Reasonably priced and with and delectably gourmand, the best Sol De Janeiro scents will evoke holiday bliss and deluxe spas, at a fraction of the price. Sol de Janeiro translates as "Sun of January", which is the time of year when the sun is at its highest in Brazil, so it makes sense that all of the scents evoke a celebratory Brazilian spirit and an enduring summery feel.
When the brand first launched in 2015, the Brazilian-inspired Bum Bum Cream had all the makings of a great beauty product. It has bright, dopamine-inducing packaging, a cheeky name, and a fantastic body moisturiser. One of the best-smelling body lotions around, it's fast-absorbing, intensely nourishing and promises to firm skin – especially on your thighs and bottom. Although the cream can do wonders for your skin, I was primarily using it (and justifying the cost) because of the incredible fragrance, so I turned to the perfume mists, and now I have one in my bag at all times for an immediate mood boost.
They're still distinctly different and would be quite easy to tell apart in a blind sniff test. Some are fruity perfumes, some are floral fragrances, and some are more gourmand. They've been dubbed the best summery scents, but I wear them all year round for an immediate mood boost. I've tried them all, and these are my favourite Sol de Janeiro summer scents ranked from most loved to least used...
The best Sol De Janeiro scents, ranked
Fragrance notes: Velvet plum, sugared violet, vanilla orchid, whipped amber, sheer sandalwood, fresh vetiver.
The brand's newest launch has immediately converted me. I was a die-hard 68 fan, telling everyone who loved the famous Cheirosa 62 that they just had to try 68, but the new 59 scent has quickly become a new favourite and the one I use the most. The fragrance takes me back to my childhood in the best way; the sugared violet reminds me of the Parma Violets I so adored.
It's not sickly sweet, and the notes are not at all overwhelming. Instead, the combination of vanilla orchid, sugared violet and sheer sandalwood creates a scent that is as delicious as it is uplifting. I am so in love with the 68 scent, I honestly didn't believe the brand could make anything better, but this new scent has totally blown me away. It has to be the most sophisticated of the Sol de Janeiro scent collection. Plus, I just discovered that this gourmand but woody fragrance is scientifically proven to boost your mood. What's not to love?
Reasons to buy: You're looking for something affordable, uplifting and not sickly sweet
Reasons to avoid: If you don't like vanilla notes, although the vanilla orchid is so subtle, it doesn't give me traditional sweet vanilla notes at all, but a much more sophisticated scent
Fragrance notes: Pistachio, almond, heliotrope, jasmine petals, vanilla, salted caramel, sandalwood
This is the scent that started it all; just one spritz transports you to that holiday feeling. It's irresistible, sunny, warm and the ultimate expression of Sol de Janeiro's Brazilian spirit. "What I love most about the scent is that it's warm and comforting rather than sickly. To me, the salted caramel is the overwhelming note and feels snug and summery all at once - but it is worth noting that the perfume scent doesn't last as long as the fragrance from the body or hair products," says beauty editor Jess Beech.
This was the first Sol De Janeiro scent I heard of, and I understand why everyone is so obsessed with this scent. I've never smelt anything quite like it that embodies summer sun. The Cheirosa 62 range are the only products I use on holiday now, and for whenever I need to pretend that I'm back on the beach when I'm back in London.," says Dionne.
Reasons to buy: You want a sweet, impressively long-lasting scent, or you want to feel like you're on holiday
Reasons to avoid: If you're a fan of crisp, clean scents over sweet ones, because this is so sweet, it's good enough to eat
Fragrance notes: Pink Dragonfruit, Lychee Essence, Brazilian Jasmine, Ocean Air, Hibiscus, Sheer Vanilla, Sun Musk
Blooming and bright, this fruity fragrance will remind you of a garden in Rio. It's inspired by 1968, when the Tropicalia Movement marked an exciting musical and cultural shift in Brazil. I've worn the Cheirosa 68 cream every single day for over a year, and it instantly makes my day better. This is the most expensive-smelling and sophisticated scent in the Sol De Janeiro collection. It's not a super sweet scent like the others, and it is not at all overpowering, which is why I always have one in my bag. I fell in love with the Cheirosa 68 scent from the first time I used the skin-plumping body cream because of the jasmine and dragonfruit combination. The Brazilian jasmine, pink dragonfruit, and touch of vanilla notes is the best thing I've ever smelt and, hands down, one of the best affordable perfumes.
If you have yet to try any of the Sol scents, the 68 is the one I recommend to all my friends. I'll be honest with you, I have the Baracat Rouge body lotion, and other than the shimmer, I can't really tell the difference between that, and the Cheirosa 68 cream - it's that good. The mist doesn't last as long as the spray, but I won't leave my house without one in my bag.
Reasons to buy: If you want a scent that is sophisticated but sweet and not overpowering
Reasons to avoid: If you want a longer-lasting spray, the sugariness does fade the fastest, leaving behind a musky fruity floral.
Fragrance notes: Black Amber Plum, Crème de Cassis, Jasmine Blooms, Brazilian Orchid, Vanilla Woods, Warm Musk
Sweet and delicate, this warm floral fragrance has a touch of sophisticated sensuality, inspired by 1840 when Rio debuted their legendary bailes Carnaval Ball. The mix of fruity and florals is undoubtedly uplifting, and vanilla gives it a dash of extra sweetness, but Jess prefers to use this in the cream version as this scent feels a little young to her. "Thanks to the addition of exfoliating AHAs, which work wonders on the chicken skin on my arms and the bumpy backs of my thighs, the Bom Dia Bright Cream is one of my favourite Sol de Janeiro products because it's a brilliant body exfoliator," she explains.
