BIO:

Name: Huda Heidi Kattan
Title/Position: Founder & CEO, Huda Beauty; Chairwoman, HB Investments
Industry: Beauty & cosmetics, digital media, venture investing.
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Age: 42 - (29th of October 1983)
Net Worth: $400 million (Forbes, 2023)

Huda Kattan’s Story

Huda Kattan built one of the world’s most influential beauty brands from a blog and a pair of false lashes. Born in Oklahoma City to Iraqi parents, she moved to Dubai in 2006, studied makeup in Los Angeles, then returned to the UAE to work as a makeup artist, including a stint at Revlon. In 2010 she launched the “Huda Beauty” blog; in 2013 she released her first product, eyelashes at Sephora, which quickly went viral.

That early traction turned into Huda Beauty, a global colour-cosmetics powerhouse known for product drops shaped by community feedback and social storytelling. Private equity firm TSG bought a minority stake in 2017 valuing the company at $1.2 billion, while annual sales were reported around $200 million in subsequent Forbes coverage.

Leadership evolved as the brand scaled. In 2020, Kattan stepped down as CEO and appointed industry veteran Nathalie Kristo; by 2021 Huda and her husband Christopher Gonçalo took the reins as co-CEOs. In 2024, Huda publicly announced she was back as CEO and set out a brand refresh. The through-line: staying close to the product and the community that built the company.

In 2025, Huda Beauty divested its KAYALI fragrance line to co-founder Mona Kattan and General Atlantic, a deal that also enabled founders to buy back the TSG stake putting the core cosmetics business back into full founder ownership. KAYALI continues independently with Mona as CEO. Huda Kattan has also been recognised as one of the Top 10 Beauty Entrepreneurs, underscoring how her vision reshaped the industry.

Career Highlights

Q: Why does Huda Kattan live in Dubai?

She moved to Dubai in 2006 when her father accepted a teaching role; she later returned after makeup training in Los Angeles and built Huda Beauty from Dubai, which remains the brand’s base.

Q: Why did Huda step down as CEO?

In 2020 she stepped down to bring in external leadership ( Nathalie Kristo ) during a period of rapid scaling, then returned as CEO in 2024 to steer a brand refresh and refocus on product and storytelling.

Q: What does Huda Beauty stand for?

Huda Beauty stands for self-expression, inclusivity, and confidence through makeup . Huda Kattan has often described the brand as being built “for the community, by the community,” reflecting its focus on authenticity, diversity, and empowering every person to feel beautiful on their own terms.

Key Milestones

2010: Launches Huda Beauty blog, quickly amassing a global audience.
2013: Debuts Huda Beauty lashes at Sephora; brand explodes across social.
2017: TSG minority investment at a $1.2B valuation.
2020–2021: Steps down as CEO; Nathalie Kristo appointed, then exits; Huda returns to leadership with Christopher Gonçalo.
2024: Announces return as CEO and a brand redesign.
2025: Sells KAYALI to Mona Kattan & General Atlantic; founders reacquire TSG

Achievements

Built a top global beauty brand from content-led community building.
Named to Forbes America’s Richest Self-Made Women; net worth estimated at $400M (2023).
Recognized for leadership and impact, including TIME100 Impact Awards honors.
Chairs HB Investments, backing founders across sectors.

Huda Kattan Net Worth

Kattan’s wealth comes primarily from Huda Beauty, a privately held, Dubai-based cosmetics company she founded with her sisters in 2013. A 2017 TSG minority deal valued the brand at $1.2B, with Forbes later citing roughly $200M in annual sales. In 2025, divesting KAYALI and buying back TSG’s stake brought the core business back under founder control. Additional income streams include content partnerships and leadership of HB Investments. (Latest robust public estimate: $400M in 2023, Forbes.)

Huda Kattan in the News

KAYALI sale & founder buy-back (Feb 17, 2025): Huda Beauty sold its fragrance line to Mona Kattan and General Atlantic; founders repurchased TSG’s stake, returning the cosmetics business to full founder ownership.
Return as CEO & rebrand (Feb 2024): Huda announced she was back as CEO, unveiling a redesign and product strategy reset.
TikTok controversy & retailer response (Aug 2025): A video posted by Kattan was removed by TikTok, prompting public criticism and Sephora to say it was “reviewing” the issue.

Quotes by Huda Kattan

“The minute you decide to do what you love to do, you have made a life plan for yourself and a career choice.”

“Nowadays, you’re only limited by your dreams. We think big and we dream big.”
“You need to constantly out-do yourself and constantly improve yourself”.

FAQs: Most Asked Questions About Huda Kattan

Why does Huda Kattan live in Dubai?

She moved to Dubai in 2006 when her father accepted a teaching role; she later returned after makeup training in Los Angeles and built Huda Beauty from Dubai, which remains the brand’s base.

Why did Huda step down as CEO?

In 2020 she stepped down to bring in external leadership (Nathalie Kristo) during a period of rapid scaling, then returned as CEO in 2024 to steer a brand refresh and refocus on product and storytelling.

What does Huda Beauty stand for?

Huda Beauty stands for self-expression, inclusivity, and confidence through makeup. Huda Kattan has often described the brand as being built “for the community, by the community,” reflecting its focus on authenticity, diversity, and empowering every person to feel beautiful on their own terms.