My Personal Guide to the Best of New York

Living in New York City for the past 12 years has been a hoot! Now that I have moved, I would like to pay homage to this incredible city by sharing my own "Best Of NYC” guide. This is an honest guide with real people, no kickbacks and no paid advertising. :)

Best Gluten-Free Restaurant

Feel Food opened not too long ago and has quickly become a favorite for many. Always consistent, with fresh, clean, simple food and friendly staff, I give them the thumbs up. Because I have a reaction to gluten, it’s very hard or boring to eat at most cafes and coffee shops. Thank you to the management of Feel Food for delivering goodness!

Best Smoothie

Juice Press is one of the few juice bars that serves fresh almond milk with their smoothies. Why...when almond milk is so easy to make? Shame on you other juice bars!!! This minor detail alone makes all the difference in a healthy, tasty, easy-to-digest drink. They also offer a variety of fresh ingredients to custom blend a smoothie of your choice. You rock Juice Press!!

Best Coconut Water

With the current coconut water craze and all those companies selling dishwater liquid in cardboard boxes, I just have to mention my favorites. The best place to get fresh coconut water, where the nut is opened in front of you, is on the corner of 173^rd Street and Albion in Washington Heights. Take it from me, an island boy who was literally born under a coconut tree! 

Also Organic Ave has the cleanest coconut water out of all the juice bars in NYC. I don't know how they do it, but it’s damn good.

Best Nutritionist

After years of digestive problems that were so severe I had to be hospitalized, Path For Life literally saved my life! Jeanette Bronee is not only very successful, her knowledge of food is like Wikipedia. When we first met she instantly eased my pain and educated me on how to survive the crazy, industrialized food system we live in.

Best Gym Experience (at a Great Price)

When I learned that Blink Fitness was owned by Equinox, I almost fainted! How could an over-priced, pretentious gym like Equinox have an affiliation with such an amazing brand!! Cheap, clean, efficient and well managed. Please note that I belonged to Equinox in the past for years, but as a smart savvy Trini-Yorker, you know what’s worth it and what’s not.

Thanks Blink!!

Best Haircut In NYC

I have never seen anyone touch hair like Mr. Orlando Pita. His relationship with hair is that of a true visionary. His ability to rocket a client to the 4th dimension through a haircut is something to experience (even if you're just watching.) Backed by his humility and natural instinct to really listen to a client is simply inspiring. Having your hair cut by someone who set's the trends worldwide is simply incredible.

Best Colorist

Joe Martino is a friend, mentor and hairstylist whose standards I aspire to.  He is the most versatile hairstylist I know in NYC (and I know many.) Brunettes with amazing shine to blond-to-die-for (foils or balayage)....his skills keep him at the top of the NYC fashion pyramid. Over the years I have seen so many colorists become limited by their preference for foils and balayage, which only hurts the client. If you can't get a haircut with Orlando Pita, Joe is as close as you are going to get to the real deal!! Joe's love for cutting hair with every tool available, wet or dry has made him a hard man to get an appointment with. When I started working with Joe over 4 years ago, he shared his vision and passion while nurturing me, the same way he was guided and taught by Mr. Orlando Pita. To all the other hairstylists in NYC I say, bow down bitches!!! LOL!!

Best Pedicure

Yes there’s all those fancy, schmancy spas with piranhas nibbling at your toes and organic, grass-fed cow milk to soak your feet in. Well if you just want a regular manicure and happen to be in Chelsea, stop by Bloomy Nails on 8^thAvenue and 21^st Street. Ask for Michael, he will get those toes looking like new. His attention to detail makes all the difference!

Best Cinema

The AMC on 68^th Street and Columbus offers big, soft, sofa-like seats that recline. The first time I sat one, I forgot I was in public and proceed to get "too comfortable." I quickly realized that I was not at home on my big sofa (that I don't own.) But you get the drift! You can also reserve a seat without the hassle of waiting in that long, annoying line or through the ticket machine that spits out a ticket at you. The staff is super friendly too!

Best Travel Agent

Oh yes I'm old school like that. I get confused online with all the hype and sites promising you too much. I call Richard Pampinella at Kennedy Travel Service and he hooks me up in minutes, literally! I have never had a problem with his choices in destinations, hotels for flights as he knows the world like the palm of his hand. He specializes in travel to places that host carnival celebrations. He also specializes in gay travel destinations. Thanks buddy, I really appreciate you.

212-8408659

I hope this was helpful to both locals and visitors looking for a great experience in the Big (organic) Apple.

Thanks NYC you rock!!

