Brazilian Bum Bum Cream – Complete 2025 Buying Guide & Honest Review

Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Bum Bum Cream has become one of the most talked-about body care products in recent years. Marketed for visible firming, smoothing and hydration, the cream is built around caffeine-rich guaraná extract alongside cupuaçu butter and coconut oil. Its distinctive pistachio, salted caramel and vanilla scent – the signature Cheirosa ’62 fragrance – has helped it build a loyal following, but the more ambitious claims about cellulite reduction and lasting firmness deserve closer examination.

According to the brand and major retailers, the cream delivers weightless hydration, visibly firms skin, smooths texture and even boosts collagen. But reviews from Good Housekeeping, Space NK, Livethatglow and MissLJBeauty paint a more nuanced picture: users consistently praise the moisturising effect, the glow and the scent, while noting that noticeable firming or cellulite improvement is hard to verify in real-world use.

What is Brazilian Bum Bum Cream?

• Brazilian Bum Bum Cream’s cult status is largely driven by its sensory experience (scent + shimmer) as much as its functional claims.
• The 150 ml size is the most popular option on Boots and Sephora UK, likely due to price-value balance.
• Caffeine and guaraná temporarily tighten skin by constricting blood vessels and reducing water retention – the effect is acute and not permanent.
• The ‘Bum Bum’ name is a playful reference to the Brazilian Portuguese word for buttocks (bumbum), aligning with the firming/contouring claim.
• Reviewers consistently report better hydration and a radiant finish, but true cellulite reduction or lasting firming is not strongly supported by the evidence.

How does Brazilian Bum Bum Cream work? Ingredients & Benefits

What are the ingredients?

The brand and retailers highlight guaraná extract as the star ingredient, a plant native to the Amazon that is five times richer in caffeine than coffee. Caffeine can temporarily tighten skin by constricting blood vessels and reducing water retention, according to dermatological sources. Cupuaçu butter is added as a deep moisturiser that helps skin feel softer and look plumper. Other nourishing components include açaí oil, Brazil nut oil, coconut oil, squalane and light-reflecting particles such as mica.

Does it contain shimmer?

Yes, the cream includes mica particles that can temporarily blur the appearance of cellulite under certain lighting. Good Housekeeping’s reviewer noted that after four days the skin looked temporarily smoother, but attributed that effect mainly to the light-reflecting particles rather than any structural change.

Does it really reduce cellulite?

This is the most contested claim. Space NK’s review praised the hydration and quick absorption but stated there were no noticeable firming results. Livethatglow reported no meaningful firmness change. MissLJBeauty said the product does not remove cellulite, though hydration combined with caffeine and massage can make skin look temporarily smoother. The firming effect appears to be mostly based on caffeine/guaraná marketing claims and short-term visual effects, not dramatic structural skin change.

Which size of Brazilian Bum Bum Cream should you choose?

The cream is available in five sizes: 25 ml, 75 ml, 150 ml, 240 ml and 500 ml. Good Housekeeping says it comes in three main sizes (8 oz, 5 oz and 2.5 oz), but UK retailers typically list the 75 ml, 150 ml, 240 ml and 500 ml variants. The 150 ml size is the most popular on Boots and Sephora UK, offering a good balance between price and longevity. A 240 ml jar is available at £48 from Cult Beauty UK, and a 500 ml “value size” is also stocked by some retailers.

How long does one jar last?

With daily use, a 150 ml jar lasts approximately one to two months. The 25 ml travel size is ideal for testing the product or for short trips.

Is there a gift set available?

Yes, Sol de Janeiro occasionally releases limited-edition gift sets that pair the cream with other body products from the Cheirosa range. These are often available through Amazon UK and Space NK during the holiday season.

Where to buy Brazilian Bum Bum Cream in the UK

The cream is widely available through premium beauty retailers in the UK. Space NK and Cult Beauty UK stock it, along with Boots, Sephora UK, Amazon UK and Home Cosmetics. Prices vary: 75 ml costs around £20, 150 ml around £38, 240 ml around £52, and 500 ml around £68 – though these are approximations and subject to change.

How to use Brazilian Bum Bum Cream for best results

The product is designed for the body – not the face – as the rich formula may cause breakouts on facial skin. Apply to damp skin after showering to lock in moisture. Massage in upward circular motions, focusing on areas where firming is desired. Some reviewers note that combining the cream with the brand’s Brazilian 4 Play moisturising shower gel can enhance the sensory experience, but results remain temporary and cosmetic.

Timeline: the evolution of Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

1. 2015 – Sol de Janeiro launches with the original Brazilian Bum Bum Cream; quickly gains viral popularity.
2. 2017 – Expansion into UK retailers, first Space NK then Boots.
3. 2019 – Launch of a larger 500 ml size and limited-edition gift sets.
4. 2021 – Brand acquired by L Catterton; continued global growth.
5. 2023–2025 – Introduction of travel-friendly 25 ml and 75 ml sizes.

Established facts and what remains uncertain

Overall, the cream is best viewed as a luxurious body moisturiser with temporary firming benefits rather than a permanent cellulite treatment.

Market context and consumer verdict

Brazilian Bum Bum Cream competes in the premium body-care segment, standing out through its unique scent and multi-sensory experience. Sol de Janeiro leverages a “Brazilian beauty” aesthetic and playful packaging to create lifestyle appeal. Across major retailers it holds an average rating of 4.5 stars or higher, with praise concentrated on scent and texture, and occasional criticism for high price and temporary firming effects.

Sources and quotes

“Many Brazilian creams have a secret ingredient: guaraná, a native plant extract five times richer in caffeine than coffee.”

– Sephora UK product description

“Visibly firms & tightens… reduces the look of cellulite… locks in moisture.”

– Space NK product page

“Smells incredible, leaves skin soft and glowy – but don’t expect miracles on cellulite.”

– Paraphrased Boots customer review

Summary: is Brazilian Bum Bum Cream worth it?

Brazilian Bum Bum Cream excels as a hydrating, beautifully scented body cream that provides a temporary smoothing and glowing finish. Its firming and cellulite-reducing claims are less conclusive, with multiple reviews pointing to cosmetic rather than structural effects. For those seeking a luxurious moisturiser that feels like a treat, it is a strong choice. For those expecting dramatic and lasting firmness, the evidence suggests it may not live up to the marketing. For a broader look at body firming options, see our guide to the Best Firming Body Creams 2025.

Frequently asked questions