Mother-daughter Winemakers Talk Rosé, Modeling, & Beauty Secrets
Melinda Kearney and daughter, Michele Ouellet of Lorenza Wines.
If you’re a fan of J. Crew and Madewell, you probably recognize model Michele Ouellet. Her effortlessly cool style has made her a favorite face of both brands. In addition to modeling, Ouellet is a winemaker, partnering with her mother Melinda Kearney in Lorenza Wines. In honor of Mother’s Day, we interviewed both mother and daughter about family beauty tips and the many the benefits of drinking rosé.
Yahoo Beauty: What is the best thing you learned about beauty from your mom?
Michele Ouellet: She always told me to protect your face from the sun, be nice to your skin, live a happy life, and embrace your natural beauty. She is super natural. She’s like a gorgeous earth goddess. She lives this beautiful clean and healthy lifestyle in Napa, swimming, meditating and juicing every day. The dream.
What is the best beauty tip you’ve learned from being a model?
Makeup artist Tracy Murphy told me to get my brows tinted and it’s awesome. I was tired of taking mascara off. I don’t wear much makeup in my daily life, so I tried it 6-weeks ago. Tracy recommended the blue-black tint. If I’m going out at night I’ll put mascara on, but during the day I don’t need it anymore. I also always use Troi Ollivierre’s lipsticks. He’s the signature J. Crew artist. My favorite color is Parker, which is a great bright coral-meets-red.
What are your go-to beauty products?
Drinking a lot of rosé is good for one’s overall well-being and beauty, of course! With products, I love an SK II mask, La Mer under my eyes, and all-natural Mun Oil for my skin. I use Bee Yummy, it’s made of bee pollen and it is supernatural and absorbs right away.
You have a mother-daughter wine business, how did that start?
I grew up in Napa Valley and my mom has been in the wine business for 20 years. I wanted to do something in addition to modeling, and something so we could spend more time together. We make the happiest, most fun, most delicious wine. We love everything about rosé.
What do you love about being in business with your mom?
It’s been awesome. She allows me to have a lot of input and equal exchange in ideas.
I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anybody else. We are extremely close. It’s just been lovely.
Melinda Kearney and Michele Ouellet.
What did you learn about beauty from your own mother that you taught Michele?
Melinda Kearney: My mother JoAnn, has a beautiful inner strength and light that is reflected in her eyes and in everything that she does for others. There is nothing more beautiful than generosity of spirit. I love seeing that in my daughter. Also good lipstick! My mom is famous for her pink lipstick.
What did you try and teach her about beauty, confidence, and wellness when she was young?
Beauty when Michele was young was about being true to herself and feeling good about her choices, which translated to the expression on her face. There is so much to worry about as a young person. As a mother it was so important to point out all of the good things going on!
How did you feel about her becoming a model?
She saw her path clearly and was willing to put in the hard work and be far away from home. I supported her unconditionally and still do.
What products do you love most?
I am newly in love with In Fiore skin products made in San Francisco. I’m rather natural and minimalist and I’m having fun with my Stila eyeliner and Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream Light.
What really works for you when it comes to beauty?
Taking care of my body— good sleep, exercise, acupuncture and green juicing from the garden. Also taking care of my spirit with meditation, yoga, nature, and being with family and friends.
What do you like the best about being in the wine business with your daughter?
We teach and encourage each other every day. It’s such a cool platform for connecting. I’ve loved watching Michele grow up and into the business. Now she is bossing me around, and I love it!
Related:
What We Learned From Our Mothers
