Boasting luxury, expensive-smelling fragrances without the hefty price tag, the best Sol de Janeiro scents transport you back to a blissful beach holiday or a serene spa break.
After making their debut in 2015 with the iconic Brazilian-inspired Bum Bum Cream, Sol de Janeiro has grown to become one of the biggest fragrance and body care brands on the market. Arriving in instantly recognisable playful and colourful packaging, the brand offer a stellar lineup of the best-smelling body lotions and some of the best cheap perfumes that often leave others asking which fragrance you're wearing.
All these years later, the body cream in question has gone on to gain cult status, but it's their fragrance mists that have brought real attention. Often described as summer in a bottle, these versatile scents actually work all year round for an immediate mood boost. From fruity perfumes to floral fragrances - and ones that smell just like iconic luxury scents - we've tried, tested and ranked the Sol de Janeiro scents that are worthy addition to your fragrance assortment.
Best Sol de Janeiro mist deals
The best Sol de Janeiro scents, tried and tested by our beauty team
Fragrance notes: Velvet plum, sugared violet, vanilla orchid, whipped amber, sheer sandalwood, fresh vetiver
Before the brand launched this scent, I was a die-hard 68 fan, spreading the word to anyone that they just had to try 68, but this 59 scent has quickly become my go-to favourite. Transporting me back to my childhood, this fragrance's note of sugared violet reminds me of the Parma Violets I so adored. It's neither sickly sweet nor overwhelming, instead, the combination of vanilla orchid, sugared violet and sheer sandalwood creates a scent that is as delicious as it is uplifting.
Reasons to buy: You're looking for something affordable, uplifting and not sickly sweet
Reasons to avoid: You don't like vanilla notes (though they are subtle and sophisticated)
Fragrance notes: Pink dragonfruit, lychee essence, Brazilian jasmine, ocean air, hibiscus, sheer vanilla, sun musk
This blooming and bright fruity fragrance reminds you of a garden in Rio. I'd say it's the most expensive-smelling, sophisticated scent in Sol De Janeiro's range. It's not super sweet or overpowering in the slightest - and its winning combination of jasmine, dragonfruit and vanilla makes it one of the best affordable perfumes, too. Its similarities to the cult favourite Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 makes it a go-to of Digital Beauty Editor Aleesha Badkar too.
Reasons to buy: You want a sophisticated and sweet, but not overpowering, scent
Reasons to avoid: You want a longer-lasting spray
Fragrance notes: Black amber plum, crème de cassis, jasmine blooms, Brazilian orchid, vanilla woods, warm musk
Inspired by 1840 when Rio debuted their legendary bailes Carnaval Ball, Sol de Janeiro's Cheirosa 40 is both sweet and delicately floral, offering a touch of sophisticated sensuality. The mix of fruity and florals is undoubtedly uplifting, the vanilla gives it a dash of extra sweetness, whilst balanced out perfectly with plum and musk. Throughout the summer months, this is the Sol De Janeiro scent I undoubtedly use the most. Plus, this scent is the one I found that lasts the longest.
Reasons to buy: You want to gift a Sol De Janeiro scent (this is the one I imagine most would enjoy)
Reasons to avoid: You want a distinctively sweet, summery scent with a beachy feel
Fragrance notes: Pistachio, almond, heliotrope, jasmine petals, vanilla, salted caramel, sandalwood
This is the scent where it all began – just one spritz imparts that irresistible, sunny, warm holiday feeling. "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.
Reasons to buy: You want a sweet, impressively long-lasting scent, or to feel like you're on holiday (or both!)
Reasons to avoid: You prefer crisp, clean scents over very sweet ones
Fragrance notes: Caramelised vanilla, sea salt, toasted macadamia nut, white chocolate, tonka bean, coconut blossom
This amber gourmand fragrance is inspired by Brazilian muse Leila Diniz who, in 1971, celebrated her bikini body at eight months pregnant on the beaches of Rio. "I’d say that this Sol de Janeiro scent is the most 'autumnal' of the bunch," says Jess. "The closest thing I can liken it to is caramelising sugar when it’s just starting to catch on the bottom of the pan. There are more dessert-worthy gourmand notes, too, while coconut blossom and sea salt add a sprinkle of the beachy feel you’d expect from the brand."
Reasons to buy: You love a gourmand fragrance that smells good enough to eat
Reasons to avoid: You don't like nuts or caramel (the nutty note comes through strongly)
Fragrance notes: Blackcurrant, pear nectar, midnight jasmine, vanilla crème, lush freesia, amber woods, caramelised patchouli
Inspired by Rio at dusk, Cheirosa 76 boasts warming and sensual amber floral notes, as opposed to the fresh and vibrant summery florals usually in the spotlight. "This mist is different to the rest of the brand's fragrance lineup. Cheirosa 76 boasts a cosier blend of notes, such as freesia, amber woods and caramelised patchouli, that makes this body spray more fitting for the cooler months. It's both subtle, easy to like and makes a great candidate for layering alongside your go-to perfumes," says Sennen, Digital Beauty Writer.
Reasons to buy: You want an all-year-round evening scent
Reasons to avoid: You love Sol de Janeiro's classic summery fragrances
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 this floral fragrance 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 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."
Reasons to buy: You love tuberose and want a low-key scent
Reasons to avoid: You want something more potent
Why are Sol de Janeiro scents so popular?
After falling in love with the brand's iconic Bum Bum Cream (which I later learnt is pronounced "boom boom"), my obsession with Sol de Janeiro turned to their fragrances. With more than a billion views on TikTok, the perfume mists certainly live up to their viral attention thanks to them smelling much more expensive than their price tag, making them a handbag or beach bag essential. Because, although I'm equipped with the best long-lasting perfumes, I always need a little top-up throughout the day.
Are Sol de Janeiro scents worth investing in?
Each Sol de Janeiro scent is unique, with unexpected notes that set them apart from other affordable fragrances. Popular for good reason, the brand's perfume mists aren't super expensive (£22 for 90ml or £35 for a generously sized 200ml). To put it into perspective, 100ml of Jo Malone’s popular perfume Pomegranate Noir costs more than £100, while 100ml of Le Labo's Santal 33 will set you back over £200 – and price is a key factor when choosing the best perfume for you.
It is worth noting that compared to eau de parfums, these body mists don’t have the same intensity as long-lasting perfumes and we found they fade more quickly than other scents. However, on the flip side, the benefit of mist formulas is that they can be used on your body, as well as your hair without leaving a dry and straw-like texture.
The Sol de Janeiro collection as a whole arrives in fragrance families, which is particularly brilliant as you can layer fragrances from different products that have the same scent, such as a body lotion and a body mist, to help increase their potency and staying power - one of the oldest tricks in the book for how to make perfume last longer.
What is the most popular Sol de Janeiro scent?
While each of the scents have amassed their own flurry of fans, it's no surprise that Sol de Janeiro have labelled Cheirosa 62 as their best-selling perfume mist. This fragrance captures the moreish scent of the iconic Bum Bum Cream is sprayable form, with gourmand notes of salted caramel, vanilla and pistachio, that is reminiscent of warm, sunny days.
Where can you buy Sol de Janeiro scents from?
In the UK, you can find Sol de Janeiro products stocked in-store at an array of retailers on the high street, such as Sephora, Selfridges and Space NK, plus online at e-tailers such as Amazon, Look Fantastic and Cult Beauty. As for the US, you can take a trip to your nearest Sephora or Ulta Beauty store to find Sol de Janeiro best-sellers, alternatively you can also add the brand's offering to your virtual basket by shopping online via the likes of Amazon and Revolve.
