1. Introduction
Huda Heidi Kattan is a globally recognized makeup artist, beauty influencer, entrepreneur, and the founder of the cosmetics empire Huda Beauty. With her signature lashes, bold lip products, and inclusive makeup lines, she has become a household name in the beauty world. As one of the first bloggers to turn her passion for makeup into a billion-dollar brand, Huda Kattan’s story is a modern example of how digital influence can translate into real-world success.
From launching her beauty blog in 2010 to building Huda Beauty into an internationally renowned cosmetics brand, she has leveraged her expertise, creativity, and huge social following to become one of the most influential women in the beauty industry.
2. Early Life and Education
Full Name, Birthdate, Birthplace & Family
- Full Name: Huda Heidi Kattan Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
- Date of Birth: October 2, 1983 Wikipedia
- Birthplace: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA Wikipedia+1
- Nationality / Ethnicity: American of Iraqi descent Wikipedia+1
- Family: Her parents immigrated from Iraq. She has three siblings, including her sister Mona Kattan, who co-founded Huda Beauty. celebclive.com+1
Childhood, Schooling & Early Interests
Kattan grew up in a multicultural home. Her upbringing exposed her to a blend of Eastern and Western cultures, influencing both her aesthetic sensibility and entrepreneurial drive. Wikipedia She attended the University of Michigan–Dearborn, where she studied finance. Wikipedia Rather than continue in the finance world, her deep interest in beauty and makeup compelled her to pursue a more creative path.
She lived for a time in Dubai, where her father moved for work. Wikipedia It was during these years she began building her beauty expertise, eventually training as a makeup artist in Los Angeles. Wikipedia+1
3. Career
How She Began: Beauty Blogging & YouTube
In April 2010, on the advice of her sister, Kattan launched a WordPress blog named Huda Beauty, where she posted makeup tutorials, skincare advice, and beauty hacks. Wikipedia Her blog resonated with a growing audience who valued both her technical skill and her warm, transparent personality.
She also started a YouTube channel, sharing step-by-step tutorials, product reviews, and transformation videos. This digital presence would become the foundation of her future brand.
Makeup Artist & Early Professional Career
After relocating between Dubai and Los Angeles, Kattan worked as a freelance makeup artist. She studied professionally and served clients including celebrities such as Eva Longoria and Nicole Richie. Wikipedia+1 Later, she returned to Dubai and worked with Revlon as a makeup artist, further solidifying her credibility in the beauty industry. Wikipedia
Founding Huda Beauty
In 2013, Huda Kattan officially launched Huda Beauty with her sisters Mona and Alya. Wikipedia+1 The first product was a set of false eyelashes, designed to be dramatic yet wearable. Wikipedia These lashes quickly became iconic, beloved by beauty lovers and even worn by celebrities like Kim Kardashian. Wikipedia
Growth & Expansion
- Product Range: From lashes, Huda Beauty expanded into eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks, foundations, concealers, highlighters, and much more. Wikipedia
- Global Reach: The brand grew rapidly, gaining a major presence in the Middle East, the U.S., Europe, and beyond.
- Business Moves: In early 2025, Huda Beauty announced the buy-back of its stake from private equity, returning to full founder ownership. Reuters
- Fragrance: Huda’s sister Mona founded a fragrance line, Kayali, under the same beauty umbrella. Wikipedia
Media, Hosting & Reality TV
- Huda starred in her own reality-style series, Huda Boss, via Facebook Watch, which featured her family (sister Mona, husband Christopher Goncalo) and the inner workings of Huda Beauty. Wikipedia
- She has also hosted beauty events, collaborated with major beauty brands, and made frequent media appearances, making her both an on-screen and off-screen beauty authority.
4. Personal Life
Relationships & Family
- Husband: Christopher Goncalo, Portuguese-American. The two married in June 2009. Wikipedia
- Children: They have one daughter, Nour Giselle, born in 2011. Wikipedia
- Sisters:
Hobbies & Personality
- Kattan is deeply passionate about makeup artistry, product development, and digital content.
- She practices philanthropy and often uses her platform to speak on social issues and encourage empowerment.
- She is also known for her business acumen, balancing creativity with strategic vision.
Her personality is often described as driven, creative, warm, and bold—traits that helped her build her brand from scratch.
5. Awards and Achievements
Huda Kattan’s accolades reflect her impact in both digital and beauty worlds:
- Named one of Time’s 25 Most Influential People on the Internet (2017) Wikipedia+1
- Ranked among Forbes’ richest self-made women and top beauty influencers Wikipedia
- Digital Innovator of the Year award by Women’s Wear for beauty Wikipedia
- Her false lashes won “Best False Lashes” by wedding magazine The Knot Wikipedia
- Featured in Glamour’s Women of the Year as an Entrepreneurial Gamechanger Wikipedia
6. Net Worth and Lifestyle
Estimated Net Worth
- According to CelebsMoney, Huda Kattan’s net worth is about $610 million as of 2025. CelebsMoney
- ModelsNetWorth lists her at approximately $560 million. Models Net Worth
Income Sources
- Profits from Huda Beauty, including cosmetics and fragrances
- Social media monetization (Instagram, YouTube)
- Brand endorsements and collaborations
- Her role in product creation and possibly equity from her business
- Media appearances and business investments
Lifestyle
- Based in Dubai, where she has built Huda Beauty’s base of operations. Wikipedia
- Lives a high-profile, yet modern entrepreneur lifestyle, combining luxury with a strong work ethic.
