It’s been quite a blush summer with makeup trends like sunset blush and glazed blush, but the latest blush taking over our social media feeds is thanks to Hailey Bieber’s beauty line, Rhode. As a self-proclaimed blush girlie, you can imagine my excitement when Bieber released her hotly anticipated Rhode Pocket Blush, a collection of “pocket-sized” cream blush sticks in six shades: Piggy, a soft baby pink, Freckle, a neutral peach, Juice Box, a vivid hot pink, Spicy Marg, a bright coral, Sleepy Girl, a soft mauve, and Toasted Teddy, a warm terracotta.
Since Bieber is one of the trend-setters behind glazed donut skin (a.k.a. dewy skin), it makes sense that Rhode makeup products feature skin-boosting ingredients like peptides (active amino acids that plump skin and can be found in other Rhode products like the popular Peptide Lip Treatment) and tamanu oil (for hydration).
If you’ve been influenced by these tiny blushes, but want to know if they’re worth the hype, fear not! The Glamour team put it to the test on different skin types and tones. After a month of testing, here’s what our editors love—and don’t love—about the new Rhode Pocket Blush.
Jenifer Calle, Glamour senior commerce editor
Original image by Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle
Original video by Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle
Shade tested: Toasted Teddy and Sleepy Girl
Review: As someone who most likely has blush blindness, my first impression when trying the Pocket Blush was that I needed way more pigment. An initial application didn’t give me the color payoff that I normally get from my beloved go-to, the LYS blush stick. But after testing for the past month, I’ve actually been enjoying the Pocket Blush’s buildable base. And on days when I don’t wear a ton of makeup (most days in the summer, TBH) it’s nice to simply swipe, blend, and go. The Toasted Teddy shade is basically the tan flush we all aim for in the summer and it’s quickly become my favorite. I like that it doesn’t hide my freckles and that it fits nicely in my makeup bag. In terms of packaging, I appreciate the smaller stick size inside for more precise application, but would love to see a hinge on the cap so it’s easier to open.
Original image by Glamour beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco
Original video by Glamour senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco
Shade tested: Spicy Marg and Piggy
Review: The Rhode blush hype is real. The buildable finish is ideal for warm temperatures, and I feel as if my skin can breathe even on the hottest summer day, thanks to lightweight ingredients like peptides and tamanu oil. For this story, I’m wearing the brightest shade offerings: Spicy Marg, a punchy coral, and Piggy, a soft baby pink. The vivid pigment can look intimidating at first, but the product actually goes on pretty sheer and the coverage can be built to your preference. Since I love a heavy blush, I use a fluffy brush for application, but you can use your fingers just as well. Best of all, I can pile it on without enhancing any of my acne scars or skin texture. In fact, it helps my complexion so much that I’ve been skipping foundation altogether, opting for just brows and blush on the apples of my cheeks and blending out to my temples. It’s a must-have this season.
Monique Wilson, Glamour editorial assistant
Original image by Glamour editorial assistant Monique Wilson
Shade tested: Spicy Marg
