Some say Cleveland is the land of a thousand stylist, but with all the competition how are stylists setting themselves apart, one local stylists says its not about what she doing to stand out but its all about what she is doing to stay connected. Reporter Kayla Hodge is here with more.

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Rickea Hampton has been a hairstylist since she was 17years old and in her eight years in the business she says, something was missing. After traveling to different states for hair shows and training classes, Hampton finally saw the missing piece, connectivity.

After many months of brain storming and meeting with a web designer Hampton, also known as Coco Kea in the hair industry came up with the concept of  “Hair and the Blog” an interactive website created for those in the beauty industry. The website itself is the first one of its kind. Hampton says she wanted the website to be more than just a blog.

“I wanted to create a space where stylist could come and connect with on another share ideas, but I also wanted to create an experience for the customers as well, I wanted them to be able to use the site too”

After a few more months of prepping and web designing Hampton was finally ready to launch the final product. On Sunday November 30, 2014 Hampton hosted The Hair and the Blog release party held at VADA Nightclub in downtown Cleveland.

The event was sponsored by Hennesy, and was host to numerous vendors selling beauty products, Jewelry, and even wigs and hair extensions. Guest were even given a chance to sample products and get free eyebrow threading done.

During the event Hampton went into depth with what exactly the website was and how it worked. she explained that this website being the first website created for individuals in the beauty industry and that it would not only be for Ohio stylist but that the site itself will have nationwide access from hair stylists all over the US.

The site will have sponsors from Beauty professionals and businesses such as Bangs Salon, the salon in which Hampton is currently an employee, the site will feature live feeds, hair and beauty tutorials and stylist spotlight that will highlight a different stylist every week. the site can also be found on Facebook and Instagram, and you can even join in upstream conversations with other subscribers to the site.

The site itself will be updated monthly and is free for beauty professionals to use and be apart of, and Hampton says she has high hopes for the future of website and all the connections this will help to create within the industry.

for TV2 News I’m Kayla Hodge

Website: www.hairandtheblog.com

Instagram: @hairandtheblog

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hair-and-the-Blog/290464547815742