Does This $20 Glossier You Perfume Dupe Really Live Up To The OG?

About Rhode Pocket Blush

On their website, Rhode Skin describes the Pocket Blush as a "little blush for a little flush" once again, bringing back that rosy, flushed look that Hailey is so known for. In her own application, Mrs. Bieber applies the blush all over her cheeks, lips, eyes, and nose — it's the perfect all-over rosy look. Outside of the shade, it's also supposed to be a very dewy blush that doesn't leave your skin feeling too greasy or wet-looking.

My Review of Rhode Pocket Blush

I got the dark "toasted teddy" shade, mostly because that was the only one in stock (remember when I said there was a lot of hype?!), but also because I love a dark blush for the fall.

Upon first application I noticed how easily this blush glides onto the skin. You'd almost think it's liquid by how smoothly it applies. Once I started blending, I was super surprised at how pigmented it was — and how little you actually need for a sun-kissed look. Plus, it blends so buttery, and truly melts into the skin.

What I loved most was that it didn't seem wet or too dewy once it melted onto my skin — it almost left a matte finish, which I was obsessed with. I love a dewy look, but I hate looking too greasy or sweaty, so this was a 10/10 for me.

In regards to longevity, this blush essentially lasted most of the day. I only touched up once or twice, but never needed to fully re-apply, because most of the blush's residue stuck behind for the entirety of the day. I re-applied to my nose and eyes, because that's where it needed it the most, but on my cheeks, it definitely stayed. Another factor I loved about this shade, was the color was perfect for my pale skin, and looked incredibly flattering as a lipstick! I've often used it just on my lips to give me a "just bitten" look.

The Final Verdict of Rhode Pocket Blush

Overall, I think this blush really did the trick and delivered a flawless, rosy look that has definitely been my go-to on a daily basis. I've found myself, even on days where I don't want to wear makeup, throwing this on my cheeks, lips, and eyes for a natural, glowy look that adds just enough color to my skin. It seem Hailey's done it again, delivering a viral product that is indeed worth the hype. This blush will for sure be a staple in my everyday makeup routine now.

Shop Rhode Pocket Blush

Rhode Pocket Blush

You can shop the Rhode Pocket Blush on their website. Make sure to grab it while it's still in stock, because these babies sell out fast!

About The Products

Both the Lightshift Cream Highlighter and Sunshift Cream Bronzer are uniquely crafted with “skin-loving ingredients” like green tea, microalgae, and plant-based squalene. The green tea and microalgae are said to “nourish and shield skin from pollution” while the plant-based squalene “seals in moisture and boosts elasticity without clogging pores.” The makeup-as-skincare category has definitely grown in the past few years, and before I even put them on my face, I appreciated that these face products were formulated with skincare benefits in mind.

For the Lightshift Cream Highlighter, I snagged the shade Glint, which ILIA describes as a “soft champagne” color. There are only three shades to choose from for the highlighter – the other two include Arc, a “peachy gold,” and Daze, a “warm copper.” I determined that for the Sunshift Cream Bronzer, the shade Ray, a “warm golden bronze” would best suit my fair complexion. There are four bronzer shades total.

The packaging is the same for both the highlighter and bronzer. They’re fairly slim and lightweight in-hand, but both palettes took up a considerable amount of real estate in my makeup bag. I tend to opt for cream makeup over anything because it’s often really compact – I adore my Milk Makeup bronzer stickand Colourpop Shadow Stix for this exact reason. That being said, I think the ILIA products still travel well and I could easily pop ‘em in my purse.

The Texture

Based on my first swatches, both the highlighter and bronzer boast the same cream-to-powder formula. The texture was very smooth and velvety to the touch, and became more lightweight and subtly powdery once I blended it out on the back of my hand. Of course, hand swatches aren’t nearly the same as wearing a makeup product on your face, so off to my vanity I went.

