Critics, however, dismissed this as a "non-apology," accusing her of spreading regime propaganda at a time when Iranians are risking their lives for freedom.
The response from Iranian activists has been swift and organized. Hashtags such as #BoycottHudaBeauty, #HudaAgainstIran, and #StandWithIran began trending on social media platforms like Instagram and X, with users sharing videos of themselves discarding Huda Beauty products, plastering boycott signs on Sephora store shelves, and urging retailers to drop the brand.
Reports indicate Kattan lost over 40,000 followers in a single day following the incident.
Prominent voices, including Iranian-American activist Marziyeh Amirizadeh, called Kattan an "agent of the Islamic Republic regime in America" and a supporter of IRGC terrorists, linking her actions to the ongoing "Iran Massacre."
Journalist Emily Schrader described Kattan as a "vile racist bigot who parrots propaganda of the Islamic Republic and mocks the Iranian people," demanding Sephora remove her products.
Activists have rebranded Huda Beauty as "Mullah Beauty" in protest, symbolizing its perceived alignment with the regime's oppressive tactics.
Videos circulating online show Iranians challenging Kattan's claims of ignorance, with one user stating, "You claim you support the Iranian people who are demanding change and risking their lives but yet you've been posting content that supports or... [the regime]."
Others highlighted the irony of Kattan profiting from women's empowerment themes while ignoring the regime's violence against women.
Calls have extended to influencers and brands, with tags directed at figures like James Charles, NikkieTutorials, and Jeffree Star to join the boycott.
This is not Kattan's first controversy. In July 2025, she posted a TikTok video promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories blaming Israel for major historical events, including World Wars I and II, 9/11, and October 7, leading Sephora to cut ties with her brand in August 2025.
She has been vocal in support of Palestine, which some critics link to her current stance on Iran.
Despite past apologies for misinterpretations, the latest incident has amplified accusations of selective activism and opportunism.
Online retailers have reported declines in Huda Beauty sales interest, though no official response from Sephora or other major distributors has been issued yet.
Activists continue to pressure stores, with posts like, "Sephora must immediately stop selling Huda Beauty. Huda Kattan has publicly supported the IRGC and the Islamic Republic."
