WOMEN ON THE RISE

 A friendship based on fashion, art, and beauty is not only FAB, it proves common interests can be instrumental in creating meaningful and fun friendships amongst women. Each a master of their trade, Mary Emily Davidson, Dr. Kathryn Dempsey, and Mel Reynolds have become friends and brands in their own right. As we transition into fall, Access invited this enviable trio for a day of play at The Mobile Museum of Art in their special exhibition, FOR CHILDREN: The Elements of Art and Design. After all, what grown-up doesn’t get excited by a larger-than-life rubber duckie and enormous Legos? All great sports, the ladies share their stories, insider scoop, and the latest looks they’re crushing on now. The support they offer each other is not only joyful, but the very definition of self-care. As the curling wand and lashes flew about, our spirits were lifted just hearing them bounce from one topic to the next. From their passion for business and how they make it all work to complimenting each other throughout the day, they each make living their best life look oh-so-easy and oh-so-good. Like the song says, girls really do just wanna have fun.

 By Hayley Hill Photos Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography.com Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, CocoKat1978@gmail.com Hair Jason Chambers, HeadDress Salon, 251.689.7427.

 Styled by Mel Reynolds; all looks available at Rise, 4354 Old Shell Road, Suite B, Mobile 251.341.7096, ShopRiseOnline.com

 Shot on location at The Mobile Museum of Art in special exhibition FOR CHILDREN: The Elements of Art and Design.

MEL REYNOLDS

Originally from Mobile, Mel Reynolds fashion journey included many roads across the country. Returning to Mobile in 2019 with her husband Tony and Vivienne, their adored Cavalier King Charles Spaniel fur baby, the couple wanted to be closer to family. She also brought with her an unmistakable passion for fashion, a knack for getting it just right no matter a woman’s age, size, or comfort zone, and the personality and work ethic required to thrive in a business that’s anything but easy.

 Mel knew fashion was the career path for her at an early age. “I studied business at the University of South Alabama before hitting the road to experience every facet of the fashion and retail industry. Wanting to learn the business inside and out, I worked in wholesale and high-end retail sales, buying, management, and more. Quite literally, all roads have led to RISE!” Mel explains.

So, what is RISE? Located in Spring Hill, RISE is a top local clothing and accessories boutique, and the result of Mel’s hard work. “We carry sought-after designers and offer in-house styling services. Originally, we opened in 2019 as a pop-up concept to test the local market, and today we have a beautiful new permanent store in the recently renovated Spring Hill Village Shopping Center,” Mel tells us.

 More than a store, Mel explains what sets her apart. “RISE provides quality items our clients not only love, but will reach for time and time again. Every piece is bought for versatility, maximum use, and to coordinate with another. We definitely take the sting out of searching for the perfect look by getting to know our clients and focusing on what they’re wearing in their day-to-day life. Whether it’s work, brunch with the girls, a wedding, or their next vacation, knowing our clients’ closets and preferences pays off for everyone,” she explains.

 Having dressed countless women, Mel comprehends it’s not so easy, saying, “We offer styling services because we understand the time constraints most women endure. We can pull looks together for any occasion, update older favorites with new pieces, and special-order items. It’s our goal to make it super easy to pop in, grab what you need, and go on with your day. We build relationships because we’re busy women too—we understand the pressure of wanting to look good with no extra time to spend!”

As for the merchandise, Mel tells us, “Through years of buying, researching, and trips to various markets, I’ve honed in on incredible brands that meet my criteria: being women-owned, practicing sustainable manufacturing, using organic materials, paying fair wages, and never mass-produced. I also put a lot of thought into the clothes I buy. For example, I offer several Australian lines during certain times of the year. In the Southern Hemisphere, they offer really cool styles in fall colors and breathable materials that are perfect for our climate. Finding the right pieces for my local client base is ever-present in my mind.”

Familiar with her pristine store bursting with well-edited collections of must-haves that you’re guaranteed to cherish, we ask about her personal style. “It’s hard to pin down because I like it all! However, I suppose NYC street-chic would best describe it; most times, you’ll catch me in denim, pumps, and a white button-down shirt.”

As a prime example of building relationships at RISE, Mel recalls meeting Mary Emily Davidson. “We met at my first pop-up in Mobile and shortly after that I went to her home for a closet edit. We became fast friends as she was rebranding her personal style to elevate her growing business. She’s also become an ally in the business world and we’re a constant support for one another. It’s so important to develop trusted relationships with women in business; we need each other!”