Posted by Unknown at 4:56 AM - 3 comments

Have You Heard Of The Lululemon Stepford Wife Syndrome (Of NYC)

As a hairstylist I am very fortunate to be part of an on-going, creative team backstage at NYC Fashion Week. There's nothing like watching incredible fashion and hairstyles come to life just before they hit the catwalk….and the rest of the world. It’s a crazy, yet ecstatic environment.

Once Fashion Week ends, people always ask, "So what do you see as the latest hair trends?" My response has become the same as my mentor who always says. "It really depends on how the public is inspired and how they interpret what they see."

I love that response. Because there is actually room for an individual to express themselves while being influenced by the big designers, being inspired from the street and elsewhere. And of course, in the past how could NYC not inspire so many?

However, are New Yorkers expressing themselves less and less by following so call trends, both for hair and clothing?

In my opinion, it seems that young people’s individuality is being sucked dry by society's obsession to look like a celebrity or follow so-called trends…trends which are being pimped out by the media daily.

Hmm…come to think of it, there is a Lululemon, Stepford wives syndrome happening in Manhattan. This group likes to consider themselves the privileged ones. During the day, some sport hair extensions, which have been curled with a big curling iron, a fad that died over 5 years ago, (but whose counting) and all cloaked under a baseball cap, with some Lulu Lemon tights.

Then at night, they run to the blow-dry bar and have their hair fluffed, throw on a cute, expensive dress and feel they are ready to rule the fashion world... Yawn.

continue being individuals.

My personal feeling is that following a trend is really a thing of the 80's. When a client sits in my chair, I do my best to inspire them and lead them away from the "new normal." Um hello? This is New York City girls!!

Here are two you women I saw on the corner of 9th ave and 14th street, just chilling having ice cream. I just had to capture this because they were working what they were feeling. The colors, the head wrap, the hair honey, and the attitude.

I urge you all to dare to be different like we used to be. Mess it up, mix it up or just don't give a hoot. Remember, celebrities are trying to be individuals. Don't give up your individuality trying to copy them.

Posted by Unknown at 11:06 AM - 1 comments

Orlo Salon Celebrates 10 Years!!!!

A very happy anniversary to Orlo Salon owned by amazing Orlando Pita!! Orlo salon became my home over 5 years ago and my world of hair has changed forever. Orlo I wish you many more years of success and look forward to seeing you all soon!

Love you Orlando Pita!!

Posted by Unknown at 12:59 AM - 1 comments

The Least Stressful Job In 2014, Please!

The Wall Street Journal recently published a post on the most & least stressful jobs in 2014, based on rankings from careercast.com. The report places hair stylist as #2 on the least stressful list.

Let me clear my throat for a second…actually give me 10 minutes.

WSJ, I generally enjoy your articles but your research team must have spoken to a hairdresser on a beach in Hawaii who had just taken a puff of "the good stuff."

Now don't get me wrong, I love my job. However, as an established stylist, it's still stressful. Allow me to provide some insight on how “easy” it was to get to where I am today.

The minute you finish beauty school and start assisting at a salon, the stress begins. No one can prepare you for this, not even the hair gods. Some hair dressers tend to be diva-ish, they think it's their birthright. (I crack myself up.)

As an assistant you are at the bottom of the food chain and have to eat mucho humble pie. You see everyone doing hair and making major money, but because you have not put in your 2 years (at least) you have to be patient. It’s common practice to assist a busy hairstylist till midnight and get a $1 as a token of appreciation.... (Tears!!!)

The training process of "actually doing hair" on humans is extremely difficult. You think you are talented only to realize you have two left hands and eight fingers. Although training on actual clients is an amazing learning experience, you can ruin a client’s hair and still have to pretend it looks fabulous. "It's hair, it grows!" Well tell that to the person who is missing a piece of hair that's now on the floor...(Constipation!!!)

After the trial period is over, you finally get on the floor to start working with clients and the next level of pressure is on. You realize you have no more tips from shampooing and/or a basic assistant salary. Now you're sitting, waiting for clients, with your mouth wide open catching flies, with no money to pay your rent. Sounds little stressful right? This can go on for a full year depending on how much walk-in traffic the salon has.

Seeing another hairstylist being super-friendly with the front desk and getting all the new clients, can be very distressing. But it happens all the time.

Now for most, building up a clientele is rewarding. At this point you realize you're not only a creative being, you're a sales person.

In many salons (not all) your creative skills are also measured by how you can convince women to get services "they don't need" and selling a certain amount of products per client (3-6 items.) Some may believe this is perfectly normal (I once did.) However it is possible to build a clientele by being honest; the problem is the salon may not think so. Major upselling as opposed to being creative can be incredibly stressful when the security of your job depends on it. 

