Karen Z. Bailey

Karen Z. Bailey’s story is one of passion, grit, and transformation. Arriving in the U.S. from Jamaica in 1991, Karen rose from a cashier to a corporate bookkeeper, but her true calling soon took over– hair! In 1996, she took the leap, enrolling at the Learning Institute for Beauty Sciences in NYC and never looked back.
Her journey accelerated at Shades of Essence in Long Island, where she trained under Master Stylist Andrea Cheese. Karen’s flair for precision cuts, and vibrant colors earned her multiple magazine covers and solidified her status as a rising star in the beauty world. With entrepreneurial fire, she opened a thriving salon in Florida before reuniting with Andrea to develop a game-changing product line.

By 2014, Karen launched KZB Salon Systems, introducing standout products like KZB Hydra-Paste for pixie cuts and Hydra-Sculpt Gel for curly, kinky and coily hair. Her mission? To empower women–especially Black women–with high-performance, at-home hair care. A social media sensation, Karen’s jaw-dropping cuts and colors inspire thousands while she builds a full suite of products designed to celebrate and elevate textured hair.

Karen Z. Bailey is living proof of the power of following your passion–and making waves along the way.