I don't need to explain Sol de Janeiro, do I? C'mon now, we all live on planet earth. You've definitely seen the brand's colourful bottles on your TikTok For You page or maybe you already have a collection in your bathroom; either way, know that Sol de Janeiro's (SDJ) range of wonderfully-scented products are a hot commodity in today's beauty world.
In recent years, it seems as though Sol de Janeiro has dominated the bodycare industry, but the Brazilian-inspired American brand actually launched back in 2015. Translating to "Sun of January” in Portuguese – the highest point of Brazil's summer sun – Sol de Janeiro's story is highly influenced by Brazilian culture, everything from the product's aromas to how they make you feel.
In fact, Korean-American founder Heela Yang, who lives much of her life in Brazil, was inspired by the vibrant and sun-soaked beaches of Rio de Janeiro where women of all shapes and sizes are comfortable in their own skin.
What are the Sol de Janeiro scents?
Sol de Janeiro splits up its products into five core fragrance families where the scent can be applied as a mist, body wash, body cream or bodycare product. Named Cheirosa – which roughly translates to "smell incredibly delicious" – each fragrance family smells entirely unique, but no matter which you use, they all evoke feelings of joy and happiness.
Cheirosa '62: Let's start with the original, Cheirosa '62, which is also the scent of the viral Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. While many of the SDJ scents are lively and fresh, Cheirosa '62 is warm, spicy and caramel-y. With core notes of pistachio, salted caramel and vanilla, it's undeniably sweet, but has a smokey edge that doesn't make it sickly.
Cheirosa '48: The juicy scent of Cheirosa '48 was created to match the powerful energy of 1948, a time when wearing a bikini became the hottest beach attire. The fragrance opens with guava and coconut and settles on the skin with vanilla and musk. It's fruity, tropical and a lot of fun.
Cheirosa '68: If you fancy floral and fruity fragrances, Cheirosa '68 is for you. With core notes of sugared dragonfruit and jasmine, the throw is dancing with fresh and vibrant aromas. It reminds me of a hot summer's day, sitting in the garden while sipping on a Pimm's.
Cheirosa '59: I see Cheirosa '59 as one of the most unique scents in SDJ's line-up. The core notes of vanilla orchid, sugared violet and sheer sandalwood, create a rich and deep aroma that smells slightly powdery but is still very up-lifting. Its scent profile is meant to be one of the most mood-boosting aromas of the collection, with the overall throw leaving you with a cosy and happy feeling.
Cheirosa '40: Then there's Cheirosa '40, featuring notes of black amber plum, crème de cassis, vanilla and jasmine blooms. While I see this spritz as a fun and fruity aroma (big up plum and crème de cassis), the vanilla complements the freshness by adding a musky note. So it's still sweet, but seductive too.
And beside these core fragrance families, the brand also has a few other scents that can be found as a mist or body cream. Cheirosa '71 is inspired by Confitería Colombo bakery in Rio, so it's a toasty and warm scent characterised by macadamia nut and tonka bean. Cheirosa '76 is velvety and sweet – designed to be noticed in a room – while Cheirosa '87 is warm and beachy (it's also the aroma of the brand's sun care range).
Best Sol de Janeiro products...
I've Sol-de-Janeiro'ed my way through life, and I can wholeheartedly say that as soon as I catch a whiff of one of the products (whether that's a body cream, body wash or fragrance mist), my mood is instantly boosted. The gourmand scents are utterly delicious and addictive – and on occasion, I have to remind myself to come up for air. It was a truly difficult task whittling down my must-have products, but someone had to do it.
Behold, the best Sol de Janeiro products that you'll never regret buying...
Sol de Janeiro: Fragrance mists
I'm sure I'm not the only person who matches their scent with the day, whether that's your mood, the colour of your lipstick or what shoes you're wearing. I've always loved the idea of finding my signature scent, but in a world of too much choice, it's even more fun to switch things up – and it seems Sol de Janerio is on board.
The brand's fragrance directory is stellar, with a scent that can suit every occasion. Most of the scents throws sparkling and fruity – they remind me of sunny holidays and happy mems – but the brand also has some musky and gourmand scents that are perfect for the autumn and winter.
Picking favourites was a challenge (sorry guys, I <3 you all). But if you fancy a full rundown, check out our beauty writer's in-depth review.
Cheirosa '62 Perfume Mist
Fragranced with the same aroma as the viral Bum Bum Cream, the Cheirosa ’62 Perfume Mist, IMO, is a summer-time essential. With just three core notes – pistachio, salted-caramel and vanilla – it smells warm and comforting, like the feeling of a sun-kissed summer's day.
Cheirosa '59 Perfume Mist
Unlike the usual fruity and sparkly fragrances in SDJ’s line-up, this mist is a little musky but still throws a little sweetness that entices you to keep on spritzing. With notes of vanilla and sandalwood, it makes you want to cosy up next to the fire or bundle up in the pub.
Cheirosa '68 Perfume Mist
With notes of jasmine and pink dragonfruit, the Cheirosa ’68 mist feels fresh, floral and sprightly, so it’s the perfect one to mist over during the spring when all the flowers are in bloom. And, ICYDK, it’s known to be an affordable alternative to Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540.
Cheirosa '71 Perfume Mist
Wanna smell like a caramelised vanilla bean? You’ll want to spritz Cheirosa '71 all over. This is a gourmand scent with notes of tonka bean, vanilla and macadamia nut so that it forms a rich and spicy throw that lasts all day. It reminds me of pumpkin spice everything and cosy autumnal bonfires.
