“In a technical sense, a maitre d’ makes certain {that a} restaurant is—and stays—busy, and helps with reservations and seating of the room. If you happen to don’t really feel welcome in a restaurant, you don’t need to return, proper? It’s the maitre d’s job to alter that. They should make you’re feeling at dwelling, to make you’re feeling seen. You join with folks, bear in mind them, know what they need, and what to anticipate. Actually, I don’t assume that I’ve had a break day in a very long time. I’m all the time working, however at this level, it’s a part of my life-style. I imply, it’s not like I grew up pondering I needed to be a maitre d’ at a restaurant. I modeled for some time and that was enjoyable, however so unstable—I wanted to pay the payments. I began off as a maitre d’ part-time and finally realized I actually loved the expertise. It’s sort of like going to the theater day-after-day—and I really like taking good care of folks. I all the time say that my grandmother educated me for this job with out realizing. She all the time had an additional plate and was so welcoming. I convey that to my work at The Polo Bar and beforehand at Minetta Tavern, the unique Pastis, and Balthazar.
Once I exit, I normally entertain out-of-town visitors, or my boyfriend and I’ve little date nights. We’ll dress up and revel in a pleasant dinner collectively. We love to take a seat on the bar—it’s a really intimate setting. Plus, bartenders are unbelievable. The extent of consideration is nice. If you consider it, servers have to return to their stations, get stuff, and are available again. A bartender will take a look at you and be proper with you. I truly actually love going to Minetta nonetheless. I really like the old fashioned vibe. It’s a extremely particular restaurant—plenty of ghosts. Additionally they actually perceive {that a} bar is one other part of the restaurant the place folks can get pleasure from a pleasant meal and never be at a desk. If we’re in Harlem, I really like Clay. Their meals is nice and so they have an exquisite wine listing. JG Melon is nice once we need to have an off-the-cuff night time. Torrisi is newer and their bar is so well-thought-out, too. My all-time favourite is Raoul’s. It feels like New York. Time stands nonetheless there. After dinner, we would go take heed to dwell music. I really like Minton’s Playhouse and Smalls. Dizzy’s Membership is a complete expertise.
SKINCARE
I purchased a face steamer just a few years in the past, however I didn’t use it. I’d quite go the old fashioned means and boil water. I normally add rosemary or thyme. I’m from Cameroon, and the ladies in my household use loads of herbs, so I picked that up from them.
I actually like Kiehl’s Uncommon Earth cleanser. I wish to exfoliate my pores and skin nearly day by day, and that is very mild. I additionally love that it has clay. It has a little bit of a mineral scent, however it’s not overwhelming. Then I would use Mario Badescu’s Tremendous Collagen masks for half-hour. This factor is so good—my pores and skin feels so tight afterwards. I used it in a single day one time as a result of I needed to see what it might do, and I felt like I had a carry once I wakened. Perhaps it was psychological, however I cherished it.
Once I’m preparing, I all the time have a live performance occurring. I will be something and anybody—GloRilla, Lil’ Kim, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston. I additionally love African music as a result of it places you in a very good temper immediately. I scream-sing whereas I take a chilly bathe for 2 to 3 minutes. I really like the chilly; it actually wakes me up. Then I transfer on to Violette_FR’s Pores and skin Barrier Rescue. I acquired it not too way back. I believe it’s good—my pores and skin feels softer and brighter with it—however am I offered on it but? I would like a bit of extra time to inform. I’ve additionally been utilizing The Magnificence Sandwich’s SS01 Secret Sauce, and it makes my pores and skin so dewy.
I’ve all the time preferred wealthy moisturizers and Crème de la Mer feels prefer it’s actually feeding and nurturing my pores and skin—it appears like my pores and skin drank a bottle of water once I use it. I hate if you put on one thing after which swiftly your pores and skin feels dry. My go-to sunscreen is Kiehl’s Higher Display SPF 50+. Some sunscreens go away a movie, so I would like one thing that received’t give my pores and skin a ghost shade.
My physique wants loads of moisture, too. Within the bathe, I like Uriage’s Further-Wealthy Dermatological Gel. I really like Uriage’s Xémose Lipid-Replenishing Cream, too. They’re French merchandise I picked up. I additionally use a particular oil my household makes. It has banana and avocado oil, and a complete lot of different elements I wouldn’t have the ability to translate from French to English. [Laughs] But in addition, my aunt doesn’t wish to share the elements. She prays on it. It’s a complete factor. Oh, and I really like Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc Shimmering Physique Oil. It smells unbelievable.
