Huda Kattan on Beauty: “It Becomes Even More Challenging When You’re a Parent, and a Parent to a Young Girl”
In an interview with Bazaar Arabia, the beauty mogul reveals her 13-year-old daughter is shaping her relationship with beauty…
In the world of beauty, Huda Kattan is a name that resonates with millions. As the founder of Huda Beauty, her influence on global beauty standards is inimitable. In an exclusive interview with Harper’s Bazaar Arabia for the July/August 2024 issue, Kattan opened up about a deeply personal journey—how having a 13-year-old daughter has profoundly impacted her understanding and appreciation of beauty.
Kattan, who has been a pioneering figure in the beauty industry for over 14 years, openly admits to the challenges of maintaining a certain image. “I’m looking at ridiculously beautiful people who are filtered, and it affects me—I struggle with confidence sometimes,” she admitted. Despite her prominence and success, Kattan revealed that she actively works to curate her online environment to avoid constant comparisons, limiting her internet usage and adjusting her algorithm to reduce exposure to such content.
The conversation around beauty standards has become increasingly complex, with studies highlighting their adverse effects on mental health worldwide. Kattan, despite her insider status, is not immune to these pressures. “Most days of the week, I don’t wear make-up, and I don’t feel like I should have to wear make-up just because I’m ‘Huda’. But I had to do a lot of work to feel that way, so I’m proud of that.”
A significant influence on Kattan’s recent reflections on beauty is her daughter, Nour, who is turning 13. The responsibility of raising a young girl in today’s beauty-obsessed culture is not lost on her. “It becomes even more challenging when you’re a parent, and a parent to a young girl,” Kattan shared. The rates of depression among young girls, as Kattan pointed out, are alarmingly higher than those for boys. She faces the ongoing struggle of protecting her daughter’s self-esteem from societal pressures, even as they inadvertently creep in through peer interactions and casual remarks about appearance.
Kattan’s approach to parenting involves setting boundaries—Nour is not allowed on social media, and there’s a conscious effort not to reward her based on her looks. “We don’t reward her for the way she looks, but it’s hard because people will say things to her and I’m like, ‘Please don’t talk to her about her appearance’. I think she’s too young to wear make-up and it’s a fight we have all the time.”
Balancing the empowering aspects of beauty with its potential pitfalls is a tightrope walk for Kattan. She acknowledges the double-edged nature of beauty—how it can be a powerful tool but also a source of vulnerability. “It can be something that is powerful for you, but that can also work against you if you’re not careful.”
This candid reflection comes at a time when Kattan is also leading a significant transformation within her brand. With a focus on sustainability, she announced a major overhaul, cutting down 50% of Huda Beauty’s product line. “I just don’t want them anymore, I don’t want to be overstimulated,” she said, emphasising the need for the beauty industry to reduce its environmental footprint.
Kattan’s journey is not just about business success; it’s also about personal growth and authenticity. “The thing I’m most proud of is my personal development. Not necessarily anything specific, more so the journey itself, and that hasn’t been easy on me at all.” With her daughter as her inspiration and sustainability as her mission, Kattan is not just shaping her brand—she’s sparking a movement that redefines beauty standards for future generations.
Lead image credits: Tiffany Lock Earrings in Yellow Gold; Tiffany Lock Pendant in White Gold with Diamonds; Right hand: Two-finger Ring in Yellow and White Gold with Diamonds; Left hand: Tiffany T1 Narrow Ring in Rose Gold with Diamonds; Tiffany T1 Narrow Ring in White Gold with Diamonds, POA, all Tiffany & Co. Blazer, Dhs5,260, Jacquemus via Harvey Nichols
Photography By Desiree Mattsson. Styling By Nour Bou Ezz. Editor-in-Chief: Olivia Phillips. Art Director: Paul Solomons. Senior Producer: Steff Hawker. Make-Up: Shirin Nabati. Hair: Dom Seeley. Styling Assistant: Purna Bansal. Post Production: Ruben Kristiansen. Photographer’s Producer: Luke Miley for LMC Worldwide. Special thanks to HU Management, and Bickiboss Studio
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s July/August 2024 Cover