Huda Kattan, founder of the billion-dollar cosmetics brand Huda Beauty, criticizes the beauty industry for objectifying women and discusses the challenges she faced as a female entrepreneur.
Huda Kattan, the influential make-up icon and founder of Huda Beauty, has taken the beauty industry by storm with her billion-dollar cosmetics brand. However, behind her glamorous success lies a fierce critic of the industry’s sexist practices. In an exclusive interview, Kattan discusses the objectification of women, the challenges she faced as a female entrepreneur, and her disillusionment with social media.
Breaking Barriers as a Female Entrepreneur
Kattan recounts the struggles she faced as a female entrepreneur in the beauty industry. She shares instances where she was not taken seriously in business meetings, with people often ignoring her and addressing her husband instead. Despite these challenges, Kattan persevered and built a cosmetics empire that challenges the status quo.
The Slow Progress of Inclusivity in the Beauty Industry
As a woman of Middle Eastern descent, Kattan emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and representation in the beauty industry. She recalls feeling unattractive growing up and is determined to provide products that cater to a wide range of skin tones. However, Kattan believes that progress in the industry has been slow, with some brands lacking a fundamental understanding of diverse skin tones.
The Dark Side of Social Media
Kattan’s success is closely tied to her presence on social media, particularly Instagram, where she has amassed over 50 million followers. However, she expresses her disillusionment with social media, describing it as a “dopamine-hacking algorithm” that perpetuates unrealistic expectations and pressures women to be perfect. Kattan acknowledges her own role in perpetuating these expectations but also highlights the toll it takes on her own mental health.
Speaking Up for Women and her Community
With her massive social media following, Kattan recognizes the power and responsibility she holds to speak up about important issues. She has used her platform to raise awareness about political issues in the Middle East and has faced both positive and negative reactions. Kattan acknowledges her limitations as a non-expert but believes in using her voice to shed light on important matters.
Embracing Vulnerability and Setting Boundaries
Kattan wishes for social media to be a space of vulnerability and authenticity. She acknowledges the need to disconnect and limit screen time, as well as the impact it has on her own daughter’s anxiety levels. Despite living much of her life in the public eye, Kattan keeps certain aspects, such as her Muslim faith, private due to fear of criticism.
Conclusion: Huda Kattan’s journey in the beauty industry has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. As a successful female entrepreneur, she has shattered glass ceilings and built a brand that celebrates inclusivity. However, she remains critical of the industry’s objectification of women and the negative impact of social media. Kattan’s story serves as a reminder that behind the glamorous façade of the beauty industry lies a need for change and a call for authenticity and representation.
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