish $88

The classic manicure and pedicure service, with a warm towel wrap, shaping, buffing, cuticle care and massage. Main Lane manicures are $30 and pedicures $52, or $52 and $72 with gel polish.

  • Main Lane Mani $30
  • Main Lane Mani w/ Gel Polish $52
  • Main Lane Pedi $52
  • Main Lane Pedi w/ Gel Polish $72

An express polish change, with mini manicure and pedicure options for miniatures. Manicures are $24 and pedicures $28. Gel cannot be added to Fast Lane services.

  • Fast Lane Mani $24
  • Fast Lane Pedi $28

Bundles of three manicures or pedicures at a discount from the single-service price, priced from $81 to $234. Bundles expire 120 days after purchase, cannot be transferred to another client, and are valid at all locations on any day. Gift cards and e-certificates are also available, valid for all services and products, and not refundable or redeemable for cash.

  • Bundle of 3 Main Lane Manicures $81
  • Bundle of 3 Main Lane Manicures w/ Dazzle Dry $111
  • Bundle of 3 Luxe Lane Manicures $138
  • Bundle of 3 Main Lane Manicures w/ Gel $138
  • Bundle of 3 Main Lane Pedicures $138
  • Bundle of 3 Luxe Lane Manicures w/ Dazzle Dry $171
  • Bundle of 3 Main Lane Pedicures w/ Dazzle Dry $171
  • Bundle of 3 Luxe Lane Pedicures $180
  • Bundle of 3 Luxe Lane Manicures w/ Gel $192
  • Bundle of 3 Main Lane Pedicures w/ Gel $192
  • Bundle of 3 Luxe Lane Pedicures w/ Dazzle Dry $213
  • Bundle of 3 Luxe Lane Pedicures w/ Gel $234
  • Gel Removal $12
  • Massage $18
  • Massage add-on $18

Photos

  • Bright retail shop with nail polish wall and product shelves
  • Lounge with gray sofa, wicker chairs and glass coffee table
  • Boutique counter with marble top and reclining chairs beyond
  • Row of tan leather pedicure recliners along shiplap wall
  • Pedicure recliners in the new Mt. Vernon Triangle location
  • Hands receiving a facial oil drop during a manicure
  • Navy manicure with gold accent nail designs
  • Friendship Heights lounge with sofa and wicker chairs
  • Mount Vernon Triangle nail polish wall display
  • West End salon lounge with rattan chairs and pedicure chairs
  • lounge couch and chairs by window
  • two founders smiling in front of nail polish wall

Meet the team

Their website doesn't list the team, so we don't either.

Highlights
  • Waterless manicures and pedicures with no basins or whirlpools
  • Three service tiers: Fast Lane, Main Lane and Luxe Lane
  • Plant-based polish remover used in place of acetone; no acrylic nails
  • Natural skin care line sold in studio, including nail and cuticle oil and hand cream
  • iWave air filtration system installed in January 2021
  • Bundles of three manicures or pedicures, valid at all locations
Good for
  • Quick polish changes
  • Gel polish clients
  • Clients who prefer no acrylics
  • Gift shoppers
  • Private parties and groups
  • Clients who want to book online
Treats
  • Manicures
  • Pedicures
  • Gel polish
  • Polish changes
  • Gel removal
  • Cuticle care
Techniques
  • Waterless manicure
  • Waterless pedicure
  • Gel polish
  • Gel removal
  • Plant-based polish removal
  • Warm towel wrap
  • Sugar scrub
  • Wax treatment
  • Massage

Products & treatments

  • Varnish Lane natural skin care (nail kit, nail and cuticle oil, hand cream)
  • Zoya
  • Deborah Lippmann
  • Habit
  • Londontown
  • AILA

Other locations

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