Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream Review

Overview

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream is a richly scented body cream designed to smooth, hydrate, and give the appearance of firmer skin. The brand highlights caffeine-rich guaraná extract for tightening benefits, plus cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, and açaí oil for moisture and softness.

It is best known for its addictive gourmand fragrance, often described as salted caramel mixed with pistachio and vanilla. The cream has a subtle golden sheen from fine mica, which gives skin a luminous, beachy glow rather than chunky sparkle.

The product comes primarily in a bright yellow jar in several sizes, from travel mini to full size. Pricing sits in the premium body care range, so most shoppers want to know if the experience and results justify the cost compared with a standard body lotion.

Who it is for

Brazilian Bum Bum Cream is made for people who want more than a basic, unscented moisturizer. If you love warm, dessert-like fragrances and like your body care to feel like a small luxury ritual, this fits that niche very well.

It is a good match for normal to dry body skin that needs daily hydration and prefers a cream that fully absorbs instead of sitting greasy on top. The formula adds a light blurring effect and glow, which can help soft-focus the look of uneven texture, mild cellulite, or dryness, especially on legs, arms, and butt.

It is less ideal if your priorities are fragrance-free care, severe eczema, or a strict budget. The scent is strong and long lasting, which can be a problem for sensitive noses or workplaces that discourage fragrance. Also, while it can slightly smooth and tighten the look of skin, it will not replace medical procedures for true lifting or deep cellulite.

If you are looking for a highly clinical firming formula or need heavy-duty repair for compromised skin barriers, you will likely want to pair this with or opt for a more targeted treatment product.

How it feels and performs

Bum Bum Cream has a medium-thick, whipped texture that scoops easily from the jar and melts as you apply it. It spreads well, so you do not need an enormous amount, and it sinks in faster than many rich body butters. On most skin, it leaves a soft, velvety finish instead of an oily film.

The scent is the star. On first application you will notice a strong wave of warm, creamy sweetness: pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla with a hint of nuttiness. It smells cozy and edible, more like a gourmand perfume than a typical body lotion. The fragrance usually lingers several hours on skin and even longer on clothes or bedding.

If you enjoy scented body products, this is a huge part of the appeal. Many people use it as a layering base for perfumes in a similar family. If you are scent sensitive, however, the intensity can be overwhelming, especially right after application or if you use it all over your body.

Hydration-wise, the cream does a solid job for normal to moderately dry skin. Cupuaçu butter and coconut oil help lock in moisture, while açaí oil adds a bit of antioxidant support. Skin tends to feel smoother immediately, and that softness usually lasts through the day rather than disappearing after an hour.

The formula also contains tiny mica particles that give a subtle golden sheen. On the skin, this reads as a healthy glow that catches the light on legs, shoulders, and arms. It is not a chunky glitter, but you will notice a light radiance up close. On very fair or very deep skin tones, the shimmer can be more visible, so it is worth testing on a small area if you are shimmer-averse.

On the firming side, expectations matter. The caffeine from guaraná may temporarily improve microcirculation and slightly tighten the surface of the skin. Combined with the smoothing effect of good hydration and a soft-focus sheen, many users notice that their butt, thighs, and legs look a bit more toned or less dimpled, especially right after application.

What it does not do is dramatically remove cellulite, erase stretch marks, or change the underlying structure of skin. Those issues are largely genetic and structural. Bum Bum Cream can make them less noticeable at a glance by plumping and smoothing the outer layers, but the change is mostly cosmetic and short term. Regular use may give a mild cumulative effect simply because well moisturized skin always looks healthier and more supple.

If you have very dry, flaky areas, such as shins in winter, you may find you need to layer it over a basic unscented cream or use a heavier product at night. This cream prioritizes sensorial experience and glow over maximum barrier repair. For oil-prone or acne-prone areas like the upper back or chest, the rich oils and butters may be a bit too heavy and could potentially contribute to clogged pores in some people. In those spots, a lighter lotion might be a better choice.

How to use for best results

For the best payoff in both hydration and appearance, apply Brazilian Bum Bum Cream right after showering or bathing when your skin is still slightly damp. This helps trap water in the skin and allows the cream to spread more easily with less product.

Use a nickel to quarter sized amount per major area, such as each leg, each arm, and the butt and hip region. Warm it between your palms and massage in with firm, upward strokes. Taking a full minute or two to massage not only improves absorption, but also boosts circulation and enhances the temporary tightening effect.

Focus on areas where you want the smoothing and glow to show: outer thighs, butt, backs of legs, shoulders, and décolletage. If you are concerned about breakouts, go lighter or skip application on the chest and upper back and instead use it on less acne-prone areas like lower legs and arms.

