The Upper Hand Salon: River Oaks

I'm not exaggerating, but I have never had such a bad haircut in my life. Hair stylist's name is Holly. I like to texturize my hair, but she couldn't do it properly - not with regular scissors, not texturizing scissors. One of the first things that I told her was that I want to make sure the color covers all the gray hair. It did not! I?m not saying that this salon is bad, but my hair stylist is! more

I see Kathy for the Japanese thermal straightening and she is amazing. I have been doing this for 10 years with various stylists and varying results, if done incorrenctly is can be devastating for the hair but when she does it I leave with healthy soft anf bouncy STRAIGHT hair which lasts for almost a year. She takes her times and gives her complete attention which is excatly what is needed. She did my hair for the second time this year and I will never get anyone else to do it. The salon is beautiful and very comfortable and everyone is friendly. Since I have to sit there for 6 hours to get this done that is important! more

Ali I had the best eyebrow thread ever in the Upper Hand River Oaks by Fibee. She really is a queen (announced 2010 by City search) of eyebrow threading. more

I've been going to Kristin Farris for the past 10+ years. I drive in from Sugar Land and have followed her to the Upper Hand. She has always done an amazing job on my color, cut and style. She is truly a Master Colorist....my color always looks natural and fresh, and she knows just what to do with my hair when it needs help! Kristin has always been friendly, personable and professional......makes my drive in worth it!! more

Kristin Farris at the Upper Hand works her magic again. I think all of the sun, salt, and chlorine of the summer was sitting in my hair when I walked in. After a great color job (SHE'S A MASTER WITH CUT, COLOR, STYLE) and a really cool new glaze, I walked out with shiny and fresh looking hair that doesn't have the summer dooldrums anymore. more

Kristin has been cutting and coloring my hair since we moved to Houston several years ago. She has always done an exemplary job styling my fine, hard to manage hair. She is also very personable, and we always have great conversations. I look great when I leave the salon. I only wish I could bring her home with me to do my hair every day! I have followed Kristin from one salon to another, and I really enjoy the ambiance and professionalism of the Upper Hand. It is a dynamic place, and I feel like I'm on the cutting edge when I'm there. They seem to do equally well with trendy young fashionistas and with regular clients like me! more

We flew to Houston from LA to attend a wedding and heard that the ""Upper Hand"" was a top Houston salon. I spent about $300 to have both my daughter and my hair and make up done. It was SO NOT WORTH it! My stylist was rude and inexperienced, they switched me to another stylist and it wasn't much better (at least she was pleasant) but my hair looked awful. It was so disappointing to have spent so much money to attend the wedding and then not be able to look good for the wedding. I would not recommend this salon to anyone. I was very very disappointed. When I look at the pictures afterward they confirm what a bad job it was. So Sad:) Avoid this place more

I've always been a bit skittish about going to salons; from uppity receptionists to pushy stylists, my original intentions get lost in the mix! Upon my sister's insistence, I figured I'd give this place a try. I called, and the man on the phone asked me some pretty in depth questions, because he ""wants to send me to the best stylist for me"". more

I got yelled at when I called to make an appointment. Perhaps my accent was too foreign pissed the person off. Do note I am a professor at a top 10 US university with teaching awards from undergraduates so clearly my accent is not a problem. more

Since the very first time Ashley cut and colored my hair two years ago, I have never had my hair touched by anyone but her. I just let her do her thing, whatever she thinks will look best, and trust that it looks good. Every time has always been an excellent result, my hair always looks flattering and healthy. I love getting my hair done, I get to relax and feel pampered with a glass of wine and leave the salon feeling new and confident. Trust her, she'll take good care of you, I promise! more

I dediced to try a new stylist so I went to one I had seen on a ""Mirror, Mirror"" segment. I found a colorist that colors my hair exactly like I want it. Ashley at the Upper Hand does a real good job and is very thorough. She took into account my skin tone and put lots of hilights to bring lots of dimension to my hair. I get lots of compliments about my hair. I am picky about my hair so I am tickled to have found this styist at this salon. more

I have gone to the Upper Hand-River Oaks a few months ago and needed color and a cut. I went to Ashley because a co-worker recommended her, and she gave me the best high lights (and Low lights) I have ever seen. My haircut was so pretty and easy to maintain. (I love that). Any way I have been back to her several times since that first day. If I don't know what I want she will suggest something. She does great color. more

