You’ve seen the "glazed donut" skin everywhere. It started as a TikTok trend, but then Hailey Bieber turned it into a business that basically broke the internet. But honestly, the question of how much is rhode worth isn't just about a valuation on a piece of paper anymore. It’s about a massive $1 billion reality.
Rhode isn't just a "celebrity brand" anymore. It’s a powerhouse.
On May 28, 2025, the beauty world shook. e.l.f. Beauty (that drugstore giant everyone loves) officially announced they were acquiring Rhode in a deal valued at up to $1 billion. This wasn't just a rumor. It was a structured, heavy-hitting acquisition that changed the game for how we look at influencer-led businesses.
The $1 Billion Breakdown: How the Math Works
When people ask "how much is Rhode worth," they usually want a single number. But business is rarely that simple. The e.l.f. deal was a mix of different types of money.
Initially, the "guaranteed" part of the deal was $800 million. This was split into $600 million in cold, hard cash and $200 million in e.l.f. Beauty stock. If you’re keeping track, that means Hailey and her co-founders (Michael D. Ratner and Lauren Ratner) became incredibly wealthy overnight—though most of that value was already there, just locked in the company.
There’s also a "kinda" part of the deal: a $200 million earnout.
This is basically a performance bonus. If Rhode hits certain growth targets over the next three years, the total price tag hits that magical $1 billion mark. Considering the brand did $212 million in net sales in the twelve months leading up to March 31, 2025, they are well on their way.
📖 Related: Fidelity 2035 Target Date Fund: What Most People Get Wrong About the Glide Path
Why Rhode is More Than Just a Famous Face
Most celebrity brands fail. Seriously. For every Fenty or Rare Beauty, there are ten others that end up in the clearance bin at T.J. Maxx.
So, why did Rhode succeed where others didn't?
- The "Less is More" Strategy: Instead of launching 50 products at once, Hailey launched three. She focused on essentials: the Peptide Glazing Fluid, the Barrier Restore Cream, and the Peptide Lip Treatment.
- The Phone Case Genius: You probably saw the lip-gloss-holding phone case. It was everywhere. That single piece of plastic turned a beauty product into a fashion accessory.
- Direct-to-Consumer Roots: Rhode spent years building a massive email list and a loyal following before ever stepping foot in a physical store.
By the time the Sephora partnership launched in late 2025, the demand was so high that some stores saw $10 million in sales in just the first two days. That's not normal. That’s "beat-the-previous-record-by-2.5x" territory.
How Much Did Hailey Bieber Actually Make?
This is where things get interesting. While the brand is worth $1 billion, Hailey doesn't keep all of that. Most experts, including those at Celebrity Net Worth and Vogue Business, estimate she held about a 51% stake in the company.
If you do the math on the $800 million closing price:
💡 You might also like: General Motors Stock Graph: What Most People Get Wrong
- $800 million total.
- 51% share equals roughly $408 million.
- Then you have to account for taxes. Between federal taxes and California’s notorious state tax, she likely saw a net windfall closer to $200 million or $300 million initially.
Because of this, Hailey Bieber’s personal net worth is now estimated to be around $300 million to $350 million. Interestingly, this puts her estimated net worth higher than her husband, Justin Bieber, whose net worth is often cited around $200 million to $285 million following his own massive music catalog sale.
Rhode’s Financial Growth (2023-2026)
| Year | Milestone | Revenue/Valuation |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Early Expansion | $160M+ Revenue (Estimated) |
| 2024 | Pocket Blush Launch | #1 Skincare Brand in Earned Media Value |
| 2025 | The e.l.f. Acquisition | $1 Billion Valuation (with earnouts) |
| 2026 | Sephora Global Expansion | Projected $300M+ Annual Revenue |
What’s Next for Rhode?
The deal didn't mean Hailey walked away. She’s still the Chief Creative Officer and Head of Innovation. She basically still runs the "vibe" and the product development, while e.l.f. handles the massive logistics of getting those grey tubes into every Sephora in the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
e.l.f. is betting big that Rhode can reach $300 million in annualized revenue by the end of 2026. They are expanding into "color" (makeup) and "lifestyle" (accessories) even faster now.
Actionable Insights for the Future
If you're watching Rhode to see where the brand—and its value—goes next, keep an eye on these three things:
- The Sephora Factor: The move from direct-to-consumer (DTC) to Sephora is a double-edged sword. It increases sales but can lower profit margins. If Rhode maintains its "cool factor" while being widely available, its value will skyrocket.
- International Dominance: Rhode is currently pushing hard into Scandinavia, Germany, and the GCC (Middle East). Success in these markets is key to hitting that $200 million earnout.
- The "Hailey" Dependency: Investors always worry about what happens if a celebrity founder steps back. For Rhode to stay worth $1 billion, the products have to eventually outshine the person who made them.
Rhode has proven that a curated, aesthetic-first approach can win in a crowded market. Whether it’s the "peptide lip tint" or the next viral skincare tool, the brand’s valuation is now firmly anchored in real-world retail dominance, not just Instagram likes.
To keep track of Rhode's market movement, monitor e.l.f. Beauty's (ELF) quarterly earnings reports, as they now provide the most accurate look at the brand's actual profit and loss. You can also follow Earned Media Value (EMV) rankings to see if the brand is still maintaining its cultural "grip" on Gen Z and Millennial consumers.