MAKE-UP MAVEN HUDA ΚΑΤΤΑΝ

Celebrating a decade of Huda Beauty, the gorgeous blogger-turned-businesswoman opens up to HELLO! about life in the industry, her latest drop and teaching her daughter about true beauty

- JEENA J BILLIMORIA

Ten years ago, she was a blogger working out of home when she unleashed the concept of big, fluffy, faux eyelashes to the world. Turning her passion into a business that is now valued at over a billion dollars, Huda Kattan is unstoppable! Her make-up brand, Huda Beauty, is used by millions of people around the world today.

A hallowed name in the world of beauty (she’s been called the Bill Gates of beauty influencers), the Dubai-based entrepreneur’s inspiring story has transformed how women approach business — and the confidence they gain from using her record-breaking products. HELLO! catches up with the beauty mogul just in time for the drop of her new collection and what life looks like for someone who has it all.

Huda, from beauty blogger selling faux lashes to building an empire worth billions, you’re now celebrating 10 years of your brand. How did it all begin?

My passion for make-up and wanting everyone to feel beautiful led me to start my beauty blog in 2010. I created content that shared tips and tricks with beauty lovers, trialed the trends, and refused to gatekeep amazing brands and products. The response was overwhelming and is the reason, along with a US$6,000 loan from my sister, Alya, that I launched Huda Beauty in 2013. We started with a range of false eyelashes exclusive to Sephora, which was already a dream come true. Now, 10 years later, we have complete product lines and are always working on new, exciting and innovative projects!

Was it tough to set up and run a business in the UAE? What’ve been some of the biggest hurdles you’ve had to face as a female entrepreneur?