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Gracious, caring and compassionate Val enjoys making people Always immaculately groomed in fresh colours of radiant feel confident and beautiful. She is not only rewarded by doing yellow, crisp aqua, vivid lavenders or gorgeous tangerines, Val something she absolutely loves, but also gains a great deal of Glover-Hovan never makes an appearance without being gratification knowing that her work has not only beautified noticed. With her husband Leslie they are very much part of the someone’s face, but often renewed their self-confidence and Australian landscape that defines the professional beauty self-esteem. And despite the fact that she is clocking in over 50 industry for which she is very much a role model.hours a week she still has time to look the part.

Turning 70 on 20th December 2009 Val and Leslie invited Val’s experience and knowledge are sought out by the public friends to join them at their Gold Coast apartment to celebrate and professionals alike for that special magic that combines the event, having just had a party also in Sydney where their skill and gift to create the perfect cosmetic tattoo procedure.businesses are based.

Always adventurous and highly creative, Val exudes a The apartment, located in the prestigious and aptly named wonderful blend of flair and common sense that endears her to Royale Visage complex, boasts amazing views of Surfers her clients, knowing that she will deliver results that will Paradise and the Pacific Ocean. Dressed in an ethereal flowing enhance their appearance, while still allowing them to look multi-coloured silk chiffon gown, Val greeted her guests as they themselves. arrived to celebrate her birthday.

Recognised as an industry luminary, Val is admired by many When others are retiring as early as 50 and 60 Val is still who have benefited from her knowledge and inspired by her passionately committed to her work as the most reputable and gracious presence and femininity, but most of all, Val is admired influential Cosmetic Tattoo professional in Australia with a for her commitment, fervour and her determination to be the global reputation for her work and her standards.

best she can be at all odds. She has proven that age is just a number, and as long as your heart rewards you for what you stand for and what you do, life is a journey to be enjoyed, while age is an opportunity for celebration. If you want to know how it’s done just look at Val Glover-Hovan.

To further enlighten you on this amazing woman, I asked Val some questions that will allow her to personally articulate further about her life and her amazing career. Whether you know Val or not, we trust that you will be inspired by that special chemistry of gift and skill that has allowed her to achieve and keep on going with continued energy and flair.

Originally I started out in advertising and PR. At the age of 36 I decided to become a manicurist with Revlon and then went on to train in beauty therapy with Ella Bache. I opened my own salon, which was extremely successful from day one. I always made sure that I furthered my skills with on-going education and also attended expos overseas.

In 1985 when I attended the Les Nouvelle Esthetiques Versailles Congress & Expo in France they had the launch of Pigment Implants as it was called back then. The presenter and teacher was Ming Ming Chen of Hong Kong. I immediately trained with her and went straight back to Hong Kong with her following the expo for further training. And ever since then, I have been tattooing full time! I then came

back to Australia and opened the first Cosmetic Tattoo Training In an industry that is challenged by growing competition Val Academy in Australia. I have taught people from all over the never falters – always in demand by those who know of her world the art of Cosmetic Tattoo. I have been doing Cosmetic reputation and appreciate her meticulous work in cosmetic Tattoo for 25 years this March and I never thought I would still tattoo. Medical clinics, the media, aspiring students or eclectic be tattooing at the age of 70, but I think I still have a few more clientele all keep her busy in a profession and a practice that she years in me because I love what I do.passionately loves.

They say that when your vocation and your calling are combined you have the ultimate combination for success.

APJ 1. Val tell us about your background and how and when you got involved with Cosmetic Tattoo?Val:

APJ 2. You have won two awards, tell us about them and about your achievements?

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Val:

APJ 4. Describe to us the most memorable experience with a client's results in Cosmetic Tattooing?Val:

APJ 3. What is the driving force behind your success?Val:

happiness to their lives, making them feel good about what they I am a loyal supporter of the American Academy of see in the mirror every day. It is a very exciting profession and it Micropigmentation. I was selected because of my contributions has taken me to different countries around the world and has to the industry and was awarded the AAM Lifetime been financially rewarding. My husband Leslie is also behind Achievement Award in 2003 – the first time this award was the scenes as he handles the business side of things, along with given. The award was in recognition of the achievement of our other company, Hovan’s Group, that sellsour In-Grown hair Excellence in the Practice and Instruction of Cosmetic Tattoo creams, Eyelash Enhancer, Eyelash Extension Kits and Eyelash and the Promotion of the highest professional standards of Perming Kits.micropigmentation around the world.

