If you’ve spent more than five minutes on beauty TikTok lately, you've seen it. That tiny, pill-shaped cream compact being swiped across cheekbones with reckless abandon. Hailey Bieber basically broke the internet (again) when she dropped the Rhode Pocket Blush line, but one shade in particular—Rhode Pocket Blush Piggy—has become the unofficial mascot of the "cool girl" aesthetic.
But honestly? Most people are using it wrong.
It’s easy to look at a baby pink cream blush and think, "Okay, I get it. It’s pink." But Piggy isn't just another bubblegum pink. It’s a very specific, cool-toned, "baby-doll" flush that behaves differently depending on how you prep your skin. If you’re just slapping it on over dry patches or a heavy matte foundation, you’re missing the point of why this formula exists.
The Science of the "Piggy" Flush
Rhode didn't just pick a random pink. Piggy is designed to mimic the natural, slightly translucent flush you get after a brisk walk or, as the brand’s marketing suggests, a "little flush for a little blush."
What makes it technically interesting is the formulation. It’s not just wax and pigment. It’s packed with:
- Tamanu Oil: This is an old-school skincare favorite known for its healing and fatty acid content. It’s why the blush feels like it’s actually sinking into your skin rather than sitting on top of it.
- Peptides: Keeping with the Rhode brand DNA, they’ve included Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1. Does a blush need peptides? Maybe not strictly, but it helps maintain that "plump" look.
- Kaolin & Silica: This is the secret sauce. These ingredients help the blush set to a "satiny" finish rather than staying sticky.
A lot of cream blushes stay tacky forever. You know the feeling—your hair gets stuck in your cheek when the wind blows. Piggy is different. It starts very emollient (thanks to the synthetic wax and hydrogenated polyisobutene) but blurs out into a soft, diffused finish.
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Why Piggy is the "Hardest" Shade to Master
Here is the truth: Piggy is a light, bright pink.
On very fair skin, it’s a dream. On medium to deep skin tones, it can sometimes lean toward "ashy" if you don't build it up correctly. I’ve seen some reviews from users with deeper complexions who felt the pigment got lost. However, the trick is the layering. Because it’s buildable, you have to tap, let it set for thirty seconds, and tap again.
Pro Tip: If you have a deeper skin tone and want that Piggy pop without the ashiness, try layering it over a tiny bit of a warmer shade like Spicy Marg or Juice Box. It creates a custom gradient that looks much more expensive than a single swipe.
The Application Debate: Fingers vs. Brushes
I’ve tried both. Many times.
If you use your fingers, the warmth of your skin melts the oils in the Rhode Pocket Blush Piggy instantly. This gives you the most "natural" look. It literally looks like your skin just turned that color.
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But.
If you want longevity—like, "I’m going to a wedding and I need this to stay until the cake is cut" longevity—you need a brush. A dense, synthetic buffing brush allows you to push the pigment into the skin.
- Start with your base (Glazing Milk or your favorite moisturizer is non-negotiable here).
- Swipe the blush stick directly onto the back of your hand first.
- Pick up the product with a brush.
- Stipple it onto the high points of the cheeks.
- Don't forget the nose. A tiny tap of Piggy on the bridge of the nose is what gives that "sun-kissed" but "cold-girl" hybrid look.
Longevity: Does It Actually Last?
In a 32-subject consumer study conducted by the brand, 97% of people said it melts into the skin seamlessly. That’s great, but "melting in" doesn't always mean "staying put."
In real-world testing (read: running errands in 80% humidity), Piggy holds its own better than most "clean beauty" cream blushes. Most dewy blushes disappear by lunchtime. Because of the Kaolin clay in the Rhode formula, there's a slight "grip" that keeps the color from sliding off your face.
If you have oily skin, you’ll still want to lightly dust a translucent powder over it. It won't kill the glow entirely, but it will save the pigment.
The Packaging Problem
Let's be real for a second. The packaging is cute. It’s "pocket-sized" as promised. But it’s also a bit chunky. It’s a thick, rounded tube that feels a little more "plastic" than some might expect for the $25 price point.
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Also, a word of warning: the cap can be confusing. More than one person has accidentally smashed the product by trying to put the cap back on the wrong way or not twisting it down fully. Be careful. It’s a soft formula; it doesn't take much to mush it.
The Monochromatic Hack
One of the best things about Piggy is that it’s safe for lips.
If you’re doing a "five-minute face," you can take your ring finger, tap it onto the blush, and then press it into your lips. It creates this very soft, blurred lip line that looks very 90s-off-duty-model.
If it feels too dry on your lips (since it is a blush, after all), just top it with a Peptide Lip Tint in Ribbon. The colors are almost identical, and it creates a "glazed" monochromatic look that is honestly hard to beat.
What to Do Next
If you’re sitting there wondering if you actually need another pink blush, ask yourself what you want your skin to look like. If you want a heavy, matte, "painted-on" look, this isn't for you.
But if you want to look like you just woke up from a very expensive nap in the French Riviera, here is your game plan:
- Check your undertone. Piggy is cool-toned. If you are very warm/yellow-toned, it will look high-contrast. If you’re cool or neutral, it’s your new best friend.
- Prep is everything. Use a facial oil or a thick essence before applying. This formula thrives on hydrated skin.
- Layer, don't smear. Tapping the product on preserves your foundation underneath. Smearing it will just move your concealer around.
- Multi-task. Use it on your eyelids for a "fatigued-chic" look (it’s a thing, trust me).
You can find Piggy on the Rhode website for $25. It frequently sells out, so if you see it in stock, it’s usually best to grab it then rather than waiting for a "restock" that might be weeks away.
Grab a dense synthetic brush, prep your skin with a good dose of hydration, and start with a single, light layer to see how the pigment reacts with your specific skin chemistry before going full "heavy-handed."