We Tried Rhode Skin — Here’s What We Really Think

In the ever-evolving world of skincare, Rhode by Hailey Bieber has emerged as a brand worth watching. Bieber’s impossibly dewy glow has had fans begging her to drop the skin routine — and she finally did, in the form of a line of carefully curated skincare essentials. Take a scroll through Hailey’s Instagram and you’ll find her products sprinkled throughout like Easter eggs, tempting you to know more. Seeing her juicy vacation lips and that sleek lip gloss she seems to take everywhere, we just have to know: are her products worth the hype? We decided to find out.

Advertisements

What you should know about Hailey Bieber’s Rhode products

Rhode’s product line spans six products, ranging from a moisturizing cream to a gel serum. But the star product is their peptide lip treatment, emblazoned with an Allure Best of Beauty award. Infused with high-performance ingredients, the products seem to focus on one goal — moisture. Ooey, gooey, dewy, delicious moisture to keep your skin happy and hydrated. The brand prides itself on its simplicity, which you can see from the packaging, and aims to be your go-to essential. And because they highlight authenticity as one of their brand values, we tried each product in the line to give our most authentic take on whether they live up to their hype.

Barrier Restore Cream, Rhode, $29.

I’ve heard great things about the Rhode Barrier Restore Cream (BRC) so I couldn’t wait to try this product out. I have sensitive and dry skin where I normally get oily and dry around my T-Zone, so I initially get nervous and need to be careful trying new products. I also only break out when it’s my time of the month (and right now it’s time), so I was hoping this would calm my skin down — and it did. I like the BRC. It’s not thick or oily, it’s fragrance-free and smooth on my skin. I applied it after doing my usual skincare routine and the BRC was what I needed to lock everything in place. My skin feels moisturized right after and it kind of helped bring the redness of my breakouts down.

Advertisements

Half a finger length, as it suggests on the packaging of the cream is all that’s needed to work its magic and make your skin feel restored. While I do enjoy this, I don’t love how it feels during the day under makeup. To me, it felt a tad bit heavy and moved a bit. I would rather use it at night as a moisturizer alone and I feel like my skin would appreciate it more. 

Peptide Glazing Fluid, Rhode, $29.

One of the best tricks to always having that glowy “no makeup” look is to start with a skincare serum that can do just that. For that reason, I do love Rhode’s Peptide Glazing Fluid. It gives you that “lit from within” look that comes through your finished makeup look, or just a simple refreshed, and hydrated look for those no-makeup days (which is how I’ve been using it the most).

While I’ve truthfully used some serums that give me a more immediate glow, I feel like this product just has to be used for a longer period to gain that look consistently. I did appreciate how smoothly it goes on without a heavy feeling or a sticky residue that some serums leave behind. For now, with just a week’s worth of use, I can confidently say I will be adding it into my skincare routine to see just how much of that iconic *glazed donut* look it can give me.

Advertisements

Peptide Lip Treatment in Unscented, Rhode, $16.

I’ve been hearing all about Hailey Bieber’s Rhode skincare line for a while now and as a self-proclaimed lip gloss expert, I knew I had to get my hands on the Peptide Lip TreatmentAt first glance, I liked how the formula includes shea butter, babassu, and peptides to help create and maintain “pillowy-soft lips. The application is easy to apply and practically mess-free. It leaves my lips feeling smooth, soft, and moisturized without leaving creases or gloss lines behind. The moisture lasted for about four hours before I felt like reapplying again. 

Advertisements

I like this product and think it’s a great investment for someone who is looking to splurge on a high-quality lip treatment. It can be used on its own or on top of your favorite lip liner and lipstick. A bonus is that it works well on sensitive skin so you don’t have to worry about feeling irritated after a long wear. Also, a little goes a long way with this product and you can feel the positive difference on your lips instantly. I’m a fan of this ‘new philosophy on skincare’ by Mrs. Bieber.

