When stars like Jessica Alba, Shay Mitchell or Beyoncé step out on a red carpet with glowing skin, chances are they’ve paid a visit to Shani Darden’s Beverly Hills facial studio before their glamour sessions. But the celebrity esthetician’s loyal fan base extends beyond Hollywood. Inspired by the techniques Darden uses in her serene treatment rooms, her eponymous skincare line has gained a loyal following because all of the products are gentle yet effective. Each formula combines the exact amount of active ingredients with plumping and soothing to avoid application mistakes and, most importantly, redness and irritation. Just ask any beauty editor which retinol they would recommend for sensitive skin and they’ll rave passionately about Darden’s Retinol Reform Serum.
Yes, balance is Darden’s go-to approach to skincare, and she’s taking that attitude with her into her 50s. She even celebrated her milestone birthday on July 31. After a surprise party with her closest friends and family, Darden headed to Mexico to relax. After the celebrations, the esthetician and beauty brand founder reflected on the start of a new decade. Below, Darden shares how she takes care of her skin in her 50s and what she’s most looking forward to in the years to come.
How to stick to a consistent skin care routine
When it comes to skincare, consistency is key, so if one product line works for you, why tinker with it? “My skincare routine has really always been the same. I’ve always used my retinol, I use an LED light (mask), I use vibration therapy (their line has a sculpting wand), and I do in-office microcurrent (a treatment that can tighten and firm skin),” Darden says of the core products, devices, and treatments that make up her routine.
Thread lifting vs. facial fillers
Injections of neuromodulators or fillers to minimize fine lines and wrinkles or restore facial volume are about as common as dyeing your hair in 2024, but they’re not the only options. Instead, Darden says she’s a fan of thread lifts. “I would say the only thing that’s changed, and I started doing this before I turned 50, is that I’ve been getting threads put in in targeted areas of my face,” she says. “I get little mini threads put in that are about an inch long and I get them injected around my mouth, and I do them in my nasolabial folds instead of using fillers.” The aesthetician says she prefers threads to fillers because the latter don’t fully dissolve before you refill them. By continually building up existing volume, you may end up with a look that deviates from your desired results.
About hand fountain pens and proper care
However, there are always exceptions to every rule—especially when they’re self-imposed. Darden gets fillers in her hands about once a year. An often-overlooked area that shows visible signs of aging earlier than other parts of the body because the skin is thinner. Fillers in the hands can restore volume and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. “I don’t know why people don’t talk about hands more; to me, it’s crazy,” she says. “I think I’m overly aware of it because when I do facials, I also do a hand treatment. Your hands can look gaunt and get very veiny as you age.”
Aside from the injections, applying topical products like retinol and sunscreen to your hands can also help. Luckily for Darden, she multitasks while doing facials. “The reality is, my hands are always in everything, so I put my retinol on, but I also put products on other people’s skin all day, so I take care of my hands,” she says. “I reapply sunscreen to someone’s face every day with every facial, so I’m always protected. But SPF can be tricky (for the average person). You’re going to wash your hands throughout the day, so any sunscreen you’ve put on is going to come off.”
How their thoughts on aging have changed
To be clear, Darden doesn’t really think about aging, about getting closer to death. “I think more about health,” she says. “I’m not so concerned with skin care because I’ve been doing it for so long. I’m really good at my skin care routine and retinol definitely makes a big difference when you use it.”
What she is looking forward to this decade
“I just love making products. I really enjoy experimenting with new ingredients,” Darden says of the future of her line. “That’s my biggest focus because I really enjoy the process of coming up with new innovative ideas. The industry is so saturated now that I really want to focus on that. It’s not easy, but it’s definitely really fun.”
