Mona Kattan

Mona Kattan, a trailblazing Arab American entrepreneur, is recognized as one of the most influential women in the beauty industry and the Arab world. As the founder of KAYALI fragrances, she has achieved remarkable success, dedicated to fostering inclusivity in beauty and empowering the next generation of beauty enthusiasts.​

After earning her bachelor’s degree in finance, Kattan briefly worked in investment banking before embarking on her entrepreneurial journey. In 2009, she launched her first business venture, a PR and business consultancy, while simultaneously building her personal network and community.​

In 2012, Kattan co-founded a beauty salon with one of her friends, which led her to the idea of creating Huda Beauty with her sisters, Huda and Alya.

Kattan’s ultimate passion, however, has always been fragrance. Known as the “Perfume Princess,” she has established herself as a leading figure in the fragrance world, with over 5,000 perfumes in her fragrance library. In 2018, she was honored as the “Most Influential Social Media Personality” by The Fragrance Foundation. Under her leadership, KAYALI has achieved multiple accolades: in 2025, Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar | 42 was named Fragrance of the Year – Women’s Prestige, recognized for its captivating scent, innovative composition, and strong consumer appeal, while Yum BoujeeMarshmallow | 81 was celebrated as a BeautyWorld Middle East Popular Fragrance of the Year.

Driven by her love for perfume, Kattan launched KAYALI in 2018. The brand, which means “my imagination” in Arabic, draws inspiration from her Middle Eastern heritage and the art of layering scents. She leads the creative vision for KAYALI, working with world-renowned perfumers and sourcing top-tier ingredients to create unforgettable, cruelty-free fragrances. Each luxurious scent, from its alluring notes to its beautifully crafted bottles, is a tribute to expert craftsmanship and storytelling.​

Under Kattan’s leadership, KAYALI has grown into a globally recognized fragrance house, stocked in leading retailers worldwide and celebrated redefining modern perfumery through layering, storytelling, and cultural authenticity. Today, the brand continues to set new benchmarks in the prestige fragrance space, resonating with a new generation of consumers seeking individuality and self-expression through scent.

Kattan’s fragrance passion has built a global community of over seven million followers across social media. Her expertise has been featured in leading publications such as BoF, WWD, Cosmopolitan, Vogue, POPSUGAR, Allure, Marie Claire, and Harper’s Bazaar. She has also been named one of the most powerful women in the Middle East by Forbes in 2024. Additionally, Kattan has appeared on popular TV shows like Netflix’s "Dubai Bling" and "Shark Tank.​"