Huda Kattan, an American makeup artist and entrepreneur based in Dubai, has transformed her deep passion for cosmetics into a worldwide sensation. As the visionary founder behind Huda Beauty, she has successfully diversified into makeup, skincare, fragrances, and even reality television. Kattan sets trends, motivates millions of followers across the globe, and utilizes her powerful platform to support philanthropic causes and empower emerging creators everywhere.
The Rise of a Beauty Mogul: Net Worth and Social Media Dominance
Huda Kattan boasts an estimated net worth of $560 million. This substantial fortune is primarily derived from her phenomenally successful cosmetics brand, Huda Beauty, and her massive influence on social media. Her Instagram account alone has amassed over 50 million followers, solidifying her status as a global beauty icon and a major force within the industry.
Building the Huda Beauty Empire: From Lashes to Reality TV
Kattan's remarkable journey started in 2010 with the launch of her beauty blog, Huda Beauty, on WordPress. Here, she shared practical makeup tutorials, tips, and clever hacks. By 2013, she had converted this popular blog into a full-scale cosmetics company. Her initial product line featured false eyelashes, developed in collaboration with her sisters Mona and Alya, and sold through the prestigious retailer Sephora. The line received instant acclaim, including coveted endorsements from celebrities like Kim Kardashian.
From this strong foundation, Huda Beauty expanded rapidly to include a comprehensive range of products:
- Makeup: A wide array including liquid lipsticks, lip liners, foundations, concealers, and highly-pigmented eyeshadow palettes.
- Skincare: Launched under the WISHFUL brand.
- Fragrances: Introduced through the Kayali perfume line.
Beyond product innovation, Kattan capitalized on her social media fame and brand popularity to enter the world of reality TV. In 2018, she debuted in the Facebook Watch series Huda Boss. The show provides an inside look at her demanding personal life and the operations of her family-run business. Key personalities featured include her executive assistant Stacey Crossley, marketing manager Sabine Kühn, and celebrity skin expert Jamie Sherrill.
Philanthropy and Giving Back
Huda Kattan and her brand have a consistent record of supporting charitable initiatives. Notable philanthropic actions include a $500,000 donation to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund in 2020 and a $100,000 contribution to the COVID-19 relief fundraiser Help India Breathe in 2021. The brand has also donated meals and supported the Asian-American community. These efforts underscore Kattan's dedication to leveraging her success for positive social impact, especially during crises and for marginalized groups.
Early Life and Formative Years
Huda Kattan was born on October 2, 1983, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Iraqi parents. She has three siblings: Alya, Mona, and Khalid. Her childhood involved multiple moves, first to Cookeville, Tennessee, and later to Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Kattan pursued higher education at the University of Michigan–Dearborn, where she studied finance.
Her professional path took a significant turn in 2006 when she relocated to Dubai with her father, who had secured a teaching job there. She later moved to Los Angeles to train as a makeup artist, building a clientele that included celebrities, before returning to Dubai. In Dubai, she worked as a makeup artist for Revlon, which eventually led her to launch the beauty blog that became the cornerstone of her internationally recognized empire.
