Skincare Secrets With Hollywood Esthetician - Shani Darden

Shani Darden's result-oriented approach to skincare combined with her passion for simple, effective solutions has cemented her place as an esthetician extraordinaire in a town where beauty, health, and wellness standards are extremely high. Shani has combined her trusted expertise and years of experience to produce a skincare line worthy of the stars. 

TRU & Beyond’s founder Miriam Abadi dives deep into a discussion about effective skincare solutions, evolving beauty industry standards, and Shani’s eponymous skincare line with the industry maven.

Were you always into skincare and beauty? How did you start your career as an esthetician?

Shani Darden: I grew up in a small town in NY State. I started making face masks when I was little, probably nine or ten years old. As a teenager, I became obsessed with skincare because I was struggling with skin rashes and acne. The closest dermatologist was an hour away and I begged my mom to take me there.

I moved to LA in my early 20s to become a model and instead ended up in music videos. I eventually realized my true calling was skincare and went back to school to become an esthetician.

Early in my career, I was fortunate enough to work for a dermatologist, Dr. Erma Benitez, and saw a lot of young people with acne and many other skin concerns. It motivated me to want to help people with their skin. This is when I developed a love for retinol because I saw how it can make a big difference in boosting skin elasticity, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, and decreasing the appearance of acne scars.

Tell us about your professional approach to skincare and how you think it sets you apart in the industry?

I’m all about a no-nonsense, honest approach combined with effective, easy-to-use products. It’s not about using the most products, it’s about using the RIGHT products for your skin type. I’ve experimented with so many different ingredients and formulas over the years, and every day I’m getting feedback from my clients, so I know what works. I’ve used that knowledge to develop unique formulas that feature the most effective blends of ingredients and keep your skin fresh and glowing without needing a complicated regimen. I’m known for my serums. If you have a powerful treatment product paired with the right staples like a cleanser and moisturizer, it can truly transform your skin.

Do you think beauty standards have changed throughout the years?

Shani Darden: I think that beauty standards are constantly changing. There is now more focus on skincare and making your skin look its best, relying less on makeup to cover up any imperfection. I think that more and more people are becoming more confident in their natural skin, which is a beautiful thing!

You have also recently launched your own beauty gadget. Tell us more about it.

I recently launched my vibration therapy device, the Facial Sculpting Wand. I’ve been using vibration therapy in my facials for over 16 years and it’s something I really wanted to develop for people to use at home. I got to see how effective it is at treating fine lines and wrinkles. The Facial Sculpting Wand transmits acoustic sound waves up to 6cm (2.4in) below the skin’s surface. It provides deep muscle stimulation to target crow’s feet, eyebrow furrows, and nasolabial lines under the surface at the source, rather than on a superficial level, thus helping to achieve long-term as well as immediate benefits. The vibrations also boost circulation to increase the skin’s oxygen uptake, resulting in more glowing, youthful skin. Overall, it helps skin appear firmer, more contoured, and radiant with regular use. As a bonus, it’s super easy to use as well!

Pictures: PR