Huda Beauty

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Blogger review on Obsessions Palette Topaz

Huda Beauty is a cosmetics line that was launched in 2013 by Huda Kattan.[1] In 2017, Huda Kattan was chosen as one of "The 25 Most Influential People on the Internet" by Time,[1] and she was listed as one of The Richest Self-Made Women and one of the Top Three Beauty Influencers by Forbes.[2][3]

Background[edit]

In April 2010, Huda Kattan started a beauty blog and a YouTube channel, both called "Huda Beauty".[1] She launched a cosmetic line named after her channel in 2013.[4][5]

Kattan's channels contain beauty tutorials focusing on topics such as makeup techniques and skincare routines. Comparisons have been drawn between Kattan and Kim Kardashian West, noting similarities in their family-run businesses and influencer status in the beauty industry.[6]

Launch[edit]

The first Huda Beauty product was a collection of false eyelashes released through Sephora in Dubai in 2011, and the United States in 2015.[2][3] According to reports,The Kardashian sisters used Huda Beauty lashes, providing an early publicity boost to the label.[7]

In December 2017, the company received a minority investment from TSG Consumer Partners, a private equity firm that had previously invested in beauty brands such as Smashbox and IT Cosmetics.[8]

Products[edit]

Huda Beauty offers more than 140 products online or in-store.[2] The cosmetics company has introduced a wide array of products, including lipsticks, highlighter and contour palettes, fake eyelashes, and a joint venture item with Tweezerman.[5] Since launch, Huda Beauty's Samantha Lashes #7, has been ranked as one of the best-selling and highly reviewed lash products.[9][10]

In 2018, all launched products brought in at least $200 million in annual revenue.[11] Some have described the success of internet-based beauty brands like Huda Beauty as part of a shift in the beauty market towards e-commerce.[3]

Awards and recognition[edit]

In 2016, Huda Kattan was awarded the Digital Innovator of the Year award in the category of prestige beauty by Women's Wear,[12] in 2017, Huda Beauty's false eyelashes won the Best False Lashes award by wedding magazine The Knot and in 2021, she won GLAMOUR's Women of the Year Entrepreneurial Gamechanger.[13] Kattan was named as one of Time magazine's 25 Most Influential People Online,[1][14] alongside J.K Rowling and Kim Kardashian West and she was listed as one of The Richest Self-Made Women and one of the Top Three Beauty Influencers by Forbes.[2][3]

Controversies and criticism[edit]

Genital lightening[edit]

Huda Beauty faced intense disagreement over a blog post advising women about ways to lighten the color of their genitals. Originally published on 7 April 2018, the post named "Why Your Vagina Gets Dark And How To Lighten It" noted some tips from "trusted expert" and board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD. This post was criticized as unprofessional and misleading.[15]

Allegations of copying[edit]

#FauxFilter vs Fenty Beauty[edit]

In 2017, Huda Beauty announced that it would soon be debuting a foundation collection with a more diverse range of shades. Following this announcement, the collection was criticised by Fenty Beauty followers that "it copies Fenty Beauty's Pro Filt'r foundation collection image". Huda Beauty's "#FauxFilter" foundations have a selection of 30 shades, while Rihanna's brand - Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r foundation collection has 40 shades.[16] Others, however, applauded Huda Beauty for being one of the first brands to release an inclusive range of shades in Sephora stores globally.

Acne scar controversy[edit]

In 2015, a YouTuber from the UK, Em Ford, posted a video named "You Look Disgusting". The video discussed negative comments she had received about her appearance, and, as of October 2018, the number of views had exceeded 28 million.[17] There was a post from Huda that has been blamed for shaming other peer YouTubers' acne scars. Kattan had posted a comment stating the only thing worse than a breakout is an acne scar. Huda had used Ford's positive post to show "how ugly" the acne scars could be. After seeing Huda's post, Em Ford made a new post questioning if Huda, as a popular brand, wants to be one of the bullying problems or one of the solutions.[18] This ended with Kattan's replies to the posts and an apology online.

Neon Obsessions lawsuit[edit]

In 2022, Huda Beauty was accused for use of disapproved substances around the eye by the US Food and Drug Administration. A US lawsuit filed by consumers claimed that the Neon Obsessions palette by Huda Beauty concealed the prohibited ingredients by hiding warning labels such as "not intended for the eye area". A California federal judge approved a $1.93 million settlement to resolve the claims and $1.2 million in legal fees for the plaintiffs.[19][20]

Marketing[edit]

According to the Instagram scheduling tool HopperHQ, which publishes an 'influencer rich list' estimating the value and income of internet influencers, Kattan could potentially earn up to AED 66,000 per sponsored post as the owner of Huda Beauty.[5][14]

Huda Beauty is among the best-selling cosmetics brands in Sephora in the Middle East and Harrods in London. According to The Business of Fashion, Kattan's background as a second-generation Iraq immigrant in America distinguishes her from other beauty influencers. She studied Finance in the United States, and pursued a career as a makeup artist in Dubai.[21]

Fragrances[edit]

In 2018, Huda Beauty stated that they were entering the skincare and fragrance markets and announced a new collection of perfume.[22]

Philanthropy[edit]

2020

  • June 2020: After the murder of George Floyd, Huda Beauty donated $500,000 to the NAACP.
  • June 2020: Huda Beauty supported Doctors Without Borders (MSF) by matching the donations made through the Huda Beauty website, with their donation totaling $150,000 in matched funds to the Doctors Without Borders COVID-19 Relief Fund [23]

