Our Top Picks
- The Must-Have Blush: Candy Apple is Rhode’s first-ever red blush, offering a warm, pearly finish that makes the "scary red" trend feel wearable for everyone.
- The Romantic Pick: Teacup is the ultimate raspberry pink, designed for those who want a soft, "Brontë-blush" flush that looks like a natural, wind-swept glow.
- The Fan-Favorite Lip: Pretzel (warm mauve) and Sweet Pea (warm pink) were 100% chosen by Rhode fans, making them the perfect community-voted companions for your spring routine.
The beauty world has a way of moving in cycles, and if 2024 was the year of "Strawberry Girl" summer, 2025 is officially ushering in the era of "Apple-Girl" spring. We’ve seen the teasers: Hailey Bieber walking through the streets of Paris in Chanel apple-red heels, holding a matching juice box, and sporting a flush so vibrant it looks like it was plucked straight from an orchard. The wait is finally over. On March 9, Rhode is expanding its cult-favorite Pocket Blush lineup with two brand-new shades—Candy Apple and Teacup—alongside two limited-edition Peptide Lip Tints that were quite literally chosen by you.
As someone who spends my days dissecting runway looks and translating them into wearable routines, I can tell you that this launch isn't just about new colors. It’s about a shift in texture and tone. We are moving away from the heavy, matte sculpting of the past and embracing a "watercolor" finish—where the pigment looks like it’s blooming from within your skin. Whether you’re a minimalist who wants a five-minute glow or a trend-chaser looking to master the latest "Brontë-blush" look, these new drops are the tools you’ve been waiting for.
Meet the Stars: The New Pocket Blush Shades
The Rhode Pocket Blush has become a staple for its "pillowy" texture and ability to blend into a seamless, satin finish. With this launch, the core collection grows from six to eight shades, filling two very specific gaps in our makeup bags.
Candy Apple: The Approachable Red
For years, red blush was considered the "final boss" of makeup—intimidating, high-risk, and easy to overdo. But Candy Apple changes the narrative. This is Rhode’s first-ever red blush, and it was worth the wait. Unlike the stark, flat reds of the past, Candy Apple is a warm, "poppy" red infused with tiny gold and red pearls.
The inclusion of these pearls is the secret sauce. Instead of a harsh streak of color, the pearls reflect light, giving the skin a juicy, sun-kissed warmth that looks incredibly healthy. It’s designed to be approachable. On a light skin tone, it looks like you’ve just come in from a brisk spring walk. On deeper skin tones, it provides a vibrant, true-to-life flush that doesn't turn ashy.
Teacup: The Quintessential Spring Pink
If Candy Apple is the bold protagonist, Teacup is the romantic lead. It is a soft, raspberry pink with a cool-leaning finish that feels like a fresh bouquet of peonies. While the market is saturated with "Barbie pinks," Teacup feels more sophisticated. It has a slight berry undertone that makes it look like a natural flush rather than a product sitting on top of the skin.
Teacup is the perfect shade for the "Leading-Lady" look—soft, feminine, and ethereal. It pairs beautifully with cool-toned eyeshadows and is my top recommendation for anyone who wants that "just-pinched" look without any added warmth.
Shade Guide: Candy Apple vs. Teacup
| Feature | Candy Apple | Teacup |
|---|---|---|
| Color Family | Warm Poppy Red | Cool Raspberry Pink |
| Finish | Pearly Satin (Gold/Red pearls) | Creamy Satin |
| Vibe | Bold, Sun-kissed, Juicy | Soft, Romantic, Ethereal |
| Best For | "Apple-Girl" Spring Trend | "Brontë-blush" Aesthetic |
| Pairs With | Pretzel Peptide Lip Tint | Sweet Pea Peptide Lip Tint |
The Perfect Pairing: Limited-Edition Peptide Lip Tints
Rhode isn't just giving us cheeks; they’re completing the look with lips. In a move that highlights the brand’s community-first approach, 100% of the new Peptide Lip Tint shades were selected based on customer voting results from the previous year. You asked, and Hailey delivered.
