Huda Kattan, founder of the billion-dollar cosmetics brand Huda Beauty, criticizes the beauty industry and social media for objectifying women and perpetuating unfair expectations.
Huda Kattan, a prominent figure in the beauty industry and founder of Huda Beauty, has built an empire worth over $1 billion. With a massive social media following and a brand that dominates Instagram, Kattan is a force to be reckoned with. However, despite her success, she boldly speaks out against the beauty industry and social media, highlighting their sexist nature and the unrealistic standards they impose on women. In this article, we delve into Kattan’s critique and explore her journey as a businesswoman in a male-dominated industry.
Breaking Barriers in the Beauty Industry
Kattan’s rise to success was not without its challenges. As a woman in the beauty industry, she faced discrimination and was often not taken seriously. In meetings, she would be ignored while her male counterparts received all the attention. Kattan’s experience reflects the pervasive sexism that still exists within the industry, despite the progress made in recent years.
The Need for Inclusivity and Representation
Growing up as the daughter of immigrants, Kattan always felt the pressure to conform to societal beauty standards. This motivated her to create a brand that caters to a wide range of skin tones and promotes inclusivity. However, she criticizes the slow progress of the beauty industry in this regard, emphasizing the need for deeper shades and more diverse representation. Kattan believes that manufacturers and brands need to better understand the nuances of different skin tones to truly achieve inclusivity.
Social Media’s Dark Side
While social media played a significant role in Kattan’s success, she now views it with cynicism. She argues that social media platforms have become addictive and perpetuate unrealistic expectations for women. Kattan herself has felt the pressure to maintain a flawless appearance and constantly be “camera-ready.” She acknowledges her own role in perpetuating these expectations but also recognizes the toll it takes on her mental health.
The Pressure to Be Perfect
Society has always placed high expectations on women, but social media has exacerbated this phenomenon. Kattan expresses her frustration with the constant pressure to look a certain way and achieve unattainable standards of beauty. Despite her success, she often feels that she can never be “good-looking enough” or have achieved enough. Kattan acknowledges that she has become a prisoner to her own appearance, constantly feeling the need to meet the expectations of her followers.
Using her Voice for Change
As Kattan’s platform grew, she felt a responsibility to speak up about issues affecting women and her community. She has used her social media presence to raise awareness about political issues in the Middle East and has been outspoken in her support for Palestinians. Kattan acknowledges that she is not a political expert but believes in using her platform to shed light on important issues.
Conclusion:
Huda Kattan’s success in the beauty industry has not shielded her from the sexism and unrealistic expectations that plague the industry. As a prominent figure with a massive social media following, she recognizes the need for change and speaks out against the objectification of women. Kattan’s journey serves as an inspiration to women of color and highlights the importance of inclusivity and representation in the beauty industry. As she continues to challenge the status quo, Kattan hopes to create a more authentic and empowering space in an industry that often prioritizes appearance over substance.
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