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Shani Darden on Retinol, Treating Acne, and Why She Doesn’t Trust Lasers

Naked Beauty

Dec 08, 2025

56 min

Description

Shani Darden just might be your favorite celebrity’s esthetician. From her Beverly Hills Studio, she cares for a roster of A-List celebrities and creates products for many more through Sephora. Before she began working with stars like Jessica Alba and Kelly Rowland, Shani was a mixed-race teenager in upstate New York who didn’t fit neatly into any community. Her family ensured that she had connections to Black hairstylists and introduced her to Mary Kay Beauty and DIY face masks. So, while she grew up feeling beautiful, she didn’t always fit in. During our chat, she explained that she always had plans to move to a big city and build her dream life, even when she didn’t know exactly what her path would be.

Shani’s life is a testament to taking opportunities to move and grow, especially when you feel uncomfortable. When a modeling opportunity in LA arose, she jumped at the chance and moved across the country. When she became disillusioned with the industry, she pivoted and sought out a new dream. Upon discovering esthetician school, Shani’s childhood interest in beauty and her professional experience in spas aligned. With Jessica Alba’s encouragement, she leapt into her own home-based studio and welcomed in a swell of new clients. Shani gives us an insider’s look at her skincare philosophy and what she recommends for any beauty enthusiast over 25. She also gets real about the limits of skincare and non-surgical treatment, offering us refreshingly realistic expectations for our beauty treatments.

Tune in as we discuss:

(2:30) Growing Up With Mary Kay Beauty

(6:25) Growing Up Feeling Out of Place

(8:20) Her First Sew-In and Emulating Lisa Bonet

(13:30) Jessica Alba’s Encouragement To Open Her Own Space

(17:45) Shani’s Skincare Philosophy

(22:50) Her Take On Lymphatic Drainage Massages

(26:45) Filler, Botox, and The Limits of Skincare

(28:45) PRFM Takes Multiple Rounds

(30:10) Why Lasers Give Her Anxiety

(32:53) Why She Formulated Over-The-Counter Retinol

(41:57) Her Daily Skincare Routine