Esthetician Julita Chutaro opens spa in Arkansas
Born on Majuro, Marshall Islands, Julita helps bring solace and self-confidence to Springdale residents
About five years ago, Julita Chutaro was helping her family and friends and doing their eyelash extensions when they’d call.
Julita was happy to oblige. She found that it was something she had a knack for. Soon enough, the family and friends of her family and friends started to ask about their new look. They wanted to know who was doing their lashes. Julita’s work spoke for itself.
“Word got out and more people started coming,” Julita told The Husk.
Julita, encouraged by the response, chose to go all in. “I decided to go to school to get my license to be more legit,” she recalled. “When I graduated, that’s when I opened up my first spa location in Bentonville.”
Since launching her business Islelashes & Company, the 33-year-old licensed esthetician has been offering a menu of cosmetic treatments and services for women and men alike. She offers different types of facials, wax treatments, and permanent makeup. Eyelash extensions remain a popular service for Julita’s clients. Microneedling facials – which are minimally invasive treatments that use thin, tiny needles to prick the skin – are also popular, Julita said.
Over the years, Julita has worked to perfect her craft, aiming to provide clients with the look they’re seeking – whether that be a bolder brow or enchanting lashes or glowing skin.
After a couple of years in Bentonville, Arkansas, Julita last year moved her spa to Springdale, Arkansas. “To be closer to the islander community,” she said.
Julita was born on Majuro and raised in Maui. In 2011, she moved to Arkansas, where she lived from 2011 to 2013, and then returned in 2018, she said. Many from the Marshall Islands are like Julita and are living in Arkansas, largely in Springdale. The community has grown over the last 40 years or so, according to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
In Springdale, she continues to provide the quality services her clients have come to depend on her for, and she looks to offer them more.
Julita started Islelashes & Company because she was driven to do well for herself and her family.
“Honestly what inspired me was knowing that you can’t depend on men these days to make you successful and strive. I want to inspire women to not be codependent and pursue their dreams,” she said.
“I want to inspire women to not be codependent and pursue their dreams.”
In addition to running her business, Julita also helps her mom with her shop, Julie’s Islander Store, also in Arkansas.
Following her dreams, going to school and getting her esthetician license, and now running her own business has been a gratifying experience.
“The most rewarding part of working as an esthetician is knowing that I’m helping someone reawaken their soul, gaining their confidence back, and making them feel relaxed and beautiful/handsome again,” Julita said. “Owning my own small business is rewarding in itself because I can call it my own and work whenever I want to. I don’t have to answer to anyone. I’m my own boss!”
Julita has started offering a new service in permanent cosmetics. She’s also licensed to offer this service and she offers ombre brows, lip blushing, and eyeliner. “My future goals for that is to get into peri-medical, which is scar camouflaging,” she said.
For islanders looking to start their own business or become an esthetician, Julita encouraged them to jump right in.
“My advice is to just do it! Life isn’t going to wait around for anyone and no one is going to make it happen for you but you! We’re all dreamers and only you can pursue and make your dreams come true. Don’t let the naysayers hold you back because, at the end of the day, it’s your life to live!” she said.
“We’re all dreamers and only you can pursue and make your dreams come true.”
Support Islelashes & Company
For Arkansas residents, find Islelashes & Company at 1391 Plaza Place, Suite B in Springdale and book an appointment for your cosmetic wishes and needs.
Islelashes & Company is also on Facebook and Instagram, @islelashes_n_co.