Review: Shani Darden Texture Reform

Allow me to preface this review by saying that the overwhelming majority of reviewers on Cult Beauty, the website I ordered this product from, very much disagree with me. So, know that I am speaking on behalf of a very small minority, which as far as I’m aware currently consists of just me. But for better or worse, it has been rather a long time since I wrote a review of a product that wasn’t an unrelenting gush-fest, and it would be unrealistic of me to act as though I love every single product I try — because, here’s the thing, I’ve tried a lot. And while some have made the cut, many more haven’t been right for me, and have found themselves passed on to friends, etc.

And so it pains me to say that Shani Darden’s Texture Reform is being passed on, as unfortunately it just doesn’t agree with my skin at all. This saddens me as I have long admired Shani Darden’s work, albeit from afar. As you may or may not know, depending on how much of a skincare obsessive you are, Darden is a celebrity facialist based in Los Angeles, with a roster of clients that includes Emily Ratajkowski and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, so suffice it to say that she knows her stuff. She launched her eponymous skincare range a year or two ago, and in June 2019 she opened the doors to her first flagship studio in Beverly Hills. I’m hardly exaggerating when I say that it looks like heaven on earth (think muted tones, marble, and more foliage than you can shake a stick at). I would leap at the chance to go, even if this particular product might not suit me. 

Darden created Texture Reform as a gentler version of Retinol Reform, which is arguably her best-known product. Texture Reform is formulated “with 5% retinyl palmitate, a mild retinoid” as well as “7% lactic acid and soothing ingredients such as aloe vera to gently exfoliate for brighter, more youthful-looking skin”. It sounded like everything I wanted, and it came in at £40 less than my beloved Joanna Vargas Rescue Serum. Also, given that every last review on Cult Beauty happened to be positive, I figured I couldn’t go wrong.

But, sadly, it just wasn’t meant to be. Firstly, I found the texture of the product to be a bit tacky, and I also struggled to spread it evenly across my face. I’ve used a variety of serums and oils over the years, and have never encountered anything with quite such a peculiar texture. Secondly, I had an almost immediate aversion to the scent, despite many of the reviews I read describing it as having had none. But then scent is a subjective thing, and I’m sure some people would love it. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it just didn’t really do anything for my skin. The only difference I noticed was that my face felt drier and tighter, but then I blame the retinoid for this — my skin has never liked them.

All in all, this just wasn’t a worthwhile investment for me. However, given that Shani Darden has more than her fair share of flawless devotees floating around Tinseltown, you probably shouldn’t let my opinion sway you too much. As mentioned previously, Texture Reform has a solid five-star rating on Cult Beauty, and my skin is famously temperamental, so don’t be too discouraged if you were interested in trying it. After all, if it’s good enough for Rosie HW…

This piece was originally published on Part Time Beauty in 2020.