The Upper Hand Salon: Royal Oaks

I’ve never gotten my hair done before and Brittney definitely helped me out a lot with my hair. Although she’s not on the floor yet as of now, she’s so helpful and talented. She’ll be done soon and I definitely recommend her to you guys. All the other hairdressers there are super friendly and strives to help you in each and every way (the two times I’ve been, that’s all I saw). I’ve gotten all around highlights and a balayage from Brittney and I couldn’t be happier both times. She’s picked the best colors and I always trust her judgment. She also gives great recommendations to help maintain healthy hair. After dying/​bleaching my hair twice, it’s amazing how healthy it still looks because I expected it to be dry at this point.

I have been searching so long for someone to cut my hair because it’s really hard to trust most hairdressers.
So I ended up getting my hair cut, this afternoon. Everything was perfection. I love the way it turned out and I couldn’t be happier. I highly suggest visiting this beautiful salon.

I have been seeing Jennifer for 10 years. Even though I’ve moved I still drive almost an hour to see her. She does my cut and color and is just fanrastic. She is an amazing colorist. I just tell her the overall look I’m going for and she picks out the color and the result is always perfect! She wants the result to be perfect and takes the time needed for the best result. I highly recommend her!

I’ve been going to Ashley for more than two years and I’ve come to truly rely on her. She not only does a great job with my rather difficult hair type, she also listens carefully, gives great advice and has NEVER screwed up my hair. I walk away feeling good every time. Love her!

I’ve been going to the upper hand and seeing Ashley for almost two years
When I met Ashley my hair was damage dull and falling out
With in 6 months she had me back super healthy
So use her if you need amazing color!
Lori

I went to Ashlee after having had a horrible color experience at a fancy salon in the galleria area– with the owner of the salon! Ashlee is amaaaaazing with color– I have been going to her for a year now and leave thrilled with my hair each time I see her!

Today I went to see Courtney and she is awesome she did a great job on my hair she took her time she was patient and she explained everything to me I think she is wonderful she will be moving to the new upper hand in Montrose and I will be going there in August thank you Courtney.

Courtney is awesome!
I got partial highlights and a haircut by Courtney and she did an absolutely wonderful job. I’ve gotten many compliments by family and friends. I am very particular about my hair and I am rarely impressed by stylists, but she really impressed me. She made my hair look so healthy and shiny and I will definitely be returning.

This location’s customer service has improved tremendously! The front desk hired new staff a few years ago and the ladies are absolutely wonderful… I’m sad because one of them has actually left to become a stylist herself. They are friendly, accommodating, and quick to help. The cosmetologists (especially Courtney) and esthetician (Lisa) are two of my favorite people!

I, too, have been going here for 10+years.
HAIR
Shiva is my stylist and I am always pleased with the color and cuts. I get frequent compliments on my hair, and people asking where I go. It is getting harder to make appointments with Shiva, so I always recommend Sherry, too, who did my hair once when I couldn’t get in with Shiva.
NAILS
Over the years, I have had a few FAVORITE nail technicians. I have short, natural nails. The first was a retired nurse. Talk about meticulous! And her products and colors were always fresh. She moved to CA. The second changed salons twice and I was only able to find her after first move. The third went back to school. Since then, I have been searching and have settled in with Brenda at Upper Hand.
My manicure preferences:
1. Super clean with quality products.
2. Nail technician who knows her stuff. Shapes them right, won’t buff my skin off.
3. PERFECT polish job. No stray polish, or bubbles, or streaks, and don’t paint my cuticles! If I wanted a sloppy job, I would do it myself!
4. Perfect polish job THAT LASTS.
5. Convenience; location and ease of getting appt when I need it.
Brenda at upper hand is awesome. I am not kidding. I was there 8 days ago and my polish hasn’t chipped or peeled. I can go 2 – 2.5 weeks and she has to actually remove the polish on my next visit! We’ve done shellac a couple times for vacations, but I prefer reg polish.
Only drawbacks:
#1. I have noticed, and reported to receptionist, dusty product displays. Nobody wants to buy or use something that looks like it has been sitting there for ages. Hair and nail stations, restrooms and implements are all clean.
#5. The salon isn’t very close to either home or office and she does get booked up mid-​week for the weekend. So for last minute manis, I have to go to non-​preferred provider (see #2, #3, #4 above).
They could vary up the nail color selections and communicate current trends.
I agree with other reviewers. Manager never seems to have gone out if his way on small requests or accommodations.
Expect to pay $$$, but I will gladly pay a little more and be completely satisfied!

