The Upper Hand Salon: River Oaks

Being new to Houston, I just picked the salon bc of proximity. Honestly, never been happier with a salon. Everyone is friendly, I always get an appointment (even if they squeeze me in)) and my hair always looks awesome. AIDEN does my hair, and every single time I tell him what I kind of want… he makes it perfect. The color is amazing, he actually fixed the big old mess I came in with, and he’s helped me keep it totally healthy. Love this place!
Also, I don’t know how it compares to other salons in Houston, but the price is amazing compared to where I’m from, and it’s worth every dime.

UNACCEPTABLE!!! My sister consulted with Lauren, because she had fabulous reviews, and several of our friends recommended her. The day of the consultation, she was pleasant and informative. On the day of her appointment, however, she sees Lauren walking out the door. She goes in anyway, assuming that Lauren was taking a break, only to be informed that Lauren just wasn’t comfortable working with ‘LATINA HAIR’. Um, first of all, my sister is white, and happens to be married to a hispanic man. Secondly, since when do hispanic women and caucasian women have different hair?!? «It’s just that most of Lauren’s clients are caucasian». UNBELIEVABLE AND UNPROFESSIONAL!
In addition to the insult, her hair looks horrific. We expected so much more from an establishment such as The Upper Hand. We will not return, and 8 of our (caucasian) friends who highly recommended you will not be returning either. Because apparently, brunettes just aren’t white enough.

I have been here several times with 3 different stylists! You really can’t go wrong, these stylists know what they are doing!
For hair cut I go to Crystal and she is awesome!
I just had my first color appointment here today! Heather did my color and I can not speak highly enough of her! She is the sweetest girl I have ever met and did an amazing job on my hair!
Thank you thank you upper hand for everything! I have been in Houston for almost 3 years and can finally say I have found my new home salon!

Awesome salon. Got a cut and fashion color from Cecilia. She is amazing! She pays really close attention to every step to make sure it’s perfect.

Cecilia is amazing!!! I’ve never trusted anyone else to cut or to do anything to my hair. She listens to your ideas and will also give her opinion.
I had it cut and did some balayage to it and I’m in love. She understands that I love my beach hair style lol! I highly recommend her to anyone, she’s super sweet and an artist!!!
The upper hand is so lucky to have such an amazing and professional person like Cecilia.
Loveeeeee her!

This place was just terrible. When I walked in, I thought the place was very pretty and everyone was nice, as well as my stylist. I was getting my hair done for graduation and I asked for loose waves. I could have done a better job myself. I wasted almost $ 50 on a crappy hairstyle. The «waves» were not even waves. I won’t be returning.

Shauna did an amazing job and was extremely personable. Definitely going to go back. Had the best haircut that I’ve ever had. Would definitely recommend her.

Loved my experience with Aimee at Upper Hand! It’s quite possibly my favorite hair cut to date! The salon is very trendy and up to date a variety of hair styles. I will definitely be back!

Becca is awesome! I would recommend her to any one of my friends. I live in Katy and it is totally worth the drive to see her. Super friendly and does such an amazing job I will never go anywhere else. I am so glad I found The Upper Hand and was recommended Becca for balayage.

Blondes… We have found an answer to our prayers. Crystal Imperato is great! She understands the different shades that a blonde can be. The cherry on top of the cake– she is so nice and very professional. Honor to have met her!

I REALLY wanted to like this place. Had great reviews, great location, and great photos of beautiful results. First of all, I get a phone call ten minutes before my appointment time advising that my stylist is running behind. The lady says, grab a coffee or something, you have a little extra time. I said no worries but I am already on my way. I get there and had to wait 45 minutes for my appointment. Ridiculous. I made an appointment at noon and even told the receptionist I wanted to come in «on my lunch break.» Finally get in the chair, the stylist is super apologetic, very sweet, so I thought I would just let it go. We start working on my color and I assume everything is just fine. She tells me my hair will be a little gold. Ok, still no worries. She takes the towel off and my hair is bright orange. Literally. I could not believe it. This is at 2:45 p.m. (my appointment was at noon). She kept blaming my hair but the roots were orange and not the ends. I just cannot believe I now have orange hair and paid to have orange hair. I think they should not have charged me knowing I was clearly upset about how my hair turned out. I will never step foot back in this establishment.

Heather is phenomenal! She really listens to what you want and will give her honest opinion if asked. She really wants you to be happy with how you look and truly understands the importance of a flattering haircut. I will definitely be a repeat customer!

AWESOME SERVICE! I highly recommend Lauren. Z she is a stylist there at the salon! I got full highlights/​lowlights with a trim and long textured layers. She was so sweet and knowledgeable, she specializes in coloring blondes and will definitely take good care of you! I left feeling like a million dollars and can’t wait to go back to her!

