“In a technical sense, a maitre d’ makes positive {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 are feeling at house, to make you are feeling seen. You join with individuals, bear 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 way of life. I imply, it’s not like I grew up pondering 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 finally realized I actually loved the expertise. It’s form of like going to the theater day by day—and I really 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 carry that to my work at The Polo Bar and beforehand at Minetta Tavern, the unique Pastis, and Balthazar.
After I exit, I often 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 unimaginable. 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 have 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 very particular restaurant—plenty of ghosts. In addition they actually perceive {that a} bar is one other part of the restaurant the place individuals can take pleasure in a pleasant meal and never be at a desk. If we’re in Harlem, I really like Clay. Their meals is nice they usually have an exquisite wine checklist. JG Melon is nice after we need 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 dwell music. I really like Minton’s Playhouse and Smalls. Dizzy’s Membership is an entire expertise.
SKINCARE
I purchased a face steamer a number of years in the past, however I didn’t use it. I’d reasonably go the old fashioned means and boil water. I often add rosemary or thyme. I’m from Cameroon, and the ladies in my household use numerous herbs, so I picked that up from them.
I actually like Kiehl’s Uncommon Earth cleanser. I prefer to exfoliate my pores and skin virtually each day, and that is very light. I additionally love that it has clay. It has a little bit of a mineral odor, however it’s not overwhelming. Then I’d 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 elevate once I awakened. Perhaps it was psychological, however I liked it.
After I’m preparing, I all the time have a live performance taking place. I could be something and anybody—GloRilla, Lil’ Kim, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston. I additionally love African music as a result of it places you in an excellent temper immediately. I scream-sing whereas I take a chilly bathe for 2 to a few 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 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 appreciated wealthy moisturizers and Crème de la Mer feels prefer it’s actually feeding and nurturing my pores and skin—it seems like my pores and skin drank a bottle of water once I use it. I hate once 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 depart a movie, so I would like one thing that gained’t give my pores and skin a ghost shade.
My physique wants numerous moisture, too. Within the bathe, I like Uriage’s Additional-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 an entire lot of different elements I wouldn’t be capable of translate from French to English. [Laughs] But additionally, my aunt doesn’t prefer to share the elements. She prays on it. It’s an entire factor. Oh, and I really like Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc Shimmering Physique Oil. It smells unimaginable.
After I get house, I exploit a bi-phase eye make-up remover from Chanel to take off my mascara. It’s actually gentle 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 all the things 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 in the course of the summer time. Through the winter although, I really feel like I’m just a little pale and want 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 yr, I like a maroon-y or purple-y blush. Westman Atelier has superb merchandise. I like her Child Cheeks. I like to use it just a little greater than my cheekbones.
I often seize a fairly pure lipstick in the course of the day, however once I exit, I prefer to put on purple. My go-to is UOMA Magnificence’s Badass Icon matte lipstick in Whitney. Generally I’ll go for Matte Royal, a purple, from MAC [discontinued].
My trademark is gold eyeliner within the interior 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 regarded. 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 just a little 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 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 prefer 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 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 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 bought away from what individuals wished a Black lady to be, and I used to be in awe as a result of their pure hair actually showcased the sweetness and the power of Black girls. It additionally seems like safety, form of like my armor. I’m 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 caring for my hair for over twenty years.
NAILS
I don’t get manicures—I simply file my nails—however I really like getting an excellent pedicure. I’m going to La Bella Nails & Spa in Washington Heights. The women are actually unimaginable, they usually truly take their time doing all of your toes. 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 potential. I simply bought a bronze-y, gold shade lately, which I had by no means carried out earlier than. However you’ll see me in any colour that’s enjoyable. I’ve enjoyable with my pedicures for positive.
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 contemporary. After I’m preparing although, I like to gentle Japanese incense I bought once I visited the Portland Japanese Backyard in Oregon. In any other case, Le Labo’s Santal 26 candle is a traditional.”
—As advised to Daise Bedolla
Photographed by Shana Trajanoska in New York on July 15, 2024