Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheyenne Payne.
Cheyenne, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Before becoming a full-time makeup artist, I was actually working in car sales at BMW of Tyler while building my makeup business on the side. Leaving was such a bittersweet decision because I was walking away from something familiar and stable, but I knew that if I wanted to truly pursue a career as a bridal makeup artist, I had to take the leap and fully commit to it.
My path to getting there wasn’t necessarily a straight line. Early on, I accepted what I thought would be an amazing opportunity working full-time as a makeup artist for another company. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out the way I had hoped and became a really difficult and emotionally exhausting experience. I continued building Chey Cosmetics through it all and officially went full-time with my business in 2020.
Around that same time, my sister was preparing to have her first baby. She had recently taken over Dress Me Bridal, a family-operated bridal boutique, so while she was home with her newborn, I stepped in to help at the store. What started as simply helping my sister ended up becoming such an important part of growing my own business. I was able to connect with brides from the moment they found their dress, and many of those relationships naturally turned into brides trusting me with their wedding-day makeup as well.
As my business continued to grow, I took another leap and joined one of my close friends as she opened her first salon. It gave me a space to work with my brides while continuing to establish myself as a bridal makeup artist.
Eventually, I knew I wanted to create something that felt completely my own. In 2024, I opened my first private studio, which is still home to Chey Cosmetics today. Having a space to call my own has allowed me to continue building not only my business, but a brand and experience centered around luxury bridal beauty.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I definitely wouldn’t say it has been a completely smooth road. One of the biggest challenges for me has been the financial uncertainty that comes with making bridal makeup my full-time career.
Something I’ve noticed more and more is the way social media has shaped the conversation around bridal beauty pricing. It’s not uncommon to see posts or videos saying bridal makeup artists are overpriced or questioning why professional bridal services cost what they do. I completely understand that weddings are expensive and every bride has a budget, but I think those conversations can sometimes minimize what it actually means to make a career out of this industry.
For me, bridal makeup isn’t a side service or something I offer in addition to several other areas of beauty. It is my full-time career and something I have intentionally chosen to specialize in. There is so much that goes into operating a bridal business behind the scenes that a client may never see, and the hour or so spent doing someone’s makeup is only a small piece of what it takes to provide the overall service and experience.
I’ve chosen to build my business around providing a luxury bridal experience, and that requires me to continually invest in my artistry, my business and my brides. Navigating the financial uncertainty of being self-employed while also seeing the value of our profession questioned online can be difficult.
I always joke that I don’t just “play with makeup” for a living. There is a real business behind the pretty part, and it’s one I’ve worked incredibly hard to build.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Chey Cosmetics is a luxury bridal makeup business based in Tyler, Texas, serving brides throughout East Texas, Dallas-Fort Worth and beyond. Bridal is truly the heart of my business and what I have chosen to specialize in.
Over the years, I’ve developed a signature bridal look that I would describe as refined and timeless. I approach each bride almost like I’m creating a piece of art. Every detail is intentional, but the goal is never to cover up who she is or make her look like someone else. I want to enhance what is already there and create a look that feels elevated, photographs beautifully and will still feel timeless when she looks back at her wedding photos years from now.
What I think sets Chey Cosmetics apart is that the experience surrounding the makeup is just as important to me as the artistry itself. Weddings already come with so many moving parts, and I never want beauty to feel like another thing a bride has to manage. From the initial inquiry and trial to the wedding-day timeline and coordinating additional artists when needed, I want my brides to feel taken care of throughout the entire process. To me, luxury isn’t just about the products in my kit or the finished makeup. It’s about the level of care, communication and attention that comes with the experience.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how much Chey Cosmetics has evolved while still feeling like me. Opening my private studio gave me the opportunity to create an environment that reflects the experience I want my clients to have, and I’ve continued refining the brand from there.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If there are any other bridal makeup artists reading this, I would want them to know to trust themselves and their own journey. It can be so easy, especially with social media, to compare yourself to other artists or feel like you’re constantly competing. I’ve learned that there is room for all of us. Instead of comparing, let yourself be inspired. Reach out to other artists, build relationships and support one another. We’re all in this together.
I also think confidence comes with time and repetition. The more you practice your craft, the stronger you become and the more you begin to trust yourself as an artist. One of the biggest things I’ve learned is the importance of staying true to my own style instead of trying to be everything for everyone.
Building a brand also taught me that it’s okay to say no. Not every client, trend or opportunity has to align with what you’re creating, and that’s okay. Once I stopped feeling like I needed to do what everyone else was doing and started trusting my own vision, I became much more confident in both my artistry and my business.
More than anything, I hope other artists give themselves permission to create something that feels like them. Your style is what makes your work yours.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cheycosmetics.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheycosmetics/
Image Credits
Destynie Paige Photography — Bruna Kitchen
Alison Faith Photography
Alyssa Simpson Photography
