MECCA HQ Tries Out Hailey Bieber’s rhode

Offering a curated line of makeup and skincare essentials, rhode is a skin-first beauty brand inspired by founder Hailey Rhode Bieber’s own journey to a healthier complexion. Rooted in science and first-class formulations (developed with cosmetic chemists and dermatologists), every product is effective, accessible and innovative all at once – and designed to support your skin barrier, both now and years down the rhode.

After launching in 2022, the brand quickly took the internet by storm, bringing glaze, gloss and peptides to social media feeds across the world. Now, after a long wait – and a swirling rumour mill – rhode’s distinctly chic packaging (made from post-consumer recycled materials, no less) is finally landing on MECCA’s shelves.

Tested and trialled by Hailey, it’s a line she loves and uses on the daily: “I don’t want to give people something that I wouldn’t actually use, that isn’t actually part of my routine, that’s not something I’m genuinely obsessed with and love,” she says. The obsession is obvious; a swipe through Hailey’s socials shows a founder diving face-first into her products – swatching and sampling across glowing lips and cheeks in coveted colour combos.

To see if the brand delivers on Hailey-worthy glaze, three of the luckiest faces at MECCA HQ got to hit the rhode early, taking some of the brand’s most hyped beauty products for a test drive. From a dusting of sprinkle to a swirl of PBJ, here’s what they thought of their glow-giving rhode pairings (spoiler alert: they truly are really good).

As an olive-skinned brunette, Kate was a perfect match for a chocolate colour moment. She paired the Peptide Lip Shape in ‘Lean’ with the Peptide Lip Tint in ‘pbj’, for a warm brown look.

“The colour was a perfect match,” she said, adding, “My lips felt so hydrated – this was such a good combination of lip products for someone that loves a dark natural lip.”

The Pocket Blush in ‘Toasted Teddy’ completed Kate’s look with a wearable flush of terracotta: “It was so smooth and easy to blend. My blush lasted all day, from the shoot and out to dinner. I was still getting compliments on it at 10pm!”

As someone who doesn’t spend a lot of time getting ready, rhode is an easy fit for Kate’s lifestyle: “The products are perfect for someone like me who likes to do their makeup on the go. Each product is easy to use and lasts really well, so you don’t need to reapply.”

One word to describe her thoughts on rhode? “Obsessed!”

Kaylah’s pretty-in-pink combo consisted of the Pocket Blush in ‘Sprinkle’, Peptide Lip Tint in ‘Ribbon’ and Peptide Lip Shape in ‘Press’ – and it didn't disappoint.

“As someone who gets dry lips, I’m always looking for a lip liner that’s not drying, and a gloss that treats and repairs – and I found both products to be magic. They were also long-lasting, which always gets a massive tick of approval from me – I don’t want to keep reapplying throughout the day.”

Having tried rhode before while on an overseas trip, Kaylah had a great tip for incorporating more of the brand's skincare benefits into her makeup routine: “I love adding the Glazing Milk to the Pocket Blush for an extra glow that somehow doesn't come across as oily or shiny. Highly recommend!”

Trying rhode in the heat of Melbourne summer, heavy makeup was not on Annie's agenda. Lucky for her, rhode's skin-first approach meant she got a Hailey-worthy natural glow (or should we say glaze!) without the need for a full face.

Wearing the Pocket Blush in ‘Freckle’, Peptide Lip Tint in ‘Toast’ and Peptide Lip Shape in ‘Lunge’, she described it as a “my lips, but better” combo paired with “a neutral peach that gave me a sunkissed look” on the cheeks.

“I love the way your skin still pops through underneath. I was surprised at the way it made my skin look hydrated and natural,” she explains.

From URL to IRL, rhode is a brand that’s worthy of the hype. The focus on skin and barrier support shines through in formulations that feel just as good as they look, and deliver on that sun-flushed, dewy glow. After trying it themselves, our team agreed the ‘one of everything really good’ mantra rings true – although we may be adding multiples to cart!