Upselling is a term used in the industry to sell products or services to clients that they don't need. If they need one product, you have to sell them three or more. That way they will at least buy one. Years ago during a coloring class an educator said, "If you get every client to want highlights, you'll be a rich man." Translation - offer it to as many people as you can, even if their hair is at risk. (This part is so sad and stressful....)

Now here's the really hard part. Cultivating people-pleasing skills. When you're new on "the floor" it’s frustrating when you don't have the knowledge that comes with time. If you're a plastic surgeon, I'm assuming you will not operate on someone till the government, your supervisors and peers think you're ready. With hair it's not so strict, even after getting your license. 

Then there's the myth that as a hairstylist, I'm a therapist. I have a therapist, so I always recommend to clients that they find their own.

In today's world with the media, press and the beauty industry putting pressure on women to look like anyone but themselves; it all adds more stress to your chair. You have to talk clients off the cliff of "I'm not beautiful," or "I want to look like her." (Generally a celebrity)

You must possess the gift of "being honest" while being respectful and encouraging. Not as easy as it sounds, especially if you work in a salon where you need to sell, sell, sell.  Getting a client to see her own individual beauty takes time and patience.

Then you have the client whose happiness depends on their hair and overall appearance. They want their hair to remove all of life's insecurities, solve all of life's problems and save them from the inevitable. (Pressure!)

They may be genuinely nice people, but their dependence on their appearance makes it impossible to make them happy. I get it though. Once upon a time, I too was racked with major insecurities and a lack of self-love.

Then you have the clients that are a breeze. They are realistic, daring and confident. This generally covers a large group.

Keep in mind that you are as good as your last hair cut. So you need to always be on point, ahead of the game and anticipate your clients’ needs.

To wrap things up I want to remind everyone that there is no advertising on my blog, so I can be very honest. Also I'm here to support my co-workers and clients equally. 

I'm blessed to be in a salon where I can express myself creatively first. I'm not perfect but the support is there and that keeps me humble, honest and constantly learning.

Posted by Unknown at 8:01 PM - 0 comments

Its Not About Lipstick

Recently an acquaintance and I were discussing helping the homeless where he said something that really grabbed my attention. He said, "... giving woman lipstick is not really helping them." What a powerful statement I thought. I stepped outside of myself for a minute to try and understand his point of view. After some deliberation, I came up with a few insights that maybe helpful to others who feel the same...to understand "the power of lipstick."

 

 First let me say it's not about lipstick. It's about the love and support that comes before handing over the lipstick that makes the experience. Reminding a woman that she is on this earth for a reason, is the beginning of a transformative experience. You see...most women in shelters come from very difficult backgrounds. Some are escaping physical and mental abuse; some can't afford to pay their rent or buy food and some are crippled with depression combined with a lack of self love.

By having them look in a mirror to examine their face, point out their beautiful hair, cheekbones, eyebrows and lips, it is the first step in a powerful experience, especially for those never heard an encouraging word in their life.

Explaining individuality to a woman who has been beaten for a year (or 20 years) is heart-breaking. When they finally begin to believe in themselves...well, it can bring you to tears.

Now here comes the big moment, handing over the infamous "lipstick." At this point it's more of a magic wand. A wand that brings a smile and embodies a positive, loving experience. A wand that will remind a woman of her individuality and beauty. This lipstick is a small token of love from a stranger.

I hope this was helpful in showing that love and support can come in many forms. So don't judge, just love! :)

Posted by Unknown at 7:15 PM - 5 comments

Inspiring Girls In The NYC Shelter System Through Reading, I Am Malala.

I recently held a workshop in a NYC shelter for teenage girls where we discussed Malala Yousafzai and her campaign to promote educational rights for girls in her home in the Swat Valley. Each of the 32 girls were amazed and inspired by Malala's story and would love to have her book, I am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban. 

If you want to purchase and donate a book, please email me and I'd be happy to give you a mailing address. 

Support the Malala fund and girls in homeless shelters in NYC.

Posted by Unknown at 8:49 PM - 0 comments

Tribeca Beauty Spa

Everyday it's my job to make clients look and feel better about themselves. As you can imagine, there is a certain amount of pressure on me to practice what I preach. However, one thing that I've ignored over the years is my skin...and now that I'll be 42 in a few months, it's time for me to step up my game and search for someone to teach me how to look after my skin. Over the years, I've had many an esthetician say to me, "You have great skin and you need to look after it!" Did I listen to them? No...

