Huda Kattan: Beauty Industry is Sexist, Says Make-up Icon

Huda Kattan, founder of the billion-dollar cosmetics brand Huda Beauty, criticizes the beauty industry and social media for their objectification of women and unfair expectations.

Huda Kattan, a prominent figure in the beauty industry and founder of Huda Beauty, has amassed a massive following and built a billion-dollar cosmetics brand. However, she believes that the beauty industry is inherently sexist, reducing women to their appearance. In an interview, Kattan discusses the challenges she has faced as a woman in the industry and the slow progress towards inclusivity and representation. She also expresses her disillusionment with social media, which she believes perpetuates unrealistic standards and places undue pressure on women. Despite her success, Kattan admits to feeling like a prisoner to her own image and hopes to inspire women of color through her journey.

Struggling for Recognition in a Male-Dominated Industry

Kattan reveals that when she first entered the beauty industry, she faced significant challenges in gaining recognition and respect. She recounts instances where she was ignored in meetings, with others directing their attention to her husband instead. This dismissive treatment motivated her to speak up and demand equal treatment. Kattan believes that the beauty industry still has a long way to go in terms of inclusivity and representation, particularly in catering to a wide range of skin tones.

The Slow Progress of Inclusivity and Representation

Growing up as the daughter of immigrants in Tennessee, Kattan experienced feelings of unattractiveness due to societal standards. As a result, she prioritizes creating products that cater to deeper shades and a diverse range of skin tones. However, she expresses frustration at the slow pace of change within the industry. Kattan has personally witnessed manufacturers attempting to address the issue by simply adding black pigment to their products, failing to recognize the complexity of different skin tones. She believes that there is still a lack of understanding and calls for greater efforts to be made by brands and manufacturers.

Social Media’s Evolution from Connection to Perfection

Kattan initially embraced social media as a platform for connection and empowerment. However, she now sees it as a tool that perpetuates unrealistic beauty standards and fosters a culture of comparison. She acknowledges the pressure she feels to constantly appear perfect and acknowledges that she has unwittingly contributed to this culture. Kattan believes that society’s expectations, amplified by social media, are unfair and can be detrimental to women’s self-esteem.

The Need for Vulnerability and Authenticity

Reflecting on her own experiences, Kattan emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in the social media space. She acknowledges the lack of a platform that encourages genuine connection and hopes to create such a space in the future. Kattan also recognizes the negative impact of excessive screen time and has implemented measures to limit her own usage. She is particularly cautious about her 12-year-old daughter’s exposure to social media, as she has observed the negative effects it can have on her anxiety levels.

Balancing Public and Private Life

Despite her public persona, Kattan keeps certain aspects of her life private, including her Muslim faith. She admits to concerns about potential criticism due to her choice not to cover her hair, but she finds solace in her personal relationship with prayer. Kattan hopes that her success and visibility as a woman of color can inspire others, particularly young girls who may feel underrepresented.

Conclusion: Huda Kattan, a trailblazer in the beauty industry, sheds light on the inherent sexism within the industry and the detrimental effects of social media on women’s self-esteem. Despite her success, Kattan remains critical of the slow progress towards inclusivity and representation. She hopes to inspire women of color through her journey and advocates for a more vulnerable and authentic social media space. By sharing her experiences and speaking out about issues affecting women and her community, Kattan aims to create a positive impact and challenge societal norms.


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