Once I get dwelling, I exploit a bi-phase eye make-up remover from Chanel to take off my mascara. It’s actually tender on my eyes. I’ve had make-up removers that have been an excessive amount of and made me really feel like I used to be stripping off layers of pores and skin. Then I do one other gentle exfoliation. I truly actually like Dealer Joe’s microdermabrasion scrub. It’s actually easy and cleans the whole lot up after an evening out. Then I’ll tone—I’ve been utilizing Kiehl’s Milk-Peel exfoliating toner—and moisturize with La Mer once more, and it’s off to mattress.
MAKEUP
I’m OK with the best way my pores and skin appears to be like in the course of the summer season. Throughout the winter although, I really feel like I’m a bit of pale and wish some assist, so I exploit Ilia’s Tremendous Serum Pores and skin Tint in Perissa and NARS’ Radiant Concealer. Then, relying on the time of 12 months, I like a maroon-y or purple-y blush. Westman Atelier has superb merchandise. I am keen on her Child Cheeks. I like to use it a bit of larger than my cheekbones.
I normally seize a reasonably pure lipstick in the course of the day, however once I exit, I wish to put on purple. My go-to is UOMA Magnificence’s Badass Icon matte lipstick in Whitney. Typically I’ll go for Matte Royal, a purple, from MAC [discontinued].
My trademark is gold eyeliner within the internal corners of my eyes. I used to be impressed by an image of conventional African make-up worn by Fela Kuti dancers, The Kalakuta Queens. In my early twenties, I used to be obsessive about how his dancers seemed. They have been actually wild and he had enjoyable with make-up. I used to go loopy with my make-up, and the gold is the one factor I stored from that period. I exploit City Decay’s liquid glitter eyeliner in Goldmine.
I fill in my brows a bit of bit with Anastasia’s Forehead Definer in Granite. I really like a feathered look so I brush them up. And I’ve an obsession with mascara. I began sporting it once I moved to Montreal for faculty. My mother wasn’t there, so I might go a bit of loopy with it. I simply love its impact. It actually opens up your eyes and makes you look awake. It’s the very last thing that I apply as a result of I wish to take my time. Ilia’s Fullest Volumizing is nice for the daytime, and MAC’s MACStack is nice for the nighttime. It may be a bit of drying, however I nonetheless prefer it. Plus, MAC additionally has a lash primer that makes the MACStack last more. Too Confronted’s Higher Than Intercourse is one other good night time mascara. It actually extends your lashes. Identical goes for Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Discuss Push Up Lashes. I’ve Tarte’s Massive Ego, however actually, it damage my ego. It’s not that nice. Profit has a few of my favorites, together with their They’re Actual lengthening mascara.
HAIR
I put on my hair in an Afro. I used to be actually impressed by African-American girls of the ’70s and the entire Black and proud motion. These girls acquired away from what folks needed a Black lady to be, and I used to be in awe as a result of their pure hair actually showcased the wonder and the energy of Black girls. It additionally appears like safety, sort of like my armor. I am going to Ms. P on 143rd Road each two weeks. She’s just like the mayor of Harlem, simply is aware of everybody. She’s been taking good care of my hair for over twenty years.
NAILS
I don’t get manicures—I simply file my nails—however I really like getting a very good pedicure. I am going to La Bella Nails & Spa in Washington Heights. The women are actually unbelievable, and so they truly take their time doing all of your ft. I really feel like more often than not in New York, you go to the salon, they rapidly file your toenails, paint them, and get you out of there as quickly as potential. I simply acquired a bronze-y, gold shade just lately, which I had by no means performed earlier than. However you’ll see me in any shade that’s enjoyable. I’ve enjoyable with my pedicures for certain.
FRAGRANCE
I’ve been sporting Diptyque’s Eau Des Sens for a very long time. It’s nice. I additionally love Le Labo’s One other 13. Eau Des Sens is citrus-y, and One other 13 has jasmine and moss. I don’t like aggressive scents, and these are so recent. Once I’m preparing although, I like to gentle Japanese incense I acquired once I visited the Portland Japanese Backyard in Oregon. In any other case, Le Labo’s Santal 26 candle is a basic.”
—As advised to Daise Bedolla
Photographed by Shana Trajanoska in New York on July 15, 2024
