Popsugar Playground: Huda and Mona Kattan
Leave it to the Kattan sisters to prove that anything is possible as long as you work hard for it.
On June 10, two of the sisters, Huda Kattan, founder of Huda Beauty and Mona Kattan, Huda Beauty Global President, took part in a keynote panel during day two of the Popsugar Playground festival at Pier 94 in New York City. The talk was moderated by Kirbie Johnson, Sr. Video Reporter, writer and producer at Popsugar Beauty.
The sisters shared their journey towards the success of Dubai-based brand Huda Beauty, and shared tips and secrets on building a business. In addition, they spoke about their new Facebook Watch series, Huda Boss, which shares a behind the scenes look at their business and a closer look at their lives, or as Huda said, the good, bad and sometimes even ugly.
Humble beginning
Long before their 25 million cult followers, sisters Huda, Alya (Chief Instagram Officer) and Mona worked typical 9-5 jobs. Huda worked in finance, a job she loathed and ultimately got fired from.
She even expressed how her boss advised her to begin Huda Beauty, since she would always show up to work dressed trendy and in a full face. Huda shrugged off the idea and didn't think anything of it.
Little did she know, that her boss had been right all along.
In 2010, Kattan began the blog, Huda Beauty. Three years later, in 2013, the beauty line was born, beginning with false lashes. However, the brand was not welcome by some in the beauty industry. The sisters shared how certain brands were cold towards them when they learned they would be launching their own line.
Fast forward years later and the brand has expanded to matte lipsticks, lip contours, eyeshadows, highlighters, and recently announced loose setting powder would be joining the family in July.
My Huda Beauty collection- it all began with the Rose Gold eyeshadow palette
Goals
The Kattans' ultimate goal is to be the number one beauty brand in the world and they're well on their way with an astounding fan presence on Instagram and almost always sold out products.
Projects
Huda confessed that she didn't want the first couple of episodes of Huda Boss to air, since they included some stressful and challenging situations.
For example, in episode one, we saw the problems the team faced with concealers and having to start from scratch.
She did say that she had been approached previously about reality shows, but she felt this was one a great fit; because it was real and raw and not heavily edited like others on tv.
The sisters also spilled some details on a new brand coming very soon that will not be called Huda Beauty.
Huda and Mona Kattan with moderator, Kirbie Johnson
Following the panel, the sisters held a meet and greet, and after 40 minutes of waiting in line, it was finally my turn to meet the beauties behind the brand.
Huda and Mona were so warm, welcoming and complimented my page. They thanked me for being so supportive of the brand and said they loved my content. Needless to say, it was a day I'll always remember.
See pics below:
Check out the first episode of Huda Boss below:
Episode 2 airs Tuesday, June 19 on Facebook Watch.
