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These are the best Sol de Janeiro perfumes of 2024 (tried and tested)
TL;DR: They all smell like happiness in a bottle 😍
Fragrance is so much more than something I simply wear. For me, fragrance is a time machine that takes me back to a heartfelt moment (see: the Charlie body spray we all use to wear circa first year of secondary school), or a vehicle to an exotic place (like a tropical, sunscreen-y scent), or the finishing touch that sets the mood for an occasion (hi, sweet, ~sexy~ vanilla perfumes). This is why I'm totally obsessed with Sol de Janeiro perfumes.
The brand has a similar view on the power of scent, but they actually have a word for it: Cheirosa. While there's no exact English translation, in Brazil it roughly means "to smell incredibly delicious." Mmk, I'll take 10, thank you!
Each Sol de Janeiro perfume has a summery scent that is meant to incite joy, and I can confirm that they absolutely do now that I've spent two weeks treating my nose to all five Sol de Janeiro perfumes to rate the scents. (Trust me, it was not an easy job.) Every single Sol de Janeiro perfume smells like happiness in a bottle, and I now fully understand why one is sold every seven seconds. Here's a sneak peek of my ranking:
- 1
- 2
- 3
Best Sol de Janeiro perfume for daytime
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa '40 Hair & Body Fragrance Mist 90ml
Read more - 4
- 5
Ready to radiate pure sunshine? Keep scrolling to learn all the details of each Sol de Janeiro perfume, including my very-official ranking.
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62 Mist 240ml
While it was difficult to name only one of Sol de Janeiro's ~delectable~ fragrance mists as the best overall, Cheirosa '62 cinched the top spot because it perfectly encapsulates the essence of joyful, summer days. It smells warm, nostalgic, and familiar (which makes sense considering it's the same scent found in the viral, iconic and infamous Brazilian Bum Bum Cream).
Though it features just three key sweet notes – pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla – it manages to leave a big impact on the skin without veering into headache-causing territory.
Seriously though, fragrance mists usually don't last long, yet I can still catch a faint whiff of this hours after I spritz it on. If you want the scent to be a bit more noticeable, I'll let you in on a little secret: You can strengthen it by layering it over the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and the Brazilian 4 Play Moisturising Shower Cream-Gel. You're welcome!
Type: Fragrance mist
Scent Family: Warm & spicy
Size: 90ml and 240ml
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 68 Perfume Mist 240ml
"I just lied down, and I can't stop thinking of you because my bed smells like your perfume 🥵." That's the exact text I got 24 hours after wearing Cheirosa '68 on a date. This fragrance strays from the rest of Sol de Janeiro's lineup – rather than being warm and spicy, it has a sparkling, fresh vibe, thanks to sugared dragonfruit and aromatic jasmine.
In my eyes, the mist redefines what a stereotypical "sexy" scent should smell like: It embodies the feeling of enchanting, flirty escapades (which is exactly what I did while wearing it, hehe).
Oh, and ICYDK, it's an almost exact doop (!!) for the TikTok favourite, MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN Baccarat Rouge 540. You're welcome...
Type: Fragrance mist
Scent Family: Fruity & floral
Size: 90ml and 240ml
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa '40 Hair & Body Fragrance Mist 90ml
Compared to Sol de Janeiro's other fragrances, Cheirosa '40 is like a chameleon – it doesn't quite fit into one fragrance category.
Depending on how it lays on your skin, it can smell a little fruity, a bit warm, or a tad spicy, making it more alluring to a wide range of noses. It's the same scent as the Bom Dia Bright Cream and Clarifying AHA BHA Body Wash, which makes layering the fragrance super easy.
As far as the mist goes, it took a few moments to fully enjoy all this scent has to offer for me. Once I got over the initial whiff of alcohol (something that I didn't experience with the other mists), I loved how the black amber plum and jasmine notes came out to play. As it settled, vanilla and woods emerged, adding a sensual depth to an otherwise bright perfume.