 Proof she supports the women who support her, Mel adds, “Mary Emily isn’t just everything you want in a friend, she’s a total boss, period. I’m also a client of hers. She’s done my brows and lip blush which are a true time-saver. I love waking up made up! As for Kathryn Dempsey, I found out she’s the premier dermatologist in town because most of my local clients go to her for the many services she provides. Due to all the positive conversations, I became a client, too. She’s beyond brilliant and I love her aesthetic, her beautiful office space, and the way she cares for her patients. We instantly clicked and this is another example of women supporting women. These alliances are priceless.”

 RISE

4354 Old Shell Road, Suite B, Mobile | 251.341.7096 | ShopRISEOnline.com

MARY EMILY DAVIDSON

Mary Emily Davidson is not only wife to Jeremy and mother to Ava June and John Morgan, she’s a pioneer in the beauty business. As the owner and operator of Mobile’s Outliner Studio, she’s growing her in-demand permanent makeup business by leaps and bounds. And she’s even developed  a training program, too. Referred to as Rembrandt for the face, it may well be attributed to her Fine Arts degree with a concentration in painting  and her experience in the medical field that brought her here.

 From Mobile, Mary Emily opened Outliner Studio in 2018 after receiving extensive training around the globe. This isn’t the tattooed makeup of decades past. Her permanent makeup results are as natural-looking as they are flawless. “When done correctly, there’s no pain, zero-to-little downtime, minimal maintenance, and it lasts for years. Permanent makeup is non-surgical and the most modern and effective way to restore natural features. However, these results are due to the investment we have made in our training and how we care about our clients,” she clarifies.

 As for their services? “We offer enhanced cosmetic and medical services through permanent makeup like Lip Blush, Permanent Brows and Eyeliner, Ultra Realistic 2-D and 3-D Areola Tattooing, as well as the most modern camouflage treatments for scars and stretch marks. I’m excited to announce we’ll soon launch new services such as Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) for hair loss,” Mary Emily shares.

 Diving deeper, Mary Emily adds, “Polished eyebrows are so important and make you look youthful and awake; a little enhancement will result in more symmetry and fullness. With age, I’ve lost my natural lip color and had to reapply lipstick often—it wore off  quicker than my eyebrow pencil! My first lip blush treatment was a game-changer and wow, what  a time saver. When I look in the mirror, I’m  pleased at what I see—that’s the best feeling!” 

 With an artist’s touch, Mary Emily’s goal is for each client to wake up made-up. “Client satisfaction is why we invest extensively in our skills and education. We’ve brought the best and safest restorative Permanent Makeup techniques to this area and I’m so proud of our results, reviews, and feedback. I love the joy and surprise in my clients’ eyes when they see their results and hearing how we’ve made them feel more confident or restored from a traumatic experience, surgery, or injury. They reignite my passion every day,” Mary Emily beams.

 With her sights set high, she has big plans. “This year, we’ve launched The Academy at Outliner Studio to teach others how to start a beauty business and the art of Permanent Makeup. It’s truly an honor to see my students succeed and we’ve created one of the most thorough training programs in the US,” Mary Emily tells us.   

 Her personal branding approach? “Fashion and beauty allow me to  bring art to my day. Putting in that little extra effort, plus having the right fashion guidance from Mel, makes me feel like I can really take on the day! While in  healthcare, I didn’t have a good pair of jeans to my name! I met Mel when she opened RISE and from there, the fashion turned into friendship. She helped me build a wardrobe that not only fits well but also reflects how I really want to look. It’s brought me confidence, friendship, fun, and a better self-image. She’ll give you the shirt off her back—literally!”

Admitting to following Dr. Dempsey on Instagram for years, she has now become a friend. “Kathryn is a true talent! Her cosmetic work is amazing and her patients that see me always have perfectly filled lips (never overdone), perfectly placed Botox, fabulous skin, and rave about her work! I love that our businesses are complementary and that I’ve gotten to know such a special and kind hearted person. I’m all about women who lift each other up and she does just that!” she shares.   

