Huda Kattan is a self-made beauty mogul, founder of an international beauty empire with an Instagram following of 48 million people - almost 15 times the population of Dubai and that’s just one of her many Instagram accounts!
“... one of the “ten most powerful influencers in the world of beauty” by Forbes magazine and as one of “The 25 Most Influential People on the Internet” by Time magazine in 2017.”
The American born Iraqi entrepreneur trained to be a makeup artist in Hollywood and in 2010 upon the advice of one of her sisters, Huda started a beauty-related blog, "Huda Beauty" on which she would post makeup tutorials and tips. In 2013 Huda founded her eponymous cosmetics line which achieved success with the sales of false eyelashes which were famously worn by Kim Kardashian. Identifying a gap in the market, Huda Beauty is now estimated to be the world’s fastest growing beauty brand with Huda being declared one of the "ten most powerful influencers in the world of beauty" by Forbes magazine and as one of "The 25 Most Influential People on the Internet" by Time magazine in 2017.
“Huda is a role model to many women, especially those in the Arab world, who have lacked meaningful representation in the beauty industry for so long.”
I have been a fan of Huda for some years, initially my interest in Huda was because I found her content to be so uplifting and addictive – I love that she is a rule breaker. Over the years my interest in Huda has grown from using her products to an enduring admiration for a trailblazing woman who has created a pioneering business empire. Huda is a role model to many women, especially those in the Arab world, who have lacked meaningful representation in the beauty industry for so long. I was thrilled when Huda kindly agreed to answer some of my questions over a call.
“Over the years my interest in Huda has grown from using her products to an enduring admiration for a trailblazing woman who has created a pioneering business empire.”
The Beauty industry is known for having a homogenous representation, what were your aims when you started Huda Beauty?
Growing up, it was difficult to find any inspiration as there was no one that looked like me. For that reason, it became more important for me to ensure young girls had someone they who resonated with them. I want people to feel comfortable in their own skin, feel beautiful and be celebrated for their individuality.
“Growing up, it was difficult to find any inspiration as there was no one that looked like me.”
I wanted Huda Beauty to allow people to create their own character, their own uniqueness and feel comfortable being them! I wanted people to understand that their beauty is something that should be appreciated and that societal norms should not make them feel outcasted. Also, with my skincare line Wishful, my aim was for my community to love and be comfortable in their own skin. When I see people comment, write blogs, talk on their videos about how Wishful has made them more confident and comfortable, it really is a humbling moment.
I’m also from a family of strong sisters, please can you tell us a bit more about your working relationship with your family?
I honestly could not have done it without my family’s help, they helped me in so many ways and I will be forever grateful. There were evenings when me, my sisters, mum and dad were sitting on the floor individually packing the eyelashes. Those are moments you cannot take for granted or forget.
“There were evenings when me, my sisters, mum and dad were sitting on the floor individually packing the eyelashes. Those are moments you cannot take for granted or forget.”
Mona was my first investor and her constant pushes and belief in me, and the brand really forced me into making Huda Beauty. Without my family in the background motivating me, helping me, I don’t know how I would have done it. Every day I wake up feeling so blessed and fortunate and I’m so happy I can share it with my family.
Please can we discuss how your Iraqi heritage helped you to create make-up with a middle-eastern influence
There was always a plan for the company to go beyond lashes and I wanted to use my Iraqi heritage to create make-up with a middle-eastern influence. Because I had grown up in the US, I had a very middle-eastern style, but also a very western influence as well. I grew up in the States in a very small town in the south, in Tennessee but my heritage was innate, I use to wear so much eyeliner! AN INSANE AMOUNT, the blacker the better. In the Middle East the main focus in makeup is the eye, I think that’s why my very first product was eyelashes. Something about bringing attention to the eyes is so sexy and flirtatious.
You are known to be an advocate for self-love, please could you discuss your own journey with self-confidence
I had a lot of self-doubt when I was younger, suffering from acne really took a toll on my confidence. I was not happy in the skin I was in and subsequently, this had an effect on my confidence. I would hate to wear my skin bare without any make up however, as I grew older, I really learnt what self-love was. No one is going to love me more than myself and for that reason, I really needed to love me for all my perfect imperfections. It took time and slowly, I got there.
“Also, as a mother to a young girl, I really made it my life’s mission to ensure Noor has confidence, she has positivity, she has self-love.”
Also, as a mother to a young girl, I really made it my life’s mission to ensure Noor has confidence, she has positivity, she has self-love. It’s so easy to compare yourself to others but really, we should applaud each other for our individuality and uniqueness.
You really believe in giving back from donating $500,000 to support the #BlackLivesMatter movement to hosting the Global Gift Gala in solidarity with women’s empowerment and gender equality initiatives. Please can you tell us a little more about that?
We know in order for things to change there needs to be disruption. We want to support everyone as much as we possibly can and make as much impact as we possibly can. We want to be change-makers.
Who are your role models?
I have been inspired by so many people, for different reasons. My younger sister Mona has always been a constant source of creative and beauty inspiration. She just amazes me every single day! Oprah Winfrey is someone I have always taken much inspiration from.
“My truest and biggest inspiration is my community. Seeing how they all benefit and love the products we produce; it just makes me want to do more and give more!”
My truest and biggest inspiration is my community. Seeing how they all benefit and love the products we produce; it just makes me want to do more and give more! I love seeing them grow and become confident beings and that in itself is the biggest inspiration to do more.
What would your advice be to other bloggers struggling to make a success of their work?
Be different. Be unique. Be yourself. I began to create a real following when I started to create ‘unbiased content’. Having a passion combined with determination and self-belief is key. You really need to love what you’re writing about otherwise it will become a chore.
“Be different. Be unique. Be yourself... Having a passion combined with determination and self-belief is key.”
I would create DIY beauty tips and from that, I would have dedicated visitors who would praise my work. That was the fuel that kept me going. Having that reassurance that I was doing well and that my DIY were actually helping people really drove me on.
What is next for Huda Beauty?
I am so proud that we just celebrated the one year anniversary for Wishful this February. I am so humbled by the constant feedback we get about our products and how they have helped people. With Huda Beauty we’re always ready to come out with new products. We work so hard trying to make innovative, unique, new products and it makes me super happy and proud when I see my community love it as much as me! There is so much to come and so much to see. I’m really excited for 2021 because you’re going to see much and it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
“I want promote uniqueness and highlight that everyone is beautiful in their own way and that everyone should applaud their differences.”
But honestly, most of all I want to try and make a difference in our industry, to empower people to believe in themselves and feel beautiful for who they are. I want to inspire people to understand that no matter what they look like, they are beautiful. I want promote uniqueness and highlight that everyone is beautiful in their own way and that everyone should applaud their differences.
You can find out more about Huda Beauty’s products by visiting a retailer or at https://www.hudabeauty.com
Photographs courtesy of Huda Kattan