I highly recommend Andres Ascencio for cut and color. He did a phenomenal job with my blonde ombré — it’s the best it has ever looked. He cares immensely about getting it right and making you happy — he spent over 30 minutes with me doing a consultation before my actual appointment and wanted to see pictures of the look I was going for. An added plus is that he’s an extremely positive and fun person who I genuinely enjoyed spending time with!

MADISON is AMAZING! I’ve never had healthier, more beautiful hair. Fantastic color and cut. I get compliments ALL THE TIME. She is incredibly knowledgeable and has a funny, laid-​back personality that makes me feel comfortable. I highly recommend her!
Everyone at Upper Hand is very professional, friendly and accommodating. They don’t push their products on you either, which a lot of places have a real problem with. Also, I always get a call before my appointment as a reminder — which I really appreciate.

FYI, one of the reasons I was not happy with my hair was because Penny talked me out of the blonde highlights I wanted, saying they would make me look «washed out.» In fact, when I suggested blonde highlights, she acted like I was insane.
I just had blond highlights done a couple of weeks ago, and they look GORGEOUS! I have never had so many compliments. See my review for Ulta Salon in Bryan/​College Station, TX.

Crystal Imperato has been my stylist for years in New Hampshire.
Crystal is an expert in color. She has tons of experience and is able to give you something you want along with realistic expectations.
Crystal is amazing at cutting and styling. Every Friday I would get a wash and blow out and it would last for 3 days. The Upper Hand Salon is so lucky to have Crystal! You are missed by many clients here in New Hampshire. Best Wishes!!!

I’ve been to many salons in Houston for help with my thick super long hair, and upper hand is by far the best! I always see Ashley and she knows perfectly how to tame my long locks leaving my hair looking healthy, smooth, and fresh. I just give her an idea of what I want and let her work her magic and she never lets me down. She’s very knowledgable about products too and can help you keep your hair healthy and strong. Thanks Ashley!

I’ve been going to The Upper Hand for the past 5 ish years and it’s always the best experience. I see Ashley and she literally works wonders on my hair. I recently cut about 14 inches off and there is no one I trust more than Ashley to do such a drastic change. Everyone at the salon is so kind and accommodating. I recommend all of my friends to go to this salon!

Kathy Bartlett is my stylist and she’s so awesome. My hair has never looked better! I love the glossy Goldwell color (perfectly applied to my resistant gray), and also fantastic cuts, blowouts and a variety of Keratin treatment options — so essential for dealing with the Houston humidity but you want to go to someone who knows what they’re doing — like Kathy! Her assistant Laurenzo is fantastic as well.
The entire staff here does a tremendous amount of ongoing professional training. They’re true professionals and it’s just a great experience overall. Get over there!

BY FAR THE BEST IN HOUSTON. I won’t go anywhere else! My girl, Ashley, is my hero! She is an intelligent, savvy, and very talented young hair stylist. This salon is welcoming, alert, and ready to give you the best service! I’ve been going here for 3 years and from my experience, I’ve never left with bad hair! I promise The Upper Hand will take care of you.

Horrible haircut. Uneven jagged mess. I didnt even know it was possible to mess someones hair up that badly. I wished I had gotten a manager to fix my hair, but at the time I was so upset that I didnt want anyone from that place to come near me with scissors.
My hair was VERY long, and I went in for a short do. Its not the length that upset me, it was the complete lack of crosschecking. I have a very noticeable uneven hairline. My sister had to get the scissors out when I got home to try and clean it up. My sister with zero experience did a better job then the «stylist»

I just got my color done by Holden. To be honest, I have gone to many colorists in my life, but he is my favorite. I will definitely be going to him again. He made my hair look just like the picture I showed him. I’m naturally a brunette and was trying to lighten my hair, the salon I went to before basically made it very brassy with chunky highlights, leaving my ends dark brown. I went for consultations with many different salons and was not happy with their advice. Finally I met with Holden and decided to give him a try. He’s so friendly, and is very focused on his work. He lightened the bottom of my hair just like I wanted, and made the contrast from my roots to my ends so natural. It’s the best ombré I’ve had.

I’ve been coming here for hair appointments for years. Always to Ms. Mikey Daly. Everyone is friendly the salon is clean and bright. I’m a natural blonde and made the grave mistake of going red. Mikey got me back to my natural blonde color and then some. She’s really great at brightening up styles and making my hair look fresh.
Now to mention that my entire family frequents the salon. My dad has an outstanding appointment for every few weeks and my mother comes for color and cut.
If you need any color, especially blonde, definitely go see Mikey. I’m sure everyone is more than qualified but I have not tried another stylist. And don’t intend to!

I’ve been here before, and I had good experiences. Not great, but good.
However, today, I had my hair cut and colored (mahogany ombré on my dark hair) by Martina, and she did a fantastic job. I was well beyond pleased with the results. In the beginning she took her time to discuss what I was looking for, gave sample colors that helped me decide what I wanted. She has great vision, and the best thing is that she is spot on in producing the intended result. Also she was very helpful in giving tips and explanations on how to manage my hair type. She is a true professional, and I highly recommend her.