The Application

I typically do my makeup with a mix of cream and powder products, so I had to be mindful about the order in which I applied the ILIA bronzer and highlighter. I’ve had days where my makeup will pill or end up fairly patchy after going in the wrong order. I ended up switching up a few steps in my routine (and going back and forth between them) to make sure the products melted in seamlessly, but it wasn’t a big hassle in my opinion.

After a single swipe of the Sunshift Cream Bronzer, I instantly realized I could have gone with a darker shade. After applying one layer with a brush, I feel like it really didn’t add much depth or a warm glow to my face. I ended up applying three layers of it: two before I set my makeup, and one after. While I surely appreciate the natural-ness of the results (it’s definitely the shiniest bronzer I’ve ever tried), I simply desire a bolder payoff. There are certainly other cream bronzers in my makeup bag that can deliver the same natural, bronze-y depth without having to be layered and layered, saving me more time overall.

Now, onto the highlighter. I liked how easy it was to use – I just tapped the highlighter in with my fingers around the high points of my face. It definitely gave my face a more mellow, natural glow. This was a very different highlighter experience for me, as I typically reach for powder highlighters that are formulated with fine glitters or mica powder (I love love love the Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter). The ILIA product is still very shiny, but it doesn’t have as much of an in-your-face glow.

Overall, applying the bronzer was a bit more fussy than how the highlighter went on. After pairing the duo with my Undone Beauty cream blush (obsessed with her), I felt they all worked together really nicely in creating a glowy-from-within look. I could see both the Lightshift Cream Highlighter and Sunshift Cream Bronzer working well for both bolder, full-face makeup looks and more minimal ones.

The Verdict

ILIA Sunshift Cream Bronzer

When it comes to makeup products, what really matters to me the most is their value. Both the Lightshift Cream Highlighter and Sunshift Cream Bronzer retail for $38, which totals up to $76 if you get the whole duo. Both the highlighter and bronzer have 0.27 ounces of product in them.

While I only used a little bit of each at a time (I think the cream formula helps conserve product slightly), I was primarily disappointed by the payoff of the bronzer. Similar bronzing products at more realistic price points exist, which is why I can’t give the Sunshift Cream Bronzer my full endorsement.

ILIA Lightshift Cream Highlighter

On the other hand, the Lightshift Cream Highlighter was wildly impressive and I enjoyed the humble glow it left me with.

Patrick & Brittany Mahomes celebrated Taylor Swift (and the Eras Tour) with themed outfits.

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Patrick and Brittany Mahomes showed up to Taylor's birthday wearing two of the best outfits of the night (which you can see on Brittany's Instagram): Britt was dressed as Fearless-era Taylor with a silver dress, jacket, and long curls, while Patrick was dressed in a suit just like Travis wore when he showed up onstage during "I Can Do It With A Broken Heart" in June 2024!

"My people🫶🏼," Brittany captioned the post, adding the heart hands Taylor has become known for. In addition to Britt's on-theme outfit, Taylor wore a black dress with red lipstick, Lyndsay Bell donned a Lover-approved pink sparkly outfit, and Ashley Avignone added some Reputation into the mix by wearing a plush snake around her neck, Voldemort style.

Ross Travis also posted photos from the event (including his incredible pink suit embroidered with ballerinas, heart sunglasses, and feather boa), showing off an epic dance floor. I want to belt "You Belong With Me" with Taylor and Travis!

But an epic party wasn't the only way Taylor Swift spent her 35th birthday.

And Taylor Swift's surprise birthday party wasn't the only event on her calendar last week. On December 12, the singer spent time with patients at the Children's Mercy Kansas City Hospital, petting dogs, making TikToks, and signing Eras Tour books. It was such a sweet and memorable way to kick off her birthday!

One of my favorite things about this visit is that not only is Taylor writing each kid a personalized message on their Eras Tour book, but she gets down to their eye level and stops writing to look at them when they're talking. Just like her lyrics make us feel seen when we hear them, Taylor goes out of her way to make every single kid feel known and important, and it just makes us love her even more.

When one child said, "I like Travis now," Taylor immediately replies with, "Yes, me too. That's an absolute yes on that one." We'd have to agree, Taylor ;).