Sweet Pea is a warm pink that carries a nostalgic berry and jasmine scent. It’s the lip equivalent of Teacup—fresh and bright. On the other hand, Pretzel is a warm mauve that smells exactly like a caramel-glazed pretzel. It’s that perfect "your lips but better" shade that adds just enough depth to ground the brightness of a red blush like Candy Apple.
To make things even more "Rhode," the brand is launching matching Spring Lip Cases for iPhone 14 through 17. These silicone cases have become a viral accessory, allowing you to carry your favorite tint on the back of your phone for easy touch-ups.
How to Wear: The 'Watercolor Blush' Trend
The trend of the season is the "Watercolor Blush." This technique involves layering cream products to create a blurred, soft-focus effect that looks like paint bleeding into a wet canvas. Here is how you can recreate it using the new Rhode shades:
- Prep the Base: Start with a dewy skin tint or a well-moisturized face. The Pocket Blush works best when it has a slightly tacky surface to melt into.
- The Placement: For the "Apple-Girl" look, focus Candy Apple directly on the apples of your cheeks. Instead of swiping, use a dabbing motion with your ring finger.
- The Blend: Use the warmth of your fingers to blend the edges outward toward your temples. This creates that seamless, "watercolor" transition.
- The Sculpt (Optional): If you want more dimension, use Teacup higher up on the cheekbones, layering it slightly over the edges of Candy Apple.
- Finish with the Lip: Apply a generous layer of the matching Peptide Lip Tint to the center of your lips and blur the edges with your finger for a "just-bitten" effect.
Editor’s Tip: If you have oily skin, don't be afraid to apply these over powder. While they are creams, the formula is surprisingly "set-down" and won't move your foundation if you tap it on gently.
The Campaign: Sarah Pidgeon and the Rhode Aesthetic
Rhode’s campaigns are always a vibe, and this one is no different. Featuring actress Sarah Pidgeon, the imagery leans heavily into a romanticized, almost literary aesthetic. It’s what we’re calling "Brontë-blush"—a look that feels like a heroine from a 19th-century novel who just spent the afternoon wandering the moors.
This aesthetic is all about the "just-bitten" lip and the over-the-nose blush placement. Sarah Pidgeon debuted the look on the red carpet at the Actor Awards, proving that these shades aren't just for casual daytime wear; they have the pigment payoff to handle high-glamour events. The campaign successfully bridges the gap between the ultra-modern "clean girl" look and a more moody, romantic 2025/2026 trend.
Longevity and Wear Test
One of the biggest concerns with cream blushes is longevity. Does it disappear after two hours? In my wear tests, the Rhode Pocket Blush holds its own, especially in humid spring weather. The formula starts as a creamy balm but dries down to a soft matte finish that still retains its dewiness.
- Pigment: Extremely buildable. One tap gives a sheer wash; three taps give you high-impact color.
- Texture: Lightweight and non-greasy. It doesn't clog pores or feel heavy on a warm day.
- Price: The Pocket Blushes remain at an accessible $24, while the Peptide Lip Tints are $18.
If you’re looking to refresh your routine for the new season, these shades are the perfect starting point. They are fun, they are fan-voted, and they capture the optimistic energy of spring perfectly.
FAQ
When do the new Rhode shades launch? The new Pocket Blush shades (Candy Apple and Teacup) and the Peptide Lip Tints (Sweet Pea and Pretzel) officially launch on March 9, 2025, at 9:00 AM PST on the Rhode website.
Is Candy Apple a limited edition shade? No! Candy Apple and Teacup are joining the permanent core collection of Pocket Blushes. However, the Sweet Pea and Pretzel Peptide Lip Tints are limited-edition releases.
Which lip tint matches the Teacup blush? For a cohesive, monochromatic look, the cool-toned Sweet Pea Peptide Lip Tint is the perfect match for the raspberry-pink Teacup blush.