I went in to get a root touch up on my blonde hair and the stylist, Brian, ruined my hair. He turned my roots a grayish brown color (when I am a pale blonde) and hen had to put highlights allover my head to cover his mistake. Then he proceeded to charge me for the highlights when I didn’t go in for highlights. The worst part is my hair is all broken off in the front and I can’t wear my hair back bc I am embarrassed on how much breakage I have. Thanks for ruining my hair.

I went here for years because the stylists are talented — Jillian, Brian and Shiva are particularly good.
Unfortunately the front desk and the management are sorely lacking.
They cancelled on me last minute — for a good reason. THe stylist had to leave due to a very ill relative. That part I understand. But they didn’t work at all to accomodate me on what was the eve of a very special occasion. After years of attending this salon, I was very let down. The front desk acts like you are doing them a favor to talk to them. Things happen, I know, but where was the effort to try and squeeze me in with someone else? Oh, «Big Brian» the manager wasn’t there. Exactly my point. .And the stylists, its not their jobs to reschedule. And the front desk, well she would rather surf the internet than help. Quite disappointing.
I see others have had bad situations with Big Brian and the front desk being rude, below. With service like that, great stylists like Jillian, (stylist) Brian and Shiva should find another home.

I went to the Royal Oaks location. My first mistake was telling the stylist I had recieved a bad hair cut at the last salon. Huge mistake shouldnt have been but was. I so looked forward to going to this salon because of what I learned on their website which in my opinion was amazing. The young lady that cut my hair was 2yrs in. She was so sweet but so nervous I learned of her experience half way into my cut. I waited to call and complain because my first thought is to take a couple of days of me blow drying and then be sure. When she originally cut my hair I asked for her to clean up my current layers and give me a wisp in them not only all over but also toward the face. She cleaned the bangs alright, she straight cut them and gave no texture or wisp. She than cut my bangs off to the side way to short and the layers around my face were uneven. I called her to see if she could fix she agreed. I went on my lunch break she again was shaking so I asked her can you do this cut she said no (finally telling the truth) I understand some stylists have experience with certain cuts where others dont. First suggestion to management teach your stylists to tell the truth about what they can and cannot do. So as I sat in the chair to be fixed someone else walked over as I thought to fix or correct the problem, rather than take alook at the problem she asked me what «I» wanted. I shouldnt have to show a stylist a screw up they should touch and look at it. I wasnt there for a consultation I was there to be fixed which is what the original stylist asked her to do. I got so frustrated. Then the so called manager Brian came over, OMG the rudest experience, He then said arguing I will give you your money back and you can go back to the salon that messed you up the last time how did he know this. So my being honest with a stylist comes back to haunt me I thought telling your stylist the truth was suppose to reassure you. Really he just let me walk out the door. I was never so insulted. He never even offered to have someone more experienced help me. I hope the owner reads this review and contacts me.

I have been looking for a great hair stylist for ages with very little luck. I just haven’t been able to find someone who understood how I wanted my hair to look. I found Sherry at The Upper Hand and I absolutely love my hair cut. She got it spot on. The salon is great too. Nice atmosphere, easy to make appointments and they even sent me a text message reminder. They do nails too which I thought was a nice plus. I will definitely go back to Sherry.

I stumbled in here while waiting for my boyfriend over the weekend. I’m thinking of lightening my hair and needed a session to ask an expert, the place was completely booked/​swamped and I thought it was a nice that a stylist took the time to talk to me and the front desk agent seemed like she was one of my gfs/​we kept chatting. I love the atmosphere and feel at home just stopping in, good business elevation and attitudes. In close, they said that my hair looked great from a cut and color perspective and that a lighter shade would not suit me. I appreciate their true honesty and gentleness. I’d love to try makeup here. I like that there is also much to do in the shopping strip.

Had the best pedicure with Brenda. She was detailed in her approach and really meticulous when it came to getting my feet baby smooth and soft. The aromatherapy pedi is my choice for a lunch time treat. I’m able to get pampered and back to work in a reasonable amount of time. The salon is very clean and all of their tools that aren’t put in the autoclave are single use and disposable, which is important to me. You won’t be disappointed with your pedi experience here.