Hosting is in Michèle Ouellet’s DNA. “I grew up in Napa in a restaurant- and wine-business family,” says the model, who co-founded Lorenza Wine in California’s storied Lodi region with her mother in 2008.  So naturally, Ouellet brings innate ease to her own holiday signatures—as seen in the playful yet polished table settings, party dressing tricks, and beauty secrets featured in her highly entertaining newsletter, Amuse Bouche. 

For Ouellet, it all starts before guests walk through the door: “Getting ready is part of the fun,” she says, glass of wine in hand. After evening out her skin with Complexion Drops for a radiant finish and filling in her eyebrows with Bonne Brow, she pauses to take a sip of rosé. Though Ouellet, who favors subtle, skin-enhancing accents in her day to day, would normally stop here, she’s not done quite yet. 

“A red lip feels festive but still chic—and not over the top,” she says, as she reaches for Lip Suede in Ma Biche, a matte, supersaturated merlot pigment, which, she happily notes, stays in place until the night comes to an end, whether she’s sipping her label’s organically farmed 100% Cinsault red or a small-batch Sparkling Picpoul Blanc.

One final quick tap of her fingertip creates a softened, perfectly imperfect finish. A low-effort, high-impact statement that requires no upkeep? Consider it her best entertaining tip of all.

For more of Michèle’s style secrets and food, wine, or entertaining tricks, follow her on Amuse Bouche