I love this place, it's clean, genuinely friendly, and they do lovely work. I saw Bianca who pretty much just gave me my favorite manicure of all time! read more

Saunders & James Nail Care - Nail Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

I have been coming to this place for 3+ years now. It's lovely and I would argue one of the nicest nail salons on College or in Rockridge. And yet, my experience today left me feeling completely awful and I won't be coming back. I've spent thousands of dollars a this place over the years - have also brought in my daughters. Today, when picking my color, I accidentally knocked over another color bottle with my jacket. I felt horrible and apologized immediately. The woman at the front desk was kind and immediately started cleaning it up. I felt really bad. In any case, when it was time to check out, my total bill after being there for 2.5 hours was $170. Then the receptionist asked to me also pay $13.50 for the color that I broke. I don't mind the $13 - but I think it's a terrible business decision. I won't be coming back. 1) I think that it's just poor judgement to ask your loyal customer to pay for an accident especially when honestly it's not that much money and 2) much worst, the owner who was there and left just a minute before I checked out, was too scared to ask me herself and instead put it on an employee - I thought that it was such a poor move. It's totally unfair to the employee to be put in this position - she immediately became defensive and said that it wasn't her - but the owner who is requesting the payment. The whole situation left such a bad taste in my mouth - I really don't like it when employees get treated this way. It's so unfortunate that this occurred. And I used to really like the place. read more

Good mani/pedi's, but a bit overpriced for the service. Nice, low-key atmosphere, though can be a bit snooty.

I came here for their white tea pedicure. I must say unfortunately it was underwhelming for the price. I was originally booked with Sabrina the senior manicurist when I booked my appointment. Upon arrival my appointment was not with a senior manicurist but Junior by the name of Alicia. I will say Alicia was very sweet and made sure to ask if I was satisfied with the length after filing and if I was happy with the French tip while painting. The pros: very clean, you will be seen on time, time is taken with cuticles, and staff is very kind. The cons: Don't pay extra for the additional 10 min for massage on to your pedi. I suggest the salon use a timer since this is an extra charge so client knows they got their full time and doesn't feel short changed as I did and the manicurist doesn't feel they went over the time. Overall I can't see myself returning here because it didn't feel worth the price. read more

Saunders & James Nail Care - Appointment confirmation - Nail Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

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Had the best pedicure of my life at Saunders & James. I'm typically ticklish, sensitive, and anxious about pedicures, but Cheyenne was so gentle, explained everything, and was meticulous in her execution (so in addition to my feet feeling softer and healthier, they also look perfect!). I enjoyed catching up on my book while drinking delicious tea (Five Mountains rooibos!) in their airy and clean space, and I agree with another reviewer -- S&J has set the bar so high that now I won't be able to go anywhere else. read more

I enjoyed my experience in the salon, however I'm not super pleased with the quality of work compared to the price that is charged. Less than 2 weeks since getting a builder gel manicure and my polish is chipping, and 2 whole nails have lifted and come off. For $85, I'd hope my nails last for 2 weeks at very least. read more

This was a beautiful experience, Maria did an excellent job on my pedicure (sorry I didn't want to share a picture of my feet). She was very detailed on the nail care of my toes. She made the bottom soft again. I love the decor, it has such a classy vibe. I would definitely recommend this location for a nice girls day or couples day experience. Mr. James was there and was just as pleasant as Maria. If you are debating on going just go! read more

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Natural manicure for $40 basically was cutting and buffing my nails. Attention to the cuticles not included plus $10 for a nail repair. Ok but expensive and disappointing to not get any of the advertised expertise about nail health-- though I asked questions. Nice, quiet vibe to the salon. read more

This nail salon was a recommended place. I did a walk in for their services, but upon entering I felt the unwelcome silence upon stepping in the salon for services. The initial customer service was so bad that I decided not to patronize the salon. Customer service is always a highlight of any place I go to and their customer service is very poor. read more

I have been wanting to come here for the past two years but it's always booked up and I didn't understand what the big deal was. Well, I went in, and it's absolutely gorgeous. The owners happened to be there and I told them I had a work meeting there - they set me up with a booth and made sure we started our pedicures at the same time so we could have ample time for conversation. They even let us hang after we were done. The manicure was also beautiful. Maria did a great job. She respected my requests - I don't like to get my cuticles cut because my skin is sensitive and she even suggested a great color. The owners are so nice - kept checking in on us, making sure we had tea, water, and were comfortable. The place looks like a chic spot from LA because they are from LA. Michelle was a celebrity nail stylist :) Will be back for sure! read more

