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 garnered a massive following and built a billion-dollar cosmetics brand. However, she believes that the beauty industry is inherently sexist, objectifying women and reducing them to their appearance. In an interview, Kattan also expresses her concerns about the negative impact of social media, which perpetuates unrealistic beauty standards and places immense pressure on women to be perfect.
Struggling for Recognition in a Male-Dominated Industry
Kattan reveals the challenges she faced as a woman in the beauty industry, where she often felt dismissed and overlooked. She shares instances where people would address her husband instead of her during business meetings, undermining her role as a businesswoman. This experience highlights the gender bias prevalent in the industry and the need for greater recognition and respect for women’s contributions.
Slow Progress in Inclusivity and Representation
As a woman of color, Kattan emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and representation in the beauty industry. Growing up as the daughter of immigrants, she felt the impact of society’s narrow beauty standards. Kattan strives to create products that cater to a wide range of skin tones, but she criticizes the industry for its slow progress in this area. She calls for a deeper understanding from manufacturers and brands to meet the diverse needs of consumers.
The Dark Side of Social Media
Kattan initially embraced social media as a platform for connection and self-expression. However, she now sees it as a tool that perpetuates unrealistic expectations and fuels insecurities. She highlights the pressure women face to constantly appear flawless and the detrimental effects this has on mental health. Kattan acknowledges her own role in contributing to these expectations but also recognizes herself as a victim of them.
Using her Voice for Change
With her significant social media following, Kattan has recognized the power of her platform and uses it to speak up about issues affecting women and her community. She acknowledges the responsibility that comes with her influence and strives to bring attention to important causes. Kattan’s recent posts in support of Palestinians during the conflict in Israel and Gaza sparked both positive and negative reactions, but she remains committed to using her voice for what she believes in.
Seeking Authenticity and Vulnerability
Kattan expresses her desire for social media to be a space where vulnerability is embraced. She believes that the current landscape is focused on presenting a perfect image, which is not reflective of reality. Kattan advocates for the creation of a space where people can be more genuine and open about their struggles. She also emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and limiting screen time, sharing her own experiences of disconnecting from social media.
Conclusion:
Huda Kattan’s success in the beauty industry has not shielded her from recognizing its inherent sexism and the damaging impact of social media. As a prominent figure with a massive following, she uses her platform to advocate for change and challenge unrealistic beauty standards. Kattan’s journey serves as an inspiration to women of color and highlights the need for inclusivity, representation, and authenticity in the beauty industry. As she continues to navigate her role as a beauty icon, Kattan remains committed to empowering women and promoting a more inclusive and accepting beauty culture.
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