The Wake Up with…Michele Ouellet Benson

Michael and I met Michele on a Madewell photo shoot in 2006 (maybe 2007). We were in Puerto Rico and it as one of her first shoots as a model and one of Madewell’s first shoot as a brand. We were all just figuring it out. But one thing that Michele seemed to always understand, even 20 years ago, is the power of optimism and genuine positivity. The Puerto Rico shoot had a few hysterical holes in it, one of which was in the floor of Michele’s hotel room, but it birthed a friendship that has spanned two decades.

As a model, vintner and new mom, Michele is always on the move. Her rosy outlook and incredible taste helped her amass a following on substack and Instagram chronicling fashion, beauty and food recs. She built a beautiful wine brand called Lorenza with her mom, Mindy that is over a decade old and going strong. The woman is a powerhouse and someone we both look up to and are so grateful to have in our lives. We’re excited to finally share her story here with you.

What’s the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing you do at night?

First thing when I wake up is check the baby monitor and last thing before bed is kiss my husband goodnight!

What’s your favorite scent these days in the bathroom? A candle? Incense? Lotion or hand soap?

I love my Koala Eco hand soap which has an elegant citrus scent. I like palo santo in the bathroom! And lotion by Uni.

As a busy model who travels all the time, what are the most important bath time rituals or practices you maintain even on the road?

I always ask for a room with a bath. If I had my way, I’d take a bath every day! It just centers me and gives me a post flight reset. I used to be really minimal with my products and just use whatever the hotel had, but now I like to bring my creature comforts. I got a lil travel set from Cadence and decant my products into there.

I know you and your mom are very close, you work together, she’s probably visiting a lot more now that you and Ned had Lucia, any memories or bathing practices that you have held on to or can attribute to her?

My mom always offers to draw a bath as a feel better trick. Tired? Bath. Stressed out? Bath. Basically it’s her version of the English “have a cuppa tea” and it definitely works! She really sets the mood too, lights low, candle lit, spa music on. Remember, you can take a bath at any time of the day!

What products do you swear by these days?

I love my ROZ shampoo and conditioner. Necessaire unscented body wash. Susanne Kauffman face wash + moisturizer. Vintner’s Daughter serum. If I really need to chill out, I’ll throw some magnesium bath salts by Onsen Saru in there. My favorite deodorant is Oak Essentials! I am actually in love with it.

How has your bath-life changed since having a baby?

Well we moved to a new place that has bathtubs!!! An absolute thrill. I said we needed a bath for the baby, but really for me too :)

Does Lucia have a bathing ritual that she (and you guys) love?

Bathtime is our favorite time of the day. We play her special bathtime songs, Aquarium by Camille Saint-Saens and You’re So Cool by Hans Zimmer from True Romance. Then she gets in there and splashes like crazy! Afterwards we wrap her up in a cozy towel and do a little bed time massage!

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