Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream Review

What the Bum Bum Cream actually is

This is a fast-absorbing body cream that hydrates skin and, more famously, drenches you in Sol de Janeiro's signature Cheirosa 62 fragrance: pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla. It runs roughly $25 to $48 depending on jar size, with the big tub being the better value if you already know you like it.

The marketing leans hard on caffeine, guarana extract, and the promise of firmer, tighter skin. Treat that as a nice bonus, not the reason to buy. The real product here is the scent, and almost everyone who owns a jar will tell you the same.

How it performs day to day

The texture is the standout. It's a lightweight gel-cream that sinks in quickly and doesn't leave you tacky, which matters if you're getting dressed right after. A little goes a long way, so even the mid-size jar lasts a while.

Hydration is solid for normal skin but it's not a heavy-duty fix for genuinely dry, cracked legs in winter. If that's you, a thicker shea or ceramide cream will do more. The 'firming' effect is mostly the temporary tightness any caffeinated lotion gives. Don't expect visible body recomposition. Nobody's bum bum is being lifted here.

The fragrance is the whole experience. It's warm, sweet, and genuinely long-lasting, often outlasting the moisturizing itself. People love it or find it cloying, with very little in between.

The pros and the catches

On the plus side: that absorbs-fast texture, a scent with a cult following, and a formula that works as a perfume substitute. The travel-size jars are a smart way to test before committing, and they're TSA-friendly.

The catches are real. It's expensive for what is, functionally, a scented body lotion. The fragrance is strong enough to clash with your actual perfume, so plan around that. And fragrance-sensitive skin should be cautious, because this is heavily scented and not built for reactive types.

Who should buy it, who should skip it

Buy it if you want a body cream that doubles as a mood and you're chasing that specific tropical-dessert scent. It's an easy, crowd-pleasing gift, and it's great for warm-weather or post-shower use when you want to smell good without spraying perfume.

Skip it if you have very dry or eczema-prone skin and need serious moisture, or if you avoid strong fragrance. Also skip it if you're buying purely for the firming promise. You're paying a premium for the smell, and there's no shame in that as long as you know it going in.

The verdict

The Bum Bum Cream earned its cult status honestly, just not for the reason on the label. As a firming treatment it's mediocre. As a fast-absorbing, ridiculously good-smelling body cream that makes you feel like you're on vacation, it's worth the hype for the right person.

Buy the small jar first. If the scent grabs you, graduate to the big tub. If it doesn't, you've lost very little, and you'll know within one use.

Frequently asked questions

Does Bum Bum Cream actually firm your skin?

Not in any lasting way. The caffeine and guarana give a temporary tightening sensation common to caffeinated lotions, but it won't change your body's shape or tone. Buy it for hydration and scent, not firming results.

How long does the Bum Bum Cream scent last?

The Cheirosa 62 fragrance is impressively long-lasting and often lingers for hours, sometimes longer than the moisturizing itself. It can also compete with your perfume, so most people use one or the other.

Is the Bum Bum Cream worth the price?

It's pricey for a scented body lotion, but worth it if the scent is what you want. Start with a travel-size jar to confirm you like the fragrance before paying for the full tub.