The
(experience)
Picture this: you walk into our studio (which feels more like a spa than a nail salon) and don’t get hit with the harsh smell of toxic chemicals, top 40 hits blaring on the radio, or TV’s competing for your already divided attention.
Instead you enter into our sacred space with a curated Spotify playlist flowing, our signature candle scent burning, and an invitation to intentionally unwind.
Yes, we care about the planet - but that also includes your personal environment. In order to help clients maximize their self-care time, we’ve built our studio sanctuary to serve as a container to practice uninterrupted presence and restoration.
The best part? You're all invited.
on (the menu)
At keen, we believe that simple is better. We take a "less is more" approach to our offerings, providing you with an intentional experience that leaves you feeling realigned, recharged, and restored.
Here's the breakdown:
- longer lasting polish and less chipping
- no more waterlogged nails from soaking
- healthier cuticles and skin
- a more sanitary, bacteria-free experience
- one pedicure, on average, uses 15 gallons of water
why waterless?
Service:
Keep It Simple
About:
Permission to indulge. Treat yourself to a self-care reset with a simple but effective service option. (P.S. our sugar scrubs are all made in-studio.)
Includes:
+ Detailed Nail Shaping
+ Cuticle/Callus Care
+ Sugar Scrub
+ Relaxing Massage
+ Finish with One of our Non-toxic, Vegan, + Cruelty-Free Polishes (Option to Upgrade to Gel Polish)
reserve your experience
reserve your experience
Service:
Keep It Extra
About:
A keen community favorite! This self-care experience is designed for clients ready to spend a little extra time to recharge. Did someone say hot stone massage?
Includes:
+ Detailed Nail Shaping
+ Cuticle/Callus Care
+ Sugar Scrub
+ Extended Hot Stone Massage
+ Finish with One of our Non-toxic, Vegan, + Cruelty-Free Polishes (Option to Upgrade to Gel Polish)
reserve your experience
reserve your experience
Service:
Builder Gel Mani
About:
This is what traditional (toxic) acrylic treatments wish they were. The Gel Bottle Builder in a Bottle (BIAB) is a strengthening, clean gel polish applied to your natural nails that adds durability and encourages growth without breakage. This protective layer helps weak nails achieve their potential length whilst maintaining nail health. Last up to 4 weeks without chipping or lifting of polish.
Includes:
+ Detailed Nail Shaping
+ Cuticle Care
+ Sugar Scrub
+ Finish with One of our Non-toxic, Vegan, + Cruelty-Free Polishes (Option to Upgrade to Gel Polish)
reserve your experience
reserve your experience
Service:
Keep It Quick
About:
The bare necessities. Short on time? You can still prioritize self-care to feel your best. Be in & out with this time-sensitive service option.
Includes:
+ Nail Shaping
+ Hand and/or Foot Hydration
+ Finish with One of our Non-toxic, Vegan, + Cruelty-Free Polishes (Option to Upgrade to Gel Polish)
reserve your experience
reserve your experience
Service:
Keep It Youthful
About:
Because it’s never too early to teach self-care. (Designed for ages 12 & Younger.)
Includes:
+ Nail Shaping
+ Light Massage
+ Finish with One of our Non-toxic, Vegan, + Cruelty-Free Polishes (Option to Upgrade to Gel Polish)
reserve your experience
reserve your experience
Service:
Keep It Clean
About:
A nail service experience sans polish. Considered the perfect MANicure or keen's version of a "gentlemen's manicure".
Includes:
+ Detailed Nail Shaping
+ Cuticle/Callus Care
+ Sugar Scrub
+ Therapeutic Massage
reserve your experience
reserve your experience
Service:
Keep It Extra Clean
About:
Another nail service experience sans polish. Everything included in the ‘Keep It Clean’ experience with a few *extras*.
Includes:
+ Detailed Nail Shaping
+ Cuticle/Callus Care
+ Sugar Scrub
+ Hot Stone & Kanza Wand Massage
reserve your experience
reserve your experience
I recently got my second builder gel manicure at Keen and both experiences were fantastic! The studio's atmosphere is wonderful and my nail tech, Ash, was incredibly nice and talented. One of my favorite things about Keen is how sustainable and all-natural it is, I appreciate how nice it smells in here, so different from the other nail salons that I have been to in the past... I 100% recommend this studio to everyone who asks!
this studio has set my standards very high!
- haley
A keen manicure/pedicure is truly a self care experience! I've been seeing Ezzy for my builder gel manicures for about 10 months now and my natural nails are healthier than ever. I've seen various technicians for my pedicures and they all do an incredible job. Ever since switching to waterless pedicures I've noticed way LESS callus build up on my heels and they stay smoother much longer. Besides giving a great service, this place is an overall VIBE with their hot tea choices, mellow music and incredible aroma.
keen is my self-care haven!
