Life & Work with Diamone Payne of Fairburn

Today we’d like to introduce you to Diamone Payne.

Hi Diamone, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My makeup journey started back in 2015 with an e.l.f. eyebrow duo, Garnier BB cream, a winged liner, and some lip gloss. The year before, I was that girl walking to Walgreens to buy products I saw YouTubers use — and returning them when they didn’t work. I practiced for months before ever wearing makeup out, and by senior year of high school, I was locked in.

Makeup wasn’t really encouraged at home — my dad called it “devil’s paint,” and my mom was a “lip gloss only” baddie — but I was obsessed. The day of my graduation, I got my makeup done professionally and hated it so much I wiped it off and redid my face myself and slayed it, of course! That was the spark that lit everything.

In college at Valdosta State, I started my own YouTube channel and dropped my first video, “My Current Makeup Routine.” By 2017, a photographer friend asked me to do makeup for a shoot — only my second client ever — and it came out beautifully. That experience showed me this could be more than a hobby.

After transferring to Georgia State, I had a moment of clarity sitting in a film class — “What am I doing here?” That day, I decided to chase my passion fully. I enrolled in The Elaine Sterling Institute for Esthetics in 2018, booked my first bride that same year, and met my now makeup partner, Dominique Chevon. What started as a cold DM turned into one of the most impactful mentorships of my career.

In 2019, I took my first lash class and got flown out for training — my first flight ever. Over time, I built a strong lash clientele, learned from amazing artists, and found my rhythm in both makeup and lash artistry.

By 2022, my business was growing. I began traveling for clients in Miami, Vegas, Vancouver, and New York — places I used to dream about. I even earned my first movie credit and had my work appear on Fox 5 Atlanta. I don’t even post half of it, I practice gratitude and being fully present in each opportunity God has blessed me with.

Fast forward to 2025, I made the leap to full-time entrepreneur. I moved to Fairburn, started rebuilding my business foundation, and committed to creating something lasting. Even after years in the game, I feel like I’m just getting started — with more clarity, confidence, and faith than ever.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, at least not on paper. There have been detours, doubts, and moments that didn’t make sense at the time. But with God, even the toughest seasons felt lighter. Every setback stretched, strengthened, and reminded me that I am not doing this alone. It is all by His Grace, love, and mercy.

One of my biggest challenges has been trusting my own timing. In this industry, it’s easy to compare yourself to others or feel like you’re “behind,” especially when you’re building something from scratch. There were moments I questioned if I was doing enough or if I should’ve taken a more traditional route, but every season taught me something valuable — patience, perseverance, and faith.

Another big lesson was learning that you can be talented and still have to build structure. You can have all the talent in the world, but you still have to show up, stay disciplined, and trust the process. For a long time, I focused only on the creative side — the artistry — but stepping into full-time entrepreneurship taught me the business side is just as important. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s the foundation for longevity. Every chapter, even the uncomfortable ones, has been preparation for the next.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a self-taught makeup artist who first started experimenting on myself back in 2015 — I was my first client and favorite face to beat. Makeup quickly became a creative outlet where I could express myself, recreate looks I admired, and discover my own style.

Today, I specialize in natural soft glam makeup and individual lash extensions. My focus has always been on enhancing women’s natural beauty so they still feel like themselves — just a more confident version. Makeup, to me, isn’t about hiding who you are. It’s like the boost of confidence you get when you put on your favorite outfit — it brings out the natural baddie in all of us.

I’m most known for my customer service and the overall experience I create for my clients. I go above and beyond to give every person who sits in my chair the celebrity treatment. I believe that’s what truly sets me apart in the beauty industry.

I also prioritize continued education to stay up to date on best practices and new techniques, constantly adding small touches to elevate the client experience. What I’m most proud of, though, is my perseverance. Being a business owner isn’t easy — especially in an industry that many people underestimate. My makeup kit has taken me 3,000 miles from my city, and that’s a reminder that I made it happen by believing in myself and not letting doubt or outside opinions stop me.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, my parents would always describe me as ambitious, strong-willed, creative, and smart. I wasn’t super competitive, but I loved being involved — I tried everything from 4-H Club and soccer to gymnastics. I didn’t stick with sports long enough to develop a passion for them, though; they didn’t make my heart light up the way drawing and sketching did.

In school, academics came easily to me — I was placed in gifted classes in fifth grade and stayed in advanced classes until high school. I always gravitated toward subjects that had clear outcomes, like math and science. I loved the idea that if you did this, you’d get that result. Looking back, I think that’s what drew me to makeup: the artistry mixed with technique, how changing one small thing can completely transform the outcome. I also loved movies and music growing up — both of which still inspire me to this day.

Pricing:

• Soft Glam Makeup: starting at $100
• Soft Glam Saturdays: $80 Natural Glam
• Lash Loyalty Program
• Affordable Travel Rate
• Group Rates available

Contact Info:

• Website: https://softouchbeauty.as.me/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/softouchbeautyatl/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083543557637
• Other: https://softtouchco.pixieset.com/softouchmakeupportfolio/

Image Credits
Paris Dorsey (@heardofparis) on my headshots
Christopher Payne (@christopheramarpayne on the campaign shoot with 2 models