The balm is available in three flavors – watermelon slice, salted caramel, and an unscented version. So you can take your pick and have loads of fun. The product adds the extra oomph and gloss and all things good that give your lips the much-needed tender loving care.

Advertisements

FINAL VERDICT

While all of Rhode’s products are solid options worth trying if you’re looking for hydrating products or an entry into skin care, they’ll have to be combined with other products to target specific skin concerns that acne-prone or mature skin types might want to treat.

@rhode

@haileybieber’s nighttime rhoderoutine. ✨ three easy steps for dewy, delicious skin. ☁️

♬ Countless – Official Sound Studio

If someone is combating more severe acne, hyperpigmentation, or inflammation, they would need to utilize skin care with active ingredients that are tailored to treating such skin conditions.

PRIMP TIP: Of course, if you’re concerned about any of the ingredients, it’s best to consult your dermatologist.

Advertisements

As for user experience, all of the products are accessible and well made (and use recyclable postconsumer materials when possible), but I noticed that the Peptide Glazing Fluid bottle contains less product than you might think when looking at it (the cap is nearly the same volume as the bottle itself).

Have you tried Rhode Skin? And if so, would you be willing to try Rhode cleanser, toner, vitamin C, and eye cream if they extend their line?

The 7 Best Butt Masks of 2023 That Smooth and Calm Skin

We often pay special attention to our face and body, but neglect our bums. If you think about it: We spend countless hours on our bottoms, so it only makes sense that they deserve some self-care.

Butt masks may seem like a hoax, but since they endure a lot of the same skin problems that we experience on our face, including acne, hyperpigmentation, dryness, sagging, and rough texture, a butt mask is a secret solution. Using a mask, along with your trusty body washes and scrubs, will help keep your skin problems in check.

Advertisements

mio Peachy Cheeks Butt Cream

What We Love: It contains nourishing ingredients like caffeine and niacinamide to firm and soften skin.

 What We Don’t Love: It has a slight floral scent that may bothersome.

Mio Peachy Cheeks Butt Cream is the créme de la creme of butt masks. Recommended by board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Marisa Garshick, the mask contains caffeine, niacinamide, Indian fig extract, and monk’s pepper berry. The caffeine helps with the texture and firmness of your bum, leaving you with a silky soft bottom, and the Indian fig extract and monk’s pepper berry moisturize your skin. (No one wants a dry derriere).

Concocted with a magical complex of proteins and vitamins, this mask will transform a textured bottom into a smooth and hydrated surface. One thing to keep in mind is that the rich blend is formulated with a slight floral fragrance.

Yes To Booty-Ful Paper Mask

What We Love: You can tone your bum while lying down.

What We Don’t Love: The mask slides if you move.

We love nutrient-rich sheet masks, and now they make them for your bottom. This option works to improve the overall appearance and feel of your bum. The Yes To Tighter + lifted Bootfyful Paper Mask comes in two heart-shaped sheets that you leave on each cheek for 10 minutes.

Caffeine and coffee stimulate blood flow and help smooth the skin, while the antioxidant-rich guarana fruit provides a dose of hydration. After you slide the mask off, you can rub in any excess liquid to make the most of your masking.

The only downfall is that these sheet masks are single-use, but the benefits make it worth it. And, as a bonus, it is made of one hundred percent cotton and is free of parabens, silicones, and SLS.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

What We Love: Formulated with hydrating ingredients like coconut and açai oils, this cream leaves your skin feeling like butter.

What We Don’t Love: It has a strong musky vanilla scent. 

You have probably heard of Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Body Cream, and we are here to tell you it’s worth all the hype. With ingredients like guarana, cupuacu butter, and coconut and açai oils, this thick cream instantly revitalizes dry and flakey skin.

