Huda Kattan, founder of the billion-dollar cosmetics brand Huda Beauty, criticizes the beauty industry and social media for objectifying women and perpetuating unfair beauty standards.
Huda Kattan, a prominent figure in the beauty industry and founder of Huda Beauty, has built a cosmetics empire worth over $1 billion. As part of the BBC 100 Women list, Kattan speaks out about the sexism she believes exists within the beauty industry and its damaging effects on women. Despite her immense success, Kattan remains critical of both the industry and social media, which she believes contribute to the objectification of women and the perpetuation of unrealistic beauty standards.
Challenging Beauty Industry Norms
Kattan asserts that the beauty industry often reduces women to their appearance, objectifying them and undermining their achievements. As a woman who embraces glamour, she understands the frustration of being judged solely based on her looks. However, she acknowledges that quick judgment is a common failing and something she herself needs to work on.
Kattan shares her personal experience of not being taken seriously by some in the industry when she first started her business. In meetings, she recounts how people would ignore her and direct their attention solely to her husband. Despite her husband’s attempts to redirect the focus, the dismissive behavior persisted, highlighting the gender bias prevalent in the industry.
Slow Progress in Inclusivity and Representation
Growing up as the daughter of immigrants, Kattan experienced firsthand the feeling of being considered unattractive. This motivates her to prioritize inclusivity and representation in her brand, offering products in deeper shades and a wide range of foundations to match diverse skin tones.
However, Kattan expresses frustration with the slow progress of the beauty industry in this regard. While some brands are making strides towards inclusivity, she believes there is still a lack of understanding among manufacturers and some brands. Kattan emphasizes the need for greater representation and a deeper understanding of the diverse range of skin tones.
The Dark Side of Social Media
Kattan’s success can be attributed in large part to her presence on social media, where she shares make-up tutorials, reviews, and glimpses into her personal life. Initially, she saw social media as a platform for democratic voices and connection. However, she now views it as a “dopamine-hacking algorithm” that keeps people glued to their screens.
Kattan highlights the pressure social media places on women to be perfect. She acknowledges that she, too, feels the constant need to meet unrealistic expectations and be “good-looking enough” when scrolling through social media. As someone known for her appearance, Kattan reveals the challenges of feeling like a prisoner to her Instagram handle, with people expecting her to always look flawless.
Speaking Up and Raising Awareness
With her significant social media following, Kattan recognizes the power and responsibility of her platform. She feels compelled to speak up about issues that affect women and her community. Despite not being a political expert, she uses her voice to raise awareness about political issues in the Middle East, a region she believes is often overlooked.
Kattan’s recent posts in support of Palestinians during the conflict between Israel and Hamas garnered attention and both positive and negative responses. She acknowledges the importance of having accurate information and seeing multiple perspectives but remains committed to using her platform to share what she can.
Conclusion: Huda Kattan, the make-up icon and founder of Huda Beauty, criticizes the beauty industry for its sexism and social media for perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards. Despite her immense success, Kattan remains committed to challenging norms and advocating for inclusivity and representation. Her journey serves as an inspiration to women of color, and she continues to use her platform to raise awareness about important issues. As the beauty industry evolves, Kattan’s voice and influence will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping its future.
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