The Power of Influence: Huda Kattan Takes on the Beauty Industry
As one of BBC’s 100 most influential women this year, Huda Kattan is making waves far beyond the cosmetics empire she has built. With over 50 million Instagram followers eagerly awaiting her next post about the latest makeup trends, Kattan wields immense influence in shaping beauty standards around the world. However, she is sharply critical of an industry that she feels too often judges women solely on their appearance.
In an exclusive interview, Kattan opened up about the beauty world’s painful shortcomings when it comes to inclusivity and representation. She recounted feeling unattractive while growing up as the daughter of Iraqi immigrants in Tennessee. Later, as an entrepreneur, she was dismayed to find that her input in business meetings was ignored in favor of her husband’s. “Don’t talk to me, talk to her,” he would insist, but to no avail.
Kattan prioritizes selling foundations in diverse skin tones, but feels progress is still lacking. “It really comes down fundamentally to the manufacturer,” she explained, sharing instances of asking for deeper shades only to witness “black pigment” hastily added to existing products. There is still a lack of true understanding, she says, when it comes to adequately representing the myriad unique tones that make up skin colors around the world.
While the industry might slowly be shifting towards inclusivity, in Kattan’s view it is change happening at a “snail’s pace.” But with her huge platform, savvy business leadership, and refusal to accept the status quo, perhaps this inspiring woman can accelerate beauty’s evolution. The potential of what positive influence Kattan may yet achieve is limitless. After all, this makeup maven is only just getting started.
