Who Is Huda Kattan? Discover the Founder of Huda Beauty
Huda Kattan is currently receiving criticism for promoting a controversial antisemitic theory suggesting that Israel is behind wars and terrorist attacks.
In July, the founder of Huda Beauty reiterated false claims in a TikTok video, alleging that Israel was “behind” World War I, World War II, the September 11 attacks, and Hamas’ assault on Israel on October 7. This prompted calls for Sephora to pull her products from their shelves.
TikTok has removed her video; however, according to CNN, she stated, “All of the conspiracy theories coming out and a lot of evidence behind them — that Israel has been behind World War I, World War II, September 11, October 7 — they allowed all of this stuff to happen. Is this crazy?” (It’s worth noting that the State of Israel was founded in 1948, three years after the conclusion of World War II.)
Kattan further expressed, “Like, I had a feeling — I was like, ‘Are they behind every world war?’ Yes.”
Sephora addressed public concerns in a statement on August 7, saying, “Sephora is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive shopping experience for everyone. We understand that comments from one of our brand partners have raised concerns and want to clarify: promoting hate, harassment, or misinformation is not in line with our values or code of conduct. We are taking this matter seriously and are actively reviewing the issue, including collaborating with the brand.”
Keep reading for key facts about Kattan:
1. She’s a Native of Oklahoma
Kattan was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in October 1983. She is one of three daughters of Ibrahim Kattan and Susu Al Qazzaz, immigrants from Iraq. She attended Dartmouth High School before earning her bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where she met her husband, Christopher Goncalo.
2. She Wasn’t Always in the Beauty Industry
Prior to launching her brand with her sisters in 2013, Kattan worked in finance but felt “miserable,” according to Forbes. She left her job to pursue a career as a makeup artist and started her blog in 2010. A year later, Huda’s first product—a set of false lashes—launched at Sephora in Dubai. The brand made its way into the U.S. market in 2025 and now offers over 140 products, generating around $200 million in annual sales, as per Forbes.
3. She Has Received Numerous Awards for Huda Beauty
Kattan has garnered multiple accolades for her brand, including the WWD Beauty Inc Indie of the Year Award, the TIME100 Impact Award, and the International Author Excellence Award. She has also been featured in Allure’s Best of Beauty roundup and Glamour’s Beauty Awards, among others.
4. She’s Open About Cosmetic Procedures
Kattan has been transparent about her cosmetic enhancements over the years. In 2013, she underwent a nose job, and in January 2022, she showcased her “lip-volution,” posting side-by-side photos of her lips in 2006 before having “botox, fillers, and plastic surgery.”
5. She Has Encountered Other Controversies
In 2017, Kattan announced the launch of Huda Beauty’s #FauxFilter foundations and faced accusations of copying Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty foundation collection, which had a similar name, Pro Filt’r.
At that time, she explained to PopSugar, “Every creator out there has their unique vision. Sometimes, brands may have similarities, but it mainly comes down to the actual finish and usage of the product. There are typically more differences than similarities between products, and each appeals to different audiences!”
Years later, in 2022, Huda Beauty faced allegations of using unapproved ingredients in her Neon Obsessions Pressed Pigment Palette. Consumers claimed that the brand attempted to obscure the ingredients by including a small disclaimer on the back of the palette stating it was “not intended for the eye area.” Huda Beauty settled the lawsuit for $1.93 million and incurred $1.2 million in legal fees, while agreeing to discontinue the palette, refrain from reintroducing similar products, and offer refunds.
