Borrowed $6,000 for false lashes and built Huda Beauty into a $600M+ independent global beauty empire.
Huda Kattan was born in Oklahoma City and raised between the US and Dubai. After working as a makeup artist in Los Angeles and later Dubai, Huda launched a beauty blog in 2010 and created her first false lash product line in 2013 with $6,000 borrowed from her sister. Huda Beauty grew into one of the world's most recognizable independent beauty brands, valued at over $600M, with distribution in Sephora, Harvey Nichols, and 140 countries. She later launched Kayali Fragrance and Wishful Skincare as separate independent brands. Huda rejected early buyout offers from major cosmetics conglomerates to maintain majority ownership — one of the most financially astute decisions in beauty business history.
Started with $6,000 borrowed capital — no VC, no corporate backing
Built Huda Beauty to $600M+ valuation while retaining majority ownership
Rejected buyout offers from major cosmetics conglomerates
Launched sister brands (Kayali, Wishful) as independent equity plays
Used social media audience as direct-to-consumer distribution channel
