Meet Dr. Vallen Cordon | Educator & Master Permanent Cosmetics Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Vallen Cordon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Vallen, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
The most important thing I’ve done as a parent to impact my children is to unlearn some of the ways in which I was raised. This is not to say that I was not raised properly, as it is my belief that all well-intentioned parents do the best that they know how to; however, I was raised during a time where children were “seen and not heard”, but when I became a parent, I realized that this was not the best way to raise my children. My children have much bigger voices than I was allowed to have as a child; they are allowed to express their feelings more (good and bad), share their likes and dislikes, and even share if they feel I or their father have caused them any kind of hurt (respectfully of course), and there is absolutely wrong with it. Also, in my household, adults admit when they are wrong and apologize, even to the children if needed.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My brand is The DFYant Brand, LLC and I conduct business under this umbrella as “Dr. Val, The PMU Surgeon” (DFYant stands for be “Different”, be “Fab” and be “You”). For as long as I can remember, I have known I was a creative. My brain creates nonstop! But being a creative wasn’t easy for me growing up because I was also a scholar. I’m what you might call a scholarartist! My family promoted making good grades, going to college, and landing a career as a doctor or lawyer or other professional career. So I put my desire to create art on the back burner and focused on making good grades, getting a scholarship to a great college and getting a professional career, and that’s what I did. I attended The University of NC-Chapel Hill on the Gates Millenium Scholarship, landed a job as a teacher, went on to obtain Master’s and Doctorate degrees and advanced in my career in education; however, the desire to create has always pulled at me. So along the way, I would express my art in other ways such as my fashion choices or by being the dorm hairstylist (my mother is a veteran cosmetologist so I learned some things from her along the way). Long story long … I was never totally fulfilled not being able to create. It wasn’t until the age of 30 that I decided I wanted to create funky one-of-a-kind earrings. My first earrings were made from cardboard, paint, and decoupage. I continued to develop my skill, expand my mediums, and went on to run a very successful Etsy shop for 5 years selling my handcrafted earrings all over the world. Then in 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, I discovered permanent makeup and paramedical tatooing, and my heart skipped a beat, and I knew that was the industry for me! I went on to obtain my state license and now I not only provide esthetic permanent makeup services but am so fortunate to be able to use my gift to create to provide restorative and simulation tattoos for individuals who have experienced illnesses and/or surgeries. For example, I provide 3d areola/nipple simulation tattoos for breast cancer survivors who have undergone masectomies and breast reconstruction. I do this in addition to continuing my career in education as an educational diagnostician. Now I am able to continue my work in the public school system but also experience a lucrative career in permanent cosmetics and paramedical tattooing where I’m finally allowed to create! Not only that, I have also been able to use my background in education to develop trainings for aspiring and new permanent makeup artists. My business has allowed me a way to marry my need to create with my scholarly aptitude. I shared this part of my long story because work in the arts is too often looked down upon or not thought to be adequate, and that is simply not true. I use my story of how I became “Dr. Val, The PMU Surgeon” to encourage parents to not box their children in and to allow their creative children to explore their artistic talents and not just force them to focus solely on academics.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia and we have so much great food and great entertainment spots, not to mention all the beaches! I am a foodie so I definitely recommend visiting some of our local eateries – Gourmet Burger Bistro in Portsmouth, VA (don’t be fooled by the name, they offer so much more than great burgers and their brunch is amazing), Island Krave Caribbean Bistro in Norfolk VA, Mango Mangeaux in Hampton, VA and The Vintage Tavern here in Suffolk, VA are just a few of my favorites. Not to mention we have some of the best seafood around and if you’re a seafood boil lover, Boil Bay in Virginia Beach is a must! Around here we also enjoy a lot of outdoor activities such as renting jet skis or bikes and hitting the beach, zip lining at The Adventure Park and taking a hike at Mt. Trashmore (Virginia Beach) and if you are VERY adventurous you could go off roading or beach roading. We also have a plethora of live entertainment spots. You could catch a comedy show at The Funny Bone, a concert at The Scope or Virginia Beach Veterans Amphitheater or hit up some local restaurant and lounges with live bands (I love a live band). For someone who doesn’t mind a short road trip for some shopping and relaxation, about 3 hour drive north one could enjoy shopping in Pentagon City or Tysons Corner and top it all off by spending an entire day at the amazing King Spa in Chantilly, VA.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This question is going to get me in big trouble lol! I would like to dedicate by shoutout to my Granny, Mary McCray (sorry mom, dad, and Gary … I love you all too). As the matriarch of my family, she deserves all of the recognition (plus I’m her favorite grandchild)! My Granny is a healthy and spry 84 year old woman who has played a huge role in raising three generations of children (her own children, her grandchildren, and now her great-grandchildren). She has been present for every milestone and accomplishment in my life, and continues to be a significant part of my support system!

Website: drvalpmu.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thepmusurgeon

Facebook: facebook.com/thepmusurgeon

Image Credits
Saphyre Studios (for photo in black/silver dress)