Two Beauty Writers Tried Hailey Bieber’s New Rhode Blushes

Rhode’s blushes are finally here—and after months of not-so-subtle teasers from founder Hailey Bieber herself, the Pocket Blushes have received quite the warm welcome. True to its name, the brand’s second venture into color cosmetics is a perfectly pocket-sized, swipe-on cream blush with a long-wearing, hydrating formula that leaves behind a glowy—not greasy—finish. And like the rest of the brand’s lineup, they’re chock full of skin-loving peptides.

Pocket Blush comes in six shades that can be applied for a sheer wash or built up for a full-on flush. There’s Piggy, a baby pink; Freckle, a neutral peach; Spicy Marg, a bright coral; Sleepy Girl, a soft mauve; Juice Box, a hot pink; and Toasted Teddy, a bronzed terracotta. Each shade features a satin-like finish that’s slightly glowy without being too wet or sparkly.

Ahead, we had two beauty writers break down their honest thoughts on the Pocket Blush,.

Wendy Rose Gould

I don’t always fawn over celebrity beauty brands—and there have been quite a few that missed the mark over the years and quietly faded into the background—but Hailey Bieber’s Rhode line is one that’s continued to serve. 

As a beauty writer who’s seen a lot over the years, I’d argue that one of the key reasons why it’s been so successful is because the collection is intentionally curated and small. In other words, she’s not throwing everything into the kitchen sink and seeing what sticks, but instead showcasing a few choice products that are all carefully formulated. 

The brand’s newest launch, The Pocket Blushes, is a collection of six creamy blushes in a mechanical twist-up pop package. They represent the brand’s first true foray into color cosmetics; I already used and loved the skincare products so I was super curious to see if Hailey could make the jump from skincare to makeup. Spoiler: I’m obsessed. 

Let’s cover the basics before diving into the juicy details. The Pocket Blushes cost $24 each (definitely on the spendy side, but not outrageous) and come in a spectrum of hues that flatter a range of skin tones. I’m very fair skinned with cool undertones, and my two favorites from the collection were Juice Box for a peppy, splashy burst of pink color, and Sleepy Girl for a neutral everyday look. Spicy Marg and Freckle were also really beautiful on my skin. 

As for the formula… you guys. It’s insanely good. I’ll preface by saying I’m extremely picky about my blush formulas, and tend to only use creams or liquids since I feel like they blend so much easier and have a more natural flushed result. The problem with cream and liquid blushes, though, is that they often aren’t as intense in color, and they can sometimes melt away halfway through the day. 

The pigment in The Pocket Blushes is wildly rich—you just need the faintest contact with your skin to get a vibrant color payoff. You don’t need to rub it against your skin or apply a ton because truly, a little goes a long way. Second, the formula is slightly wet on contact, and once you start blending (I do this with my fingers) it soaks into your skin for the most beautiful natural flush. TBH it gives dewy, effortless, painted renaissance princess vibes. 

My primary criticism of Rhode’s Pocket Blush is that the packaging feels bulky and wasteful to me. There's a lot of plastic surrounding the tube of blush itself, and for a name like “pocket blush” it feels like a missed opportunity to make this more of an actual “fits in your pocket” sort of size. Maybe we can all hope for an update to the packaging in the blush’s next iteration. 

Other than that, it’s a win in every other dimension—cost, color range, color payoff, and ease of application. I will definitely re-stock as needed, and recommend you check it out.

Danielle Cohen

Intended to fit in your tiniest summer purses for on-the-go use, the blushes are small—but in a way that feels more intentional than other pint-sized options on the market. The smaller applicator allows for precision detailing that makes it easy to simply swipe the product directly onto the cheeks (rather than using your fingers or a brush). And crucially, the cap fits snuggly onto the component—it makes a satisfying little thwack when you pop it off and audibly clicks when secured back on, subtly signaling to users that it’s safe to throw in your bag without fear of coming apart. And I can confirm that it’s sturdy—Freckle sat soundly in my overstuffed purse throughout an 8-hour day running around town. 

My only gripe from a packaging standpoint is the teeny tiny sticker on the bottom of each blush with the product shade information. As someone with a larger makeup collection—and someone who frequently throws several shades of the same product in one bag—I would’ve preferred the packaging to reflect the shade more clearly, perhaps replacing the nude-hued logo on the side.

Formula-wise, you really couldn’t ask for more in a cream blush formula. It feels neither sticky nor wet, but rather the perfect in-between creamy consistency. The finish is slightly dewy, but it really leans toward a more satin dry-down that feels more lived-in and natural. 

The colors are gloriously pigmented, and the creamy formula allows you to diffuse them out to your liking, making for a truly customizable flush. The shades look particularly flattering on my light neutral skin—seriously, like they were each hand-picked for me—though I can’t speak to their payoff on darker skin tones. I’ve found myself reaching for Freckle, Sleepy Girl, and Toasted Teddy the most; the varying degrees of terracotta make for my perfect everyday blush.

What’s most impressive to me is the longevity. Those delicious creamy formulas we all know and love are notorious for slipping off the face, but I haven’t found that to be true here. Once they’re set, Rhode’s blushes stay put. As I type these words, I’m only just noticing my blush start to fade after 6 hours of wear (during which I spent half the time running errands in the 85-degree heat). Even as the color fades, it does so gracefully—none of those dreaded streaks or patchiness.

Given Rhode’s stellar line up thus far, it’s not exactly surprising that these blushes are a hit. But it is some seriously good news, and it makes me really excited to see what lies ahead for the brand. Above all, I love how purposeful every detail feels—something that Bieber has emphasized time and time again when talking about the brand. If you ask me, these are bound to sell out fast, so I’d hop on that wait list stat. May the odds be ever in your favor.