Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream Review: My Honest Thoughts on This Cult-Favorite Body Lotion

Hey there, beauty lovers! Today we‘re diving deep into one of the most raved about body products in the skincare world: the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. As a self-proclaimed "sol sister" who‘s been slathering herself in this luxurious lotion for years, I‘m excited to give you my unfiltered opinion. I‘ll cover what it is, what‘s in it, how it feels, and most importantly – whether it‘s really worth the hype (and the price tag). Let‘s get cheeky!

What Is Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream?

Before we get into the juicy details, let‘s start with the basics. Sol de Janeiro is a Brazilian-inspired skincare and beauty brand that‘s all about embracing the joy and sensuality of Brazil‘s warm, sunny culture. Their products are designed to make you look and feel like a glowing goddess (or god!) with radiant, healthy skin from head to toe.

Their most iconic product by far is the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. Cheeky name aside, this ultra-rich body lotion promises to visibly smooth, tighten and moisturize your skin for an all-over glow. The brand actually started with this single product and has since expanded to a full line of delicious-smelling lotions, oils, scrubs and more, all with the goal of giving you that coveted Brazilian "bum bum" (which is a cute way of saying your booty, but we‘ll get to that later).

Since launching in 2016, Sol de Janeiro has gained a massive following, with over 1 million Instagram followers, dozens of beauty awards, and hundreds of thousands of loyal customers who swear by their Bum Bum Cream. The brand is now sold in Sephora stores across the US and has been featured in major publications like Glamour, Allure, Vogue and more.

Okay, now that you have the background, let‘s get to the good stuff. Here‘s my personal experience with the Bum Bum Cream and whether I think it lives up to the hype.

My Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream Review

First Impressions

When I first got my hands on the Bum Bum Cream, I was immediately drawn to the bright, cheerful packaging. The tub is a sunny yellow color with cute, playful illustrations of the key ingredients. It definitely stands out on my bathroom shelf and always makes me smile.

Unscrewing the lid releases the most incredible, mouthwatering scent – a warm, nutty fragrance with notes of pistachio, almond and vanilla. It‘s honestly like no other lotion I‘ve tried. The scent is strong at first but mellows out to a sweet, subtle warmth on your skin throughout the day. I find it so uplifting and addicting – it‘s like a tropical vacation in a tub!

Texture and Application

Dipping into the tub, the texture of this cream is pure decadence. It‘s very thick and rich, almost like a body butter, but it doesn‘t feel heavy or greasy on the skin. I take a generous scoop and massage it all over right after showering while my skin is still a little damp. The warmth of your skin helps the lotion absorb more easily.

Let me tell you, the application process is a whole experience in itself. The minute you start massaging it in, your skin feels instantly soft and moisturized. I love taking a little extra time to really work it into areas like my legs, belly, arms and chest with firm, circular motions. It‘s like a mini massage sesh that leaves you feeling so pampered and relaxed.

The cream takes a minute to fully absorb, but once it does, your skin is left with a silky, glowing finish that isn‘t sticky or slippery. I‘m always amazed at how soft and smooth I feel after applying it. It‘s like my skin drinks up the moisture and is left plump and pretty much poreless.

Key Ingredients and Benefits

So, what‘s actually in this magic cream that makes it so effective? Sol de Janeiro uses a blend of nourishing, all-natural ingredients inspired by Brazilians‘ favorite skincare secrets:

This powerhouse blend of natural ingredients work together to deliver soft, smooth, healthy-looking skin that feels moisturized and glowing all day long. And as a huge bonus, all Sol de Janeiro products are vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, soy-free and free of nasty ingredients like parabens, phthalates and sulfates. You can feel good about what you‘re putting on your body.

Results

I‘ve been using the Bum Bum Cream religiously for about 2 years now and I can honestly say it‘s transformed my skin. I have pretty normal skin that can get a bit dry and dull, especially in the winter. This cream keeps my skin feeling baby-soft, plump and glowing year-round.

I especially love how it blurs and smooths any little imperfections in texture. I swear my stretch marks look lighter and my skin just looks more even and firm overall. It also plays really well under makeup – I love mixing a little bit with my body foundation for a dewy, lit-from-within effect.

The scent is still my favorite part. It lasts all day and mixes so well with my perfume. I always get compliments on how good I smell! It‘s become my signature scent.

Of course, everyone‘s skin is different, so individual results will vary. But based on my experience and countless rave reviews from other customers, I‘m confident that most people will adore this product.

