When we speak of global beauty moguls, Mona Kattan Elamin’s name shines bright. From co-founding one of the world’s most influential makeup brands to building a fragrance empire of her own, Mona represents vision, resilience, and cultural pride. Beyond her glamorous public image, she embodies the story of an Iraqi-American woman who carved her space in a competitive industry and went on to inspire millions worldwide. Today, Mona is more than just a businesswoman—she is an investor, media personality, restaurant owner, and a proud representative of Middle Eastern entrepreneurship.
This article explores Mona’s journey—from her early life and education to the founding of Huda Beauty and Kayali, her recognition as one of the most powerful businesswomen in the region, and her personal life with husband Hassan Elamin.
Early Life: Iraqi Roots, American Beginnings
Mona Kattan was born in 1985 in Oklahoma, USA, to Iraqi parents. Her upbringing was a blend of Middle Eastern values and American exposure, which would later play a huge role in shaping her entrepreneurial style. In 2003, her family moved to the United Arab Emirates, where she completed her high school in Sharjah.
With a keen interest in finance and business from an early age, Mona pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the American University of Sharjah, graduating in 2008. This solid academic background prepared her for the world of investment and business leadership, but little did she know that her path would lead her to the beauty industry instead of corporate finance.
The Birth of Huda Beauty: A Family Dream
In 2013, Mona, along with her sisters Huda Kattan and Alya Kattan, co-founded Huda Beauty. What began with a single product—a line of false eyelashes—quickly transformed into a global beauty empire. Huda became the face of the brand, Alya took charge of social media and strategy, and Mona served as the Global President, handling the company’s finances, operations, and investments.
Under Mona’s leadership, Huda Beauty expanded rapidly. From lip kits to foundations and eyeshadow palettes, the brand became a symbol of quality and inclusivity. By bridging Middle Eastern artistry with global beauty trends, Huda Beauty not only dominated shelves in Sephora and other global retailers but also shaped how beauty was consumed in the digital era.
Mona’s sharp business acumen played a vital role in turning Huda Beauty from a passion project into a billion-dollar brand.
Kayali: Carving a Niche in the Fragrance World
While Huda Beauty flourished, Mona decided to pursue her own passion—fragrance. In 2018, she launched Kayali, a luxury perfume brand under the Huda Beauty Group. The name “Kayali” means “my imagination” in Arabic, reflecting her vision of creating fragrances that inspire individuality and layering.
Kayali’s debut line—featuring scents like Vanilla | 28 and Elixir | 11—instantly captured attention. Mona’s approach was innovative: she encouraged fragrance layering, allowing users to combine perfumes to create unique scents. This not only differentiated Kayali from traditional perfume houses but also tapped into a younger, experimental demographic.
By 2024, Kayali had released 26 fragrances across five collections, available in over 2,600 stores across 30 countries. In 2025, Kayali was spun off as an independent brand, with backing from General Atlantic, signaling Mona’s move to scale it into a standalone global powerhouse.
HB Investments: Building an Empire Beyond Beauty
Mona’s entrepreneurial vision goes beyond makeup and perfumes. Alongside her sisters, she co-founded HB Investments, a family office that supports startups and emerging businesses. Their portfolio includes ventures like Fresha (a beauty and wellness platform) and Ketish (a feminine wellness brand).
Through HB Investments, Mona has positioned herself as not just a beauty mogul but also a savvy investor contributing to the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Middle East and beyond.
Media Stardom: From Huda Boss to Dubai Bling
Mona’s charismatic personality and business journey soon attracted media attention. She starred in the Facebook Watch reality series Huda Boss, which showcased the behind-the-scenes operations of Huda Beauty and gave fans a glimpse into the sisters’ bond.
In 2023, she joined the cast of Netflix’s hit reality show Dubai Bling in its second season, and she returned again in 2025. Her appearances showcased not only her glamorous lifestyle but also her grounded personality and entrepreneurial hustle. For many fans, Mona represented a refreshing mix of luxury and authenticity.
Forbes Recognition: A Powerhouse Businesswoman
Mona’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. In 2025, she was ranked #28 on Forbes Middle East’s list of the 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen. The recognition highlighted Kayali’s global growth and Mona’s ability to establish a fragrance house that rivals legacy European brands.
Her recognition reflects more than personal success—it symbolizes the growing influence of Middle Eastern women in global business, a narrative Mona proudly represents.
Family & Personal Life: Love and New Ventures
Beyond the boardroom, Mona’s personal life has also been in the spotlight. In February 2022, she married Hassan Elamin, a finance executive and the Head of Facultative at Aon Reinsurance Solutions for the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. Hassan is also an entrepreneur himself, co-founding the clothing brand Elamins with his siblings in 2024.
The couple’s relationship blossomed quickly, though they had known each other for nearly two decades before romance sparked in 2020. Their wedding in Dubai was widely covered by media outlets and celebrated by fans across the globe.
In 2025, Mona and her father ventured into hospitality by opening Daddy Cool’s Kitchen, an Iraqi restaurant located in Dubai Hills Mall. The project highlights Mona’s love for her roots and her desire to share authentic Iraqi flavors with a wider audience.
Mona’s Legacy: Empowering Women in Business
Mona Kattan Elamin’s story is more than just a tale of entrepreneurial success. She represents a new wave of Middle Eastern women leaders who are global in their outlook yet rooted in their heritage.
Her journey teaches several valuable lessons:
- Follow your passion: Mona turned her love for perfumes into a global brand.
- Blend creativity with business sense: She paired innovative fragrance concepts with strong financial strategy.
- Empower through representation: By proudly embracing her Iraqi identity, she inspires women in the region to dream beyond limitations.
- Diversify wisely: From beauty and fragrance to investments and restaurants, Mona continues to expand her influence across industries.
Conclusion
Mona Kattan Elamin stands as a modern icon of entrepreneurship. Her ability to build and scale brands like Huda Beauty and Kayali while diversifying into investments, hospitality, and media reflects her multidimensional vision. Recognized by Forbes and loved by fans, she balances boardroom leadership with cultural pride and personal authenticity.
From Oklahoma to Dubai, from finance to fragrances, Mona has rewritten the rules of success. As Kayali grows globally and her ventures expand, one thing is clear : Mona Kattan Elamin is not just building businesses—she is building a legacy.