Because of the strong scent, you may want to limit all-over application if you are sensitive or if others in your household are. You can also spot use it like a fragrance body cream on key areas such as shoulders, collarbones, and legs when wearing dresses or shorts, then use a simpler unscented lotion elsewhere.

Morning use is ideal if you want the glow and scent to last through your day. For nighttime, it can double as a cozy, indulgent ritual, but be aware the fragrance can cling to sheets and pajamas. If you have reactive or very sensitive skin, patch test on a small area of your arm or thigh for a few days before applying more broadly.

Pros and cons

• Pros
• Rich, creamy texture that absorbs well without feeling greasy on most skin types.
• Standout warm, gourmand scent that lasts for hours and layers nicely with perfume.
• Provides good everyday hydration and immediate softness for normal to dry skin.
• Subtle golden sheen helps legs, arms, and butt look smoother and more luminous.
• Can slightly enhance the appearance of firmness and reduce the look of minor dimpling while worn.

• Cons
• Premium price compared with many body lotions, so it is a splurge, not a basic staple.
• Strong fragrance can be too much for sensitive skin, migraines, or fragrance-free workplaces.
• Jar packaging is less hygienic than a pump and can be inconvenient in the shower.
• Shimmer may transfer slightly to clothing or be more obvious on some skin tones.
• Firming and cellulite benefits are modest and cosmetic rather than transformative.

Final verdict

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream shines as a sensorial, feel-good body product. If you are seeking a daily ritual that makes your skin feel soft and smell delicious while giving a flattering glow on legs, thighs, and butt, it delivers exactly that experience. The combination of hydration, subtle sheen, and caffeine makes skin look a bit smoother and more toned, especially right after application.

It is less impressive if your main goals are serious anti-aging, major cellulite reduction, or fragrance-free moisture at the lowest possible cost. Think of it as a luxury body cream that pampers and polishes rather than a corrective treatment. For many shoppers, the indulgent scent and confidence boost are worth the splurge; for others, a simpler, more clinical formula will be a better fit.

If you recognize yourself in the group that loves warm, dessert-like scents and enjoys taking a moment to moisturize and massage your body, Brazilian Bum Bum Cream is very likely to feel worth it. If you are on the fence, starting with a travel size can be a smart way to test the fragrance, texture, and results before committing to the full jar.

See also

If you are drawn to the signature scent, you may also enjoy our review of the Sol de Janeiro hair and body mist and how it compares to the more targeted firming approach of Maelys B Flat belly firming cream.

• Compare hydrating formulas in our guide to the best body cream for aging skin.
• For sensitive or eczema-prone skin, read our Aveeno Eczema Therapy moisturizing cream review.
• If neck and jawline are your main concern, see our Strivectin TL tightening neck cream review for a more specialized option.

FAQ

Does Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream really tighten and firm the skin?

The cream can slightly tighten and smooth the appearance of skin while you are wearing it, mainly due to caffeine from guaraná and the combination of hydration and subtle sheen. Skin often looks a bit more toned and less dimpled right after application. However, it does not change the deeper structure of skin, so any firming effect is temporary and cosmetic rather than a dramatic long term transformation.

Is Brazilian Bum Bum Cream good for cellulite and stretch marks?

It can help cellulite and stretch marks look less noticeable, but it will not remove them. By plumping the outer layers of skin and adding a soft-focus glow, it can visually blur mild dimpling and make stretch marks blend in a bit more. For significant cellulite or pronounced stretch marks, you would need more targeted treatments; Bum Bum Cream is best viewed as a flattering, short term enhancer.

Can I use Bum Bum Cream if I have sensitive or eczema-prone skin?

The formula contains fragrance and mica, which can be irritating for some people with sensitive or eczema-prone skin. If your skin is reactive, patch test on a small area for several days and avoid using it on active flare ups, broken skin, or very compromised areas. Many people with mild sensitivity do fine using it on tougher spots like legs while sticking to a gentle, fragrance-free cream on more delicate areas.

Will Brazilian Bum Bum Cream clog pores or cause body breakouts?

The rich butters and oils can be a bit heavy for some acne-prone areas, especially on the chest, upper back, or where you already tend to get clogged pores. If you are breakout prone, focus use on your legs, arms, and butt, and avoid applying it right after shaving if your skin is easily irritated. If you notice bumps or congestion, scale back use and switch to a lighter, non-comedogenic body lotion for those areas.

How long does a jar of Brazilian Bum Bum Cream typically last?

How long a jar lasts depends on how generously you apply it and whether you use it all over or just on targeted areas. For most people using the full size jar once a day on legs, butt, and arms, it tends to last around one to two months. If you reserve it for special occasions or use it as a fragrance layer on fewer areas, you can easily stretch a jar for several months.

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