- brittany
First of all, aesthetically speaking, keen is top notch. The second you walk in the door you feel a sense of peace - which is drastically different from your typical nail salon. The color choices are great and the added touch of featuring women & POC brands is great. If you haven't experienced a waterless salon before, it's the way to go & keen does a fabulous job with their offerings. The Keep it Extra pedicure was outstanding - I especially loved the gua-sha, so unique and most importantly, relaxing! 15/10 for keen and the team, you now have a lifelong customer with me!
The second you walk in the door you feel a sense of peace
- elizabeth
From the moment you walk in you feel at peace. The color selection of nail polishes are great and not overwhelming at all (from someone who always spends forever trying to find the right color, I did not have this issue here).
My technician, Nima, did an amazing job. She's very thorough in the shaping, cleaning, and applying of the nail polish. Her massage almost put me to sleep! This was my first ever experience with a waterless nail salon and I love it! I always hated how my skin would feel after being in the water too long and how it's more prone to over cutting cuticles and skin. Also how dry my heels would feel in the days after but this was not the case here! I'll definitely be coming back again.
Keen is so beautiful, elegant, calm & clean.
- halah
From the moment you walk in you feel at peace. The color selection of nail polishes are great and not overwhelming at all.
My technician, Nima, did an amazing job. She's very thorough... Her massage almost put me to sleep! This was my first ever experience with a waterless nail salon and I love it! I always hated how my skin would feel after being in the water too long and how it's more prone to over cutting cuticles and skin. Also how dry my heels would feel in the days after but this was not the case here! I'll definitely be coming back again.
My husband and I visited Keen for the first time today and we are VERY impressed with this holistic approach to nail care! The products Keen uses are fantastic, no toxic odors or chemicals, and the aesthetic is clean and bright! We absolutely loved our service today, especially the Builder manicure with Ezzy who is AMAZING! She did a fabulous job, and we have already booked our next appointments! Thank you to Emily at the front desk for making our check-in and check-out experience so seamless, and shout-out to Sam, the owner, for welcoming us! Don't delay - book now because appointments fill up quickly!
we are VERY impressed with this holistic approach to nail care!
- melba
I discovered Keen while pregnant with my second baby and searching for a local, non toxic nail studio... and my experience there did not disappoint! It was so nice to indulge without having to worry about exposing myself to the harmful chemicals and toxins found in traditional salons... yet not have to sacrifice any part of the self care experience, including the longevity of my manicure (I like the builder gel manicure).During my second visit I decided to try a pedicure and OMG what a relaxing experience! The salon is "waterless" but believe me when I say you will not miss the foot soak at all! I also had no idea how much better the waterless model is for both your nail health and the environment. The owner, Sam, could not have been nicer and was so accommodating - this is truly so much more than your average nail salon! I am happy to support a woman/mother-owned small business and look forward to being a regular Keen client.
this is truly so much more than your average nail salon!
I discovered Keen while... searching for a local, non toxic nail studio and my experience there did not disappoint! It was so nice to indulge without having to worry about exposing myself to the harmful chemicals and toxins found in traditional salons... yet not have to sacrifice any part of the self care experience, including the longevity of my manicure. At second visit I decided to try a pedicure and OMG what a relaxing experience! The salon is "waterless" but believe me when I say you will not miss the foot soak at all! I also had no idea how much better the waterless model is for both your nail health and the environment...
- lauren
FAQs
Yes! We’re big on transparency at keen. One thing we are super honest about is proper compensation for our talented nail techs. We charge for gel removal so that we can pay our employees accordingly for the additional time and effort it takes to remove the gel (foreign or from keen). Plus, when clients specifically add on this removal service while booking, we are able to have our studio schedule reflect that.
It's what acrylic treatments wish they were. Builder in a Bottle is a strengthening, clean gel polish applied to your natural nails for durability and encouraged growth. It is less damaging to your natural nails than acrylic because it creates a thin coat on your nails that allows them to remain healthy and grow while you wear the polish. If you're looking to grow and strengthen your natural nails, builder gel in a bottle is the best choice.
We're waterless because it's better for not only the planet but also you! A waterless manicure eliminates the soaking step of your service and replaces it with warm towel treatments, oils, homemade scrubs, and clean lotions. Trust us - our clients are always shocked by how much the prefer our water-free approach. Our treatments last longer and are more effective than traditional salons. Once you go waterless, you'll never look back.
Yes! Just because we're waterless doesn't mean we're less effective. Our pedi's provide clients with better results then traditional treatments - just with way less water waste and no toxins.
We do not - acrylic and dip treatments are filled with toxins and unsanitary. For those reasons, we don't offer them at keen. If you'd like to get a similar service, we recommend our Builder Gel mani. You'll never want an acrylic or dip manicure again!
Nope! We're committed to sustainability and made the call that going paperless would be more in line with our mission and values.
All our treatment products are vegan and fragrance-free. Plus, we don't use any nut oils to be mindful of nut allergies. We opt for grape seed oil instead to avoid any allergy-related issues.
We're flattered you asked, but no. keen is a local, female-owned nail studio located in the Clarendon area of Arlington, VA.
want to nail down the right treatment for you?
Send our keen concierge an email with any questions & we'll recommend the right service for you.