A MotherSister Minute: Karen’s Body Beautiful
The first time I purchased hair milk from Karen’s Body Beautiful, the helpful saleswoman (who turned out to be Karen’s sister Grace, proprietor of Move With Grace studio) assured me that I would love it. She was right: Karen’s hair milk de-frizzes my kinks without making my hair feel weighed down with product (it’s light enough that I also use it on The Scamp’s finer crunchy curls), and it comes in a variety of great scents. (I’ve worked my way through White Tea, Rose, and Red Currant since this spring.) Karen Tappin Saunderson, the brand’s namesake, started her first business — a care-package delivery service — when she was only 17 years old, but she was working as a schoolteacher (history and economics) when, 4 years ago, she and her husband began making chemical-free versions of the products they were including in their spa baskets. The line was a hit, and a store was born. The couple has recently delivered another big success: Their 2-week-old daughter slept peacefully nearby as I picked up some Sweet Pea-scented conditioner and hair milk and spoke with Karen for a MotherSister Minute.
OPENED: In February 2004.
WHY FORT GREENE/CLINTON HILL: We felt this neighborhood had our demographic, that the people who live here would appreciate the products we make.
BESTSELLING ITEM: Our body scrubs. (Most popular fragrance? “White Tea.”)
MIKE’S COFFEE SHOP OR PRATT COFFEE SHOP: I prefer Pillow Cafe.
TIPS OR SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD: It’s very neighborhoody. People are very friendly and concerned about where they live.
Karen’s Body Beautiful is at 436 Myrtle Ave., between Clinton and Waverly (tel. 718/797-4808). Open Sunday through Friday from noon to 8pm, Saturday from 10am to 8pm.