What Other People Are Saying

Don‘t just take my word for it – the Bum Bum Cream has thousands of glowing reviews from customers and beauty experts alike. Here‘s what a few of them have to say:

"I finally understand the hype. It absorbs quickly but leaves my skin so soft and glowy, never greasy. And the smell is amazing. It‘s strong at first but fades to a nice, sweet scent that lasts all day. I‘ve already gotten so many compliments!" – Sarah L., Sephora customer

"I‘m a big believer in taking care of your whole body, not just your face. This cream makes it feel like a special treat. It softens all the rough patches on my body and makes my skin feel so smooth and hydrated. The scent is also to die for – like a warm vanilla cake. It can be a bit overpowering for some, but I‘m obsessed." – Vanessa M., beauty blogger

"Sol de Janeiro‘s Bum Bum Cream is one of my favorite body products of all time. The formula is super nourishing and leaves skin soft, glowing, and lightly scented. I love the ritual of massaging it in after a shower or bath – it feels so indulgent and pampering. It‘s definitely a splurge, but a little goes a long way." – Jessica D., beauty editor

The cream has an impressive 4.8 out of 5 star rating on Sol de Janeiro‘s website, with over 11,000 reviews. It‘s also won numerous awards from top publications:

  • Allure Readers‘ Choice Award 2020
  • Glamour Beauty Award 2019
  • Cosmo Beauty Award 2018
  • Influenster Reviewers‘ Choice Award 2017

Clearly, this cream has earned its cult-favorite status for a reason. While some people find the scent too strong or the price too steep, the vast majority of users absolutely love how soft, smooth and glowing their skin looks and feels after using it.

How to Use the Bum Bum Cream

If you‘re ready to try the Bum Bum Cream for yourself, here are some tips for getting the most out of this luscious lotion:

  1. Apply to damp skin: Massage the cream into your skin right after showering or bathing while your skin is still a little damp. The warmth and moisture will help the cream absorb more deeply for longer-lasting hydration.

  2. Focus on dry areas: While you can use the Bum Bum Cream all over, it‘s especially effective on areas prone to dryness like elbows, knees, feet and yes, your bum! Don‘t neglect these spots.

  3. Massage in circular motions: Take your time massaging the cream in using firm, circular motions. This helps stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage for smoother, firmer, more even-looking skin. Plus it just feels amazing!

  4. Layer with other products: For an extra shot of moisture, layer the Bum Bum Cream over Sol de Janeiro‘s Brazilian 4 Play Shower Gel-Cream or the Açaí Body Power Cream. You can also add a few drops of the Glow Oils for extra shimmer and hydration.

  5. Use day and night: While most people prefer to use the Bum Bum Cream as a daytime moisturizer for all-day softness and scent, it‘s rich enough to use as a night treatment too. Just massage it in and let it work its magic while you sleep!

  6. Don‘t forget your chest and neck: The delicate skin on your neck and décolletage needs love too! Massage a little Bum Bum Cream into your neck and chest in upward motions to hydrate, smooth and firm this often neglected area.

  7. Reapply as needed: Depending on your skin type and environment, you may need to reapply the cream throughout the day to maintain moisture. Keep a mini size in your bag for quick touch-ups on the go!

With consistent use, you‘ll start to see softer, firmer, more radiant skin all over. Your skin will truly drink up this cream!

Is the Bum Bum Cream Worth it?

At $45 for 8.1 oz, the Bum Bum Cream is definitely a luxury product with a higher price point than your average drugstore lotion. However, I truly believe it‘s worth every penny. The generous tub lasts forever (a little goes a long way), the ingredients are potent and clean, and the results are seriously impressive. Not to mention, it turns an ordinary moisturizing session into a joyful sensorial treat that boosts your mood every single day.

Think of the Bum Bum Cream as an investment in self-care – when you take care of your skin and make it feel loved, that confidence radiates to every part of your life. Of course, there are plenty of amazing, effective body lotions at lower price points. But if you want to treat yourself to a product that feels special and luxurious while delivering real results, the Bum Bum Cream is 100% worth trying in my opinion.

Plus, Sol de Janeiro often has value sets and minis that let you try the cream along with their other products at a lower cost. You can also find it at Sephora which often has sales, discounts for beauty insiders, and generous return policies if it doesn‘t work out for you.

Final Thoughts

By now it should be clear that I‘m pretty much obsessed with Sol de Janeiro‘s Bum Bum Cream. It‘s truly a desert-island product for me – I never want to be without it! I love how soft, smooth and healthy my skin looks and feels since incorporating it into my routine. And that addictive scent never fails to bring a smile to my face and put a little pep in my step.

While it‘s not the cheapest body lotion out there, I truly believe it‘s worth the splurge if you want to make your skincare routine feel extra joyful and pampering. The experience of using this cream is almost as good as the results themselves, and that‘s saying something.

I hope this in-depth review has given you all the info you need to decide if the Bum Bum Cream is right for you. I‘d love to hear about your experience if you try it! Feel free to leave a comment below or connect with me on Instagram. Let‘s keep the conversation going!

Thanks for reading, beautiful! Until next time, keep glowing.

-Jess

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