2021

  • March 2021: Huda Kattan & Huda Beauty starts petition for beauty brands to disclose when they've retouched or edited their images or videos. Encouraging women & men to love themselves, dismantling toxic social media beauty standards[24]
  • March 2021: Huda Beauty stands up against racism against the Asian community, donates to Stop AAPI Hate[25]
  • April 2021: In Ramadan, Huda Beauty donated one million meals to the 100 Million Meals food drive initiative, which was launched by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to provide food parcels to disadvantaged communities across 20 countries in Asia and Africa[26]
  • May 2021: Huda Beauty used their platforms to speak up about the forced evictions in Palestine and pushes 'biggest launch of the year' due to this[27] and donates $100,000 to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) to support their efforts on the ground
  • May 2021: Huda Kattan & Huda Beauty donated $100,000 to Help India Breathe, a COVID-19 relief fundraiser launched by former monk Jay Shetty and his wife, Radhika Devlukia-Shetty[28]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Hutcheson, Susannah. "How I became a makeup mogul: Beauty influencer Huda Kattan talks about business, life". USA Today. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d Day, Emma (13 April 2017). "Huda Kattan Has Been Named One Of Forbes' Top Three 'Influencers'". Emirates Woman. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d Mariam (18 July 2018). "Huda Kattan Was Just Placed In Forbes List Of The Richest Self-Made Women". Lovin'. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  4. ^ "How Huda Kattan Turned Blogging Into a Beauty Empire". Allure. Condé Nast. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  5. ^ a b c "HBD! Here Are 9 Things You Didn't Know About Huda Kattan". Vogue Arabia. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  6. ^ Nichol, Louise (3 October 2016). "Huda Kattan: "The Goal Is To Own The Beauty Industry Globally"". Harper's Bazaar Arabia. Archived from the original on 7 October 2016.
  7. ^ Jacques, Renee (13 October 2015). "You Can Finally Get the Kardashians' Favorite Lashes at Sephora". Allure. Condé Nast. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  8. ^ Saltzman, Stephanie (14 December 2018). "Influencer Huda Kattan's Beauty Company Just Landed a Major Investment". Fashionista. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  9. ^ Kaur, Melisha (25 June 2018). "Best Huda Beauty products". Evening Standard. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  10. ^ Guglielmetti, Petra (14 January 2016). "The Exact Product You Need to Get J.Lo-Worthy Lashes". Glamour. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  11. ^ Sorvino, Chloe. "How Huda Kattan Built A Billion-Dollar Cosmetics Brand With 26 Million Followers". Forbes. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  12. ^ Shapiro, Bee (20 March 2017). "Is Huda Kattan the Most Influential Beauty Blogger in the World?". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  13. ^ Hampson, Laura; Maddick, Emily. "Huda Kattan: GLAMOUR's Women of the Year Entrepreneurial Gamechanger on trusting your gut and why representation is so important". Glamour UK. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  14. ^ a b Time Staff (26 June 2017). "Meet the 25 Most Influential People on the Internet". Time. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  15. ^ Gil, Natalie (7 May 2018). "Huda Beauty's Guide To Vagina Lightening Sparks Major Controversy". Refinery29. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  16. ^ Arps, Brianna (4 October 2017). "Rihanna fans are accusing a beauty blogger of copying Fenty Beauty's foundation line". INSIDER. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  17. ^ Scott, Ellen (1 August 2018). "Em Ford calls out Huda for using her face to discuss getting rid of acne scars". Metro. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  18. ^ Jones, Fionnuala. "Huda Beauty was criticised for shaming this YouTuber over her acne scars". The Daily Edge. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  19. ^ Images Staff (26 July 2022). "Huda Beauty will pay nearly $2m to settle Neon Obsessions lawsuit". Images. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  20. ^ Mueller, Jacquelyn (25 July 2022). "Settlement Reached in Huda Beauty Makeup Palettes Lawsuit". Global Cosmetic Industry. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  21. ^ Chitrakorn, Kati (14 December 2016). "Inside Huda Kattan's Blog-to-Brand Beauty Empire". Business of Fashion. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  22. ^ Rosenstein, Jenna (25 July 2018). "Huda Kattan is Launching a Huda Beauty Perfume". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  23. ^ Bellheather, Diana (25 May 2020). "How you can join Huda Kattan in supporting doctors fighting COVID-19". Emirates Woman. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  24. ^ Joseph, Sarah (6 April 2021). "'Enough is enough': Huda Kattan's mission to stop 'toxic' beauty standards". Emirates Woman. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  25. ^ Naser, Rama (2 March 2021). "Huda Kattan Stands in Solidarity with Asian Americans in the Protest of Racism". Vogue Arabia. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  26. ^ Saleh, Zeina (19 April 2021). "Huda Kattan Donates One Million Meals to the Region's Largest Ramadan Food Drive". Vogue Arabia. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  27. ^ Bargh, Becky (19 May 2021). "Huda Beauty postpones brand's 'biggest launch of the year' in respect of clashes in Palestine". CosmeticsBusiness.com. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  28. ^ "Beauty mogul Huda Kattan donates to Indian COVID-19 relief efforts". Arab News. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.

External links[edit]

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