 Mary Emily’s motto? “Beauty, fashion, and art should enhance who you are. Self-care is a beautiful way to connect with other women since we’re all professionals, moms, students, and everything else we need to be to care for loved ones. Sharing these artistic experiences where we can be truly vulnerable and care for each other is an extension of who we are as women.”

Outliner Studio

251.209.0199 | @OutlinerStudio | @OutlinerStudio_TheAcademy | OutlinerStudio.com

KATHRYN DEMPSEY, MD

Celebrated local dermatologist Dr. Kathryn Dempsey’s beauty is more than skin deep. Hailing from Dallas, her career path started at camp. “During medical school I worked at Camp Dermadillo, a place for kids with serious skin conditions. I fell in love with those kids and saw firsthand how people with skin conditions literally wear their disease for the entire world to see. From acne to skin cancer and genetic conditions, it became my mission to help everyone feel comfortable in their skin—it’s truly the most rewarding profession,” she says.

 Smart as a whip, she graduated magna cum laude with high honors from Vanderbilt University and completed her residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. She even she served as chief resident during her final year and scored in the top 3% on the nationwide dermatology practice boards.

Relocating to Mobile with her husband Todd, the couple have two children, Annabel and Cullen, and Dr. Dempsey founded her all-encompassing skin center, Coastal Dermatology, in 2018. “I tell woman considering opening a business to go for it and to have a support system, as it’s a lot of work and it truly takes a village. My husband, family, friends, lawyer, bank, billing company, accountant, and employees have been instrumental in my success,” she shares.

Expanding, she continues, “Like most women, I wish I could be five places at once. I try to live in the moment and practice self-care. When everyone is sleeping, I go to Village Yoga—it’s instrumental to my physical and mental health. My husband and I try to have a weekly date night, and recently I’ve taken a few weekend trips with my daughter and best friend to relax and have fun! It’s important to fill our cups, otherwise we have nothing to pour from.”

 Naturally, she offers the services you’d expect from a top dermatologist, ranging from microneedling to Vbeam laser treatments to address those little red bumps, blood vessels and flushing. “I’m an expert injector and perform Botox, Dysport, and dermal filler daily as well as intense pulse light and fractional laser treatments. Crystal Hartley, our expert laser tech, also performs laser hair removal, photorejuvenation, chemical peels and more,” Dr. Dempsey tells us.

 As for her go-to-glow secrets she shares, “Photorejuvenation is my favorite. It brightens and tightens the skin while improving texture and tone.” Continuing, she adds, “Laser hair removal has been life-changing since there’s no downtime—talk about a time saver! Not having to worry about shaving and ingrown hairs is everything.”

 Her top treatment recommendations to consider during the cooler months include photorejuvenation for sun damage and HydraFacials to infuse moisture during these drier months. This is also the perfect time for treatments that require staying out of the sun for a period of time.

 Naturally, Dr. Dempsey is a sunscreen advocate, sharing, “Sunscreens have come a long way. There’s no reason for anyone not to wear it on their face, neck, chest, and hands daily. It’s the most affordable and effective antiaging product around.” Coastal Dermatology offers a range of skin care products, but she believes it doesn’t have to be expensive. “I always build a personal step-by-step routine for my patients and suggest both drugstore and medical-grade products.”

 Dr. Dempsey also knows the importance of female camaraderie. “It’s important for us to build each other up. Being a woman is hard enough.” On her friendship with Mel Reynolds and Mary Emily Davidson, it comes down to one word, “Wow! I’m in awe of them. They’re incredibly kind, welcoming, personable, intelligent and beautiful. It’s so inspiring to see them enriching our community. I love that they’re both in the business of helping women look and feel beautiful—it’s the best!” she exclaims.

 Always looking chic and fashionable, Dr. Dempsey claims, “If you peek in my closet, you’d see that I’m drawn to bright colors and bold patterns. I love ruffles, sparkles, and anything with unique details. I think this is why I love dermatology, where it’s all in the details.”

 Summing it up beautifully, Dr. Dempsey concludes, “I’m married to the most wonderful husband on earth. I wish for every woman to have, and know they deserve, a partner that lifts them up. I think kindness and confidence are the key ingredients for a beautiful and a rich life. If you can treat others in the way you want to be treated and feel good in your skin, you’re doing great, because nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she already is.”

Coastal Dermatology & Skin Care Center

5472 Old Shell Road, Mobile | 251.378.0200 | CoastalDermatologyOfAl.com