Previously in 2001 here in Australia I was awarded the APAA National Award of Excellence for Services to the Industry. The award recognised my body of work and my service to Cosmetic Tattoo in Australia. There are so many I could talk about! The first that comes

to mind is a man who had lost his forehead from melanoma. A Another event in the US was a competition for Permanent skin graft was taken from his back and the result with Cosmetic Makeup sponsored by the Society of Permanent Cosmetics Tattoo camouflaging was outstanding. He cried with happiness Professionals in collaboration with COSMETECH magazine when he saw the results as this was the first time he could wear who were looking for the best tattooed face (procedures his hair back off his forehead. Then there was the 12-year-old including eyebrows, eyeliner and lips). There were hundreds of girl with alopecia who had completely lost her eyebrows. entries in the USA and I was delighted to win first prize in this Seeing herself with eyebrows for the first time in her life meant prestigious competition. so much to her. Another case was a breast cancer client who had

breast reconstruction following a double mastectomy and cried when she saw how normal she looked with the tattooed nipples and areolae. The stories are endless. My work changes people’s lives and how they feel about themselves. The rewards are so I love what I do. I make people look good and I give many.women back their youth and often confidence with Cosmetic

Tattooing. I transform their looks and I bring a lot of peace and

the eternally-youthful

Val Glover-Hovan fabulous at 70

and never looking back

by Tina Viney

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APJ 7. How do you view the Australian standards compared to other countries such as the US?Val:

APJ 8. How has cosmetic tattoo evolve in the past two decades?Val:

APJ 5. Who do you believe is the best candidate for learning the art and practice of Cosmetic Tattoo and what attributes are needed to succeed in this profession?Val:

APJ 9. What are your aspirations for the future?Val:

APJ 6. You are always known as having a love and real command of colour. What role do you believe colour plays in people's lives and why is it important to get it right, particularly in cosmetic tattooing?Val:

Val Glover-Hovan can be reached on 02 9938 2111 or 1300 88 66 55.

Also visit: www.cosmetic tattooaustralia.com

and underneath is an unknown quantity of colour, so it does come down to knowledge, experience and judgement as the wrong colour can be devastating to a client. Nevertheless, once again, with the right knowledge colour correction in most cases is easy.

Our standards are high. When I do my Bloodborne Pathogens Class every year in America, the lecturer always praises Australia for having the highest standards. I believe it all boils down to the standards you are taught when doing Cosmetic Tattoo training. I know the standards of my Training Program are high and students who graduate with me have been taught at a particularly high level. However, training standards differ from trainer to trainer, with some being higher than others, and this goes for here as well as the USA. Practitioners must also continue their education in Cosmetic Tattooing as I have done for the past 25 years. This is what will make you stand out from the others.

The changes in the industry have been amazing, from hand tools to rotary machine to digital machine in all sizes and colours ranging from $10 to $5,000 all doing the same task – implanting colour into the skin. Colour range has increased dramatically and there are much more brands on the market now. Colours range from thick to thin in consistency, all claiming they have the best, last the longest and have the

Some of my best students have been non-beauty people. A blackest black. The Society of Permanent Cosmetic creative, artistic flair is vital. Being able to draw shapes and Professionals (SPCP) has done a tremendous amount of work in visualising what would suit that client’s face and being able to raising the standards of supplies.create that look on the skin requires several attributes. Having an eye for detail and colour, steady hands, good eyesight, being calm, caring, patient and honest are all of utmost importance.

For my personal future my aspiration is to continue Communication and listening skills are also a big advantage, as

practising in the industry as well as teaching. God willing, I what you create has to meet with the client’s expectations and hope to continue for another five years. I would hope by then my what they will be comfortable with as an end result.hours of treating clients would cut back from 50 hours per week to about 20 and I would hope that somebody out there would want to buy a great Cosmetic Tattoo business. If I am still in the business in five years I would have reached 30 years of practice in a profession that has rewarded me in so many ways and given me a very memorable life experience. This March is my 25th

I love colour, as many who know me, or who have met me anniversary of pioneering Cosmetic Tattoo into Australia. This would know. My real experience with colour started in the late is a great achievement and I am delighted to have had the 80s when I joined an American colour and image company as a opportunity to leave my mark on so many people around the trainer teaching people what clothing and makeup colours world. suited their skin tone and also their living and working environment. The study of colour is fascinating and As for my aspirations for the industry, they are that it will enlightening. My knowledge made it much easier for me when I continue to grow in innovation and recognition, as well as started tattooing and had to work with minimal colours. expand to achieve and offer even more .

In the plast 10 years the colour range for eyebrows and lips has expanded to such a degree that now you can buy pre-mixed colours to suit most hair and lipstick colours. To be honest, however, Cosmetic Tattoo practitioners are dealing with skin,

Val & Lesley celebrating colour in her life

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