Huda Beauty: Owner, Country, Boycott, and Products

It’s not every day that a makeup brand becomes the subject of geopolitical debate, but Huda Beauty has found itself at the center of exactly that. Founded by Iraqi-American entrepreneur Huda Kattan, the brand has grown from a beauty blog into a global cosmetics empire with a flagship store in Dubai Mall. This guide sorts through the facts: who owns the brand, where it’s from, why it’s being boycotted, and whether the products live up to the hype.

Founder: Huda Kattan ·
Headquarters: Dubai, UAE ·
Controversy: Boycott campaign over Iran protest video

The key facts about Huda Beauty reveal a brand caught between commercial success and political crossfire.

Who is the real owner of Huda Beauty?

Huda Beauty is owned by its founder, Huda Kattan, along with her sister Mona Kattan. The brand is privately held and described as family-owned (Scene District).

Who is Huda Kattan?

• Huda Kattan is an American makeup artist and blogger of Iraqi descent, born in the United States (Newsweek).
• She started a beauty blog in 2010 and launched Huda Beauty in 2013 with her sister.
• She is based in Dubai, where the brand’s flagship store is located in Dubai Mall.

The implication: Huda Kattan remains the controlling owner, but the brand’s growth has involved family partnerships.

Who is Huda Kattan’s husband?

Huda Kattan is married to Christopher Goncalo, a businessman who has been involved in the brand’s operations. He is often cited as a partner in the company’s early development.

Which country is Huda Beauty from?

Huda Beauty is registered in the United Arab Emirates and operates from Dubai. The founder is American, but the brand’s operations are based in the UAE.

Where is Huda Beauty headquartered?

• The brand’s headquarters is in Dubai, UAE, with a flagship store in Dubai Mall (Scene District).
• The company is registered as Huda Beauty LLC in the UAE.

The pattern: Huda Beauty is a global brand with a Middle Eastern operational base, leveraging Dubai’s logistics and tax advantages.

Is Huda Beauty on the boycott list?

Huda Beauty is not on any official government boycott list. The boycott is a consumer-led campaign that gained momentum after Huda Kattan’s social media posts.

Why is Huda Beauty being boycotted?

• In January 2026, Huda Kattan shared a video on Instagram that critics said aligned with the Iranian regime’s narrative, leading to widespread calls for a boycott (Iran International).
• Videos circulated online showing people discarding, smashing, or burning Huda Beauty products (Iran International).
• Influencers such as Naz Golrokh and Henry Zador joined the boycott, urging followers to stop purchasing the brand (Iran International).
• Earlier, in October 2023, Huda Kattan stated, “I don’t want blood money from Israeli customers,” which triggered boycott calls from both pro-Israel groups and some Muslim consumers (Coastfocus (regional news aggregator)).

The trade-off: The brand faces pressure from multiple sides—pro-Israel groups and Iranian diaspora activists—making it difficult to navigate political stances.

What did Huda Kattan say about Iran?

The January 2026 video showed protesters burning images of opposition-linked figures, which critics interpreted as a pro-regime gesture. This reignited boycott calls that had previously simmered after her 2022 Iran protest video.

Is Huda Beauty a good makeup brand?

Huda Beauty is known for high-quality makeup, particularly its eyeshadow palettes and setting powders. The brand has a strong social media presence and generally positive reviews, though some products are considered expensive.

What are the pros and cons of Huda Beauty?

The catch: The brand’s quality is widely praised, but political controversies and premium pricing make it a polarizing choice.

What is Huda Beauty known for?

Huda Beauty is best known for its eyeshadow palettes, the Easy Bake Loose Powder, and the FauxFilter Foundation. The brand also owns the Kayali fragrance line.

What are the best-selling products?

• Easy Bake Loose Powder – a cult favorite setting powder (Scene District)
• FauxFilter Foundation – a flagship product (Scene District)
• New Nude Eyeshadow Palette – launched in 2017, highly popular (Wikipedia)
• Kayali Fragrances – introduced in 2021, expanding the brand’s portfolio

Why this matters: These products drive the brand’s revenue and social media buzz, but the boycott casts uncertainty on future sales.

Timeline

• 2022 – Huda Kattan posts a video supporting Iran protests, sparking initial backlash (Newsweek)
• 2023 – Huda Kattan says “I don’t want blood money from Israeli customers,” triggering boycott calls from both sides (Coastfocus)
• January 2026 – A new Instagram post reignites the boycott, with influencers and consumers discarding products (Iran International)

The pattern: Each controversy has escalated, with the 2026 boycott being the most visible.

What’s confirmed and what’s not

“I don’t want blood money from Israeli customers.”

– Huda Kattan, as reported by Coastfocus

“The video showed protesters burning images of opposition-linked figures, which critics said was a pro-regime gesture.”

– Iran International describing the January 2026 incident

For shoppers in Ireland and the Middle East, the choice is clear: either support a brand with controversial political ties, or switch to alternatives that align with personal values. The boycott may not end soon, and Huda Beauty’s next move will determine if it can regain trust.

Frequently asked questions