Saunders & James Nail Care - Nail Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

Going to Saunders and James is a real treat. The atmosphere is serene and pleasant from the moment you enter. They are always right on time which is a departure from many lesser salons I've visited in the area. You have the option to choose the level of experience of your manicurist which in turn allows you a little flexibility in the price you pay. In my experience, all levels provide excellent service. Each employee takes great care and pays careful attention to detail. The provided tea is also a nice touch. Being able to clearly explain your needs and have them understood and catered too is a huge plus. Great color choices and attentive staff make this a premium experience worth the slightly higher price. This is now our go to spot for Mani/Pedis! read more

Complete turn-around! I really appreciate that Michelle took the time to give me a great gel mani, and I learned a lot about nails and nail health in the process. This is a small independently owned business and I respect that they take such care with follow ups and customer service. I'll be booking again. read more

I really want to love this place! It's well decorated and relaxing and the people who work there are super friendly. But I've gone twice now and both times my manicure was just...underwhelming. Uneven polish, sometimes over the cuticles. No clean up of hang nails despite a 1.5 hour session. I will probably go back at some point and keep giving this place a chance! I want it to be great. It's just what the neighborhood needs. And I love that you can book online. And I do feel like they took their time to get the old gel off instead of damaging my nails. read more

Saunders & James Nail Care - Nail Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

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My nails always leave the salon cuter and healthier every time I visit. I'm an off and on nail biter and the Recovery Manicure has been saving me and helping me through the recovery of the habit. Sabrina always takes good care of me (and never shames me for my short nails like I've experienced in past salons.) I hiiiiighly recommend the Recovery Pedicure as well, especially in the winter when my skin is constantly dry. I'm also often so indecisive about nail color and the team is always so helpful in giving me options to choose from (also a big plus that they save the nail colors in your profile for future visits.) For the care and standards of the salon, the price is solid and worth it. read more

I spend a lot of time on College and always walk by Saunders and James while running errands. S&J caught my eye because from the outside looking in, it looked super clean and peaceful. On a Wednesday, two weeks ago, I walked in and made an appointment for 45 minutes later. I asked for the Apres nail extension set. The young lady was very nice but I walked out of there with nails that looked like chiclets; not the results I was expecting for $103 for the service and $20 tip. Pros: clean salon, very nice staff. read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!!!! 1. Customer service is great. Nail techs were nice and person at receptionist station (I believe one of the owners) was so great. 2. They are so detailed and really take their time. I admit it is a tad more expensive than other nails salons but very worth is. 3. The location is great and very walkable to other things, so you can make an entire day out of it. 4. They are handling their covid reopen very well. I felt very comfortable. Please check them out!!! read more

I found Saunders & James on Yelp and fell in love with the decor and overall aesthetic. In addition, based on their philosophy of prioritizing the health of your natural nails, I booked an acrylic removal and a recovery manicure with Clarinda. The acrylic removal was $30, which is steeper than what I was used to paying to get them removed at another salon, but Clarinda took extreme care in slowly and gently filing down my nails to preserve the strength of my natural nail. Every step of the removal process was done carefully, and Michelle checked in with us regularly to see how we were doing, which is a level of attention that I had not experienced at any other salon. My nails came out a little weak as expected with acrylics, but they looked better than they did after other removal services. It's been a week since I came in and I have not experienced any nail breakage, which is impressive. The recovery manicure was very relaxing, and again, a lot of care and attention went into every step of the way. The cleanliness was top notch-- every tool that was used on my nails was either disinfected or brand new. Clarinda filed my nails very gently to preserve the length I wanted, and she was so sweet the entire time and we had good conversations. The only issue that I had with the service was that the polish was not given enough dry time, so the polish on both my thumb nails ended up getting smudged shortly after. However, I had a good experience here overall--despite the fact that nail services here are more costly than most in the area, I would assume that translates into more fair and ethical labor practices for technicians, which is important to me. With that being said, given the excellent customer service, sanitation practices, and attention to detail, I will definitely be back. read more

Saunders & James Nail Care - the polish on the thumb nail got smudged :( - Nail Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

