Huda Kattan passes the torch and appoints new chief executive of Huda Beauty

Kattan will remain the creative vision behind the global beauty brand, as well as founder and chairwoman

Huda Kattan is passing the torch as CEO of Huda Beauty. Courtesy Huda Beauty

Seven years after first creating her now-global beauty empire, Huda Beauty, Huda Kattan is passing the torch.

Nathalie Kristo will replace Kattan as chief executive of Huda Beauty, however Kattan will remain as the creative vision behind the brand, as well as founder and chairwoman.

“When I started my beauty blog in 2010, never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would end up owning one of the world’s fastest-growing beauty companies,” says Kattan, announcing the news on Friday.

“As we continue to evolve and expand, our goals continue to grow, and in the future we see Huda Beauty being one of the biggest beauty companies in the world, both in social impact and in business. To do this, we are doubling down on focus and leadership, which is why I am proud to announce our new CEO, Nathalie Kristo.”

The daughter of Iraqi immigrants in the US, Kattan first made a name for herself in the beauty world after starting a make-up blog in 2010. That blog grew astronomically, and she now boasts the industry’s largest social community with more than 60 million followers, and is the 66th most followed Instagram account in the world.

Huda Beauty first launched into Sephora in the Dubai Mall in 2013 with a collection of false eyelashes and the brand has since expanded to include a vast array of lip, eye and face products. It has gone on to enjoy several global launches, with products now available worldwide on hudabeauty.com as well as retailers including Sephora, Sephora in JC Penney, Harrods, Selfridges, and Cult Beauty.

As Kattan, who lives in Dubai, steps away from responsibilities as chief executive of the brand, she plans to “dive even deeper into her true passions within the businesses”, focusing more time on content and product development, as well as continuing to build on the online communities surrounding the brand.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Kattan says. “In some ways, I will be more involved than ever before, but in areas where my attention can leave a lasting impact on our community.”

Kristo has been part of the Huda Beauty family since late 2018, helping to accelerating the company's global growth and exposure with consumers and retail partners worldwide. She has worked closely with Huda, Mona and the global team, and established Huda Beauty's first North America operation and digital centre of excellence in Los Angeles. In March 2019, she assumed the role of global deputy chief executive. She was also instrumental in the launch of the business's first venture into skincare with Wishful, which launched in February 2020.

“I have deep respect and admiration for the incredible business and movement that Huda, Mona and the family have built. In a few short years, Huda Beauty has become one of the most influential beauty brands in the world, fuelled by an authentic and personal connection with our community that spans the globe,” Kristo says.

“I am honoured to join forces with such an inspiring founder and continue to harness our digital leadership, unique global footprint and total beauty expertise to grow the company into a global beauty powerhouse, which is deeply human at its core.”