I had two manicures at this salon. First one was fine but not great. Second one was a series of misfires from tiny hairs in the polish to smudges to a 27 second massage (both hands), sloppily tended cuticles, and polish on the palm of my hand as I walked out the door. She didn’t even have to file my nails (I did that part considering the jaggedness she created the first visit). Manicures start at $ 29. I’ve had far better manicures at less «sophisticated» salons. Maybe the technician, who is very nice, was having an off day. Or maybe, just maybe her overpriced skills are what they are. Either way, I have no motivation to return, and I still have a balance left on the gift card!

Once in a while a place actually lives up to its Google reputation! After seven years at an upscale salon which recently began to mess up my every appointment, alternately get the water too hot or too cold, and then blame me for it, I finally decided to leave, even though I loved my stylist. I found Upper Hand on line. KEISHA IS AWESOME!!! I have a bizarre cowlick in the back, and she carefully and PERFECTLY cut it. my hair has never looked so fine, and it saves me time getting ready! AND THE PRICE IS LOWER. I cannot recommend this place highly enough, and I have not even mentioned the pleasant, comfy surroundings, how friendly everyone is, and that they call when they are running a bit late. Top notch. Restored my faith that you can get high quality, good price AND excellent customer service.

Just left Upper Hand and my hair looks AWESOME! Alex is amazing! I don’t have difficult or high-​maintenance hair at all but she worked with my natural wave/​body and gave me a cut that’s super easy to maintain but also very easily taken to the next level if I’m ready for a night out. She’s super sweet and very attentive, you’ll definitely feel like you’re being heard. :)

Great experience at The Upper Hand. I’m a natural brunette who likes to be blonde with very thick, long and slightly wavy hair. I’ve been seeing Spencer Morris for over a year and a half and he’s wonderful! Always gets my color just right, never brassy. Excellent cut as well, takes the weight of my hair off without compromising body. Seamless layering and always a cut and style that’s easy to reproduce on my own. He’s always able to accommodate my schedule and adjusts to my specific hair needs. I tend to hold onto yellow and require a specific blend to get my color just right, I’m very picky about going between curly and straight and require a versatile cut, which he always delivers.
The salon is nice and functional, very trendy and hip. Parking sucks, but oh well (spaces are smart car size). I’ve only been to Spencer Morris but I’ve seen excellent work from others when I’ve been in, great products and a consistent and qualified stylist in Spencer keep me coming back. Highly recommended.

My hair is not a difficult case to manage, but I can be from time to time. I love my hair and if it isn’t just so, I get really upset (generally just at myself for letting it happen.)
I love The Upper Hand and have been coming here for years. My stylist Jennifer does a great job! I just come here for a cut and style and it generally comes out to about $ 81. I’m used to paying top dollar for my hair, so it doesn’t really but me. If you’re not used to it, the price tag can be a bit surprising.
I actually didn’t get charged for a blowout after my cut, but maybe that was all wrapped up in the same price?
I recently got bangs and she let me know that I can come in (just call ahead and make sure she’s there) for a bang trim when they inevitably grow out. I haven’t had a bad experience here, but there is generally a bit of a wait for a stylist (up to 15 minutes). They have plenty of cookies, coffee, and water there to keep you occupied while you wait.
I love the lady at the front desk. I don’t remember her name, but she is absolutely lovely. She makes you feel like a million bucks even before you get your hair cut and she’s liberal with the compliments after your hair is done.
If you’ve got curly hair or want a specific kind of coloring, be sure to talk to the front desk and they’ll be able to recommend a stylist that is good at working with your type of hair. My friend has super curly hair and they recommended a stylist that made her curls spiral perfectly even when she just air dries.

Delayed review.
I live next door and was hoping to love this place as it is very easy access for me.
I had made a same day appointment for one process full color. Even though I was on time I had to wait an extra 20 minutes to be seated. When I asked to go a shade lighter, I was told that I couldn’t get that this time because they didn’t have time. (despite of having an appointment and a time slot for hair color). And then proceeded to tell me all I should get was a root touch up.
After my hair color (which took all of 15 minutes) and wash (by a different person) I was handed the hair dryer and a dirty comb to dry my hair if I wanted to see how my hair color turned out. Umm… I don’t think so. I walked home with dripping hair. And will NOT return!!!

I tried to update my review but then Unilocal deleted it. So now I am just changing my original review. I wouldn’t use this salon. It’s a fun location and cute salon but they did just okay on my hair and then the same girl did a horrible color/​highlight job on three different friends that I referred to her. They all had to go have her work fixed by someone else. It was pretty sad. None of us go here anymore.