After an initial hiccup with my gel-x manicure, I came back to Saunders & James to work with Michelle, the owner, on what would work for my nails. Michelle really cares about her business and listens to her customers so they become long term clients. They have a beautiful clean salon and a huge variety of colors. The salon is very conscious of hygiene and take major precautions to make sure everything is sanitized. Super happy about my experience and will be coming back on Sunday for a pedicure. read more

Saunders & James Nail Care - Mani - Nail Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

Thank you Claire for a great gel manicure! Very clean & comfortable environment, great attention to detail, and just super nice people who know how to take care of your nails--highly recommend. read more

Saunders & James Nail Care - Spring gel manicure - Nail Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

I thought about removing a star for cost, but everyone should know you get what you pay for, and this place is worth every penny!! Cheyenne is always very careful and pays attention to the details. You can tell she takes pride in her work. I don't think I'll be able to go anywhere else for a gel manicure now because the bar has been set so high. I recommend making an appointment well in advance. This is not a walk-in nail spa but, trust me, it's worth the wait! read more

I never noticed the owner's response to my original post until someone reacted to my review just now. I am pretty disappointed in her response! It is very condescending and implying as if I cannot afford the pricing of her salon. I spend upwards $300 a month on my gel mani pedis as I get them done every 2 weeks. I felt as if my original review was very kindly worded and did not justify a facetious response. It doesn't matter if the "sanitation fee" is only $3. It could be $1 or $10 - it's about the principal of overcharging customers for ridiculous fees when the salon should be practicing sanitation regardless of covid. Haven't returned since and definitely will not be coming back in the future or recommending to anyone. read more

I love Saunders & James! I am regular client -- and the bar is set high at this nail salon. I regularly receive a mani/pedi every two weeks. I recently tried a gel manicure with nail art for my vacation and LOVED it. I think all the nail technicians are wonderful but I am regular with Maya -- I just love her! The owners Michelle and Kerry have created a wonderful experience for self-care. read more

Saunders & James Nail Care - Vacation Nails by Maya. LOVE ! - Nail Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

I have been searching for years for this experience. The location is perfect and serene. The shop Is clean and the service was magnificent. I just don't think I could handle another sweat shop where they cycle you through like widgets. If one more person greeted me with "pick a color" I was going to cry. Michelle's shop is not that. I am a happy customer and already booked my next appointment on the way out. Highly recommend Saunders & James. read more

Saunders & James Nail Care - Nail Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

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Wonderful staff, incredibly clean and beautiful space. Price reflects the best quality nail care I have experienced!

I was looking for a nail salon, while I waited for my dog to get groomed at Healthy Spot and I stumbled upon this place. I wish I found out about Saunders & James sooner. S&J is a high-end, clean salon with a trendy, spa-like vibe. The manicurists are very talented and friendly; I have been here three times, and it's always consistent. The entire customer experience from the booking to the parking, to the checkout is so easy and pleasant. If you are looking for a relaxing and quality experience, don't search any further and book here! read more

Saunders & James Nail Care - Love my NYE nails by Corey - Nail Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

AMAZING! Beautiful decor, great customer service and gorgeous array of colors to choose from. It's like you walked in to real life Pinterest board. Live in the neighborhood and passed by this adorable place yesterday and had to come back today to check it out - it's their soft opening but you wouldn't know it. It's all about the details and it shows. Michelle (the owner) and all the ladies in the shop we're so sweet and took EXCELLENT care of me. They are a natural nail salon and use primarily Essie products they even have Essie gel which I got to try for the first time! I I got a gel mani with a design and a pedicure. They all helped choose a color and encouraged me to try colors out. Clarinda did an amazing job with my pedicure so attentive, funny and sweet. Queenie did my manicure and was so meticulous she caught every little hair and even redid a nail. She consistently checked in to see if I like the shape, color etc. Definitely will be back and recommend :) Straight up I spent more than I have in awhile at a nail salon but it was absolutely worth it!!! read more

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Thankful, thankful, thankful for the excellent nail care services at Saunders & James Nail salon. Love the comfort of the salon and professionalism of the staff. My nails have blossomed and are thriving due to the excellent and consistent care received at the salon. The nail care products and colors are high end and the staff is very knowledgeable and focused on proper application. Great service, relaxed and calm atmosphere and exactly what I need for nail care. Looking forward to my next appointment! read more

