The Upper Hand River Oaks

(713) 520-0772

1905 Westheimer Rd (Hazard Street)
Houston, TX 77098 29.7427 -95.4071

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Neighborhoods: Neartown/ Montrose, Central

THEUPPERHAND.COM

Years in business

Established in 2002

Hours:

Tue-Wed 9am-7pm

Thu-Fri 9am-8pm

Sat 9am-7pm

Last updated 4.16.09

Category:

Manicures & Pedicures

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About The Upper Hand River Oaks

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Stylish women all over the city head to the Upper Hand for creative hair, nail and skin treatments and to shop for world-class beauty products from some of the industry's biggest names, including Kerastase, Jan Marini, Jane Iredale and Pevonia. With eye-catching artwork, sleek colors and unique furnishings, the spa atmosphere is entirely fashionable and completely relaxing. Expert stylists and colorists consider clients' lifestyle, face shape and hair type for each new hairstyle. Choose a fragrance theme for your spa manicure or pedicure. With evening hours, the spa is the…

Editor's Tips

Beauty Salon:
Salon services include men and women's cut and styling, highlights and hair color, updos and bridal hairstyles, perms, color corrections, manicures and pedicures, waxing, lash and brow tinting, microdermabrasion and facials.
Products:
Most salon locations carry Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, Kerastase treatments, Jan Marini Skin Care and Pevonia skincare.
Massage:
Services include hot stone massage, deep tissue massage, chair massage and aromatherapy massage.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The salon has a great atmosphere, although it always seem to be cold, so take a jacket.”
  2. “She's fun, personable, energetic, a great hairstylist”
  3. “It's so much fun being a natural redhead :)-”
  4. “love the atmosphere at The Upper Hand and the staff is always extremely friendly.”
  5. “The Upper Hand has a great atmosphere and the staff are extremely friendly (especially Elizabeth).”
  6. “Not only does she always deliver a great hair cut - and a perfect blowout - she is infinitely cheerful and makes the salon a fun place to visit.”
  7. “love the salon and its fun/funky atmosphere.”
  8. “The atmosphere is great and prices are high, but you get excellent quality!”
  9. “Carri is so dynamic & creative, always a great experience + such fun.”
  10. “The salon has a great ambiance that's inviting and comfortable.”
  11. “Great sevices, fun place”
  12. “The atmosphere is great, massage chairs are wonderful, all tools are completely sterlized, you select your own salt/lotion fragrances, and the staff are well trained and very attentive.”
  13. “Trish had an hour and a half consultation with me to insure that I was 100% comfortable and informed.”
  14. “The ambience and the atmosphere of this establishment is very nice.”
  15. “Super fun & Sweet!”
  16. “just a really good location, staff, and services.”
  17. “Jessica gives me great cuts and styles, and is always fun to visit with”
  18. “It's a luxurious salon that's fun to go to.”
  19. “Not only do I get a great color and cut buy my experience is always fun and relaxing.”
  20. “Everyone is friendly, great atmosphere.”
  21. “Jennifer is a fun and"easy to talk to" person, you can not go wrong with her !”
  22. “like the salon atmosphere and the friendliness of the personnel but I love Jennifer.”
  23. “like the relaxed atmosphere at the Upper Hand.”
  24. “It's fun telling people about someone that is so good.”
  25. “It was a wonderful experience, great atmosphere, and I plan on being a loyal customer for a very long time.”
  26. “As a guy, I like the atmosphere and feel comfortable with the surroundings and the people.”
  27. “I'm not one to write reviews but I really do feel very comfortable recommending Jennifer and the Upper Hand and try to pass her name on to my friends and business acquaintances whenever possible.”
  28. “Carri is a fabulous stylist who not only knows what her clients want & need, but does it with fun & class!”
  29. “The Upper Hand has a great atmosphere which adds to the great experience as well.”
  30. “great stylist and fun personality!”
  31. “Trish is fun and creative.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “Every time I get my hair done, I have pleasant and stimulating conversation, a little psychological therapy, a few laughs, a glass of wine - oh, yeah and a great haircut.”
food quality
50.0% positive
  1. “Needless to say, I was really anxious (I was worried that at the other salon I had done a poor job of describing what I wanted and that was the reason I got the worst mushroom/shelf /'80s skater cut ever) so I printed out a bunch of photos and brought in ”
  2. “He has enough authentic talent to deliver the straight haircutting goods.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “After extensive researching after a botched hair job at one of the top salons in Houston (Albert Luis), I found Upper Hand.”
  2. “great variety, consistent performance, and listens to your personal needs.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “The Upper Hand is a great place to go, and is in a great area of town”
  2. “This is the best place to get your hair cut in Houston.”
  3. “good place to go to”
  4. “nice place”
  5. “This is a great place!”
  6. “This is a great place for expert cut & color from a personable stylist.”
  7. “Not only does she always deliver a great hair cut - and a perfect blowout - she is infinitely cheerful and makes the salon a fun place to visit.”
return potential
0.0% positive
  1. “will never ever go there again, and I will say I will never recommend the upper hand to anyone.”
service
98.07999610900879% positive
  1. “Everyone is very friendly and goes out of their way to work with you.”
  2. “Jessica has a great attitude, is genuinely friendly, and cuts hair great.”
  3. “love the atmosphere at The Upper Hand and the staff is always extremely friendly.”
  4. “great service.”
  5. “Jessica is fast, creative, always asks questions before cutting, and friendly to boot!”
  6. “Always polite & friendly staff”
  7. “Aside from his fabulous style/color ability, he is one of the nicest people you would ever meet.”
  8. “The Upper Hand is a fabulous beauty salon-- from the wonderful service at the front desk, especially Elizabeth, to the staff that shampoos.”
