“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. Should you don’t really feel welcome in a restaurant, you don’t wish to return, proper? It’s the maitre d’s job to vary that. They should make you’re feeling at house, to make you’re feeling seen. You join with individuals, keep in mind them, know what they need, and what to anticipate. Actually, I don’t suppose 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 considering I wished 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 ultimately realized I actually loved the expertise. It’s type of like going to the theater day-after-day—and I like caring for individuals. 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.
After I exit, I normally entertain out-of-town friends, or my boyfriend and I’ve little date nights. We’ll dress up and luxuriate in a pleasant dinner collectively. We love to take a seat on the bar—it’s a really intimate setting. Plus, bartenders are unimaginable. The extent of consideration is nice. If you concentrate on it, servers have to return to their stations, get stuff, and are available again. A bartender will have a look at you and be proper with you. I really actually love going to Minetta nonetheless. I like the old-fashioned vibe. It’s a very particular restaurant—a number of ghosts. In addition they actually perceive {that a} bar is one other part of the restaurant the place individuals can get pleasure from a pleasant meal and never be at a desk. If we’re in Harlem, I like Clay. Their meals is nice they usually have a beautiful wine listing. JG Melon is nice after we wish to have an off-the-cuff evening. 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 hearken to reside music. I 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 moderately go the old-fashioned approach and boil water. I normally add rosemary or thyme. I’m from Cameroon, and the ladies in my household use a variety 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 virtually every day, and that is very mild. I additionally love that it has clay. It has a little bit of a mineral odor, nevertheless 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 wished to see what it might do, and I felt like I had a carry after I awoke. Possibly it was psychological, however I liked it.
After I’m preparing, I all the time have a live performance occurring. I might 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 superb temper immediately. I scream-sing whereas I take a chilly bathe for 2 to 3 minutes. I like the chilly; it actually wakes me up. Then I transfer on to Violette_FR’s Pores and skin Barrier Rescue. I bought 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 just a little 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 after I use it. I hate while you put on one thing after which unexpectedly your pores and skin feels dry. My go-to sunscreen is Kiehl’s Higher Display screen SPF 50+. Some sunscreens go away a movie, so I would like one thing that gained’t give my pores and skin a ghost shade.
My physique wants a variety of moisture, too. Within the bathe, I like Uriage’s Further-Wealthy Dermatological Gel. I 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 like Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc Shimmering Physique Oil. It smells unimaginable.
After I get house, I take advantage of a bi-phase eye make-up remover from Chanel to take off my mascara. It’s actually delicate on my eyes. I’ve had make-up removers that had 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 really actually like Dealer Joe’s microdermabrasion scrub. It’s actually easy and cleans every part 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 way in which my pores and skin seems to be in the course of the summer time. Throughout the winter although, I really feel like I’m just a little pale and wish some assist, so I take advantage of 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 wonderful merchandise. I like her Child Cheeks. I like to use it just a little greater than my cheekbones.
I normally seize a reasonably pure lipstick in the course of the day, however after I exit, I wish to put on pink. 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 inside 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 had 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 saved from that period. I take advantage of City Decay’s liquid glitter eyeliner in Goldmine.
I fill in my brows just a little bit with Anastasia’s Forehead Definer in Granite. I like a feathered look so I brush them up. And I’ve an obsession with mascara. I began sporting it after I moved to Montreal for school. My mother wasn’t there, so I may go just a little 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 sweet for the daytime, and MAC’s MACStack is nice for the nighttime. It may be just a little 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 evening mascara. It actually extends your lashes. Similar goes for Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Speak Push Up Lashes. I’ve Tarte’s Massive Ego, however truthfully, it harm 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 ladies of the ’70s and the entire Black and proud motion. These ladies bought away from what individuals wished a Black girl 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 ladies. It additionally appears like safety, type of like my armor. I’m going to Ms. P on 143rd Avenue each two weeks. She’s just like the mayor of Harlem, simply is aware of everybody. She’s been caring for my hair for over twenty years.
NAILS
I don’t get manicures—I simply file my nails—however I like getting a superb pedicure. I’m going to La Bella Nails & Spa in Washington Heights. The women are actually unimaginable, they usually really 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 shortly file your toenails, paint them, and get you out of there as quickly as doable. I simply bought a bronze-y, gold shade not too long ago, which I had by no means executed earlier than. However you’ll see me in any colour 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. After I’m preparing although, I like to gentle Japanese incense I bought after I visited the Portland Japanese Backyard in Oregon. In any other case, Le Labo’s Santal 26 candle is a basic.”
—As instructed to Daise Bedolla
Photographed by Shana Trajanoska in New York on July 15, 2024