Rhode Skincare Review: Hailey Bieber’s $1B Beauty Brand at Sephora - What’s Worth It
Is Rhode worth the hype? A Sephora insider’s honest review of Hailey Bieber’s billion-dollar beauty brand, Glazing Milk, Pocket Blush, and more.
A Sephora insider’s honest review of Rhode’s Glazing Milk, Pocket Blush, and more.
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Rhode skincare display at Sephora with Glazing Milk, Barrier Restore Cream, and Pocket Blush on shelf.
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Rhode, Sephora, and a Break Room Debate: Who Even Is Hailey Bieber to Make Skincare?
As I was walking into the break room at Sephora, I overheard an educated and experienced woman—someone with a wealth of knowledge across many brands—say,
“Why the heck would I buy Hailey Bieber Beauty?! She’s not a makeup artist or a derm!”
“Why the heck would I buy Hailey Bieber Beauty?! She’s not a makeup artist or a derm!”
What!? That comment made me pause. A few feet away, I noticed another person applying Rhode’s Glazing Milk on the back of her hand, her face lighting up with that unmistakable “this feels good” look, enticing me to try it.
It reminded me of a familiar thread I’ve seen over and over: “Beauty influencers aren’t skincare or makeup professionals. Why should I listen to them?”
But here’s the truth: influencers we trust bring a different kind of credential. They’re the end users, brave enough to buy, test, and show us exactly how a product performs in real life. They’re word-of-mouth made modern, and their voices are powerful precisely because they speak as consumers, not just experts.
Rhode is now officially available inside Sephora, making it more accessible than ever. As with most product launches, Sephora rolled out a gorgeous display, educational materials, and a PR-style package for staff. The box was beautifully designed, filled with the famous Pocket Blushes, Glazing Milk, and skincare staples, plus an editorial booklet that reminded me of the “PR package glory days.”
Why I Ignored Rhode at First
Confession: I was late to the Rhode party. Here’s why it ended up in my “maybe one day” pile:
I assumed the brand wasn’t made with my demographic in mind.
No one in my audience was asking me about Rhode reviews.
The famous lip balm phone case was always sold out (when I tried to get one for my daughter!).
I don’t (usually) reach out for PR packages, and honestly, that’s on me.
What I Knew About Hailey Bieber (Before Rhode)
Before I finally paid attention, this is what I knew about Hailey Bieber:
She’s a Baldwin brotherdaughter.
She’s a model.
She and Selena Gomez are friends or related in some way.
That was about it. I didn’t have strong feelings either way.
Rhode front table at Sephora. What you see when you walk into a Sephora.
How Rhode Earned My Respect
What changed was learning about the strategy and talent behind the brand. Hailey once said that if she were removed from Rhode, the brand would stand on its own. That confidence made sense once I saw the partnerships:
Co-founder: Lauren Ratner
Cosmetic chemist: Ron Robinson
And the numbers don’t lie:
Rhode made eight figures in its first days.
Went viral with collaborations like Erewhon’s Skin Glaze Smoothie.
Had sold-out accessories and product launches.
Sold to E.L.F. Beauty for $1 billion in just three years.
That’s definitely not just celebrity clout; it’s a clever business-woman, smart product development, and marketing.
Even a Sephora store director, someone I trust to read people well, was impressed by Hailey’s presentation at the Sephora Store Manager Conference in Las Vegas. That kind of validation made me curious enough to try the products myself.
Trying Rhode Pocket Blush in Sephora.
Testing Rhode for the First Time: Hits and Standouts
Here’s what I tried, and what I’d recommend:
Glazing Milk: A skincare and makeup prep hero. Hydrating, soothing, and leaves that glazed-skin finish.
Glazing Mist: Lightweight and refreshing, great over skincare or makeup.
Pineapple Refresh Cleanser: A gentle foaming face wash that leaves skin clean without feeling tight.
Barrier Restore Cream: A nourishing cream for nighttime or very dry skin.
Peptide Lip Treatment: Comfortable hydration, no stickiness. Love the scent options and minimalist packaging.
Peptide Lip Shapers: Creamy liners in a wide range of brown tones. They’re easy to apply but not long-wear.
Peptide Lip Tint: Long-lasting tint with hydration. I wore PBJ + Stretch for hours with no reapplication needed.
Pocket Blush: Creamy, blendable, and dewy. A handbag must-have (but not for tight jean pockets!).
So… Who the Heck Is Hailey Bieber to Create Skincare or Makeup?
Turns out, she’s a young founder who partnered with brilliant industry pros, built a billion-dollar company in three years, and made genuinely good products.
Rhode exemplifies what using celebrity beauty is supposed to look like. Beauty that actually ‘WOW’ us! It’s a brand with staying power. I personally love that Rhode is available at Sephora. It makes it easy to test, swatch, and find what works for you.
If you’re like me and put it off, the Glazing Milk, Barrier Restore Cream, and Peptide Lip Tints are worth your attention.
Hourglass, Makeup by Mario and Kosas Review: Luxe vs High-End vs Prestige
Skip the hype: 3 beauty launches reviewed. What’s worth the splurge and what to skip. Plus, grab an exclusive Sephora 20% code (only 200 spots).
Luxury, artistry, and everyday staples put to the test.
Vividly Kafi wearing Hourglass eyeshadow, Makeup by Mario Master Mattes, and Kosas mascara.