Recently my client and friend Thereza happen to mention that she loved her esthetician at Tribeca Beauty Spa, so I quickly added their number to my contact list.
When I arrived I noticed the vibe was warm and noticeably quiet. God knows I don't need to get a facial while listening to people chat about what happened at the club last night. I was escorted to a private room where I would get a facial and found it immaculate. I loved that there was no sign of the last client's procedures or their mess.

My esthetician Nadia who happens to be the owner of the spa was going to deal with my sun-beaten skin. 

Her touch was soft when it needed to be and firm when needed. I was excited to see that she used products from Sonya Dakar, a renowned professional skin care line loved by the celebrity pack. She dealt with both the blackheads and whiteheads created by years of neglect and sun damage ( i.e - me...oiling my face to bake in the sun.) There's nothing like having someone work on your skin and know what they are doing. No area of my face was denied her expertise.

I actually felt layers of heaviness leave my skin after the steaming, cleansing and all the other tricks she had up her sleeve. When it was over, I really did not want to go. First for the love my skin had just received and second...for how relaxed I felt.

Tribeca Beauty Spa is a beautiful, modern establishment that also offers waxing and nail services. They even have showers and a sauna which can be used after getting a full body massage. Most of all it's not at all intimidating. Personally I'm tired of these warehouses that they now call spas across NYC. Give me intimacy, cleanliness and expert staff.

With a large menu of options for massages, facials and waxing, it seems like they have all the services covered. 

They even specialize in Pre-natal massages!!!

Oh and guess what? They were generous enough to give me 15 gift bags full of products for my girls living in homeless shelters. Now that's love!!!



So if you're looking for a great facial, try Tribeca Beauty Spa and tell them Antonio sent you.

Let's support those who support others!

Posted by Unknown at 9:44 PM - 0 comments

Working at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2013

Today was a spectacular day full of hairspray, angels and feathers at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, held at the Park Avenue Armory in NYC. I was fortunate enough to be part of the team headed by my mentor, Orlando Pita. Here are some backstage images to warm your heart with color, love and hair!!!!

Posted by Unknown at 3:03 AM - 1 comments

Help For Beauty School Students at JP McCaskey High School In Pennsylvania.

I want to share with you all an amazing  experience I had with a class of students at a beauty school program at JP McCaskey High School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Their teacher, Andrea Fitzgerald contacted me asking if I could direct her to someone that could help with supplies like hair brushes, blow dryers, curling irons, etc. so the students could get the proper training. She further expressed interest in more education for the students, but did not have the budget. 

Having attended a similar program (West Valley Occupational Center) in Los Angeles for my beauty school education, I related to the challenges they faced.  The first step was to get supplies donated. Having never done anything like this before I knew it would be a challenge, one that I was happy to take on.

The first company that came to mind was T3 Micro.

You see, T3 has been a regular sponsor for some of our favorite shows during Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week.

I love their products so it was a natural choice for me. I explained to these wonderful people at T3 the situation at the school and my willingness to help. I also told them that I would personally take the products to Pennsylvania, they were game!

Last week I traveled 3 hours  to Lancaster  with the donated equipment.

Here's a video which further explains my initial interaction with the Mrs Andrea Fitzgerald and our plans. 

Once at the school I saw the excitement in the kids faces. The workshop started  with an introduction of myself and my journey through the beauty industry. We discussed the the important things to do while in school that will help them after graduating. The simple things like constantly practicing on their mannequins hairstyles they see in magazines, or cutting the hair for family members and friends as soon as they can.  We talked about the importance of not losing your individual creativity. Beauty school training can be a standardized and rigid training process with so many "do's and dont's" being taught as guidelines to create a cut.

Here are images with the excited students with their new tools. They were beyond ecstatic!!!

 I followed this by doing a haircut and style using T3- Microfiber tools.

 I closed out my visit with a surprise bonus from Orlando Pita, who graciously donated gift baskets to the top two students, Michelle Gonzales & Nghia Nguyen with the best attendance. 

The students wanted to say a big thank you to T3 ...here they are!!

Already I've received feedback from Ms. Fitzgerald saying, "The kids are super excited and anxious for my return!"

Well since my visit I'm even more committed to helping those in need. For those who are interested in seeing how they can help out, please contact me.

I want to once again thank Ms. Fitzgerald for contacting me and having faith to ask for help. And a big thank you to T3 for their incredible donation to the school program. And lastly a special thanks to Orlando Pita for his gifts to the two students who had the best attendance.

Posted by Unknown at 8:42 AM - 1 comments