Type: Fragrance mist
Scent Family: Fruity, floral, and warm
Size: 90ml
Sol de Janeiro Sol Cheirosa '62 Eau de Parfum 50ml
If you prefer something a bit stronger and deeper in scent that has some more staying power, opt for the eau de parfum version of Cheirosa '62. It has essentially the same scent as the above body mist and Bum Bum Cream, it just leans a bit sweeter and warmer.
The vanilla and almond notes in this perfume feel really pronounced to me, where the body mist smells slightly more blended and subtle at first whiff. But the best part? The fact that the EDP lasts a lot longer, especially when I spritz it on my clothes (and for even more power, I'll spray the mist through my hair too).
Type: Eau de parfum
Scent Family: Warm & spicy
Size: 50ml
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa '71 Hair & Body Mist 90ml
I won't sugar-coat it: Gourmand perfumes (aka scents that smell like legit baked goods) aren't for everyone. But for those who want to smell like a spicy cookie (ahem, moi), there are few fragrances that rival Cheirosa '71.
Caramelised vanilla is a bit richer than regular vanilla bean, and when paired with toasted macadamia and tonka bean notes, it creates a warm and inviting aroma that will leave people constantly asking 'What is that incredible scent?'
This scent is also deceivingly long-lasting – though I experienced nose blindness about an hour after applying, when I put on the same sweatshirt three days later the mist still lingered on the fabric. Talk about a sweet surprise!
Type: Fragrance mist
Scent Family: Gourmand
Size: 90ml
Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance™ Perfume Mist 90ml
When I close my eyes and spritz this mist, I'm transported to a warm, sandy beach. The notes are filled with fragrant tuberose, creamy coconut, and soothing vanilla. Simply put, the fragrance elicits the carefree feeling of being on holiday – even when I'm sulking in my dreary flat.
If you told me Sol de Janeiro harvested the mood-boosting capabilities of solar power to create this, I'd 100 per cent believe you.
Type: Fragrance mist
Scent Family: Floral
Size: 90ml
How to choose the best Sol de Janeiro fragrance mist for you
Think about the scent profiles
Sol de Janeiro undoubtedly excels in the warm and spicy department, with three of its five offerings falling into that scent family. That said, each smells truly unique. For those who enjoy the warm and spicy scents but don’t want something overly sweet, the best overall pick, Cheirosa '62, is a well-rounded scent that satisfies even the pickiest noses (according to hella TikToks raving about the scent).
But if you prefer something a bit brighter and fresh, I recommend Cheirosa '68, which blends juicy fruit notes with soothing florals. As for those who are indecisive (I can relate), go with Cheirosa '40 –it doesn’t quite fit into one category, and because of how it’s layered, it offers something for everyone.
Consider the longevity
Unlike eau de parfums, fragrance mists typically don’t have intensity or long-lasting power. So if you need all-day wear, opt for the Sol Cheirosa '62 Eau de Parfum. That said, Sol de Janeiro’s mists do linger for hours – which is significantly longer than others I've tried.
The strongest of the bunch is Cheirsoa '71 – I could still catch whiffs of it on my clothes three days later (seriously impressive). Because Rio Radiance happens to be the lightest offering, its lasting power is rather weak. Try keeping it on hand to re-up the intensity throughout the day. It comes in a mini size option so you can easily store one in your purse.
Mary Honkus is a freelance writer who covers beauty, home, fashion, health, and wellness (just call her a jack of all trades!). She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications. When she's not testing the latest and greatest products, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC. Follow her on Instagram.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Assistant at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from viral celebrity hair and makeup news to the latest trend predictions, she’s an expert in recognising the season’s next big beauty look (before it ends up all over your social media feeds). You’ll usually find her putting TikTok’s recent beauty hacks to the Hype Test, challenging the gender-makeup binary and social stereotypes, or fangirling over the time Kourtney Kardashian viewed her Instagram Story (yes, it’s true). Find her also on LinkedIn.
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