Skip the hype: here’s what’s actually worth your money and which splurges to skip. Plus, subscribers get early access to my one-time Sephora Friends & Family 20% code, details inside.
Luxury beauty is an experience. Blending artistry, innovation, and indulgence.
Not all expensive makeup is created equal. Some products are designed for pure indulgence, others deliver seamless, pro-level results, and a few prestige staples earn their place as effortless everyday heroes.
Save This: Luxe Cheat Sheet
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Here’s what’s truly worth the splurge
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been wearing three of the season’s most talked-about launches. Hourglass’s newest palette, Makeup by Mario’s Master Mattes in Espresso, and the latest Kosas mascara, from morning errands to late-night plans. The verdict? More than a few compliments and a polished, pulled-together look that lasted all day. Here’s what’s truly worth the splurge.
Here’s the honest truth about which of these products justify the splurge, and how to shop smarter in a beauty market where luxury doesn’t always mean better
Hourglass — The Luxury Experience
Hourglass Realist Palette Reviewed. Elegant, Talc-Free Finishes
Hourglass has always represented quiet luxury, and the Curator Eyeshadow Palette embodies that perfectly. The mirrored compact feels like a collectible, yet it’s unexpectedly lightweight, making it ideal for travel or your everyday makeup bag.
What sets Hourglass apart is formula mastery: the shadows are buttery-soft, silky, and blend effortlessly—even the mattes, which is rare at this level of smoothness.
Hourglass Realist Palette Swatches
Why This Palette is an Investment Piece
The palette comes in five curated color stories inspired by art movements. Here I’m wearing Realist, a versatile quad with soft, neutral shades that make creating a polished look effortless.
Dipping into the Hourglass Curator Realist Palette. These buttery mattes blend like a dream and give that polished look.
This palette makes sense as part of Hourglass’s eco-conscious initiative: the compact is refillable, reusable, and crafted from recycled materials, with 40 interchangeable shades available for a customizable experience. It’s makeup artistry and sustainability combined.
Texture: Finely milled, buttery mattes, luminous shimmers.
Performance: Crease-resistant, long-wear, effortless blending.
Price Point: A true luxury splurge, built for beauty lovers, collectors, and professionals.
Verdict
Verdict: This palette is made for the no-fuss beauty lover. The person who values quality over quantity, appreciates a refillable, sustainable design, and wants buttery, high-performing formulas without compromise. It’s an investment piece for someone who prefers a curated collection of products that always deliver.
Makeup by Mario — High-End, Pro-Level Performance
Watch our full review and demo of Makeup by Mario’s Master Mattes cream eyeshadow. Swatches, application, and real-life wear tested by me and fellow pro makeup artists.
Makeup by Mario is high-performance artistry distilled into one swipe. The Master Mattes Long-Wear Liquid Eyeshadow in Espresso is a deep, neutral brown that’s perfectly pigmented and beginner-friendly.
It glides on like silk, blends easily with a fingertip, and dries to a flawless matte that doesn’t budge. Mario Dedivanovic’s background as Kim Kardashian’s longtime makeup artist shows through—this is a professional-grade formula made accessible.
Texture: Smooth liquid-to-matte finish.
Performance: Crease-proof, long-lasting, pro-level payoff.
Price Point: Premium but approachable. Ideal for building a high-end kit without couture prices.
Verdict
This is editorial artistry made easy. A high-end essential that delivers red-carpet quality with zero fuss.
Kosas New Mascara, Prestige Everyday Staple
Kosas Soul Gazer Mascara—designed for soft, fluttery lashes with a clean, buildable formula.
Kosas has mastered clean prestige beauty, and the new Soul Gazer Mascara is their answer to effortless, natural-looking lashes. The formula is weightless, smudge-proof, and infused with lash-boosting peptides that support longer, fuller lashes in 6–8 weeks.
This isn’t a dramatic falsie-style mascara—it’s the one you reach for when you want defined, separated, healthy lashes with zero clumps. The curved brush hugs every lash, making it perfect for an everyday polished look.
Who Would Love This
This mascara is made for the beauty lover who values healthy, naturally defined lashes over dramatic volume. It is great for those with sensitive eyes, and for someone who wants everyday elegance, prefers clean, vegan, cruelty-free formulas, and loves products that deliver both performance and lash care benefits. With its peptide-infused formula and sleek design, it’s perfect for anyone curating a minimal but effective makeup routine—and appreciates having both a $28 full-size and a $16 mini option for convenience.
If you’re already a fan of mascaras like Ilia Limitless or Saie, this feels like a polished, prestige-level upgrade you’ll reach for every day.
The Verdict
Kosas Soul Gazer is the prestige upgrade for anyone who wants soft, fluttery, well-separated lashes without clumps or heaviness. It’s ideal for professionals, minimalists, and lash-care enthusiasts who want their mascara to do more than just coat lashes. A clean beauty staple that elevates your everyday routine.
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Buy Here → Makeup by Mario Master Mattes “Espresso
Buy Here → Kosas Mascara
Wrap-Up: Smart Splurging Is the New Luxury
Beauty should feel indulgent, but being intentional with where you spend makes your collection even more elevated. Hourglass offers artistry and sustainability, Makeup by Mario brings pro-grade results, and Kosas nails the everyday hero product.
Your Turn: Do you shop luxury, high-end, or prestige makeup most? Drop your favorites in the comments—your picks might help someone else discover their next staple.
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