By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Ottertail may be one of the furthest things from the glitz, glamour and celebrities of Los Angeles, but for Mallory Jo Hunter, her life in Tinseltown helped to prepare her for the next chapter of her life—a new spa in the heart of lakes country.

Hunter, who spent approximately 14 years working as a makeup artist for the stars in Los Angeles, recently opened You Beauty Boutique and Spa above the Williams Company Store in Ottertail. As the name may suggest, Hunter wanted to have a place that celebrated the beauty within women and be a reminder to find the beauty within “you.”

“I wanted to be the place to teach, show and educate women you are already beautiful the way you are,” she said. “But show you, you can do a little bit of this (makeup to make a person feel beautiful).”

Hunter was raised in a small town in Iowa and moved to Breckenridge, Minn. while she was in high school. As a teen, she dreamed of becoming a makeup artist, and after graduating, she went to the Salon Professional Academy in Fargo for training.

After graduating from the salon program, Hunter opened a spa with a fellow classmate, but the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles was calling and she moved out west to California. She was able to break into the makeup industry and began working red carpet events and worked on TV shows like America’s Next Top Model and Dancing with the Stars. 

In addition to the TV shows, Hunter frequently worked with Tyra Banks on shoots and projects, as well as a number of other celebrities across the globe. In an ultra-competitive market and environment, Hunter found herself working long and odd hours, sometimes with little notice which required her to fly across the country for a shoot.

Over the years, Hunter said her clients like Tyra Banks and Sharna Burgess (Dancing with the Stars) became less like clients and more like family.

“I think the really special thing was my clients really became part of my family and had me be a part of really special moments in their personal life,” said Hunter.  

While an exciting life, Hunter said her dreams began to change when she became a mom. Long hours and little notice of travel wasn’t quite as enjoyable when worrying about a young child at home. Not-to-mention her family always looked forward to coming to Minnesota to visit family and the lakes area. 

“My daughter is my world. She is the most important part of my life, and everything else revolves around being a mom. So, I wanted a bit more control with my schedule and having a balance of being a mom,” she said.

Eventually, Hunter and her husband and their daughter decided to move closer to family. Hunter’s parents are Carrie and Mike Johnson who live in Ottertail. 

Hunter began working as a barista at the Williams Company Store in Ottertail and was eventually promoted to manager of the store, which is located just downstairs from her new salon and boutique. It was the opportunity to get to know the community and the public that has given her excitement to start her new venture, just a few steps above where she got to know the community.

“I feel very honored the community is so excited and supportive of my new business. I really believe my over 20 years in the industry has led me to this job,” she said. “Marnie (Whitehead) always had a vision of having a spa up here so it is really nice how our visions aligned.”

While she has been a makeup artist for over 20 years, Hunter believes that a person doesn’t need to wear lots of makeup to get a high-end look. She also wants to make You Beauty Boutique and Spa a space where women can come on a budget and get everything from a 20 minute makeover to an all-day event at the spa. For Hunter, her goal is to be a resource to women across the region and work with people no matter their budget or end goal. 

“I call it beauty charcuterie. They’re 20-minute sessions for $20, and you can pick what you want to learn,” she said. “I really believe self care doesn’t need to cost a lot or take a lot of time.”

After moving to the area a few years ago, Hunter realized that women wanted to learn simple tips with makeup that can be easily accessible to bring out their inner beauty. Since many people in the area are busy working, raising families and staying busy with the hustle and bustle of life, most women didn’t have time to extensive makeovers at home or in a spa. 

“The biggest thing I found was everyday women who want to learn everyday make up,” said Hunter.

You Beauty Boutique and Spa held its grand opening at 29 Lake Ave. S. in August 

The boutique offers Sephora products, a high-performing natural makeup line, skin care products, clean fragrances, holistic pregnancy products, shape wear, robes, nursing gowns, lingerie and more. Hunter said her boutique features everything from makeup a person can typically find at a Dollar General or a drug store to high end places more commonly found in large towns. 

“I really wanted this space to be able to be a one-stop shop for a woman and to provide beauty solutions for a woman,” Hunter said. “I really want to honor everyone’s own beauty.”

You Beauty Boutique and Spa can also be rented out for private events like bridal or birthday parties. Hunter said a number of local youth were recently in the spa for a birthday party in which they received makeovers from a makeup artist to the stars.

You Beauty Boutique and Spa is located at 29 Lake Ave S in Ottertail. To make an appointment, or for more information, visit www.youbeautyspa.com or call (218) 579-9007.