Our mission is to support your
vision of beauty.
We love helping our clients feel confident and beautiful with effortless skincare, flawless makeup, and boutique-style fashions. Read on to learn more about MN Boutique Lafayette!
We started our local, family-owned studio to help more women live confident, beautiful lives.
This Merle Norman studio is owned and operated by mother-and-daughter duo Carolyn Kanehe and Diane Boener. They opened their studio in Lafayette in 1998. Diane’s sister, Debbie joined the team shortly after, Dixie joined the family business in 2005, and Diane’s daughter Karas came on board in 2017. The team is proudly celebrating over 25 years in business.
We all left our corporate careers and became Merle Girls who are dedicated to helping you feel confident and love your look! We are all annually certified in Advanced Makeup Artistry and Skin Care Techniques. Each of our studios offers monthly interactive facials, special occasion services, gift certificates, personal shopping services, stylist appointments, and complimentary try-on sessions.
Our goal is for you to love your experience with us so much that you recommend us to friends and call on us anytime you need a beauty boost. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us.
Get to know the MN Boutique Lafayette team!
Click a name to learn more about our amazing staff who love to help people feel and look their best.
I worked at Merle Norman in Indianapolis during high school. After graduating from college and leaving my corporate job, my mom (Carolyn Kanehe) and I opened our first studio in Lafayette, Indiana in 1998. In 2013, we purchased our Evansville location. We are consistently among the top studios in the nation. We are celebrating 23 years in business this year (2021).
How did you get interested in cosmetology/beauty/skincare?
I’ve always loved makeup. As a child, I was so fair and light-eyed. I was allowed to wear a little cheek color and brown mascara. That was so impactful as it made me look more alive by enhancing my natural features and gave me such a confidence boost.
What do you do in your role?
I wear a lot of hats in the business, but my most important job is making sure that each client leaves feeling better than when she walked through the door. I love a great makeover that enhances a woman’s natural features and makes her feel more confident walking out the door.
What are your areas of expertise and what do you enjoy the most?
I love skincare! I love educating women about the benefits of taking great care of their skin.
I get to spend my day playing with makeup and chatting with wonderful women who walk through my door every day! I love celebrating what makes them special.
If you’d like, please share your relevant experience and/or educational background.
I graduated from Purdue University and started my corporate career as a District Sales Manager for a jewelry company. This set me up with the basic knowledge to run a successful business.
I’ve worked at MN Boutique Lafayette for 25 years. I’m retired now and enjoying seeing our studio still growing.
How did you get interested in cosmetology/beauty/skincare?
I became interested in Merle Norman as a teenager with my first makeover. The advice I received with that consultation gave me the tools I’ve used to keep my skin nice all my life. Later, owning a cosmetic studio gave my family and me an income and the flexibility for time to raise and enjoy our family.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
My creative side loves the opportunity to use makeup techniques that enhance one's natural beauty. My nurturing side is fulfilled with being able to provide good advice and great products to make a positive difference in many lives.
The most rewarding part of this business is working with wonderful women and the blessings of client friendships.
I have been a beauty advisor with MN Boutique Lafayette since my mother (Carolyn Kanehe) and sister (Diane Boener) opened the studio in Lafayette in April 1998.
How did you get interested in cosmetology/beauty/skincare?
I became interested in makeup as a teen. My mother and grandmother both trusted Merle Norman, so they naturally introduced me to the brand when I showed an interest. I started with “basics”: cleansing cream, Miracol Revitalizing Cream, and powder base. All of these helped my skin look and feel better since I have always had acne-prone skin!
What are your areas of expertise?
As the skincare products became available, I developed my own routine with the help of my beauty advisor at our local Merle Norman in Indianapolis, along with their great products and a consistent daily routine focused on skincare. I have the confidence to feel and look my best so that anyone interested in anti-aging trusts me to advise and help them in their journey to younger-looking skin!
I do believe foundations play a big role in skincare. MN Boutique Lafayette has the best selection of foundations that allow us to get whatever coverage we desire!
With all the years of my own experience and continued training, I have every confidence that I can help our clients achieve a better complexion and have the best foundation that both feels good on their skin and matches their complexion tone
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I look forward to greeting our clients each time they come to our studio with a friendly smile, along with a tip or trick that might enhance their confidence as they leave their homes each day for work or play!
I have officially worked for our family business for about 3 years; I started in 2017.
How did you get interested in cosmetology/beauty/skincare?
I’ve been interested in beauty and skincare since I was really little because I’ve always been around it. I got serious about makeup in 8th grade.
What do you do in your role?
My roles have changed as I’ve grown up in this family business. I started by cleaning brushes, restocking, and assisting my mom (Diane Boener). Now, I can provide makeup and skincare advice.
What are your areas of expertise and what do you enjoy the most?
Skincare and eyebrows. I love doing eyebrows. They really set off your eyes and polish your look!
I enjoy helping customers find new products that I know will make them happy.
I have been working at Merle Norman Cosmetics in Lafayette since 2005. I’ve known Diane for many years and when she asked me to come work for her, I was excited to come help.
How did you get interested in cosmetology/beauty/skincare?
I started working in the cosmetics industry to help put myself through college but found that I loved working in customer service. It brings me joy to send my clients out the door with a smile on their face and a touch more self-confidence.
What are your areas of expertise and what do you enjoy the most?
Makeup application is my area of expertise. Of course, makeup doesn’t do well if your skin care isn’t effective!
I enjoy working at Merle Cosmetics and Boutique because of the comfortable atmosphere where we welcome our customers to sit down and try personalized skin care and color.
Working with people that I care about and know, who truly care about the people who come to us for help, makes it a joy not a job!
