Table of Contents
Mona Kattan’s name shines brightly in the beauty world. Starting with a background in
finance, she ventured into salons, then co‑founded Huda Beauty with her sisters in 2013. In 2018, she launched her fragrance line, Kayali, rooted in her Middle Eastern heritage. This is Mona’s inspiring and powerful journey.
From Finance to Beauty
Before beauty became her world, Mona worked in investment banking. Though skilled, she felt something was missing. Her heart wasn’t in that world. This led her to build a network of side businesses: candles, PR, fashion, and even Amazon selling. All this entrepreneurial energy culminated in something meaningful: her first salon in Dubai. Seeing clients leave her chair with smiles and confidence lit a fire in her to pursue beauty full–time.
The Birth of Huda Beauty
In 2013, Mona’s sister Huda was already a beauty blogger and makeup artist. She came up with unique false eyelashes that took off online. Mona saw an opportunity. Her eye for strategy and business operations helped them launch Huda Beauty in Dubai. Their sister Alya contributed funds, and together, they built what became a billion–dollar brand.
Mona focused on marketing, branding, and strategy, helping expand the brand globally into Sephora, Harrods, Boots, and more. Huda Beauty grew to include foundations, concealers, palettes, and even skincare under the Wishful name. With a combined social media reach of over 50 million followers, the brand soared.
Monetizing Heritage: Launching Kayali
Mona’s true passion for fragrance led her to create Kayali (“my imagination” in Arabic) in November 2018. It started with four core perfumes designed for layering, something rooted in Middle Eastern scent ritual. Her best‑known scent, Vanilla 28, is built around 28 formulation rounds. Another popular pick, Déjà Vu White Flower 57, took 57 tweaks to nail, blending tuberose, jasmine, and Tahitian vanilla.
Mona’s vision brought the fragrance layering ritual to global attention. While retailers were skeptical at first, today this trend is everywhere on TikTok and Instagram, all thanks to Kayali’s innovation.
Leading Kayali as CEO
As Kayali’s public face and CEO, Mona became known as the “perfume princess” of the Middle East, steering consumer education and brand expansion. She champions how fragrance can boost confidence and self‑love, and actively promotes female leadership within the beauty industry.
Under her leadership, Kayali launched special editions, like the Wedding Collection in 2023, inspired by her wedding with scents that capture love, joy, and celebration.
Kayali Becomes Independent
In February 2025, Kayali branched out. In a move covered by Reuters, Huda Beauty sold its stake in Kayali to Mona and private equity firm General Atlantic. Mona stayed on as CEO, and Kayali now functions as an independent company with access to new investment and growth opportunities. This split lets Mona fully steer Kayali toward new horizons. while both Huda Beauty and Kayali continue under full founder ownership
Beyond Beauty: Personal Values & Advocacy
Mona’s leadership goes beyond products:
- Empowerment: She pushes for more women in decision‑making roles. From investment banking to beauty, she’s experienced gender bias firsthand and challenges it head‑on.
- Self‑love: Whether in salons or through scent, her mission is to uplift others.
- Bridging cultures: Mona blends her American upbringing with Arab roots, sharing traditions and new practices with the world.
- Social good: Kayali contributes to causes like the Wedding Collection and mental health charity drives, reflecting Mona’s values.
Becoming Fully Independent
In February 2025, Huda Beauty sold its share in Kayali to Mona and General Atlantic, making Kayali a standalone brand. The move reunited Huda Beauty under full founder ownership and gave Kayali the freedom to expand worldwide under Mona’s sole leadership.
What We Can Learn?
Mona Kattan’s story is rich with lessons:
1. Follow your passion
Finance was her start, but beauty and fragrance felt like home.
2. Take chances
Her side ventures taught her resilience, essential for what’s next
3. Trust your gut
Kayali’s layering concept was met with doubt, but Mona believed—and it worked
4. Lead with purpose
Her focus on women’s empowerment, self–love, and heritage is genuine, and it resonates.
5. Adapt and redefine
Making Kayali independent was bold and smart, positioning it for global focus.
Conclusion
Mona Kattan’s beauty journey, from investment banker, salon owner, Huda Beauty co‑founder, to Kayali CEO, is a testament to dreams, grit, and heart. She’s shaped trends, championed women, and built brands that deeply connect with people. Whether through makeup or fragrance, Mona knows how to tell a powerful story, one that’s changing how we see beauty.