I first went to Laura about 3 years ago when I was recommended to her old salon by a friend. I got an appointment with Laura by chance since I didn't know any of the stylists and I'm so happy that I did. She was so patient and helpful when I had no idea what I wanted done with my hair. All I knew when I went into the salon was that I wanted my hair lighter. I was pretty nervous because I have very curly hair and I've had the worst experience with getting my hair done, but I left so so happy. Laura started me off with very little color change just so I could get used to the lighter color and see what I thought of it. I think she could tell I was nervous! I've gradually gone blonder and I've always been more than happy with Laura's work. more

Went to Ashley because she was recommended by my good friend. Asked for no red in my blonde highlights and she used toner during shampoo...toner is not what I expected. The color is totally not what I wanted. Too blonde and solid looking. The lowlights do not look like my hair color and are on the red side. I would not recommend or use this salon again. Now I have dark roots showing and look like I color my hair instead of the natural look I was used to. Do not go here. more

I have been going to Laura Harris for 10 years and I love her!! I have had nothing but great hair over the years and even commute from Katy just to see her! I get compliments on my hair the day I get it cut and the week BEFORE I get it cut again. Many of my friends have started to go to her as well. She cuts it in a way that it always grows out well and she is a master colorist. She is always ""in the know"" with the current trends. She is very honest with me about what will look good with my face. Most of the time, I just sit in her chair and let her do her thing (I mean, she is the expert)! I whole-heartedly recommend her and The Upper Hand. more

I love Laura and her work. She has been my stylist for 5 years and has always done a super job. I always get a perfect cut and a nice conversation. I won't let anyone else touch my hair. more

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, however, sometimes I believe they can be somewhat misguided. Being afforded the liberty and freedom of speech, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the Upper Hand Salon (River Oaks), in Houston, Texas. I specifically would like to express my thanks and gratitude to Laura Harris who has been my stylist for over 18 years. I was among her clientele when she was just 22 years old. She has done everything from coloring (including high-lighting and low-lighting) to cutting and in 18 years I have never been anything less than very satisfied. Even other master stylists comment to me that whoever cut my hair knew what they were doing! Laura is a very conscientious stylist who takes the time to learn my likes and dislikes. She has been courteous and honest enough to inform me if my requested style is either flattering or unflattering to my features, as opposed to just taking my money and sending me on my way. Her hair styles have always been a blend of trendy and appropriate ? no ?old lady? styles for me! I appreciate her so much in a society that has become so self-seeking and self absorbed. I respect and appreciate her talent and the experience she has in her field. There are always two forces at work in the world: good and evil, positive and negative. I have selected to be the positive voice on behalf of not only a wonderful salon, but a wonderful array of dedicated people who have the best interests of their clients in mind. I want them all to know that I appreciate them very much and I am honored to have been Laura?s client for so many years. Thank you for your service. Keep up the good work, and I will see you guys in a couple of weeks to shape up my wonderful new style that makes this 56 year old look like I am 36. God Bless. more

Laura's been styling my hair for over 6 years now. And i am always pleased with my new ""do"" when I leave the salon. I've had cut, color, highlights & lowlights - been very happy with all. She will truthfully tell you what will look good on you and knows the latest trends. Before Laura, I bounced around from several salons/stylists unhappy with each. After sitting in her chair once, I knew I had found my new hair stylist. Where ever Laura goes in the Houston area I will follow. Good ones are much too hard to find - I'm a client for life! more

I've been going to Laura for 7 years - she consistently cuts my hair to the perfect length/style. Now that she is at the Upper Hand, she is combining her great talents with a great salon! I've recommended her to countless people over the years and I'm confident recommending her now. Give it a shot! more

We are new in town and my wife booked a haircut which cost her $70. It lasted about an hour and included a shampoo, flat iron, and cut. I was in need of a haircut myself so made an appointment with a stylist Kristin. Granted I have not been there before, but I have short asian hair that normally is an in and out sort of cut. My wash took about 5 minutes, and my stylist used clippers to do the sides and back of my hair, and used shears quickly on the top of my head. Total time cutting maybe 8-9 minutes. Total cost $60+. Buyer beware there is no standardization at this salon for any prices/services provided, prices are set by individual stylists depending on what they think they can charge, and prices vary dramatically from stylist to stylist. I was looking for a new consistent place to get my haircuts, but my feeling on The Upper Hand is that you will get fleeced. When I inquired about the price with the management he told me that the stylist that cut my hair came from a ""fancy"" salon and I must have received a ""fancy"" clipper cut??? more