People are boycotting Huda Beauty mainly because of a recent political controversy involving founder Huda Kattan’s social media posts about Iran and, more broadly, her past political stances in the region.

Why Are People Boycotting Huda Beauty?

The immediate trigger: Iran-related post

In late January 2026, Huda Kattan shared or amplified a video on Instagram that many Iranians and diaspora activists felt echoed the Islamic Republic’s narrative about protests and state violence in Iran.

Critics say the content downplayed or distorted the regime’s human‑rights abuses and the deadly crackdown on nationwide demonstrations.

This sparked a wave of anger among Iranian users, especially women and activists who have been vocal about state repression and the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement.

For many of them, the issue is less about makeup and more about feeling that a powerful global influencer is platforming propaganda that erases their struggle.

How the boycott started and spread

Once the post began circulating, Iranian and Iranian‑diaspora creators launched a “Boycott Huda Beauty” push across Instagram and TikTok.

Common actions people are taking include:

  • Filming themselves throwing away or destroying Huda Beauty products.
  • Posting videos and AI‑generated images of blood‑soaked or trashed products as protest symbols.
  • Urging followers to unfollow Huda and stop buying the brand.
  • Calling or emailing major retailers (like Sephora) to drop Huda Beauty from shelves.
  • Sharing boycott hashtags and explainer threads about why they see the brand as supporting a violent regime.

Some posts frame it very bluntly as: if a brand is seen as supporting or amplifying a regime “that has killed thousands of people,” buying from it feels morally unacceptable.

Deeper reasons: values, politics, and “picking sides”

For many Iranians, this boycott goes beyond a single Instagram story.

Key deeper themes:

  1. Moral responsibility of influencers
    • Huda Kattan is a hugely influential public figure with millions of followers and a top global beauty brand.
 * Activists argue that someone with that reach cannot afford to be casual or careless about political messaging in a context where people are being jailed, tortured, or killed.
  1. Perception of siding with a repressive regime
    • Even if she did not explicitly endorse violence, critics say her content visibly aligns with official regime talking points about protests.
 * They see “neutrality” or echoing state narratives as indirectly taking the regime’s side, especially when protestors risk their lives to get their story out.
  1. Pattern of political controversy
    • Huda Kattan has already been a polarizing figure because of previous outspoken posts in support of Palestine and criticism of Israel, which triggered earlier waves of backlash and boycotts from different communities.
 * To some, the Iran episode looks like part of a broader pattern: using her platform on highly sensitive geopolitical topics in ways many find one‑sided or misinformed.

What communities are saying (forums and social media)

On beauty and Sephora‑related forums, people are debating whether Huda Beauty is still “a good brand to support.”

Comments often fall into a few buckets:

  • Firm boycotters
    • Say they will never buy from a brand whose founder appears to excuse or echo narratives of oppressive governments.
* Some explicitly mention they avoid any brand whose leadership promotes hate, conspiracy theories, or political extremism.
  • Conflicted fans
    • Like the products but feel uncomfortable with the politics; some are waiting for a clear apology or corrective statement before deciding.
  • “Separate art from artist” camp
    • Argue that makeup is just makeup and consumers shouldn’t be expected to track every political misstep of founders.
* Others respond that in 2026, values‑based purchasing is normal and powerful, especially for communities directly affected by the politics in question.

Forums also reference a buildup of older complaints around Huda Beauty and Huda Kattan (from colorism accusations to past social media drama), with some users feeling this latest controversy was the final straw.

Timeline snapshot and “latest news” angle

  • Late January 2026: Huda’s Iran‑related post circulates, perceived as repeating regime‑friendly framing of protests.
  • Within hours–days: Viral boycott posts from Iranian influencers, AI art of “bloody” products, and mass product‑dump videos spread on TikTok and Instagram.
  • Following days:
    • Hashtags about boycotting Huda Beauty trend among Iran‑focused accounts.
* Beauty communities discuss whether retailers should issue statements or distance themselves.

* Some reports say interest in the brand on certain online platforms has started to decline.

Because Huda Beauty is one of the most influential indie beauty brands globally, the boycott is watched closely as a test of how much political stances can materially affect a beauty giant in 2026.

Mini FAQ

Is everyone boycotting Huda Beauty?
No. The boycott is strong among Iranian and pro‑Iranian‑protest circles and those who prioritize values‑driven consumer choices, but many casual shoppers may not be fully aware or may not care enough to change their buying habits.

Is the brand “officially” supporting a regime?
What’s driving anger is perception: people feel Huda’s content amplifies narratives favorable to Iran’s leadership during a time of brutal repression, even if there’s no formal corporate alignment on paper.

Has Huda or the brand fully resolved it?
As of the latest reporting, commentators still frame the situation as unresolved, with many waiting for a more transparent, accountable response that directly addresses Iranians’ concerns.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.