I Wore Every Sol de Janeiro Perfume Mist This Month—Here's How Each One Ranks Based off Compliments

Few brands capture the essence of a vibrant culture quite like Sol de Janeiro. Known for its deliciously scented body products (such as the iconic Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, £21), it’s really no surprise that the Sol de Janeiro’s Perfume Mists are considered some of the most popular fragrances of the moment. Honestly, I can’t go anywhere without smelling one of them at the moment, whether it be on the tube or walking down the street. They’re instantly recognisable and earn themselves as not just one of the best body sprays around, but one of the best perfumes around, too.

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(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)

In Portuguese, “cheirosa” means to smell incredibly delicious, and Sol de Janiero certainly met the brief. Inspired by the sun-soaked beaches, tropical landscapes and energetic spirit of Brazil, these mists provide sun-kissed escapism with every spritz. What’s not to love?

I know some perfume snobs will turn their noses up at these sugary-sweet scents. They’re crowd-pleasing, sure—and definitely not a niche fragrance brand by any means—but there’s nothing wrong with that. I firmly stand in the camp of that if you like a scent, you should wear it and enjoy it, no matter what others say. In fact, the renowned French perfumer Jérôme Epinette (the nose behind cool-girl fragrances from Byredo and Victoria Beckham Beauty) has created some of Sol de Janeiro’s scents. And they’re such a joy to wear.

Curious to find out which Sol de Janeiro perfume mists are the best, I decided to conduct a top-secret experiment. Over the course of the month, I wore each one on rotation and noted down every time I got a compliment, whether it be from friends, colleagues or total strangers running down the road to ask what I’m wearing. Below, I’ve ranked them from most- to least-complimented, and jotted down all my findings—you’re welcome.

The Best Sol de Janeiro Perfume Mists, Ranked

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(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)

Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa ’71 Perfume Mist (£24)
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist (£24)
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa ’40 Perfume Mist (£24)
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 87 Perfume Mist (£24)
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 59 Perfume Mist (£24)
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 68 Perfume Mist (£24)
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 76 Perfume Mist (£24)

1. Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa ’71

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Sol De Janeiro Cheirosa '71 Perfume Mist 90ml

Sol de Janeiro

Cheirosa ’71 Perfume Mist

Fragrance family: Gourmand

Key notes: Caramel, macadamia, vanilla, white chocolate, sea salt, coconut blossom

How it smells: A calorific, caramel-drizzled white chocolate dessert, sprinkled with nuts and crushed biscuits

It might be a controversial one for some, but, the ’71 Perfume Mist got me the most compliments by a mile. If you want to smell mouth-wateringly delicious and triple-dipped in caramel, this is the one for you. I’m not usually one for very sweet perfumes, but I actually don’t hate it. There is something so fun in how over-the-top edible this one smells, but I’d be careful about how much I’d spray and where I’d wear it, because this stuff projects (I can smell it on people everywhere I go). Out of curiosity, I also asked my boyfriend to name his favourite out of the bunch and this was his firm favourite. The warm, syrupy-sweet scent was inspired by Brazil’s deep love for desserts and the legendary Confeitaria Colombo bakery, which became a Rio icon in 1971.

2. Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa ’62

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Sol De Janeiro Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist 90ml

Sol de Janeiro

Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist

Fragrance family: Gourmand

Key notes: Pistachio, almond, heliotrope, jasmine petals, vanilla, salted caramel, sandalwood

How it smells: Like you just put your out of office on. Sun-drenched pistachios, salted caramel and beach sunsets

This one followed in close second, and I’m not surprised. It’s one of Sol de Janeiro’s best-selling perfumes mists. It’s also the signature scent you’ll find in Sol de Janiero’s iconic Brazillian Bum Bum Cream (£21), so it’s instantly recognisable. It smells like you just put your out of office on. Think a Brazillian summer, bottled and bathed in sunshine. It’s similar to ’71 in that it’s quite nutty, but the pistachio in this makes things less intense and not quite as sweet. It’s more floral and sun-drenched. I’d say this is one of Sol de Janeiro’s most universally appealing scents, and it definitely got noticed when I spritzed it in the Who What Wear UK office. I’m not surprised it’s one of the brand’s brand’s best sellers.

3. Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa ’40

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Sol De Janeiro Cheirosa '40 Perfume Mist 90ml

Sol de Janeiro

Cheirosa ’40 Perfume Mist

Fragrance family: Fruity-floral

Key notes: Black amber, plum, crème de cassis, jasmine blooms, Brazilian orchid, vanilla woods, warm musk

How it smells: Shimmering flowers, ripe plum and sparkling outfits at Rio carnival

Coming in at third, Cheirosa ’40 got lots of love when I wore it. I’ll admit, it wasn’t an initial favourite on the first spritz, but it really grew on me. Out of all of the perfume mists, I’d say this is the most ‘subdued’. It’s fruity, floral and very sensual and sophisticated. You can really smell the juicy plum as it unfurls into a warm amber embrace that’s surrounded by creamy florals, before drying down into cosy vanilla woods and musk at the base. I actually love it more and more as it dries down throughout the day. Sol de Janeiro created this with the opulence of Rio’s carnival in mind.