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

An episode of the Naked Beauty podcast, hosted by Brooke DeVard, titled "Shani Darden on Retinol, Treating Acne, and Why She Doesn’t Trust Lasers" was published on December 8, 2025 and runs 56 minutes.

December 8, 2025 ·56m · Naked Beauty

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Summary

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(44:18) Skincare Rules She Despises(55:05) Advice On Launching A Brand Right Now Rate, Subscribe & Review the Podcast on Apple Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet Check out nakedbeautypodcast.com for all previous episodes & search episodes by topicShop My Favorite Products & Pod Discounts on my ShopMyShelfStay in touch with me: @brookedevardFollow Shani @shanidardenProducts Mentioned:NARS Tinted SPFKelly Baker Brow Defining PencilTower 28 MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing MascaraChanel Rouge Coco Gloss Moisturizing GlossimerCarnal Flower by Frederic Malle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 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

(44:18) Skincare Rules She Despises

(55:05) Advice On Launching A Brand Right Now 


Rate, Subscribe & Review the Podcast on Apple 


Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet 


Check out nakedbeautypodcast.com for all previous episodes & search episodes by topic


Shop My Favorite Products & Pod Discounts on my ShopMyShelf


Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard


Follow Shani @shanidarden


Products Mentioned:

NARS Tinted SPF

Kelly Baker Brow Defining Pencil

Tower 28 MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara

Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss Moisturizing Glossimer

Carnal Flower by Frederic Malle

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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