Mention the name Huda Kattan and it is sure to command lots of oohs and aahs in the beauty community. With 2.2 million followers on Instagram and a booming beauty business, makeup mogul Huda Kattan is indeed a force to be reckoned with. Aside from being a businesswoman and a talented makeup artist, Huda is also an amazing mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend. She is also the founder of her iconic beauty brand Huda Beauty (which now has over 47.8 million subscribers to date) as well as skincare line Wishful. In addition to her brand’s long-wearing and luxurious formulations, Huda Beauty essentials are also well-known for celebrating diversity and inclusivity with their wide range of shades to suit a variety of different skin tones.

Recently, we had the chance to chat with this busy lady, as she shares with us her top beauty favourites, biggest source of inspiration, and what it’s like to be a #girlboss!

How did you grow your beauty empire to what it is today? What inspired you to create both Huda Beauty and Wishful?

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“My family and my social community were really the ones that inspired me to start and grow Huda Beauty. The launch of my first false lash was a direct response to my followers at the time, who had  been begging me to start selling my custom false lashes for so long. After a lot convincing, Mona finally got me to start selling them. The first lash launch went super well and after we gained some  momentum, Alya stepped in to lend me $6,000 to get us started. We didn’t realize then that we were building the foundation for what is now Huda Beauty today; we never would have imagined. Without the support from my sisters and our social community, Huda Beauty just wouldn’t be what  it is today!  

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“We actually started formulating WISHFUL about 2 years ago, it took a long time to perfect! Most people don’t know this about me, but I think I care more about skincare than makeup. While I started with our color cosmetics line, Huda Beauty, I actually used to post a ton of content online  about my DIY skincare hacks and products I used to prep my skin before I even started the makeup  application process.  

It’s so important that those who love makeup care equally for their skin. The better your skin, the  better your makeup. After my long skincare journey of finding what nourishes my skin and how it  has made me feel more confident, I decided I wanted to share that with the world. It’s what I wished  for my skin and it’s what’s made my makeup apply to my skin that much more beautifully!”  

Who is your biggest inspiration or mentor?

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“Ariana Huffington is one of my biggest role models! She is a true inspiration to me because of how  she took her blog and created something bigger out of it – her success made me realize that I could  create so much more than just an online space. She’s this incredible force and you can literally feel her fearless energy when you meet her. I really admire her drive and persistence and it’s something I  channel every single day. She is a risk-taker and a bad ass. She is someone who chases her dreams  regardless of the hardships that face her, and I love her for it.” 

What are your personal favourite makeup / skincare essentials from the Huda Beauty and  Wishful collections?

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“If you are looking for new skincare, you have to try our Wishful Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub and our Thirst Trap Juice Serum. Yo Glow is one of our best-sellers because it’s absolutely amazing. It gives you a  chemical and physical exfoliation all at once, leaving you with super smooth, buttery and bright skin.  Our Thirst Trap Juice (a Peptide and Hyaluronic Acid Serum) is also incredible. It plumps the skin with  all the hydration it needs so that your foundation blends seamlessly into the skin without drying or  cracking. 

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For Huda Beauty, I would recommend our #FauxFilter Liquid Matte Foundation, #BombBrows Microshade Brow Pencil and our Legit Lashes Mascara. Our new foundation formula is a full coverage formula that feels like second skin and lasts all-day long. Our new #BombBrows brow pencil has the finest tip on the market allowing you to achieve tiny, brow-like strokes for a very  natural but full brow. And, lastly, our Legit Lashes Mascara. It gives you insane length, curl and  volume all in one dual-ended mascara. It’s the closest thing to false lashes without actually wearing  them.” 

What are the biggest challenges you’ve experienced in the beauty industry so far, and  what did you do to overcome them?

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“Not everyone is nice in the beauty industry and I definitely experienced this more in the beginning  than I do now. I’m not one for drama, so I do my best to stay out it whenever it goes down in the  beauty industry. I stay focused on my business and my team and let everything else go. I believe that you get what you give, so if I put positivity and inclusivity into the world then I’ll get it back or attract  it eventually.” 

What’s your typical day like and how do you find work-life balance?

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“No two days are the same! Every day is packed full of meetings, photoshoots, interviews, content  creation and tons of product development testing and trial. I find work life balance by creating it and  holding myself accountable – time management is so important if I want to achieve my career goals  and spend quality time with my family. I am a huge multi-tasker though, to be able to make everything work. For example, I’ll hop on the treadmill in the morning and just walk for an hour and  catch up on my e-mails and messages from my team.”

What is your beauty mantra or superpower? What does beauty mean to you?

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“Beauty is powerful and it’s always been important to me for that reason. I’m a firm believer in its  transformative abilities to give you confidence and change the way you feel about yourself. The empowering quality of makeup is the transformative aspect. That’s the beauty of makeup – it really  allows you to be who you want to be at any moment with the option to be a different you just  moments later. It’s totally freeing. Makeup to women is what the power suit is to men – it just gives  you that boost of confidence!”

What message would you like to share with Beauty Insider Singapore readers?

“Take care of your mind and mental wellbeing, you only get one mind! Mental health and wellness is  so important, more now than ever. Remember to take time for yourself.”

This exclusive interview was brought to you by Huda Kattan and Sephora Singapore.

Image Credits: Sephora, Huda Kattan, Huda Beauty, Wishful

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