Huda, Unfiltered

Blogger-turned-billionaire, Huda Kattan opens up about regaining full ownership of her brand, why authenticity is always in trend, and the future of inclusive beauty.

- Diya J Verma

Fifty-seven million Instagram followers, a beauty empire valued at over $1 billion, and a recently reacquired 100 per cent stake in her eponymous brand—the woman behind these staggering statistics is a force to be reckoned with.

The US-based, Iraqi-American entrepreneur Huda Kattan grew from early Instagram popularity to pushing for makeup that caters to people of colour, fostering change in an industry long criticised for its lack of representation. “Inclusivity is nonnegotiable,” Kattan says, as she goes on to divulge how she built a beauty behemoth. In a quick chat with the beauty boss, we talk leadership, legacy, and more.

Congratulations on regaining full ownership of your brand. What inspired the move?

Regaining full ownership of Huda Beauty was both an emotional and financial decision. Business aside, I felt it was time to revisit the founding vision that drove me to launch the brand: Passion, creativity, and a real desire to shake up the beauty industry.