This is the Sol De Janeiro scent I use the most during the summer months. While the Cheirosa 62 is very much summer in the sun type fragrance, the 40 is more summer at home and has a gorgeously balanced sweetness that isn't overpowering and is balanced out perfectly with the plum and musk. Plus, it's the scent I found that lasts the longest.
Reasons to buy: If you want to give a Sol De Janeiro scent as a present, this is the one I imagine everyone will enjoy
Reasons to avoid: You want a distinctively sweet and summery scent, that feels more beachy
Fragrance notes: Leite de Coco, Warm Sand, solar Tuberose, Ylang Ylang, Creamy Vanilla, Amber Essence.
The Cheirosa 87 is inspired by 1987's "Summer of the Cans", a highly influential event that prompted parties, music and art. "I'm all about holiday nostalgia, and there is something about this floral fragrance that made me feel like my Out of Office was on, my hair was salty, and my toes were in the sand. I'm also an absolute sucker for anything that smells of tuberose (Tubéreuse is my all-time favourite, only-burn-on-very-special occasions Diptyque candle).
This, combined with a touch of coconut and amber, for me, evokes the feeling of a warm summer evening," says Jess. "The fragrance itself isn't too strong, which does impact the staying power, but I like the fact that it's more low-key as I can find intense scents quite headache-inducing when the temperatures heat up," she explains.
Reasons to buy: You love tuberose and are looking for a low-key scent
Reasons to avoid: You want a more potent scent
Fragrance notes: Caramelised Vanilla, Sea Salt, Toasted Macadamia Nut, White Chocolate, Tonka Bean, Coconut Blossom
An amber gourmand fragrance inspired by Brazilian muse Leila Diniz who, in 1971, celebrated her bikini body at eight months pregnant on the beaches of Rio. "Summer isn’t for everyone, and I’d say that this Sol de Janeiro scent is the most autumnal of the bunch. At first sniff, it’s the original Cheirosa 62 but on steroids. It’s got the same caramel and vanilla notes, but with the intensity dialled up to max. The closest thing I can liken it to is caramelising sugar when it’s just starting to catch on the bottom of the pan, or when someone’s taken a blow torch to a crème brulée in a fancy restaurant. There are more dessert-worthy gourmand notes too, with toasted macadamia nut and tonka bean, while coconut blossom and sea salt add a sprinkle of the beachy feel you’d expect from the brand," says Jess.
It is more of a fall fragrance than what I'm looking for day to day, but I love how completely different this is from the rest of the collection. If you had only smelled the brand's iconic 62 or summery fragrances, you wouldn't guess this was a Sol scent. It's totally different and the nutty notes come out for me the most.
Reasons to buy: You love a gourmand fragrance that smells good enough to eat
Reasons to avoid: You don't like nuts or caramel because the nutty note comes through strong
Why are Sol de Janeiro scents so popular?
My obsession with Sol de Janeiro scents started with the (now very much cult) Bum Bum Cream. Which I've recently learned is pronounced "Boom Boom" rather than the slightly less elegant "Bum Bum". I instantly fell in love with the fragrance and, in turn, had to get my hands on all the top Sol de Janeiro scents.
The perfume mists have over a billion views on TikTok alone. It's not often the case that something that goes that viral is worth the attention, but when it comes to these perfume sprays, they most certainly are. Why? They smell much more expensive than their price tag, making them a handbag or beach bag essential. Because, despite opting for the best long-lasting perfumes, I always need a little top-up throughout the day.
Are Sol de Janeiro scents worth investing in?
Our Beauty Editor's favourite Sol de Janeiro products.
Sol de Janeiro scents are all quite unique, with unexpected notes that set them apart from your average affordable fragrances. With the exception of Cheirosa 71, I’d say they’re all very summery, which will either appeal to you all year round or not. For me, I’ll be drenching myself in my favourites (Cheirosa 62 and 87) as I optimistically wait to see whether British summertime will make an appearance this year.
Sol de Janeiro's Perfume Mists are popular for good reason. Mainly, as they’re not super expensive (£22 for 90ml or £35 for a generously sized 200ml), especially when you consider that 100ml of Jo Malone’s popular perfume Pomegranate Noir is over £100, and 100ml of Le Labo Santal 33 will set you back over £200. Price is a key consideration when choosing the best perfume for you.
While these perfumes are well priced, because they’re mists rather than an Eau de Parfum they don’t have the same intensity as long-lasting perfumes and we found they do tend to fade quicker than other scents. However, the benefit of the mist formula is that they can be used on your body, as well as your hair, without leaving it dry and straw-like.
What’s brilliant about the Sol de Janeiro collection as a whole is that as it works in fragrance families, so you can layer fragrances from different products that have the same scent, such as a body lotion and a body mist, which will increase their potency and staying power. It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book for how to make perfume last longer.
If you’re strapped for cash and can only afford to invest in one product from Sol de Janeiro, I personally would choose one of their scented body lotions over a mist, just because the lotion is essentially a two-in-one and will leave you deliciously fragranced at the same time as caring for your skin.
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