- Actively invests in her business, product innovation, and brand expansion.
7. Philanthropy / Social Impact
Huda Kattan has used her platform and business to contribute meaningfully:
- In 2020, she donated $500,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Wikipedia
- Through Huda Beauty, she has supported food-drive initiatives and helped provide one million meals in the UAE. Wikipedia
- In 2021, she called on beauty brands to disclose retouching and photo editing, advocating for transparency and more realistic beauty standards. Wikipedia
- In 2023, she donated $1 million to humanitarian efforts in Gaza via organizations such as Doctors Without Borders. Wikipedia
Huda continues to speak out on social issues, leveraging her reach to support causes she cares about.
8. Controversies
Huda Kattan’s public journey hasn’t been without controversy. Some notable issues include:
Recent TikTok Video Backlash (2025)
- In a video that was later removed by TikTok, Kattan allegedly shared conspiracy theories implicating Israel in global events, including World Wars I & II and the September 11 attacks. People.com+1
- Advocacy groups such as the Anti-Defamation League condemned the claims as dangerous and historically unfounded. People.com
- The controversy led to calls from consumers and influencers for Sephora, a major retailer of her brand, to reconsider its partnership. Indiatimes
Business Tensions & Ownership
- In 2025, Kattan and her co-founders bought back full founder ownership of Huda Beauty, ending their partnership with private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners. Reuters
- Some critics interpreted this move as a response to external pressure or disagreements about creative control.
Reputation & Public Image
- Given her massive social following and visibility, Kattan’s missteps generate significant public scrutiny—especially as she transitions from content creator to corporate leader.
- As a figure with both influencer and CEO roles, she often walks a tightrope between brand authenticity and global accountability.
9. Fun Facts
- Dual Career: Before makeup, Huda worked in finance—she studied business/finance at the University of Michigan–Dearborn. Wikipedia
- Sister Power: Her sister Mona Kattan is co-founder of Huda Beauty and specializes in fragrance (Kayali brand). Fashion ABC
- Reality Star: She starred in her own reality-style series Huda Boss, which follows her family and business. Wikipedia
- Makeup to the Masses: Her first product, false lashes, was designed in her kitchen and became a breakout success. Allure+1
- Instagram Powerhouse: Huda has tens of millions of followers on Instagram, making her one of the most influential beauty entrepreneurs online. Reuters
- Philanthropic Vision: She’s publicly pushed for brands to be transparent about retouching, calling out unrealistic beauty standards. Wikipedia
- Full Founder Ownership: In 2025, she regained full ownership of Huda Beauty, a rare feat among global beauty brands. Reuters
- Heritage Pride: As a Muslim woman of Iraqi descent, she draws heavily from her cultural background in business and beauty sense.
10. Social Media Presence
- Instagram: @hudabeauty – tens of millions of followers, brand announcements & beauty content Wikipedia
- YouTube: Huda Beauty channel – makeup tutorials, behind the scenes, her journey Wikipedia
- TikTok: Highly engaged audience with beauty tips, trends, and personal content (controversial posts included) People.com
- Facebook Watch: Reality show Huda Boss features her personal and business life. Wikipedia
Her social platforms form the backbone of her personal brand, enabling her to stay deeply connected with global audiences.
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Huda Kattan’s age?
Huda Kattan was born on October 2, 1983, which makes her 41 (soon 42) years old as of 2025. Wikipedia
2. How tall is Huda Kattan?
Sources list her height at approximately 5 ft 7 in (170 cm). Models Net Worth
3. What is Huda Kattan’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth ranges from $560 million to $610 million, depending on the source. CelebsMoney+1
4. What is Huda Kattan famous for?
She is best known as the founder of Huda Beauty, one of the most successful beauty brands globally, plus her work as a makeup artist and influencer. Wikipedia
5. Where is Huda Kattan from?
She was born in Oklahoma City, Texas, and later moved to Dubai, where her brand is based. Wikipedia
6. Who are Huda Kattan’s siblings?
Her sisters are Mona Kattan (business partner) and Alya Kattan (social media lead), along with others. Wikipedia
7. Is Huda Kattan married?
Yes, she is married to Christopher Goncalo, and they have a daughter named Nour Giselle. Wikipedia
8. What products does Huda Beauty sell?
Huda Beauty offers cosmetics including false lashes, eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks, foundations, concealers, and highlighters. Wikipedia
9. Does Huda Kattan do philanthropy?
Yes, she has donated to voter registration, food drives, humanitarian causes, and promotes transparency in beauty editing. Wikipedia
10. What was the controversy about Huda Kattan in 2025?
She posted a now-deleted TikTok video promoting conspiracy theories about Israel’s involvement in historical global events, which sparked backlash. People.com
12. Conclusion
Huda Kattan’s biography is a compelling tale of creativity, entrepreneurship, and resilience. From her humble beginnings as a beauty blogger to founding one of the world’s most influential cosmetic brands, her journey reflects the power of authenticity, innovation, and hard work. She continues to shape the beauty industry both through her products and her voice.
Her story is far from over: with full ownership of Huda Beauty restored, ongoing social impact, and new product innovation on the horizon, Huda Kattan remains a leading figure in global beauty—and her influence shows no signs of fading.