I Spoke To The Celebrity Esthetician Behind Irina Shayk And Ashley Graham Victoria’s Secret Skin Prep, And Her Advice Is Surprisingly Simple

There’s something admittedly fascinating about what’s inside a celebrity’s bathroom cabinet, from the products they swear by to the treatments they book in for.

Ahead of this year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Ashley Graham, and Irina Shayk also visited Shani's Beverly Hills studio for pre-runway skin treatments.

I caught up with Shani to get the lowdown on her favourite skincare ingredients, the treatments she recommends before a big event, and the routine tweaks that can make all the difference when you want your skin to look a little extra radiant.

You’ve worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. What do you think is the key to maintaining healthy skin?

"Honestly, there really isn’t a secret! I think it ultimately comes down to my clients knowing their skin and what works for it. Consistency with facials and home routines is a huge part of it. 

"You can do all of the treatments and use all of the best products, but if you’re not consistent with it, you’re not going to reap the benefits."

Is there a skincare ingredient you think more of us should be paying attention to?

"I am just obsessed with the combination of azelaic acid and retinol. Retinol will always be one of my favourite ingredients because it can make such a huge difference in the skin and is such an incredible multi-tasker. 

"I love that you can use both retinol and azelaic together in a routine. I usually recommend Rescue Serum in the morning and Retinol Reform at night. The glow from using both together is unmatched."

If you have a big event coming up in three days, what would you recommend doing to get your skin looking its best, both in-clinic and at home?

"Three days out, I would focus on exfoliating and deeply hydrating the skin rather than doing anything too aggressive. In a facial, I love a light chemical peel, LED, microcurrent and oxygen to give the skin that really fresh, lifted glow without a lot of downtime."

Are there any treatments you believe to be a waste of time and money?

"I don’t think any singular treatment is universally a waste of money; it’s really just about what is right for your skin, and different treatments yield different results for different skin."

And finally, what goes into achieving that Victoria’s Secret model glow?

"Ahead of any big or red carpet event, I always want my clients' skin to look fresh, lifted, and glowing. I do a light chemical peel, which is actually what my Triple Acid Signature Peel is based on, to gently exfoliate and brighten the skin. It’s the best treatment you can do for an instant glow without any downtime. I also use vibration therapy, LED light, microcurrent to lift and sculpt, and cryotherapy to help with any puffiness and to calm the skin. Oxygen treatments are always great as well to give the skin a really hydrated, plump glow."

"Before a big event, I never want to do anything too aggressive. It’s really about bringing out their glow, sculpting the face, and making sure the skin looks its absolute best without any downtime. They just walk out glowing."