Reasonably priced and delectably gourmand, the best Sol De Janeiro scents evoke holiday bliss and deluxe spa settings for a fraction of the price of some luxury perfumes.
When the brand first launched in 2015, the Brazilian-inspired Bum Bum Cream had all the hallmarks of a great beauty product; bright, dopamine-inducing packaging, a fun name and is a fantastic body moisturiser. One of the best-smelling body lotions or creams around, it's fast-absorbing, intensely nourishing and even claims to firm skin.
All these years later, while the brand is still known for its cult body cream, it's their fragrance mists that have brought them real attention. Often described as summer-worthy, they 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 - here are the Sol de Janeiro scents that are worthy of a place in your collection.
Best Sol de Janeiro fragrance deals
The best Sol de Janeiro scents, ranked by our beauty experts
Fragrance notes: Velvet plum, sugared violet, vanilla orchid, whipped amber, sheer sandalwood, fresh vetiver
When the brand launched this scent, I was immediately converted. I was a die-hard 68 fan, spreading the word to anyone who loved the famous Cheirosa 62 that they just had to try 68, but this 59 scent has quickly become my go-to favourite. Transporting me back to my childhood in the best way, 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
The only way to describe this fruity fragrance is blooming and bright, that will remind 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. Thanks to its similarities to the cult favourite Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540, it's 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: 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: 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, whilst vanilla gives it a dash of extra sweetness. Throughout the summer months, this is the Sol De Janeiro scent I undoubtedly use the most. Its gorgeous sweetness isn't overpowering and is balanced out perfectly with the plum and musk. 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: 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. "Summer isn’t for everyone and I’d say that this Sol de Janeiro scent is the most 'autumnal' of the bunch," says Jess. "It’s got the same caramel and vanilla notes as the original Cheirosa 62, 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. 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." An autumnal fragrance with strong caramel and nutty notes.
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: 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."
Reasons to buy: You love tuberose and want a low-key scent
Reasons to avoid: You want something more potent
Fragrance notes: Blackcurrant, pear nectar, midnight jasmine, vanilla crème, lush freesia, amber woods, caramelised patchouli
Expanding from the brand's classic summery scents that we're used to, the Cheirosa 76 takes more of an evening stance. Inspired by Rio at dusk, this fragrance has amber floral notes that is both warming and sensual, as opposed to the fresh and vibrant florals that they usually spotlight. "There's something about this mist that's 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
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. They’re all very summery, aside from Cheirosa 71, however they still have an year-round appeal to them. Personally, I'll drench myself in my favourites (Cheirosa 62 and 87) no matter the season, as we could be waiting for British summertime to make an appearance for a while.
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.
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.
If you're on a budget and are looking to invest in one product from Sol de Janeiro, I would recommend choosing one of their scented body lotions over a body mist, only because the lotion is a two-in-one, leaving your skin soft and supple whilst offering a deliciously fragrance.
Which Sol de Janeiro scent is best?
Of course, the answer to this question is heavily dependent on your own personal preference. But, our beauty expert rated the Cheirosa 59 Perfume Mist the best overall, pivoting from the 62 mist after years of the latter being her go-to. Its concoction of sugared violet, velvet plum, amber, sandalwood and vetiver means it's scent isn't too sickly or overpowering, whilst carrying real sophistication.
