Frequently Asked Questions
Nail Services at Prizm
Do you accept walk-ins?
No, we do not accept walk-ins. We only accept online bookings, you may book here.
Do I have to enter my payment information to make an appointment?
Yes, by booking an appointment, you agree to:
Pay a required 30% nonrefundable deposit, which will be applied to your service total
If you cancel more than 72 hours and prepaid in full, you will receive a refund minus the nonrefundable 30% deposit. You will receive a refund of 50% of your prepaid amount if you cancel within 72 hours, per our cancellation policy.
Our cancellation/late policy and terms outlined below (as well as on the booking page)
Authorize Prizm to charge your credit card on file a late fee of 50% of the total service amount if you cancel or reschedule within 72 hours of your scheduled appointment time, and a no-show fee of 100% of your service amount should you not show up to your appointment without proper notification.
What is your cancellation/late policy?
We have a VERY STRICT cancellation/late policy. Each client’s appointment is important to us. We want to give your service the time and attention it deserves. As a result, we respectfully request at least 72 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Failing to give 72-hour notice will result in a 50% charge. Any no-shows will be charged 100% of their service amount. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY, INCLUDING COVID-RELATED LATE CANCELLATIONS.
If you are more than 15 minutes late, there may not be enough time to complete your scheduled service. You will still be charged 100% of the total service amount. Depending on how much time remains in your scheduled timeframe, you will either:
Receive a modified service that fits in the remaining timeframe.
Have your appointment canceled.
Do you remove hard gel, structured gel, Gel-x soft gel extensions, acrylic, or dip system?
We do not remove hard gel or structured gel not done at Prizm, soft gel extensions, acrylic, or dip system/SNS at all. Please have these completely removed prior to your appointment. If any removal of the aforementioned enhancements is needed, your appointment may be rescheduled/canceled AND charged 100% of the service amount. Please reach out if you are not sure about what product may be on your nails.
What is gratuity-free pricing and why does your service-based business operate this way?
Effective June 1st, 2023, we will no longer accept gratuity for any services - the price is the price, nothing more or less. We chose to implement this pricing structure for consistency in accounting - no more guesswork! Check out our blog post for a deeper dive into why we are transitioning to this pricing structure.
What payment methods are accepted at Prizm?
We accept most major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and smartphones with other digital wallets. No cash please.
I’m not sure how much time for nail art to book. Do you have examples?
Yes! You can also request an Artist’s Choice when you arrive to your appointment and we will choose a design that fits within the time selected. Here are some examples:
15 minutes of nail art (Classic One-Color French Tips fall into this time frame)
60 minutes of nail art (Most ombre looks fall into this time frame as they are airbrushed)
What if I have a specific design in mind for nail art? How do I know what to book?
Please email us at info[at]prizmnails.com with photo references of your desired look. We will get back to you to let you know if we can execute your vision and what appointment type to book. We are no longer offering consultations for special occasion sets as future availability is very limited.
What is the difference between a gel manicure and a structured gel manicure?
A gel manicure involves applying soft gel polish to natural nails. It's ideal for regular maintenance or special occasions. A structured gel manicure adds a builder gel overlay for increased strength, allowing natural nails to grow longer over time with refills every 3-5 weeks. Structured gel manicures require regular maintenance and are not recommended for one-off or special occasions.
I’m used to paying slightly less for “fill” or “refill” services at other salons. Why do your structured gel refill services cost more than an initial full set?
We never understood the pricing structure of other salons where they charge slightly less for a maintenance service that actually involves more time and work! Refills include thinning of products from your last set, rebalancing, and the new application of a builder gel overlay.
What to expect at your nail appointment :
Our nail appointments are longer than 1 hour. Some may go up to 3 hours. Please be mindful of the appointment duration, they are listed under the Appointment Type. If you are unable to sit for long periods, this may not be the best service for you.
We take pride in ensuring that our work surfaces and tools are properly sanitized between clients, and disposables are never reused across clients.
Only high-quality products that are personally tested are used in all of our services to ensure the best retention.
Natural nail care that really focuses on the health of your nails.
If you are coming to us for the first time and have significantly damaged or bendy nails, it may take a few appointments for you to see the real difference of our high-end manicures. This is because your foundation isn't stable enough to hold a hardened (cured) layer of gel. You may want to wait until all of the damaged parts of your nail have grown out.
How long will my gel manicure last?
Depending on your lifestyle and how you care for your manicure after your appointment, your manicure should last between 2-4 weeks. Please refer to the at-home tips found in your follow-up email from Ro.
I’ve tried gel and hard gel manicures in the past and they never lasted very long. Am I a good candidate to wear gel?
There are a few factors that may be causing your gel not to last. Gel typically doesn’t last well on folks that have their hands in water often (i.e. hairstylists, healthcare workers, or others that wear gloves for long periods of time or wash their hands often) or for folks that have oily nail beds (yes, this is a thing!).
What is a waterless manicure?
We do not soak your fingernails in water and instead, use a gentle e-file bit for safer cuticle clean-up. Hydrating moisture is applied after the gel is cured, at the end of the service, with either a hand scrub and/or cuticle oil.
What is a non-acetone gel removal?
We believe that acetone dehydrates nails, which leads to brittleness. We also believe that completely removing product from the natural nail makes the nail susceptible to over-prepping/buffing which weakens them more and more each time. We use a double-base coat method for all of our gel manicures. This includes the application of two coats of base coat to the natural nail. When it is time for a removal, we use an e-file to safely take the existing gel down to the first coat of base coat. The remaining coat of base coat is then gently rebalanced/thinned down and refilled with two more coats of base coat for the new set.
How do I get to Prizm?
Prizm is a private studio located in Alameda Point near Spirits Alley in Alameda, CA. The address will be provided in your email confirmation upon booking an appointment.
Nail Wraps
Where can I purchase Prizm Nail Wraps and Decals?
Prizm Nail Wraps and Decals are now available on Etsy.
Are the nail wraps non-toxic?
Yes, the nail wraps are vegan, cruelty-free, and made from real, non-toxic nail polish.
How do I apply and remove the nail wraps?
Written instructions are included in each pack of nail wraps. Visual instructions can be found below.
Watch a video tutorial on how to apply the Prizm Nail Wraps
Can I use any top coat over the nail wraps?
The nail wraps are best topped with a high-quality polish or gel top coat. However, they DO NOT DO WELL with a quick-dry top coat.
How do I take care of my nails after the wraps are applied?
Treat your nails as you would with any fresh manicure - wear gloves when washing dishes or using cleaning agents, don’t use your nails as tools, keep them out of your mouth, and keep your cuticles hydrated with cuticle oil (we love this one) or moisturizing cream.
What is your return policy?
Since nail wraps are considered a personal care item, they cannot be returned or exchanged once opened and used. Returns and exchanges are only accepted on defective items within 30 days of delivery date. Each pack is assembled by hand and is thoroughly inspected before sealing. If any of your items are defective or damaged, please contact us right away.