Michelle Monaghan Shares the Heartfelt Reason She Lets Her 16-Year-Old Daughter Do Her Makeup (Exclusive)

The 'White Lotus' star, who appears in U Beauty's latest campaign, opens up about the "intimate, lovely experience"

Michelle Monaghan and Willow Monaghan attend the Carolina Herrera fashion show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at 28 Liberty Street on September 09, 2024 in New York City.
Michelle Monaghan and daughter Willow. Photo:

Gotham/WireImage

Michelle Monaghan is sharing the sweet way she bonds with her 16-year-old daughter, Willow.

"She does makeup beautifully," the actress, 48, told PEOPLE at a recent New York City event celebrating her as U Beauty's first-ever brand ambassador, "She's very, very talented. And so if I have an event or something, I will sit down and she does my makeup."

Monaghan continues, "Getting to be that close to her face and having her look at me so intensely and being so present with me, I could almost cry."

The star also recounts having a "full-circle moment" when her own mom recently asked her to do her makeup for a wedding.

"I was like, 'Wow, I'm asking Willow to do my makeup. My mom's asking me to do her makeup.' It's such an intimate, lovely experience," Monaghan shared.

Willow Monaghan and Michelle Monaghan attend Carolina Herrera fashion show during New York Fashion Week in New York City
Willow Monaghan and Michelle Monaghan attend the Carolina Herrera fashion show in September 2024.

Ouzounova / SplashNews

The actress shares Willow and 10-year-old son Tommy with her husband, Peter White, 

In September 2024, Monaghan and Willow enjoyed a mother-daughter day out for New York Fashion Week. The duo attended the Carolina Herrera runway show in chic ensembles, with Willow looking the spitting image of her mom.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

The White Lotus actress looked elegant in a dark gray cape dress with gold button details. She accessorized with black pointed-toe slingback heels and a black purse.

Michelle Monaghan and husband Peter White with their two kids, son Tommy Francis White and daughter Willow Katherine White in January 2025 in Florence, Italy.
Michelle Monaghan and husband Peter White with their two kids, son Tommy Francis White and daughter Willow Katherine White in January 2025 in Florence, Italy.

Michelle Monaghan/ Instagram

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Willow opted for a blue and green floral dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline. Her powder blue shoes and clutch purse complemented the colors in the gown. She wore her long, dark hair parted down the middle and tucked behind her ears.

Monaghan previously told Maisonette.com that she enjoyed watching her daughter's confidence grow.

“It’s little things, like when my daughter gets up in her classroom and presents something to the whole group. I am an adult — and an actress! — and that kind of thing still gives me anxiety,” the actress said in 2017. “So just to see that confidence begin to flourish, I look at her with such pride and I just want to encourage her.”

You Might Like
Comments
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. PEOPLE does not endorse the opinions and views shared by readers in our comment sections.

Related Articles