  9. “Amazing service, hair, nails, I love you all at the Upper Hand!”
  10. “The service is incredible & Carri is the best at highlights.”
  11. “The salon is beautiful, and everyone is friendly.”
  12. “Excellent staff”
  13. “The Upper Hand Salon is a fabulous place to talk to interesting people, relax and get a real "spa" experience.”
  14. “The employees are very nice and always give you little hand and foot messages no.”
  15. “The services and people are great.”
  16. “My hairstylist is extremely talented, funny, & very friendly.”
  17. “The Upper Hand has a great atmosphere and the staff are extremely friendly (especially Elizabeth).”
  18. “The atmosphere is great, massage chairs are wonderful, all tools are completely sterlized, you select your own salt/lotion fragrances, and the staff are well trained and very attentive.”
  19. “Excellent value & Impeccable service”
  20. “It's fun telling people about someone that is so good.”
  21. “The Upper Hand River Oaks has terrible customer service!”
  22. “Love her friendly & vivacious attitude!”
  23. “Rachel's friendly and professional telephone manner put me at ease completely.”
  24. “She's a perfectionist, friendly, and efficient.”
  25. “These people really invest in having top professionals and in creating a wonderful experience.”
  26. “She's a great stylist and very friendly.”
  27. “completely relaxing environment, very good customer service and Sarah Lindsey is the best and most concentrated hair stylist I have ever had do my hair.”
  28. “How incredibly refreshing to find a salon that provides exceptional professional services and sincere customer service.”
  29. “Everyone was so friendly and welcoming.”
  30. “mani/pedi. Owner/manager very nice, thought it would be a good experience.”
  31. “From the time that Elizabeth takes your call to schedule, to the time you walk out with fabulous hair , you are treated well and with a friendly respect.”
  32. “They make primping as easy as possible with their friendly disspostition and helpful attitudes, especially Tony.”
  33. “Great service every time!”
  34. “The salon itself is stunning, the staff at the front desk couldn't be nicer, friendlier or more helpful.”
  35. “Elizabeth is so friendly and attentive for checking in.”
  36. “Great staff and best haircuts!”
  37. “It is a beautifully calming place run by wonderfully nice people.”
  38. “She's very attentive, and gives great blowouts”
  39. “The people are friendly, most especially my stylist, Jessica James.”
  40. “Christina is friendly, on time, current on styles, and listens ever-so closely to your ideas”
  41. “Plus, the salon is beautiful and the service is excellent.”
  42. “Great cut, great service”
  43. “The people at this salon are really nice.”
  44. “just a really good location, staff, and services.”
  45. “Carri is very professional in her approach, friendly, and on time.”
  46. “As a guy, I like the atmosphere and feel comfortable with the surroundings and the people.”
  47. “The staff was really friendly.”
  48. “This place and the people are great.”
  49. “This salon's staff is the best in Houston.”
  50. “Love the salon and its friendly staff.”
  51. “Everyone is friendly, great atmosphere.”
  52. “Raymond is a wonderful stylist and everyone in the salon is so friendly.”
value
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “She totally botched my highlights and my hair turned out really ashy with huge clumpy uneven highlights.”
  2. “For what I got the price was great.”
  3. “Excellent value & Impeccable service”
  4. “all i can say is for the amount of money i would have paid i surely can find a more understanding stylist that is also talented.”
  5. “The atmosphere is great and prices are high, but you get excellent quality!”
  6. “Now, I have a luxe look without paying full price!”
  7. “Her prices are great (believe I pay $50 for a haircut) and the salon is fantastic.”
  8. “After a disastrous visit to my long-time usual colorist (at an overpriced upscale Houston salon) I decided to see Phillip Valt for corrective color, as he has a very loyal classic blonde following.”
  9. “Mikey suggested alternating full highlights with a less expensive lightening technique, so that the $200+ look is maintained much less expensively.”
wait time
75.0% positive
  1. “It was a wonderful experience, great atmosphere, and I plan on being a loyal customer for a very long time.”
  2. “When I saw Josephine we talked about my hair for a good 20 mins before she layed her hands on it (I was very scared to do something else to it), then she worked her majic and fixed both my color and cut!”
  3. “After a disastrous visit to my long-time usual colorist (at an overpriced upscale Houston salon) I decided to see Phillip Valt for corrective color, as he has a very loyal classic blonde following.”
  4. “She is amazingly talented and has a wonderful personality (quick-witted).”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/05/11

Houston best eyebrow thread

by Ali Azimi

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.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/01/11

Kristin Farris

by Shayh

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!!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/21/11

My 50+ year old hair looks better than ever!

by CindyDH

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.

I'm a brunette and color is HARD - Kristin always keeps me "root free" and consistent with the color - never dull. Love the Upper Hand - nice ambiance!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/05/11

Kristin Fariss at Upper Hand

by glpeterkin

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!

1 Star Rating: Poor

07/16/11

Upper Hand - Balony!

by Upper Hand Salon

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

The Details on The Upper Hand River Oaks

Place Categories:

  • great hair stylist
  • great hair cut
  • best hair color
  • best haircut
  • best stylist trish
  • love luxurious salon
  • great customer service
  • great spa experience
  • great fun place
  • great funfunky atmosphere
  • recommend upper hand
  • friendly staff
  • great new hair style
  • best colorist
  • great personality
  • best carri
  • great hairstylist
  • great people
  • extremely knowledgeable christina
  • great attitude
  • recommend sarah
  • best hairdresser
  • best mikey
  • terrific jennifer
  • love jessica
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