FAQs

TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) is an ingredient that helps gel polish harden quickly under UV or LED light during the curing process.

Why is it banned in the EU?

The European Union banned TPO in nail products starting September 2025 as a precautionary measure. It has been classified as a Category 1B substance, meaning regulators wanted to limit its use in cosmetics even though no direct harm from nail products has been reported.

Is it safe to use?

Yes. There is no evidence that TPO in nail products has caused harm, and it does not penetrate the nail plate, which is made of keratin (dead cells). The ban is about raising safety standards, not because of any proven danger.

Do we use products with TPO?

At Saunders & James, we’ve already transitioned to many TPO-free gel products. Your manicures and pedicures will continue to have the same long-lasting shine and strength just with even cleaner ingredients.

The Gel Bottle nail gel lamp cures gel faster than an average UV nail lamp because it also uses LED bulbs. Having an LED nail gel lamp is essential when working with gel polish, and the specs on our professional UV/LED nail lamp means you are in the lamp for a lot less time.

~Cures TGB gel in 60 seconds

~Optimized for professional use with TGB products

~39 carefully positioned LEDs

~3 additional LEDS to ensure tips cure perfectly

~UV/LED combined lights (wavelength 365+405 nanometers)

~48W and Low Heat mode to avoid heat spikes

Yes we do. Upon your request we will gladly give you a complimentary set of UV protective gloves to wear during your gel manicure.

For more information on the safety of gel lamps please read here

Metered parking is available up and down College Avenue. The ParkMobile app is a great way to reserve parking and you can re-add extra time if needed. Complimentary 2 hour parking on the residential cross streets, Chabot and Oak Grove. *please do not leave any personal items visible in your car.

We are mask friendly! Most staff will stay masked at all times. But we ask that you stay home if you are sick and/or showing symptoms of illness.

For payment of services, we are cashless. At the time of booking (online or by phone), we require a valid credit card to secure your appointment. You will only be charged at the end of your service or in the event of a no-show or late cancellation. Read our full Cancellation Policy for more details.

We now accept contactless payments. We can also store your credit card on file for future transactions!

Gratuities

A great way to help support our manicurists is to pay tips with Venmo or cash. We have Venmo QR codes for each team member at the front desk for easy scanning. And we also have tip envelopes for cash so that you can take care of everything at once during checkout. We still accept tips by credit card for your convenience, but if it's possible for you, we'd love to make Venmo the new norm for tipping at Saunders & James! Thanks for your understanding!

Monday: 11am-6pm

Tuesday–Saturday: 10am–6pm

Sometimes! However, we do recommend you give us a call first to check on availability.

Upon arrival, please come straight in and check in at the front desk before starting your appointment, as we have eliminated our check-in process of temperature checks and hand sanitizer application.

Nail Service Providers will continue to wear masks and gloves at all times as well as practice the highest standard of safety according to the regulations and guidelines of the State Board of California Consumer Affairs Department and OSHA.

We will continue our usual high standard of cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting of the salon.

Please do not arrive more than 10 minutes before your appointment to help us avoid mass gathering in the front of the salon.

Capacity will be back to normal but we will continue to stagger out pedicure seating arrangements whenever possible, but please be aware on busier days we may need to seat clients next to each other.

Pedicure bowl plastic liners will continue to be used as they contribute to our normal high level of safety as a high contact salon.

In an effort to make each experience at Saunders & James relaxing and enjoyable for all we ask that cell phones be set to silent during your visit. If you must use your phone, we kindly ask that you use proper cell phone etiquette and step out momentarily to complete your call.

It’s important to understand that when forgetting or cancelling appointments without giving enough notice, businesses lose the opportunity to fill that appointment time, and other clients waiting for appointments miss out on receiving services. All appointments with Saunders & James are subject to our cancellation policy. Late cancellations after 10 hours are charged 50% of the scheduled service(s). Last minute cancellations (less than 2 hours) are charged the full price for the service(s). No-shows are charged the full price of the appointment. Changing or altering your appointment at the time of your service may be considered a last minute cancellation. Read our full cancellation policy for more details.

Our manicures and pedicures are built to last, but we know that each person's nails and lifestyle are different! We pride ourselves on finding the right products and services for everyone. If your nails peel, chip or break within four days, we will repair free of charge with photo documentation.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that we will have time to accommodate add-on requests made at the time of service. Whether you book online, over the phone or in person, please make sure to add on any extra services you need when you book your appointment, including Gel Removal and Artificial Nail Removal. This helps us ensure you get the services you want while keeping our appointment schedule on time. Not sure which services you want or need yet? Give us a call at 510-356-0309 and we'll be happy to help you decide!

Yes, bring us your ideas! We’d love to collaborate to create a design just for you. Know what you want in advance? Send your inspiration photos to hello@saundersandjames.com We may not be able to accommodate all requests, but we’ll try! The more time we have to plan, the better. Some custom nail art might include additional charges.

If you know you're going to be late, please call ASAP. If you are more than 5 minutes late, your service(s) may need to be shortened or rescheduled to accommodate the needs of our staff and other customers. Read more about our late arrival and cancellation policy.

For parties over 5, please call to book 30 days in advance of your desired appointment date/time.

We're excited to share that we're now offering Aprés Gel-X Nail Extensions, the world's first soft-gel nail extension system. Unlike acrylic, which is an extension solely at the tip, Aprés covers the entire nail bed, fostering a safer space for natural nail growth with far less trauma. (And it soaks off easily with acetone!) Finished with your choice of regular or gel polish. We do not apply other types of artificial nails such as acrylics, hard gel or dip powder.

Yes! Many men prefer our Supernatural service, which uses organic products and ends with your choice of shiny or matte buff.

We do not apply artificial nails such as acrylic, hard gel or dip powder, but we are happy to remove them—add removal to manicure services for $30. However, we're excited to announce that we are now offering Aprés Gel-X Nail Extensions, the world's first soft-gel nail extension system. (see Do you offer nail extensions? FAQ above)

For an added layer of safety, we do use pedicure bowl liners. Furthermore, we have ceramic pedicure bowls, which are far more sanitary than pedicure bowls that use jets. And with all of our salon tools and equipment, we maintain sanitization practices that surpass State Board requirements.

The restriction on animals in California salons is primarily for health and safety reasons. Salons deal with various chemicals and equipment that could pose a risk to animals' well-being. Additionally, some customers may have allergies or fear of animals, which could create uncomfortable or unsafe situations. However, we are aware that service dogs are an exception to the restriction. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are allowed in places of public accommodation, including salons, to assist individuals with disabilities. Service dogs are specially trained to perform specific tasks to help their handlers, and they are not considered pets and a business can ask what those tasks are.