Rhode: $1 Billion Hype vs. Real Skin Results - The Bieberchella Review
An honest review of the viral Rhode x Bieber collab - including the Spotwear Patches, Banana Peel Eye Prep, and the Caramelised Banana Peptide Treatment
🐞 This is not a sponsored review. Every product was purchased independently by Gia, tested thoroughly, and considered with the level of scrutiny we apply to anything we cover as beauty journalists.
The Beauty Ed®’s Note: I’ve spent my career championing a "real skin" and honest approach to beauty, long before "unfiltered" became a trending hashtag. And my mission with The Beauty Ed® has always been to be transparent with our reviews too and this is exactly what I’m teaching the next generation of beauty voices in THE LAB, my media mentorship program. In this post, Gen Z contributor Gia puts the viral Rhode Bieberchella drop to the test and you can be sure that her review of the Spotwear Patches and Caramelised Banana Peptide Lip Treatment meets the rigorous, honest standards I’ve stood by for nearly three decades. Over to Gia…Enjoy 🍄
The Verdict: Testing Rhode’s Limited-Edition ‘Bieberchella’ Drop
I’ve always been sceptical of celebrity beauty brands. Not dismissive, but cautious, particularly in an industry so saturated with names trading on recognition rather than formulation. So for the longest time, I resisted Rhode.
And then came Bieberchella.
Timed, deliberately alongside Coachella and Justin Bieber’s performance, Rhode’s limited-edition drop dominated my feed. What began as passive scrolling turned, rather quickly, into a purchase. Proof, if any were needed, that even the most resistant among us are not immune to well-executed marketing.
Why Rhode Beauty Keeps Selling Out: The Marketing Strategy Behind Bieberchella
Following its reported $1 billion acquisition by e.l.f. Beauty, Rhode has entered a new phase of visibility.
The brand understands its world: pared-back luxury, sensorial language, and a lifestyle that feels both aspirational and oddly attainable. Products are described as buttery, melting, treat-like, language that deliberately blurs the line between beauty and indulgence.
It is not simply about selling products; it promises a lifestyle that feels desirable and emotionally resonant, and, crucially, one that is consistent.
Rhode x Bieber: What’s in the Limited-Edition Collection?
The Rhode Bieberchella drop includes three core products:
Spotwear Hydrocolloid Pimple Patches
Peptide Eye Prep (Banana Peel edition)
Peptide Lip Treatment (Caramelised Banana)
I tested each over the course of a week, across different skin concerns, and routines, to see whether they hold up beyond the aesthetic.
1. Do the Rhode Spotwear Hydrocolloid Patches Actually Work?
I am, admittedly, loyal to pimple patches as a category. Not just because they work, but because of what they do beyond that. They minimise scarring, draw everything out overnight, and (perhaps most importantly) they make breakouts feel manageable. There is something reassuring about covering a spot rather than constantly worrying about aggravating it.
I tend to move between the two extremes: colourful, visible patches when I don’t particularly care who sees them, and clear, almost invisible ones when I’m wearing makeup. Both have their place, and I’ve tried enough to know when something is genuinely good.
These had been teased for months, not least by Hailey Bieber herself, so expectations were high. They’re 100% hydrocolloid, fragrance-free, and, crucially, marketed as both sweat and water-resistant.
What I didn’t expect to fall for, but did, was the design element. The patches come in a range of shapes, with several featuring the Rhode branding at the centre. It’s clever: part skincare, part collectable. I gravitated immediately towards the daisy and jelly bean designs and ordered both!
What started as a single purchase quickly escalated. I initially bought the spotwear patches, and within two days had ordered the full Rhode x the Biebers Set (£56/$56).
Which includes:
36 Spotwear patches of your choice
6 sets of Peptide Eye Prep in Banana Peel
Peptide Lip Treatment in Caramelised Banana
Testing them properly
I tested these across different types of breakouts to get a realistic sense of performance.
