The Interview —

Shani Darden, Expert Esthetician and Creator of Shani Darden Skin Care

I’ve been obsessed with skincare for as long as I can remember. I used to make face masks when I was little and begged my mom to take me to the dermatologist at a young age. When I finally became an esthetician, I was fortunate enough to work for a dermatologist, Dr. Erma Benitez, and it was such a great learning experience for me.

One of my biggest accomplishments was launching my two products, Texture Reform and Retinol Reform. I had wanted to do that for years, and I’m so proud that I was able to make that happen and that they have been so well received!

I love making people feel confident and good about themselves! There is nothing that makes me happier. If someone is struggling with their skin, I love being able to help them with that.

a. Always wear SPF and stay out of the sun! This is the absolute most important thing you can do for your skin.

b. Make sure to exfoliate but don’t over exfoliate! It depends on your skin type and the other products you’re using, but typically 1-2 times a week is the right amount.

c. Find the right products for YOUR skin. What works for one person, may not work for the next and it’s so important to find what works best for your skin to keep it balanced, healthy, and glowing.

AM: In the mornings, I cleanse and use my Deesse Mask for 20 minutes. After that, I will apply a Vitamin C serum, eye cream, and sunscreen. I wear sunscreen every single day, no matter what! I generally don’t wear makeup. I’m all about less is more!

PM: At night, I cleanse again with my favorite gentle cleanser. Next I apply Texture Reform, which is my gentle retinol serum. I will follow that up with a Hyaluronic Acid serum like Dr. Nigma’s Serum No 1. After hyaluronic acid, I will apply my eye cream. My favorite is the iS Clinical Youth Eye Complex, it has peptides and hyaluronic acid to plump up and brighten. If I’m feeling a little extra dry, I may follow up with iS Clinical’s Reparative Moisture Emulsion.

My Signature Facial includes Professional Exfoliation, Deep Pore Cleansing, and a Custom Mask based on your skin's needs. I also incorporate treatments such as Microcurrent, LED Light, Microdermabrasion, and Vibration Therapy.

I love chemical peels! They’re one of my favorite treatments to do. They keep your skin looking young by exfoliating the top layer of skin so you always have a nice glow. It’s really important to remove that layer of dead skin cells on the surface so that products can penetrate deeply into the skin.

I use my Deesse Pro mask every morning for 20 minutes. LED light is incredible for boosting collagen in the skin, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, and making your skin just glow.

I’m really obsessed with super high waisted denim jeans and white t-shirts from Anine Bing. I’m always on the hunt for amazing jeans and my next favorite blazer. I just recently got an orangey red blazer from L’Agence that I love.

I will be releasing a full product line in the fall, which I am so excited about. I’ve been working on this for a really long time.