The creamy texture melts into your bum, while also tightening the appearance of the skin, thanks to the Brazil nut oil. Rich in selenium, Brazil nut oil keeps skin looking healthy and firm. Plus, the guarana stimulates blood circulation, which will enhance the overall look of your bottom. After using this mask for a few months, I have noticed a huge difference in my derriere’s firmness and smoothness. Although I love the warm rich vanilla and caramel scent, others may be more sensitive to it.

Maelys Cosmetics B-Tight Lift And Firm Booty Mask

What We Love: This mask helps tighten the areas around your bottom and thighs. 

What We Don’t Love: It has a warming sensation that some may dislike. 

While you can’t wake up with an instantly firmer bottom, this mask comes pretty close. Maelys Cosmetics B-Tight Lift and Firm Booty Mask deliver just what it promises: A beautifully plump and taut bum.

Recommended by Dr. Garshick for its firming and hydrating ingredients, this mask contains pink pepperslim, hyaluronic acid, and guarana seed extract, and is clinically proven to visibly firm skin around the booty and thighs.

Start by applying a large amount on your bottom and thighs. Then massage the leave-on mask into the skin until it absorbs. The mask may initially give a slight warming sensation, which only lasts a minute or two. After the cream settles, you’ll find that the skin on your butt and thighs looks plump and supple.

Anese Down With The Thickness Booty Mask

What We Love: The clay mask removes excess oil and contains collagen to plump and strengthen skin. 

What We Don’t Love: You have to leave it on for at least 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off for best results.

Got some time to spare and want to improve the texture of your bum? Anese Down With The Thickness Booty mask covers all your smoothing needs. Formulated with clarifying and detoxing kaolin clay, this mask offers a deep and thorough cleanse, washing away pore-clogging buildup to keep skin clear. It also absorbs excess oil and reduces the appearance of stretch marks.

The formula is concentrated with soothing ingredients, like vitamins B3 and B5, to keep skin soft and moisturized. The mask’s creamy consistency feels nice on the skin, and it spreads easily without needing much rubbing.

More Anese… yes please!

Advertisements

Bawdy Clay Butt Mask

What We Love: The kaolin clay draws out impurities and excess oil to keep skin clear and acne free. 

What We Don’t Love: Reviews say that it can take a couple of tries to get product out of the stick applicator.

“This mask uses kaolin clay to draw out debris and oil, helping to improve overall texture and reduce breakouts, without leading to dryness or irritation of the skin,” says Dr. Garshick.

We love that this purifying clay mask is in stick form for an easy, mess-free application. The formula harnesses clean, non-toxic ingredients, including a blend of kaolin and montmorillonite clays to exfoliate, willow bark to tone, and glycerin to hydrate.

Simply apply the mask in a circular motion all around the butt and upper thighs, let it dry, and then rinse after 15 minutes. It’s great to use post-workout or to get a breakout under control.

Truly Buns Of Glowry Tighten & Glow Smoothing Butt Polish

What We Love: Watermelon extract helps to fade any discoloration and hydrates thirsty skin. 

What We Don’t Love: There’s not a ton of product in the packaging.

Although this is technically a body polish, it can be transformed into a mask by mixing a handful of the scrub with water and rubbing it into your cheeks. The mask is powered by watermelon extract, which is rich in vitamin C, amino acids, and antioxidants, to lightly exfoliate and promote cell turnover. It’s also formulated with wheat protein, which contains ceramides that attract and hold onto moisture to plump skin and fill in fine lines to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Together, these two powerhouse ingredients work to reveal a more radiant complexion. Our only complaint is that we love it so much, we wish it came with more products.

Advertisements

What to Keep In Mind

Ingredients

When selecting a butt mask it’s important to consider the skin concerns you want to address. In general, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alexis Stephens recommends avoiding butt masks with potentially irritating ingredients, such as drying alcohols, fragrances, and essential oils.

If your bottom is feeling slightly dryer than usual, she says that masks rich in humectant ingredients, like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, honey, and panthenol, can help to improve moisture retention in the skin. These ingredients also provide a soothing effect, which can be helpful for anyone who experiences ingrown hairs, acne, eczema, or folliculitis (especially after shaving).