Under-the-skin spots: I had two particularly aggressive ones that would usually last up to two weeks. The redness and swelling dropped from 9/10 to around 5/10 after one use. Not gone, but significantly calmer.
Surface-level spots (ready to extract): This is where they performed best. The patches drew out impurities 85% of the time overnight.
Wear time + durability: I wore them from evening through to the following day, and they remained completely intact. No lifting at the edges and no peeling, which is rare.
I also tested them in less forgiving conditions: hot showers, steam, and long wear, and they did not budge.
How to apply Rhode Spotwear patches for best results:
Application is straightforward, but matters:
Apply to freshly cleansed, completely dry skin
Place directly over the blemish
Leave on for 6-8 hours or overnight
Each pack costs £16/$16 contains 36 patches, stored in a reusable, compact case, which makes them easy to carry without them drying out or getting damaged, particularly useful if you are travelling.
Overall, I really enjoyed these. Not just because they look good, but because they deliver.
They stay put, they work across different types of breakouts, and they remove the usual frustrations I have with pimple patches (lifting, slipping, ineffectiveness).
They are, admittedly, on the pricier side. But in terms of performance, they justify it.
The Beauty Ed® Quick Verdict: 8.5/10
2. Rhode Peptide Eye Prep Banana Peel Review: Are the viral 'Bieberchella' eye patches worth the investment?
Eye patches are notoriously unreliable. Most slide, separate, or require constant adjustment, which is precisely why I stopped using them.
These do not. They adhere firmly without discomfort and remain in place throughout wear, making them far more practical than traditional gel patches.
What they do well:
Visibly reduce puffiness
Brighten the under-eye area (notably effective on darker circles)
Deliver a cooling, hydrating finish
Formulated with caffeine and peptides, they sit comfortably within the current shift towards skincare-led makeup prep.
There is also, undeniably, a performative element; they photograph well, they imply routine and feel part of a wider aesthetic. I will certainly be wearing them on my next flight. But I don’t see that as a drawback; after all, beauty has always been, in part, visual language.
Verdict: Effective, comfortable, and aesthetic, though not essential and on the pricier side.
They cost £25/$25 for a set of 6.
The Beauty Ed® Quick Verdict: 6.5/10
3. Is The Rhode Caramlised Banana Peptide Lip Treatment Grainy Or Smooth?
I had held off trying Rhode’s peptide lip treatments for some time. The reviews were noticeably divided; some swore by them, while others described a grainy texture and a slightly sticky finish.
So I approached this one with a degree of scepticism.
The limited-edition Caramelised Banana felt like a great starting point. And in all honesty, it exceeded expectations. The texture is genuinely smooth, gliding across the lips without any of the unevenness I had anticipated. It sits comfortably between a balm and a gloss and is very hydrating.
I’ve used more of it than I care to admit in a very short space of time, which, for me, is usually the clearest measure of success.
The scent is also worth noting. It is distinctly reminiscent of banana cake, warm and softly sweet, without being too overpowering.
What has struck me most, however, is how instinctively I reach for it. It has found a place both by my bedside and on my desk, and I have been using it throughout the day without much thought.
That, more than anything, tends to be the deciding factor!
Rhode Caramlised Banana Peptide Lip Treatment costs £20/$20
The Beauty Ed® Quick Verdict: 8/10
Is Rhode Worth It? An Honest Editor’s Verdict After Testing the Bieber Drop
Rhode succeeds where many celebrity brands falter: it understands both product and perception.
There is intelligence behind the timing, the language, the visuals, but also, crucially, a level of performance that justifies the attention.
For those interested, I’ve written more on Rhode previously; those pieces are linked below, and there’s more on my Instagram: giainthefittingroom. I’d be genuinely curious to hear where others land on this drop: whether it lived up to expectation, or simply proved how persuasive good branding can be.
There is certainly more to come from me on Rhode!