Shani “The Skin Whisperer” Darden is, hands down, the most sought-after esthetician in Hollywood. With a client list that includes A-listers by the likes of Chrissy Teigen, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jessica Alba, and January Jones, it’s no wonder getting an appointment at her recently opened skincare studio in Beverly Hills is nearly impossible.
To the joy of skincare fanatics, Darden started bottling her cult retinol serum in 2013. And she’s since launched an everyday skincare line, complete with a cleanser, moisturizer, and toning essence, that makes getting glowing skin attainable for those who may not be able to snag a one-on-one appointment with the esthetician to the stars.
Here, Darden generously offers insight into her success, including her strategy for turning every challenge into a valuable learning experience, her decision to launch a skincare line, and her process for developing new products that stand apart from the rest.
CREATE & CULTIVATE: After years of working as Hollywood's hottest esthetician, you decided to launch your own skincare line in 2013. What was the catalyst for this decision? How has your brand changed over the years?
SHANI DARDEN: I launched my Retinol Reform six years ago, and then, last year, expanded the line by launching Texture Reform, which is a gentler retinyl palmitate serum. I realized that some of my clients with sensitive skin couldn’t tolerate retinol so I wanted to develop a serum that would work great for their skin too. After I launched Texture Reform, I released Daily Cleansing Serum, Daily Toning Essence, and Daily Oil-Free Moisturizer. These are meant to be your daily skincare essentials to supplement your treatment products.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you #FindNewRoads + switch gears to find success?
Every bump in the road has been an incredible learning experience. I think those moments are invaluable because they help you better understand what does and doesn’t work.
What do you wish your younger self knew when you were first starting out in the beauty industry?
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and take risks. Be your most authentic self!
When developing your skincare line how did you make sure it would stand apart from other products out there? How do you keep growing your brand?
Every product that I make, I test for so long, as well as test it with my team and my clients.
For many years, I’ve been working with different ages, ethnicities, and skin types. I’ve tried so many different ingredients and formulas and have been able to really determine what works best for all different types of skin and why. I have taken all of that knowledge and put it into my own skincare line.
My focus has been on developing products with the most efficacious ingredients to address the concerns that I’ve heard about from clients and customers over the years. An amazing treatment product can make all of the difference in your skin. A powerful treatment product that uses really effective ingredients paired with the staples like a great cleanser and moisturizer can transform your skin.
What changes do you hope to see in the beauty industry in the future?
My philosophy is: less is more. I think we are overdoing it with skincare. There’s a machine for everything now, and I hope we get back to a place where we aren’t doing as much because it can damage your skin.
What is your best social media advice?
Bring value to everything you put out there.
You are an esthetician to the stars. Has who you work with, changed the way you do things? Do you feel your clients have helped shape your success?
I’ve been fortunate enough to have some truly amazing clients with me from the very beginning. Amazing clients have led to amazing referrals, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and take risks. Be your most authentic self!”
Where do you find the most inspiration? What drives your passion?
Everything I do is for my two daughters. They are my greatest inspiration.
Your new Beverly Hills studio gained a lot of media attention, as you move into this new chapter what's next for your brand?
I have several innovative products in development that we will be launching in the near future. Content creation is always top of mind for me as well. My new studio is the perfect space for me to be creating content to continue to help people all over the world!
How do you define beauty? What makes you feel beautiful?
Feeling confident in my own skin is what makes me feel beautiful.
Photographer: Jenna Peffley
Hair: Styled by OGXpert & Celebrity Hairstylist Jillian Halouska
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 BEAUTY LIST HERE.