If you’re looking to treat discoloration, acne, or keratosis pilaris, Dr. Stephens suggests looking for masks that contain chemical exfoliants, like lactic or salicylic acids, as these ingredients boost cell turnover — just be sure to use sunscreen, as these acids will make skin more sensitive.

Application

Instructions for how to use the mask will depend on what type it is. If your mask is a wash-off, be sure to thoroughly rinse until you no longer feel the residue on your skin. Alternatively, a leave-on mask is one that you rub into the skin until it absorbs and dries. It can be left on the skin until your next shower.

In general, Dr. Garshick says that butt masks can be used a few times a week, but it’s important to follow the directions provided by the brand, especially if you’re using an exfoliating mask.

Advertisements

Your Questions, Answered

What do butt masks do?

“A butt mask is what it sounds like A mask to treat the skin on the buttocks that can often be left on for some time to help address certain concerns of the buttocks area,” says Dr. Garshick.

These masks can exfoliate and firm, or address an acne breakout or bumpy, uneven texture.

Advertisements

Rosenthal is a commerce writer for BeautyLeeBar. She covers fashion, skincare, and beauty. With additional knowledge from professional stylists, Rosenthal collaborated with a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, Dr. Marisa Garshick as well as a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Parkland Dermatology, Dr. Alexis Stephens to write this story.

6 Black-Owned Sunscreen Brands to Try ASAP

Regardless of your skin tone, wearing sunscreen every day is one of the best (and easiest) ways to protect your skin’s health and appearance, not to mention prevent the signs of aging. Sunscreen can help prevent rough and damaged skin, as well as skin cancer — rain or shine — since the sun emits harmful UV rays year-round. Not sure which sunscreen is best for you? According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), “dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97% of the sun’s UVB rays.

If you want to be extra safe, a higher SPF number blocks more of the sun’s UVB rays, but no sunscreen can block them 100%. For maximum protection, be sure to reapply thoroughly every couple of hours, and don’t forget about your lips (wearing a lip balm with SPF not only nourishes your lips but also protects them from skin cancer). Those with darker skin tones might be worried about sunscreen leaving a white cast, but that’s where these Black-owned sunscreen brands that you’ll want to try ASAP come in. They’re for every skin tone, so keep on reading to find your new product go-to. And remember, you don’t need to wait until summer to try these out.

Advertisements

Our top picks:

These are the top picks of Black-owned sunscreen brands to wear in every type of climate.

Advertisements

Keys Soulcare SPF 30 Sunscreen

This broad spectrum SPF 30 will protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun, while the squalane and niacinamide ingredients keep your skin soft and balanced. Also, vitamin B3 helps to brighten and balance the skin’s appearance. All ingredients are clean and cruelty-free and it’s formulated without parabens. Not to mention, it goes on completely clear, leaving you feeling (and looking) radiant and confident. Bonus: The brand was founded by the queen herself, Alicia Keys (hence the name!).

Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

Made for melanated skin, this sunscreen brand protects against harmful UVA and UVB rays using a signature, sheer formula. “As a Black woman, it can be a struggle to find a lightweight sunscreen that doesn’t leave behind a white cast,” says BLB editor Valeris. “This fragrance-free formula with SPF 30 has been amazing for my skin. It absorbs quickly and it works well under makeup.” It doubles as a moisturizer, thanks to its hydrating ingredients, like jojoba, cacao and avocado, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

On the hunt for an invisible SPF 30? Look no further! Founded by Rihanna, Fenty Skin’s Broad Spectrum sunscreen locks in hydration, fades the look of dark spots and smoothes the appearance of pores. After one week, 100% of users agree it softened their skin and it didn’t pill under makeup (this was based on the brand’s own eight-week consumer study on 52 people). It is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, like niacinamide and kalahari melon.

