Inside Rhode Skin’s NYC Pop-Up: Pocket Blush Launch Review

This week, Hailey Bieber’s skincare brand, “Rhode Skin,” created a buzz in SoHo with the debut of a pop-up store to launch her first collection of blushes. These cream blushes, known as “Pocket Blushes” for their adorable, pocket-friendly size, come in shades of brown, pink, and orange.

At first, I didn’t plan on buying any since I already have an extensive collection of blushes from different makeup brands at Sephora. However, as a true blush enthusiast, I couldn’t resist the allure of the pop-up store experience.

I decided to visit on the third day it was open, having heard nightmare stories on social media shared by people coming from out of state and standing in line as early as 4 a.m. Some even had to return the following days because the event became so busy. Foolishly, I woke up at 5 a.m., got ready, and took the subway around 6:45, arriving at the store around 7:30. There was already a line of women and girls in trendy TikTok-inspired outfits, wearing cowboy boots, loafers, and bloomer shorts, looking both weather-confused and cute—my kind of people.

I wore my Skims dress and was relaxed after taking a Lemme ashwagandha gummy, showing that I have a habit of consuming celebrity brands. I waited in line for five hours, which honestly passed quickly, thanks to two friends I made while I was there, who brought blankets and card games to pass the time. By the time we got inside, I was a bit over the hype, exhausted from the sun and being sweaty. However, I justified my wait as I remembered people camping out at Starbucks for a pink Stanley cup that was on limited stock just a few months ago. And, as a huge fan of Rhode’s peptide lip treatments, I was determined to try these new blushes.

Pop-Up Store Experience

The store itself was very clean and minimalistic, with hints of color that perfectly matched the Rhode brand. Mirrors were strategically placed throughout, making the space seem larger than it was. Despite the illusion of space, the store was crowded, and people were frequently bumping into each other.

The two rooms in the store featured four displays of her peptide lip treatments, and at the very front were the new blushes. What drew me to the pop-up the most was the opportunity to swatch the products on my skin. As a brown-skinned girl, it was crucial for me to see which colors complemented my complexion and which ones looked dull or wouldn’t show up.

What I Purchased

Before I even arrived at the store, I had already decided to buy three blushes and one limited edition summer peptide treatment. I chose the blushes in “juice box”, “spicy marg”, & “toasted teddy”, and I picked up the “Shortcake” tinted peptide treatment, which is a lovely pinky-purple color.

Over the next few days, I tried out the blushes and have formed my opinion on her first launch of this product. I have thoughts on how it could be improved and whether I would recommend it to others.

Review of Pocket Blushes

Personally, I think Hailey’s vision with her blushes has come to fruition. I really admire her dedication to improving and perfecting her product formulas. The blushes go on smoothly, are very creamy, and are not drying at all. They give a nice, natural-looking glow or shine without appearing greasy. The product packaging and branding are genius, playing on trendiness. Who wouldn’t want a cute little blush they can carry in their pocket or purse all day for reapplication?

That said, the blushes aren’t very pigmented, so you have to layer them if you want a noticeable effect. I love buildable blushes because they allow me to choose between a casual, flushed look or bolder cheeks. However, compared to Rare Beauty and Juvia’s Place, renowned for their pigmented and perfectly crafted liquid and cream formulas, Rhode still has some catching up to do.

These blushes are great for someone who wears little to no makeup and prefers a minimal look with just a bit of mascara and lip gloss. While they can complement someone who likes more coverage, you might need to reapply them throughout the day, which ties into the convenience and idea of a portable blush. Overall, it’s a solid start to Rhode’s expanding makeup collection, and I’m very excited to see what else Hailey has in store.