'On the 12th Day of Christmas, Rihanna Scammed Me': James Charles Mocks $190 Fenty Calendar, Says It Copies Rhode

Beauty influencer James Charles accused Rihanna of 'scamming' him with her $190 (£142) Fenty Beauty advent calendar in a TikTok review that circulated on Tuesday, 10 November. After opening the final compartment, Charles sang, 'On the 12th day of Christmas, Rihanna scammed me,' rounding off a blistering assessment of the 12-piece holiday gift.

The YouTuber and founder of makeup brand Painted also compared two Fenty Skin products to offerings from Hailey Bieber's Rhode, calling them 'knockoffs'. His biggest complaint, however, was the number of miniatures inside a calendar selling for $190 (£142) in the United States.

Why James Charles Called the Calendar a 'Scam'

Charles worked through all 12 compartments of the 12 Dayz of Fenty Beauty + Fenty Skin calendar, starting on a relatively positive note. He liked the fragrance of the Fenty Treatz lip oil, described the Gloss Bomb Stix as 'nice and super wearable' and praised the wand on the Hella Thicc mascara. The Killawatt highlighter in Wattabrat also earned his approval, despite his mounting frustration with the smaller products.

The mood changed as he pulled out mini versions of the Total Cleans'r cleanser, Fat Water toner serum and Hydra Vizor moisturiser. He criticised the size of the Butta Drop body cream and questioned why the brand had included a miniature Gloss Bomb rather than a full-sized version. Addressing Rihanna, he asked, 'Rihanna, sister, you're a billionaire... You couldn't include a full-size Gloss Bomb?'

Charles eventually declared, 'None of this is worth $190,' before calling the calendar a 'scam'. His remarks concerned the value of the products rather than any substantiated fraudulent conduct. Fenty's official product listing describes the set as containing both mini and full-size items, although customers may disagree about whether the selection justifies its price.

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Did Fenty Beauty Copy Rhode?

The sharpest comparison came when Charles opened a Total Cleans'r and remarked that it 'smells like a Rhode knockoff'. He repeated the 'Rhode knockoff' description when he reached the Plush Puddin' lip mask, although he conceded that the product smelled good. He did not present evidence that Fenty had copied Rhode's formulations or packaging.

The remarks prompted criticism from viewers who pointed out that Rihanna entered the beauty industry long before Bieber. Fenty Beauty launched in September 2017, with Fenty Skin following in July 2020, whereas Rhode debuted in June 2022. Total Cleans'r was part of Fenty Skin's original three-product range, meaning the cleanser predates Rhode, although the Plush Puddin' lip mask arrived later in 2022.

Other viewers agreed with Charles' complaints about the price while rejecting his comparison to Rhode. Some argued that the calendar did not offer sufficient value, while others defended its selection of popular Fenty products. The divided reaction left two separate criticisms at the centre of the conversation: the cost of celebrity beauty gifts and Charles' suggestion that Rihanna's products copied another brand.

UK Shoppers Pay Less Than Americans

Fenty lists the calendar for $190 (approximately £142) in the US, while its British website sells the 12-piece collection for £115. The UK listing advertises £243 worth of products and identifies the contents as a mixture of full-size and miniature makeup and skincare.

Fenty's 2026 release also marks a change from last year's advent calendar, which contained eight full-size products and four miniatures. The 2025 collection included a full-sized Trace'd Out lip liner, Cherry Dub face mask and Blemish Defeat'r spot treatment. This year's edition has six full-size products, with more of its facial skincare offerings appearing in travel sizes.

The smaller products include a 45ml Total Cleans'r, 50ml Fat Water toner serum and 30ml Hydra Vizor moisturiser. Meanwhile, the two full-size Fenty Skin products are the Fenty Treatz lip oil and Plush Puddin' lip mask, rather than facial skincare staples. The selection gives customers a chance to sample several products, although those seeking full-size cleansers, serums or moisturisers would need to purchase them separately.

Shoppers also cannot customise the calendar's makeup shades, which include the Lolly Poppy blush, Wattabrat highlighter and Is It Fu$$y Gloss Bomb Stix. Fenty's UK website lists the individual shades and quantities, allowing customers to inspect the contents before purchasing. The brand advertises £243 worth of products for £115, representing a claimed saving of £128 compared with the products' combined retail value.

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