Fragrances can boast hefty price tags nowadays, in fact, its hard to find an affordable scent that is both expensive-smelling and long-lasting. Well, that was until Sol de Janeiro took the world by storm.
While initially making waves in the beauty scene back in 2015 for the launch of their iconic Brazilian-inspired Bum Bum Cream, which earns a spot as one of the best-smelling body lotions, Sol de Janeiro has gone on to become body care brands on the market. However, in recent years its the brands stellar lineup of deceptively luxe body mists that have been gaining attention, rivalling some of the best long-lasting perfumes, while also boasting affordable price tags.
Transporting you to a blissful beach holiday or a serene spa break, these best cheap perfumes will often attract a plethora of compliments and leave others asking which fragrance you're wearing. Not to mention, the lineup is frequently expanding to include an array of sensually scented blends, from fruity perfumes to floral fragrances. So, with that said, our beauty team have tried and tested the entire assortment of body mists to find the very best scents worth adding to your collection.
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 Ecommerce Editor, Aleesha Badkar's 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: Honeyed purple fig, lily of the valley, champagne accord, vanilla and sandalwood
Straying away from their typically tropical, beachy fragrances, the brand's limited edition fig gourmand Dança Mística scent is alluringly moreish. "This scent is not what you'd expect to see (or smell) from Sol de Janeiro, it's more of mature and sophisticated. It's not sweet like their other body mists, instead it boasts a strong note of sandalwood, which gives it a warm, smooth and woody feel. It would pair perfectly with a fruitier fragrance, or with Cheirosa 40 as the brand suggests," says Sennen Prickett, Digital Beauty Writer.
Reasons to buy: If you're looking for a sophisticated and mature body mist
Reasons to avoid: If you're not a fan of warm sandalwood scents
Fragrance notes: Orange blossom, flamingo flower, Brazilian gardenia, coconut water, palm leaf and golden musk
Housed in a fuchsia bottle, Flor Mística is a musky floral that feels like a true Sol de Janeiro scent. "This body mist is the ultimate light, fresh floral scent, with a slight green edge to it, that is perfect for the spring and summer months without being too beachy or tropical. The coconut water adds a sense of creaminess that is reminiscent of long, warm days spent in the sun, making it great for layering with other fragrances in your collection. I'll admit that I didn't find it too long-lasting on myself, however I still received compliments on it from others hours after spritzing it on," says Sennen.
Reasons to buy: You're looking for a subtle summer floral body mist to layer with other fragrances
Reasons to avoid: You're not keen on coconut-heavy scents
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: Neroli water, tangerine, peony and a salty skin accord
Much like the brand's other scents, this ocean-blue bottled fragrance is inspired by the beach, boasting notes of neroli water and tangerine. "Sol de Janeiro's Água Mística takes you on an uplifting scent journey. Initially the body mist comes across incredibly fresh, crisp and nautical, however, when dried down it smells more citrusy and fruity, with a slight salty edge. This is a great versatile beachy scent for those who aren't huge fans of the typically tropical vanilla or coconut notes," says Sennen.
Reasons to buy: You're on the hunt for a non-vanilla beachy scent
Reasons to avoid: You prefer sweeter fragrances, or typically avoid citrus scents
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
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.
Reasons to buy: You want an all-year-round evening scent
Reasons to avoid: You love Sol de Janeiro's classic summery fragrances
Your Sol de Janeiro scent FAQs, answered
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). While these body mists don’t have the same intensity or lasting power as eau de parfums, 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.
