Launched in 2022, Hailey Bieber’s Rhode has quickly become one of the beauty industry’s most talked-about brands – and a firm favourite at IndyBest. Known for its science-backed approach to minimalist skincare and make-up, the label has built a loyal following thanks to its easy-to-use products and glow-giving formulas.
Now, after months of anticipation, Rhode is expanding its complexion range with two new launches: the pocket bronze and highlight milk. Designed to bring warmth and radiance to the skin, the products arrive just in time for summer.
Available in eight shades, Rhode says the pocket bronze delivers “an effortless wash of warmth”, while helping to smooth and subtly define the complexion. Joining it is the highlight milk, a multipurpose illuminator created to give skin a natural-looking, iridescent glow. The brand has also expanded the shade ranges of its peptide lip tint and peptide lip shape.
The new products launch on 9 June, but are they worth adding to your make-up bag? I put the Rhode pocket bronze and highlight milk to the test to find out.
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Rhode pocket bronze
Size: 5.3g
Shades: Eight
Why we love it
- Gives a natural looking bronze effect
- Blends and builds effortlessly
Take note
- No coverage
As someone with dry skin, I’m a sucker for a cream bronzer. But with so many great formulas out there, Rhode’s pocket bronzer has to stand up to earn a place in my routine. Marketed as an on-the-go bronzer, it promises long wear with a hydrating and smoothing finish – without looking greasy.
It's a super balmy formula that has surprising colour pay off when applied to the classic contouring areas. In my test, using fingertips gave a fuller effect compared to my make-up brush, which appeared to suck up some of the product, though opt for the latter if you need more precision.
Blending it in, my skin instantly gained a sun-kissed wash that looked like I’d just had a summer holiday. The coverage is very light; I could see my skin completely through it, which is perfect for that “no make-up” make-up look I crave when on holiday. I tested the shade “sip”, which is on the warmer side, but there’s a generous range of other shades available.
The formula is effortlessly buildable, pleasingly streak-free and felt hydrating on my dry skin. The effect lasted pretty well from day to night, and by the time I was taking my make-up off in the evening my complexion still had a bronzed tint.
At a dinky 5.3g, it’s pocket by name and nature, making it ideal for throwing in a handbag for touch-ups. That convenience comes at a cost, though, with the compact stick priced at £25.
Buy now £25, Rhodeskin.com
Rhode highlight milk
Size: 65 ml
Shades: Four
Why we love it
- Adds a "from within" looking glow
- Hydrating and easy to blend
- Use on face and body
Take note
- A little glittery
Designed to be used all over the face and body, the Rhode highlight milk hits the nail when it comes to creating that dewy “from within” glow. A primer and illuminator in one, it includes hydrating and smoothing ingredients, such as ceramides, vitamin E and glycerin, also found in Rhodes’s viral glazing milk (£20, Sephora.co.uk).
The formula is impressively fluid, making it a dream to blend across both the face and body. That said, I found I needed a little more than the suggested amount to achieve even coverage across my whole face. Applied to bare skin, shade 02 delivered a beautiful pearlescent glow, although it veered slightly glittery in certain lights. Stepping up to shade 03, the deeper tone added subtle definition to the high points of my face while still looking natural. Once blended, the product settles into a radiant, brightening sheen, but I'd avoid applying it to already oily areas, as it can start to look a little greasy throughout the day.
The formula felt silky on the skin and glided effortlessly over any dry patches. I was particularly impressed by how it looked on my neck, chest and shoulders, where it created a subtle, light-catching radiance that feels perfect for summer. Given the price, I'd reserve it for the décolletage rather than applying it all over the body, though mixing a few drops into your face or body moisturiser is an easy way to make it go further while still achieving a luminous finish.
It also scores highly for longevity. On my face, the glow stayed fresh and radiant from afternoon through to the evening, with little sign of fading.
Buy now £28, Rhodeskin.com
Are Rhode’s pocket bronze and highlight milk worth it?
Rhode’s latest launches deliver exactly what the brand does best: effortless, glow-enhancing make-up that prioritises skin-like finishes over full coverage. The highlight milk lends a fresh, lit-from-within radiance, while the pocket bronzer offers believable warmth in a fuss-free, handbag-friendly format. Neither product is revolutionary, but both are thoughtfully formulated, easy to use and perfectly aligned with the minimalist aesthetic that has made Rhode such a success. For fans of barely-there beauty, they’re worthy additions to the lineup.
How I tested Rhode’s pocket bronze and highlight milk
I tested each product against Rhode’s claims as I applied them, and wore both throughout the whole day. I tried different application methods, using fingers and brushes, while paying close attention to finish, longevity and how the formulas performed on my skin. For the highlight milk, I tested it across the face and décolletage, while the bronzer was used to add warmth and definition to my complexion.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Alice Reynolds is a shopping writer at IndyBest, and has tried and tested a range of make-up products, from Maybelline’s lifter concealer to a full run down on Merit Beauty. As someone who enjoys minimal make-up, she is well placed to give a verdict on Rhode’s latest drop.
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