If you're in the market for a new summer fragrance, the countless reviews touting Sol de Janeiro as the best are hard to miss. There's no denying the brand holds some serious sway in the beauty world. Those glow-giving body lotions have long been adored by beauty editors, while the iconic Bum Bum Cream is a celebrity favourite - Hailey Bieber is a fan thanks to its skin-nourishing, bottom-beautifying prowess. In fact, nine since its launch, it’s still Sephora’s biggest-ever body care seller with one selling every six seconds.
The stats are impressive, certainly, but it's the fragrance mists that have reached peak viral status. At this point, I’ve tried them all. My well-trained nose can sniff out those instantly recognisable gourmand notes within mere seconds. Described as utterly addictive (and hoarded by swathes of teen girls), the scents are known for being juicy, succulent, and deliciously sweet.
Though each mist is different, they all share that unmistakable signature Sol de Janeiro juice. You’re likely already acquainted with the addictive gourmand notes that make each instantly recognisable. If you’ve been considering picking one for yourself, I’ve personally reviewed each and every one so you can discover which might suit you best. Scent, of course, is deeply personal- but sometimes a beauty editor’s recommendation can be helpful when it comes to hitting the check-out button.
Hot off the back of their latest launch (The Sol Tote is still proving to be the hit of the summer) the latest mist to land on the Grazia beauty desk will likely spark excitement among devotees - of which, we've established, there are many. Enter the new Limited-Edition Sundays in Rio Perfume Mist, £24. And when I say limited edition? I mean limited edition- these scents rarely stick around for long (sometimes weeks) which is likely to cause something of a frenzy among fragrance fans. But is this one truly worth stockpiling?
Scroll on for my thoughts.
Shop: Sol de Janeiro Sundays in Rio Perfume Mist
www.sephora.co.uk
Rachael Martin beauty director says: 'As someone who would happily spend over £100 on a good scent, knowing this one is on par with its high end counterparts is actually quite thrilling. It's only £24, and for a hefty 90ml bottle I think this is excellent value for money. Will it be snapped up by teenagers the world over? Almost certainly. It has that addictive, viral quality that the TikTok generation will go wild for. But you can bet I’ll be getting in on it too. My only gripe? I hate that it’s a limited edition. I’ve already ordered two. So if you want one, don’t wait- it will sell out.'
Pros
- Long lasting, lingering scent
- A grown-up gourmand
Cons
- It's set to be discontinuted
Our Verdict
Rachael Martin, Beauty Director, says:
'I’m a bona fide fragrance snob. If it’s not stop-me-in-the-street good, I’m not interested. I love a heady scent that lingers all day and draws compliments long after the initial spritz. Interestingly, despite being a body spray (which are typically less concentrated), I always get compliments when wearing Sol de Janeiro. And for a while this was my guilty secret. While often associated with a younger generation, the iconic Cheirosa ’62 still finds its way into my beauty bag. And why shouldn't it? The intoxicating blend of vanilla and caramel, laced with pistachio and almond has me at hello. Its worth noting that the perfumer, Jérôme Epinette, is one of the most respected in the industry (he's the nose behind Victoria Beckham and Byredo's perfumes.) Epinette's expertise shows in Sol scents - I’ll take a deep breath and honestly, as cliched as it sounds, it’s sunshine in a bottle.
Naturally, I was quite intrigued to try this new limited-edition version. First impressions? Sundays in Rio feels slightly more sophisticated and grown-up- like Cheirosa ’62’s older sister. It’s softer and more subtle, even down to the delicate purple bottle that feels more 'sunset' than 'sunrise.' One misting reveals a heady amber musk- it’s creamy, woody, and settles beautifully. Then comes the vanilla and pink pepper. This is an unexpected pairing that creates a cocooning, skin-like finish. It’s at once comforting yet makes a quiet statement.
I’ve been keeping this one in my bag for on-the-go top-ups (London’s 30 degree and counting heat is no joke right now), but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how long-lasting it really is. As the day wears on, the scent does fade a wee bit. It becomes more delicate- but a quick sniff of my skin confirms it’s still very much there.
Could this be my new favourite? Absolutely. The first time I wore it, my husband- in all his perpetually oblivious glory- told me I smelled “really gorgeous.” Then, during a morning meeting in the Grazia office, someone called "whatever perfume I was wearing a show-stopper." A show-stopper! Yes, this is exactly the kind of feedback I want from a fragrance.
As someone who would happily spend over £100 on a good scent, knowing this one is on par with its high end counterparts is actually quite thrilling. It's only £24, and for a hefty 90ml bottle I think this is excellent value for money. Will it be snapped up by teenagers the world over? Almost certainly. It has that addictive, viral quality that the TikTok generation will go wild for. But you can bet I’ll be getting in on it too.
My only gripe? I hate that it’s a limited edition. I’ve already ordered two. If you want one, don’t wait- who knows how long it will stick around for?
Final Thoughts
A long-lasting, stand-out of a scent. Consider Sundays in Rio a more grown-up take on gourmand, while still staying true to the brand’s playfulness. It's cosseting, comforting, and -as my husband put it- really gorgeous. And I may just order a third...
Rachael Martin is Grazia’s Beauty Director. Originally from Northern Ireland, she studied English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, before moving to London to pursue a career in magazine journalism