Ep 208 | Shani Darden
How to Find & Master Your Craft, Build Your Brand and Top Tips to Transform Your Skin & Tackle Acne
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Shani Darden is a celebrity esthetician and Founder of Shani Darden Skin Care, a line of high-performing, effective skin care products.
Shani trained as an esthetician under a leading dermatologist and eventually went out on her own years later. She developed a passion for creating products she could not find, sending clients home with custom-made formulas between visits. Shani built her Studio and her reputation as one of the most in-demand estheticians in the world and is the go-to skin pro for celebrities like Kelly Rowland and Jessica Alba.
In this week’s episode, we talk about Shani’s non-linear path. After relocating to LA with dreams of pursuing a modeling career, she quickly discovered that the glitzy world of fashion and modeling didn't align with her true aspirations. It was through a series of many twists and turns that she found her calling to become an aesthetician.
During our conversation, Shani offers a glimpse into the intricacies of her products and shares insights from her time as a receptionist - a job she was in for years while going to school and learning invaluable lessons along the way. She opens up about the humble beginnings when launching her widely successful Retinol Reform serum from her living groom and how she eventually paved her way into the shelves of Sephora. We talk about all things entrepreneurship, how she built her brand, and of course - we end on all her biggest skincare tips and tricks, especially when it comes to acne.
Show Notes:
Staying true to her beliefs and not allowing people to lead her astray. [02:44]
Shani’s upbringing and how it impacted the woman she is today. [04:00]
How modeling brought Shani to move to Los Angeles. [06:08
Shani's career journey in modeling, including featuring in music videos. [06:43]
Shani's growing interest in skincare and her path to entering the industry. [7:51]
Working as a receptionist in a well-known spa and the significant lessons Shani learned from the experience. [09:22]
Getting fired, getting out of school, and working with a dermatologist.[10:46]
Having her first child and the impact of getting fired. [12:16]
Meeting her celebrity client, Jessica Alba, and the story of their friendship. [14:08]
Shani’s relationships and its impact on her career. [16:06]
The process of launching her first skincare product and Shani’s love for retinol. [17:19]
Shani's motivation and passion for creating an exceptional retinol product. [18:50]
How Shani has encountered challenges during her career journey in building a brand. [19:26]
Her husband's role in business and how it complemented the brand's growth. [22:17]
The relationship with Sephora and its evolution over the years. [23:05]
How Shani has planned the next steps for her brand. [25:20]
Highlights of having her own studio and space. [26:33]
The positive impact of the COVID Pandemic to her business. [27:48]
How Shani structures her days, including creating content and managing her social media presence. [28:32]
Shani's social media presence and her use of the platform to guide people. [29:12]
Shani’s tips for people with acne-prone skin. [30:19]
How can people determine if they're using the wrong product for their skin? [31:38]
What is a non-comedogenic product? [32:29]
The different kinds of skin types. [33:03]
Shani's product recommendations for scarring and the significance of treating acne. [34:05]
Shani's skin type and her use of oil-free products to maintain her skin. [34:55]
How Shani tests new products and addresses skin problems. [36:16]
Starting a mentorship program and how it brings women together. [37:50]
Working with celebrities, being the brand's face, and navigating impostor syndrome. [40:14]
The evolution of Shani's online presence throughout her career. [41:52]
Shani’s greatest achievements in her life. [43:25]
It’s normal to be lost in life and how eventually everything will come into place. [43:46]
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Follow Yasmin:
Yasmin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
Follow Shani:
Website: https://www.shanidarden.com/
Shani's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanidarden/
