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The Upper Hand

The Upper Hand

Hair salon in Houston, TX

Rated 4.7 out of 5 (926 on Google Maps) (opens in a new tab) Closed now

The salon was founded in 1996 by Rachel Gower and Brian Williard and operates two Houston salons, River Oaks Hair Salon and Memorial Hair Salon. The address listed here is on Westheimer Road.

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About

The salon was founded in 1996 by Rachel Gower and Brian Williard and operates two Houston salons, River Oaks Hair Salon and Memorial Hair Salon. The address listed here is on Westheimer Road.

Services are grouped into hair, hair color, extensions, smoothing, skin and lifting services, and threading and waxing. Hair color and extensions are the core of the menu, with balayage, ombre and sombre among the color options, and stylists are noted for keratin treatments, balayage, ombre and hair extensions. Prices vary by stylist and location, and several services are priced by consultation.

Before a Brazilian Blowout or Keratin Complex treatment, the salon recommends a consultation, and stylists talk through the plan with clients before cutting. For color, a consultation is recommended at one of the Houston salons, and the salon advises waiting at least two weeks to color hair after a Brazilian Blowout.

According to the salon, it presents itself as progressive and friendly to stylists, with a fashion-forward feel. Its locations have been covered by Lucky, Envy, Us Weekly and Natural Solutions magazines. The salon also says its work has appeared on television many times, including segments for ABC News, Mirror Mirror, Great Day Houston, Rachael Ray and CBS News.

The salon states it has been voted one of Houston's best hair salons and has received several industry awards, including a five-time Elle Magazine Top 100 US Hair Salons honor and several Goldwell awards. These are the salon's own claims. Cancellation fees may apply without 24 to 48 hours notice.

The salon describes its style as progressive and stylist-friendly, and stylists consult with clients before cutting hair and before smoothing treatments.

Services

Final prices may vary.

Women's and men's haircuts, shampoo and style, updo styling, and a general cuts service.

  • Man's Haircut $64+
  • Shampoo & Style $75+
  • Woman's Haircut $89+
  • Updo Style $95+
  • Toner or Gloss $65+
  • Root Retouch $85+
  • One Process Color $140+
  • Partial Balayage $185+
  • Partial Highlights $185+
  • Full Balayage $250+
  • Full Highlights $250+
  • Ombre $250+
  • Balayage Price at booking
  • Corrective Color Price at booking
  • Highlights Price at booking
  • One Color Price at booking
  • Sombre Price at booking
  • Cuts Price at booking
  • Keratin Treatments Price at booking

Clip-in extensions and other hair extensions, with clip-in sets kept in stock at the salons.

  • Clip In Extensions $325+
  • Hair Extensions Price at booking

Keratin Treatment, Keratin Complex, Brazilian Express and Brazilian Blowout smoothing services.

  • Keratin Complex Price at booking
  • Brazilian Express $200+
  • Brazilian Blowout $375+
  • Keratin Treatment $450+
  • Keratin Complex treatment Price at booking

Brow tint, lash tint, brow lamination, lash lift and cleansing facials.

  • Brow Tint $30+
  • Lash Tint $40+
  • Cleansing Facial $85+
  • Brow Lamination $105+
  • Lash Lift $110+

Threading and waxing for brows, lip, chin, cheeks, full face, bikini and full legs.

  • Chin Thread $25+
  • Lip or Chin Wax $25+
  • Lip Thread $25+
  • Brow Wax $30+
  • Brow Thread $35+
  • Cheek Thread $40+
  • Bikini Wax $45
  • Full Face Wax $60+
  • Full Leg Wax $70+

Meet the team

Their website doesn't list the team, so we don't either.

Highlights
  • Balayage is applied directly to the hair without foil
  • Brazilian Blowout uses a bonding system that allows some curl to remain or a fully smooth finish, and can be done on color-treated hair
  • Clip-in extensions are made from 100% real human hair in sets of five to seven pieces, 18 to 24 inches long
  • Keratin and Brazilian smoothing treatments last ten to twelve weeks and do not break the hair's natural protein bonds, unlike relaxers
  • Most smoothing treatments require sulfate-free hair products
  • Sombre is a softer ombre option with less upkeep than high-contrast ombre
Good for
  • clients planning a color service with a consultation
  • clients considering clip-in or other hair extensions
  • clients interested in a smoothing treatment after a consultation
  • event updos
  • brow and lash services
  • facial hair removal by threading or waxing
Treats
  • hair color changes
  • balayage and ombre
  • hair extensions
  • smoothing treatments
  • unwanted facial hair
  • brow and lash shaping
Techniques
  • balayage
  • ombre
  • sombre
  • highlights
  • one process color
  • toner or gloss
  • root retouch
  • corrective color
  • keratin treatment
  • Keratin Complex

Products & treatments

  • Clip-in hair extensions (100% real human hair)

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