Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream Reivew

 Got my hands on one of the most hyped creams of the last few years. I didn't pay fulll price, I used a gift card because this cream retails for $48. It was so hyped, I bought the full size but in hindsight I really wish I had gotten the sample/smaller size. 

Bum Bum claims:

Our award-winning, deliciously-scented body cream is the ultimate Brazilian Beauty Secret.

• Helps visibly smooth and tighten the appearance of your skin thanks to potent, caffeine-rich Guaraná Extract
• Fast-absorbing Cupuaçu Butter delivers deep hydration and essential fatty-acids deep into the skin, making this incredibly hydrating cream an instant treat to leave your skin feeling silky soft.
• Antioxidant-packed ingredients like Guaraná Extract and Açaí Oil help prevent environmental damage on your skin.
• Infused with Brazil Nut Oil, the most selenium-rich food in the world, to help support the skin's natural ability to protect itself while giving it the glow of healthy-looking skin.
• Irresistibly scented with our Cheirosa '62 fragrance with delicious notes of pistachio, salted caramel and vanilla, apply this body cream all over and you’ll feel body-confidence wherever you go, from day to night and well beyond.

I think the reason this is so hyped is because of the scent. Which I'm not a fan of. There are many claims of it smelling like vacation, beachy, summer like etc. For me it's a bit cloying and more suited to winter time. It also doesn't smell like it costs. It honestly smells like a mix between something you get at Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works. Kinda reminiscent of a Warm Vanilla Sugar scent. To me, the scent really wasn't worth the cost. It does stick around though and it's VERY strong. When I was using this I was using the Angel perfume by Thierry Mugler, they do compliment well. It claims to be pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla and I can't say I get those notes. I'm not big into gourmand type fragrances though so that could be another reason the scent isn't all that special and unique to me.

It's main claim to fame is firming.I feel like it might have firmed my skin a little bit, but then again I'm not sure I wasn't experiencing a placebo effect. I don't think a cream can truly firm the skin. I feel like good old fashioned squats are or lifting/toning is the best way. And it's free! Just costs your time and effort. 

The cream itself is light. And very fast absorbing. It sinks in a little too well though. It completely disappears into the skin and has me thinking I should re-apply even though my skin isn't dry. It just doesn't feel moisturizing and soft like I just applied lotion. I think a lot of people would really like that but it's not my favorite feeling. It's also not super hydrating so I wouldn't recommend for really dry skin. 

The packing is cute though. Pretty unique. I've seen a few companies have copied or been inspired by the packaging. And it comes in the a box too, makes it feel extra fancy. 

It's made in the USA. I thought at first that it was an actual Brazilian cream, made in brazil, founded by a Brazillian, used by Brazilians. But it's not. I found these comments on reddit which explains why some are turned off by the brand. I also read some redditors that said they weren't offended by the brand. I will admit, the founding stories and interviews aren't my favorite and it's not high on my list of brands I will repurchase from. 

It does have some unique ingredients-Guarana, Cupuacu Butter, Acai Oil, and Brazil Nut Oil (The Body Shop used to have a nice Brazil Nut body butter). It also has carrot seed oil (amazing for skin!) and one of my favorite skincare oils. It's just they are a bit lower in the list and the top five ingredients aren't really showing me it's worth the cost. 

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water, Eau), Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dodecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Parfum (Fragrance), Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit (Açaí) Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupuaçu) Seed Butter, Bertholletia Excelsa (Brazil Nut) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Paullinia Cupana (Guaraná) Seed Extract, Ilex Guayusa Leaf Extract, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Squalane, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Coumarin, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene

Overall, it just wasn't worth the money for me and I won't be buying it again. I am glad I tried it for myself though, or I would have always been curious about it.