HAMPTON -- "It's something I always wanted to do. It was a goal," said Raylene Rogers, owner of the new Raylene's Backstage Salon on Lafayette Road which opened this past November.

Rogers has worked in Seacoast area salons since 1988, although she has been a professional hair designer since 1981. She graduated in 1981 from M. Fazio's Institute of Beauty Culture in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

"If you have the skill," Rogers said, "you can deliver through communication with the customer." She added that a part of her profession is the ability to achieve creativity through that communication.

Rogers strives to please her clients by interpreting their needs through consultation. "It's about quality and making sure the client is happy," she said.

"Raylene's Backstage" derived it's name from some of Rogers' past styling experiences. She was the official stylist for the 1989 Mrs. New Hampshire pageant, and has also styled for Miss Hampton Beach, local church groups and business organization fashion shows. These events provided Rogers with a great deal of 'backstage' experience. Rogers has also been involved in the Seacoast community. She not only helped with the Kids Kingdom "Party with the Pelican" at the Galley Hatch in Hampton, but has also spoken at local schools.

"I like the business end," said Rogers of owning her own salon. "But I also like the creative freedom." She enjoys being able to provide for the client in her own way so she can know that the customer is pleased. Raylene's Backstage offers a full range of hair styling services for men and women of all ages, including a variety of quality permanent waves from basic to specialty wraps. Hair coloring services include both permanent colors with low-ammonia solutions and semi-permanent color with a no-ammonia solutions. Raylene's also offers high-lighting, cuts, waxing and corrective coloring. In addition, the salon features a smoke-free environment.

Raylene's Backstage also carries two complete lines of styling products, both of which are used in-house. Hollywood Backstage Haircare is a new line to the East Coast and Raylene's is the only New Hampshire salon currently carrying it. Hollywood Backstage products are used and endorsed by celebrities Meg Ryan and Alec Baldwin. System Biolage, a more common product, is an all natural system. Rogers is also considering a chlorine and chemical/mineral removal system for the hair. However, Rogers added, "I want to learn all I can about a product before I bring it in.

Rogers is currently looking at nail technicians and would also love to have another team-motivated stylist join the salon. However, between Rogers and her associate, Elfi Shaw, they are able to accommodate both day and evening hours.

Shaw, who received her training and was licensed in Germany in 1979, moved to the United States in 1982 and has since been working in the Seacoast area.

For an appointment or complimentary consultation at Raylene's Backstage, call Raylene or Elfi at 926-0050. Hours are Tue. & Thur. from 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Wed. & Fri. from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Sat. from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Raylene's Backstage is located at 852 Lafayette Road in Hampton.