Sol de Janeiro: Body creams
When I step out the shower and slather myself in a SDJ body cream, I feel as though I've made it ~ hehehe ~ because these body butters are the crème de la crème. They come in two sizes, 75ml (£21) and 240ml (£48), and each one is infused with a different scent family. I even find the creams smell stronger than some of the mists, so they'll still linger throughout the day.
But while the yummy scents may be the reason to invest, each formula does wonders for your skin too. The Bom Dia Bright Cream is infused with exfoliating acids to promote smooth skin, while the new Body Badalada is a lighter, yet still nourishing, lotion in the scent of Cheirosa 62.
Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
Here we have it – the most popular SDJ body cream. Pronounced ‘boom-boom’, this yellow tub contains the brand’s signature scent of vanilla, salted caramel and pistachio infused into a silky cream. It’s got a rich, sweet and basking-in-the-sun-on-holiday sort of smell that’s utterly addictive.
Beija Flor Elasti-Cream
As a member of the Cheirosa '68 family, Beija Flor Elasti Cream leaves a fresh and fruity scent – spotlighting jasmine and pink dragon fruit – and is cleverly formulated with a plant-based collagen to support the overall firmness of your skin. Sign me up!
Sol de Janeiro Body Badalada Lotion
If you prefer something lighter, the new Body Badalada has the scent of Cheirosa 62 but as a weightless, silky lotion formula that leaves your skin unbelievably soft – not to mention smelling sweet too. It also does good for your skin too as it’s packed with hyaluronic acid, Brazil nut oil and cactus pear extract to nourish and hydrate.
Bom Dia Bright Cream
My personal fave from the SDJ family, the Bom Dia Bright Cream is enriched with fruit AHAs and vitamin C – basically meaning that if you start now, by summer your skin will look radiant and feel smooth AF. As for the scent, it’s based on Cheirosa '40 so it’s both sweet (without feeling sickly) and delicately floral.
Sol de Janeiro: Body care
If you're already a fan of the SDJ body creams and fragrance mists, dw, as your obsession doesn't need to end there. The brand also has a range of sweet-smelling body care products so you can bring SDJ into every walk of life, be it the shower or in the gym.
If there's anything to make you sing in the shower and rival Emma Stone with 'Pocketful of Sunshine', it's one of the brand's delicious body washes. Whenever I lather up, the mood-boosting aromas instantly make me feel better. While I'm a big fan of them all, I've got to spotlight the Bom Dia Bright Body Wash. Not only does it smell divine, but it leaves my skin feeling soft and buttery. And to my despair, my boyfriend loves it too... and I'm not one for sharing.
Rio Deo
Rio Deo is a fun way to blend skincare and fragrance. The gourmand notes of sandalwood and violet mask any B.O, while tapioca starch absorbs sweat and moisture. It’s also aluminium free, if natural deodorant is your thang.
Delicia Drench Shower Oil
Try adding this oil to your routine; it’ll turn your shower into a treat rather than a chore. With the scent of Cheirosa ‘59 in the air and the nourishing blend of bacuri butter and glycerin on your skin, you’ll step out the shower feeling as revitalised as never before.
Bom Dia Bright Body Wash
This body wash genuinely makes shower time exciting. After lathering up, I stand there for as long as my water bill will allow, soaking in its sweetness. It’s also infused with AHAs and BHAs so it helps to nix pesky KP bumps on the back of my arms.
Rio Sunset Glow Oil
Watch me bathe myself in this decedent body oil as soon as my summer holiday rolls around. The Glowmotions oil is infused with delicate shimmers to bring golden goddess vibes to your tan, while the Cheirosa ’62 fragrance will make you smell as sweet as caramel.
Sol de Janeiro: Sun care
Let's be real, no one enjoys putting on sunscreen. Sure, I do it to protect my skin, but do I have fun doing it? Not exactly. Then I tried Sol de Janeiro's sun care range and my tune changed. Until this point, I never knew it was possible for a sunscreen to smell as good as my fave fragrance, and now, applying sunscreen feels more like a treat.
The range consists of an SPF oil, lotion and spray which are all infused with the smell of Cheirosa '87 – a scent that smells like summer in a bottle. The overall throw feels beachy and nostalgic, thanks to notes of coconut milk, vanilla and tuberose. In fact, it's so yummy that people may block out the sun as they lean over to ask, "What are you wearing?"
Rio Radiance Body Spray SPF 50
This SPF is practical as the spray-on applicator ensures all-over coverage, but it also brings fun to your beach days with its vibrant aroma and formula that leaves a pearly finish on your skin.
Rio Radiance Oil Body SPF 50
Prefer an SPF oil? The Rio Radiance Body Oil not only provides factor 50 protection, but it also leaves a juicy shimmer to the skin, enhancing the look of your tan. And, you bet, it smells absolutely decedent too.
Rio Radiance Body Lotion
This lotion saw me through an incredibly hot trip to Mexico and, I am proud to say, there was not a sight of burn whatsoever – and, unfortunately, that's a rare occurrence. The thick lotion takes a little work to rub in, but once there, it offers epic protection and you'll smell pretty great too.
Sol de Janeiro: Gift sets
What's better than one Sol de Janeiro product? A whole bundle of them, and SDJ knows how to do a great gift set. The Jet Set kits are perfect for the travel junkie in your life – the bundle features a mini shower gel, fragrance mist and body cream – and for only £30, that's a bargain! Or, if you fancy spoiling someone ahead of the sunny season, the Summer Bundle comes with a full-size SPF body lotion and fragrance mist, plus a mini body cream and fragrance mist.
Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Jet Set
Delicia Drench Jet Set
Cheirosa Fragrance Duo
Summer Bundle
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Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
