"It’s about relationships, trust, and putting your best foot forward."
Our Principle
For Karen, it has never been just about business. It is about relationships, community, and staying true to your word. She believes that honesty, trust, and always putting your best foot forward are the foundation of everything she does.
This principle guides every decision at KZB — from creating products that truly work, to educating stylists and clients, to building long-term connections. It is what allows the brand to grow while remaining authentic and grounded in the people it serves.
The Beginning
Beauty and haircare found Karen long before KZB ever existed. What began as simple fascination became the spark that would define her life’s work. After being introduced to the art of hair and beauty at events in Jamaica, that inspiration followed her to New York at the age of twenty.
There, she became fascinated by the artistry of hairstylists, the way they used color and texture to create confidence and expression. This led her to the very salon she had seen featured in magazines, where she met the stylist behind the look that first caught her eye.
Afterwards, what started as inspiration turned into opportunity. From client to creator, Karen’s journey grew. She opened her first salon in Florida before returning to New York, carrying with her years of experience and a vision to transform the industry. Those early experiences became the foundation for everything that would come next, a lifelong commitment to beauty, education, and authenticity.
From Salon Chair to Everyday Care
Karen’s experience behind the chair revealed a gap in the world of haircare. She noticed that many women, especially those with textured hair, struggled with dryness and breakage between salon visits. While stylists could transform hair during appointments, clients often lacked the tools to maintain their hair at home.
This insight inspired Karen to create products that were not only crafted for salon use but also accessible for everyday routines. She wanted solutions that worked, helping clients maintain healthy, moisturized hair without waiting for their next appointment. Every product was designed with both the stylist and the consumer in mind, combining effectiveness with simplicity.
Through this approach, Karen transformed her vision of haircare into a brand that bridges the salon and the home. KZB products empower clients to care for their hair consistently while giving stylists the tools to enhance their craft and educate clients on maintaining results between visits.
Education at the Core
As KZB grew, Karen recognized that great products alone were not enough. True transformation came from understanding hair, its structure, its needs, and how to care for it long-term. Education became the bridge between products and results.
Through workshops, training, and hands on demonstrations, Karen began sharing the science behind healthy hair. Stylists learned how to cut, color, and style with moisture in mind, while clients gained the knowledge to maintain their hair between visits. By teaching both sides, KZB built a community rooted in learning and empowerment.
For Karen, education was never just an extension of the brand. It became the key to lasting change. Education also helps stylists and clients see how KZB products fit naturally into a healthy hair routine. With the right knowledge and the right tools, maintaining strong, beautiful hair becomes easier and more sustainable.
A Road Built on Resilience
The journey to building KZB was far from easy. Karen faced the uncertainty that comes with starting over, rebuilding clientele, and redefining what a salon experience could be. What began as a collaboration eventually grew into an independent venture, requiring her to make tough decisions and manage every aspect of the business, from suppliers to client care.
Social media was still new at the time, but Karen stayed focused on mastering her craft. By refining her coloring techniques and developing a signature approach, she began to stand out in a competitive industry.
Through persistence, patience, and an unwavering focus on quality, KZB transformed its early challenges into breakthroughs. Every step forward was fueled by determination and self-belief. With no outside investors, Karen chose to fund everything herself. It was a more demanding route, but it gave her the freedom to stay true to her vision and to the clients who trusted her.
The Product Evolution
KZB’s first creation was Hydra Lock Hair Oil, designed to bring lasting moisture and nourishment to hair that often felt dry between salon visits. Karen listened closely to client feedback and refined the formula into Hydra Lock Plus Hair Oil, a richer solution that quickly became a favorite.
From there, the product line grew with purpose. The KZB Hydra Paste was developed after noticing that most styling pastes left hair dry, stiff, or difficult to use on wigs and natural styles. Karen created a formula that stayed moisturizing, versatile, and easy for everyday use.
Next came the Hydra Sculpt Gel, crafted to be alcohol free, silicone free, and environmentally friendly. Unlike many gels on the market, it left no buildup and helped keep hair hydrated while holding styles in place.
The most recent addition, the Hydra Sets Mousse, completed the lineup, offering a lightweight option that works beautifully across curly, blonde, and relaxed textures. Every product went through multiple iterations with chemists, refined by real-world feedback from stylists and clients alike, reflecting Karen’s commitment to quality and her refusal to settle for anything less than the best.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Karen envisions KZB Hydra Haircare continuing to grow while staying true to its core values of quality, education, and community. The goal is to make products more accessible, expanding beyond the salon to reach clients wherever they are.
Karen also sees opportunities to bring KZB’s expertise and innovation to new markets, building relationships with stylists and clients around the world. Education will remain at the heart of the brand, ensuring that every product is used effectively and every client feels empowered to care for their hair.
Through thoughtful expansion, dedication to quality, and a commitment to the people KZB serves, the brand aims to set a new standard in haircare. One where every product, every lesson, and every interaction reflects care, integrity, and a passion for excellence.
Contact us
Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!