I booked a regular pedicure a few weeks in advance, I don't think they take walk-ins so I highly recommend booking in advance. When I arrived to the nail salon I was happy to find that it wasn't overly busy (it was also a Tuesday so that could be a main reason why) and the staff was observing COVID protocols including wearing masks and maintaining distance between each client. They had a large selection of nail colors (I recommend sitting by the window to see what your nail color will look like in the sun, it makes a huge difference). The service was fine, but I wasn't wowed, I feel like the nail technician didn't properly clean under my nails. I also paid for a nail repair but my nail broke the next day. read more

Went in for follow up on Russian mani and it did not disappoint. Rimma, the specialist in this technique, was precise, detailed, and focused. The manicure was clean and precise. No cuticles, perfect polish application. I'd been searching for this technique after seeing it on Pinterest and researching it for several weeks. It's hard to find, but offered at Saunders and James. The owners were very nice, friendly and accommodating. They even comped me for the snafu with my original Russian mani appointment. Great customer service in general and the Russian mani is worth every dollar read more

Unfriendly. You will be charged if something comes up and you have to cancel! Be warned. They are very inflexible and unwelcoming.

My favorite thing about this salon is the vibe; usually the owner Michelle is always there and always super helpful, everything is very clean and organized with a large selection of quality polishes, and you do get a great high end service. I highly recommend this place if you want to really enjoy your "self care" time. Make sure to book online or give them a call. Oh yeah and check out their fabulous nail designs! read more

Saunders & James Nail Care - reverse french - Nail Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

Wonderful place! Very happy with most of the nail artists and overall a great place. My nails are super healthy thanks to their care and attention. Love being able to book appointments online. read more

Great service, clean, awesome skills, many good collection of colors. What else can you ask more??

Glorious... my piggies are in heaven. I'm a picky patty about my hooves... this place is stellar from the moment you walk in the door.

I came here about a week ago for a basic pedicure. I love the atmosphere of the shop, it is quiet, clean, and calm, which is the experience I am going for when I go to a salon. The person working with me was polite, professional, very thorough, and the polish has lasted well. Definitely one of the better pedicures I've received in the area. I will be returning. Heads up: they don't have massage chairs (which is my preference). read more

I was incredibly grateful for a wonderfully positive experience with Cristal and the whole staff at Saunders & James today. After not getting my nails done for 14 months, dealing with a pandemic, and raising a toddler, my two hour long double pedicure/gel manicure was just what I needed. The service was impeccable. The space is beautiful and so clean. The color options are insane and they are very helpful in finding exactly what you're looking for. Finally, Cristal had incredible attention to detail and my mani/pedi was perfect. read more

Saunders & James Nail Care - Nail Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

I wanted to have a mother & daughter morning of mani-pedi pampering for my Mom, my daughter, & me on the day before Mother's Day--as a kick-off to Mother's Day weekend. Initially, when I called a few weeks ago, it appeared that Saunders & James was already booked and could only take one of us. So, I snagged the one spot for my Mom to get the royal treatment she truly deserves. Then, much to my delight, Saunders & James reached out to me--three days before my Mom's appointment--to let me know that they could accommodate me and my daughter for nail services, too! They saved the day...our Pre-Mother's Day, that is...for us! We arrived to a beautiful, impeccably clean, and luxuriously appointed nail salon, with caring, attentive, and highly skilled professionals waiting for us. They not only helped us select the perfect polish we liked; but, they gently and expertly treated our nails, hands, arms, legs, & feet to VIP treatment. Everyone at Saunders & James went out of their way to ensure that my Mom, my daughter, & I were comfortable and well taken care of. We thoroughly enjoyed the outstanding service we received and we left with gorgeous nails and huge smiles on our faces! We'll definitely be back! You're literally in excellent hands with Saunders & James! read more

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Clean and professional Expensive so look out for the Tuesday special. Will return again

The space is beautiful and immaculate. If you're looking for a high end nail salon with attention to detail this is the place. Cristal took a a lot of time and care in making sure my nails came out looking perfect. We talked about the design and she checked with me each step of the way. The owner is also very attentive and kind. Really happy with my visit and the service. read more

Saunders & James Nail Care - Interior - Nail Salons Near Me - Oakland, California

Beyond awesome! From the incredible service to outstanding staff to extremely comfortable and chic aesthetic...Saunders & James is my new favorite salon. Francie was meticulous with a warm personality. The color selection was nicely curated--I love my Morgan Taylor "Let There Be Moonlight" grey. Wishing this lovely, small business longevity and much success... read more

Saunders & James Nail Care - Pedicure color: Let There Be Moonlight by Morgan Taylor - Nail Salons Near Me - Oakland, California