The RHODE Beauty pop-up event, which was marketed as a lavish and exciting experience, was meant to be a celebration of the brand’s expansion into South Africa.
Beauty lovers and influencers alike were eager to see the latest products in person, hoping to receive exclusive access to new launches and personalized beauty services.
However, things quickly went wrong when attendees began to realize that the event was not what it had been promised to be.
The pop-up experience, which was meant to be a glamorous and engaging event, quickly turned into chaos.
Long lines, disorganization, and a lack of communication from event organizers left many attendees waiting for hours without receiving any of the perks they had been promised.
Those who had registered in advance were met with confusion and disappointment, as there was no clear explanation or structure to the event.
As the day progressed, it became increasingly clear that the event was a far cry from what was advertised.
The pop-up was not equipped to handle the number of attendees, and many guests were turned away or left empty-handed.
The promised beauty giveaways, which were supposed to be part of the experience, never materialized, leaving many feeling scammed and deceived.
Attendees took to social media to express their frustration, sharing stories of wasted time, long waits, and unmet expectations.
Some even claimed they had paid for exclusive access or VIP packages but did not receive the benefits they were promised.
The lack of organization and the poor execution of the event fueled outrage, as many felt that RHODE Beauty had taken advantage of their loyalty and trust.
The situation quickly escalated when social media influencers and beauty bloggers, who had been invited to the event, shared their own disappointing experiences.
The backlash on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok was swift, with many calling out RHODE Beauty for their failure to deliver on their promises.
The hashtag #RHODEBeautyFail began trending as more and more people shared their negative experiences and demanded an explanation from the brand.
What started as a simple beauty event quickly turned into a public relations disaster for RHODE Beauty.
Consumers were left questioning the brand’s integrity and its commitment to providing quality experiences for its customers.
Influencers and beauty enthusiasts, who had supported the brand for years, expressed their disbelief and disappointment at the way they were treated.
As the dust settled and more details emerged, many began to label the event as a scam.
Several attendees alleged that the event was a bait-and-switch tactic, where they were lured in with promises of exclusive beauty products and perks but left with nothing in return.
Some even speculated that the event was organized with the sole purpose of driving sales for RHODE Beauty products, with little concern for the actual experience of the attendees.
Adding fuel to the fire, rumors began circulating that the brand had mismanaged funds allocated for the event, which contributed to the lack of giveaways, services, and proper organization.
This only intensified the anger and frustration of those who had been looking forward to a memorable and exciting experience.
In the wake of the scandal, RHODE Beauty issued an apology to those who attended the event, acknowledging the shortcomings and failures of the pop-up.
The brand stated that they had not anticipated the overwhelming turnout and that they would be addressing the logistical issues that led to the chaos.
However, many felt that the apology was not enough, as the damage to their reputation had already been done.
Critics pointed out that the brand failed to take responsibility for the scam-like behavior exhibited during the event, and many felt that the apology was more about damage control than genuine regret.
Despite the efforts to placate the situation, RHODE Beauty’s reputation took a significant hit, with many vowing never to support the brand again.
The RHODE Beauty pop-up fail serves as a cautionary tale for brands, particularly in the beauty and influencer spaces, about the importance of transparency, customer service, and organization.
In today’s fast-paced world, where social media can amplify both positive and negative experiences, brands must be cautious about over-promising and under-delivering.
What was meant to be an exciting marketing event for RHODE Beauty ended in a PR nightmare, and it will likely take a long time for the brand to regain the trust of consumers.
For South African beauty enthusiasts, this event has become a painful reminder of how brands can sometimes take advantage of their loyalty.
While it is not uncommon for pop-up events to have hiccups, the sheer scale of disappointment and the nature of the allegations surrounding the RHODE Beauty event have left many feeling betrayed.
It’s clear that the beauty industry in South Africa—and globally—must work harder to ensure that they deliver on their promises to customers and maintain a level of integrity in their business practices.
Matlaila AKA Mokgadi 
