Saddle up

from Wag Magazine April 2020

At home in the world with your pets

Pilates for Equestrians’ owner Megan Smith Ray. Photographs by Julia Dags.

BY FATIME MURIQI

We met Megan Smith Ray at a horse show at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, a natural setting for the creator of Pilates For Equestrians. Recently, we caught up with her again to find out how this discipline benefits riders and others. Megan, we know Pilates was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, for whom it’s named, but what exactly is it? “Pilates is a form of exercise that uses specialized machines to both lengthen (stretch) and strengthen muscles. The result are muscles that look longer and leaner, which is aesthetically pleasing (one reason Pilates is popular with celebrities), and also alleviates back pain and makes most people feel better. Additionally, long, lean muscles are healthier and more resistant to injury, compared with short, tight muscles, gained from typical gym workouts like weightlifting, running, biking, etc. Elite athletes from Roger Federer to Tom Brady have all used Pilates to improve their performance and prevent injury.” HEALTH & FITNESS WELL

Why is it important for equestrians to do Pilates?

“Pilates focuses not only on increasing strength and flexibility but also on improving core strength and isolating body movement – the holy grail for excellent riding. Essentially, with Pilates, you can train and retrain muscles to react as you wish they would in the saddle. They say that Pilates is the number one exercise that can make you a better rider. Thus, Pilates for Equestrians was born.”

How did you get into this industry? Did you ride horses?

“I started riding horses just four and a half years ago when I moved to North Salem from New York City. As I learned to ride, I quickly noticed the parallels to Pilates, including an independent seat, and used Pilates to troubleshoot my issues and build strength and flexibility where I needed it. I quickly realized that every rider should be doing Pilates to feel better and perform better. I don’t have many wishes left unrelated to my family except this – to help people feel better, perform better, and shine. Nothing makes me happier than that.”

I have five minutes in the morning. What are simple Pilates exercises that I can do?

“I will soon be launching online at-home Pilates workouts. In the meantime, I recommend five- to 10-minute workouts at home featuring these key Pilates exercises — roll down, toe taps, bridge, rolling like a ball, plank and side plank. You can find these on my online site when it launches and on YouTube in the meantime.”

For more, follow Megan’s Instagram @ pilates4equestrians and look out for her upcoming website, pilatesforequestrians.com.

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SHE CAME, SHE SAW, SHE CONTOURED

BY FATIME MURIQI

FASHION WEAR Manhattan makeup artist Katrina D’Onofrio — whom WAG first introduced to you when we wrote about shoe goddess Kristina Cavallo, most recently in our March issue — graduated from Long Island Nail and Skin Care Institute of New York and has since been working as a professional makeup artist ever since. She began her journey as a freelancer catering to brides and local professionals, working with all age groups and specializing in creating the appearance of flawless skin and captivating eyes. Her work became recognized by some of the industry leaders in PR, which then began her career in the celebrity world. Katrina’s work has been featured in print (Us Weekly), TV (Bravo, MTV, Fox News and OK! News) and on the runway (New York Fashion Week).

Here she gives us the scoop on being a made (up) woman:

How important is makeup to today’s woman?

“Makeup is very important to today’s women. It enables them to feel confident, polished and pulled together no matter the occasion. Social media has created a strong sense of awareness regarding makeup and skin care that even women who don’t normally wear makeup are now looking for ways to get their makeup done by a professional.”

What is the one essential makeup product that every woman should own and use?

“Mascara. Mascara opens your eyes and helps the person look awake. Even their eye color looks more pronounced.”

What’s the biggest mistake that women make in doing makeup?

“The biggest mistake women make with makeup is using their hands. Using your hands not only wastes more makeup than brushes, but can also cause unnecessary breakouts. Our hands contain bacteria from touching surfaces. The most sanitary way to apply makeup is by using clean brushes or a clean beauty blender.”

I have 10 mins in the morning. What is the essential makeup I must use?

“Facial cream containing SPF, concealer, mascara, brow pencil/ shadow and lipstick. This can literally be achieved in 10 minutes, helping the person to look polished, awake, younger and ready to conquer the day.”

When and how did you get into the beauty industry?

“I have always had a love for makeup. In my early 20s, I would go to makeup artists to get my makeup done. I would walk out feeling disappointed and dissatisfied with the look. They would give

Manhattan makeup artist Katrina D’Onofrio. Courtesy D’Onofrio.

me the complete opposite of what I would ask for and I would go home, take it off, look at the picture and patiently achieve it myself. I started to be very good and people would ask me to do their makeup. Ten years ago, my husband took notice and suggested I start a small business. I went to night school to get certified while I worked in corporate America and my son was still an infant. I began putting myself out there, and my work received attention by individuals in PR. I had no idea I would get this far or find my passion in helping people through makeup. I feel blessed and grateful God put me on this journey and I hope to continue making others feel and look their very best.”

What, in your opinion, is the most important quality in a makeup artist?

“Listening to your clients. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to ask your clients what makeup style they are looking for you to achieve and what they don’t like. This is the very reason I became an artist myself. We are artists yes. However, we are providing a service so in some cases it is our job to help create our clients vision, not the other way around. Also, continuing education is important. If you feel weak in an area, study how to master it. The worst thing you can do as an artist is limit your abilities and not do the best possible job for your client.”

Do you have a signature look? How would you describe it? “My signature look that everyone seems to request is what I call my “soft glam” look. It’s a combination of a natural, radiant looking face with beautiful seductive eyes. Eyes have to be my favorite feature to work on, making them the focal point everyone notices first, along with their face never looking or feeling “cakey.” As a makeup artist myself, even I don’t want to feel like I have tons of products on my face. Listening to my clients through the years, I’ve mastered how to achieve a beautiful face without layers and layers of makeup to make them look and feel comfortable.”