Hailey Bieber’s New Rhode Pocket Blush Is Actually an Amazing Tinted Lip Balm
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When Hailey Bieber teases a new Rhode launch, the crowd goes wild. After two years in development, cameos in Bieber’s ‘Get Ready With Me’ TikTok posts, and hundreds of comments begging for more info about how she gets her signature glowy cheek look, the Rhode Pocket Blush is officially available to shop.
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The new Rhode blush is technically the second color cosmetic from the brand, but it’s the first time Bieber has ventured into the cheek category (one that she’s poised to have much success in, after coining blush-heavy trends like “strawberry makeup“). True to Rhode’s approach to face serums and moisturizers, the Pocket Blushes are created with ingredients that work with the skin barrier for a healthier, more resilient complexion in the long run. Peptides work to firm skin, while antioxidant-rich tamanu oil provides hydration and a silky texture.
Rhode’s Pocket Blushes come in six shades that vary from earthy mauves to bright, punchy corals and true pinks. As Bieber has modeled in GRWM posts, these little cream blush sticks double as tinted lip balms, and great ones at that. While testing the Rhode blushes, I was actually more impressed with their ability to create the perfect everyday lip color than their cheek-enhancing power. Read on for my full testing review.
How We Tested the Rhode Pocket Blush
Rhode blush release date: June 20, 2024
Testing time period: Two weeks
Number of testers: One
Shade range: Six
Key ingredients: Peptides, tamanu oil, and glycerin
Pros:
Ultra-comfortable on the lips and cheeks
Blends to a beautiful diffused effect with minimal effort
Shade range is flattering for fair to deep skin tones
Formula doesn’t dry out like other lip and cheek tints tend to do
Cons:
May feel slick on oily skin types
Packaging can be hard to open
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Rhode Pocket Blush in Piggy
$24
Price upon publish date of this article: $24
Rhode Pocket Blush Review — Editor Testing Notes
With “Sunset Blush” and “Boyfriend Blush” trends taking over my social feeds and too many blush launches to count on two hands this season, it’s the summer of blush. Rhode’s Pocket Blush landed on my desk during a week where I just so happened to be testing five new and trending blush launches — fitting! — so I put Rhode’s to the test against stalwarts in the category from brands like Nars and Patrick Ta.
Compared to other cream blushes, Rhode’s blush is decidedly smaller (about the size of an AirPod case), with a uniquely petite applicator that’s about the diameter of a nickel. The concept of a “pocket blush” left me with questions, namely wondering in what instance I’d be itching to reapply blush on the go. Setting powder or lip gloss, sure, but blush? After testing, I’ve come to realize that the packaging, silky formula, and color payoff make this new blush something I wasn’t expecting it to be — an A-plus tinted lip balm.
I tested out two Rhode blush shades: Piggy, which is a soft bare pink, and Freckle, a flattering peach tone. Because the formula contains nourishing ingredients and a satin finish, it feels like velvet on the lips, providing a wearable, demi-matte result that doesn’t read overly matte or shiny. Most lip and cheek tints I’ve tested err on the dry side when you apply them on the lips, necessitating a coat of a lip balm or lip oil for a comfortable feel. Rhode’s Pocket Blush is perfection on its own with its long-wearing color payoff and moisture to match.
Those with oily skin will likely find the Rhode Pocket Blush a touch too emollient to wear on the cheeks — however dry to normal types will love the naturally dewy finish it delivers. For best results, I found that the most seamless way to apply the blush is by tapping your ring finger directly on the pigment then transferring it to your cheeks. This way, you don’t have to worry about your foundation or skin tint mucking up the shade of the blush with direct contact to your base makeup’s pigment. A densely-bristled blush brush has the same effect for those who prefer makeup brushes over fingertips.
Rhode’s Pocket Blush is available to shop now at Rhodeskin.com for $24. With a pre-launch waitlist and over 68 million posts on TikTok and counting, it’s safe to say that they’ll go quickly — so you’ll want to grab your new go-to shade, stat.
Shop Rhode’s New Blushes
Rhode Pocket Blush in Piggy
$24
Price upon publish date of this article: $24
Rhode Pocket Blush in Freckle
$24
Price upon publish date of this article: $24
Rhode Pocket Blush in Toasted Teddy
$24
Price upon publish date of this article: $24
Rhode Pocket Blush in Spicy Marg
$24
Price upon publish date of this article: $24
Rhode Pocket Blush in Sleepy Girl
$24
Price upon publish date of this article: $24
Rhode Pocket Blush in Juice Box
$24
Price upon publish date of this article: $24
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Meet the Author and Tester
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion and lifestyle stories. She has over six years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She’s tested hundreds of products during her time as an editor — including the entirety of Rhode’s line — so she’s well-versed in selecting the products that make a meaningful difference in your skin and hair.
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