Advertisements

Eleven Ace the Day Face Lotion SPF 30

Founded by Venus Williams, Eleven’s lightweight facial sun serum provides protection while simultaneously helping to hydrate, calm and smooth the skin. Shake well before use and then apply daily for maximum protection and skin hydration. It’s dermatologist-approved and quickly absorbs on all skin tones, creating a semi-matte finish. The multifunctional formula can be worn as a lightweight primer to extend the wear time of all of your makeup looks. Formulated to be water- and sweat-resistant, you can wear it for 40 minutes before reapplying.

Absolute Joi Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 40 Mineral Sunscreen

A tinted mineral sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast, it will leave sensitive skin feeling extra hydrated. “The mineral formula was nice and felt moisturizing,” says BLB chemist Sabina. “It was founded by a doctor (a woman) who had an impressive CV and whose daughters had trouble finding the skincare that suited them.” Plus, there are two shades, mocha and cafe au lait. The squalane and hyaluronic acid ingredients provide long-lasting hydration and moisture without clogging pores, while vitamin C combats signs of aging and brightens the skin to create a more even tone. Other important ingredients are green tea and chamomile extract, which reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

Bolden SPF 30 Brightening Moisturizer

Infused with a large dosage of vitamin C, the Bolden Brightening Moisturizer sunscreen will brighten your skin and diminish signs of sun damage and any dark marks, while also providing hydration and nourishment, thanks to its robust antioxidants. It’s made free of sulfates, parabens or phthalates. Other essential ingredients that make up its composition are squalane, which reduces roughness and fine lines, as well as sunflower oil, which repairs the skin’s barrier and eases dryness. To top off all of its benefits, it dries clear without leaving a white, chalky residue.

DIY Hydrating, Soothing, and Clarifying SEA MOSS MASK

There’s no fresher facial than a DIY mask you can whip up from things right here in your kitchen. I am so in love with this cooling, creamy, dreamy sea moss mask for its Cleopatra-esque use of honey and roses that makes me feel like a goddess.

But I also love it for the instant gratification glow.

It’s calming, soothing, cleansing, moisturizing, and hydrating all at once. Sea moss is anti-inflammatory and reduces redness while controlling oil production. Rose water is high in antioxidants and has anti-aging properties, undoing UV damage while plumping up fine lines.

Honey is moisturizing, antimicrobial, and antiviral, and pairs perfectly with neem, which also boasts antiseptic properties. This combination is a great mask for acne-prone skin.

Get the recipe for this powerhouse below:

Advertisements

DIY Sea Moss Mask

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 tablespoons sea moss gel
  • 1 teaspoon neem powder
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon rose water

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix all the ingredients well in a small glass or ceramic bowl using a spoon or your favorite mask brush. 

2. Apply evenly all over your face. 

3. Let it work its magic for 20 to 30 minutes. If you leave it on for longer, it won’t cause any harm, so feel free to relax!

4. Rinse it off with lukewarm water, and pat yourself dry with a clean, fresh towel.

If there are any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a midweek pick-me-up. It should stay fresh for up to 10 days, so feel free to use it as frequently as you like.

Pro tip: You can purchase store-bought sea moss gel, or you can majorly save by making it yourself.

Purchase dried sea moss, and soak a small handful of it in purified water overnight. In the morning, blend it with a 1:5 ratio of water (so if you soaked 1 cup of sea moss, you’ll want to add 5 cups of water). You’ll need a high-powered blender, but you’ll be amazed at how much gel you can make from a small bit of dried moss.

BEEKEEPER’S NATURALS B.Powered -Royal Jelly, Honey, Propolis, Bee Pollen, Gel (4.4 oz)

Price:$15.99$15.99 ($3.63$3.63 / Ounce)

This is genuinely my favorite honey to use for face masks and has been. It contains royal jelly and propolis, which are packed with enzymes and nutrients that seriously uplevel the antimicrobial and antiviral properties of any regular store brand—like someone hit the nitrous oxide on honey in a good way.