Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupuaçu Lip Butter (Sol de Janeiro Lip Balm) Review

Key Takeaways 

• Overall rating: 8/10 – Good but not life-changing
• Best for: Dry lips that need serious hydration and a gorgeous scent
• Price: £15 for 6.2g (quite pricey for a lip balm!)
• Standout feature: That addictive Brazilian caramel scent
• Main drawback: Bulky packaging makes application tricky
• Would I repurchase? Maybe, but it wouldn’t be my first choice
• Bottom line: A lovely lip butter that smells divine but doesn’t quite justify the premium price tag

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Today I’m reviewing the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupuaçu Lip Butter. I’ve been absolutely obsessed with Sol de Janeiro products ever since I tried their Bum Bum Cream (honestly, that stuff is like crack in a tub), so when I spotted this lip butter, I was practically throwing my money at the checkout to buy one for me and my teen daughter. But did it live up to my sky-high expectations? Well, grab a cuppa and I will tell all!

First Impressions

When this bad boy arrived, the first thing that struck me was the sheer size of it. Seriously, this thing is CHUNKY for a lip balm. We’re talking about twice the diameter of your average lip balm, so it’s more like a mini deodorant stick than a delicate lip product! The packaging is undeniably gorgeous though, with that signature Sol de Janeiro yellow and white colour branding. It feels substantial in your hand, which does give it that premium feel that justifies… well, some of that £15 price tag, which, let’s face it, is NOT cheap for a lip balm.

The twist-up mechanism works smoothly, and the cap stays on securely in my handbag (trust me, after three kids, this is essential – I’ve had too many lip balms meet their demise at the bottom of my bag!).

Sol de Janiero Lip Balm – Key Ingredients

Sol de Janeiro has packed this lip butter with some seriously impressive Brazilian ingredients:

Cupuaçu Butter – This is the star of the show! Cupuaçu is related to the cacao tree and is absolutely loaded with fatty acids, phytosterols, and polyphenols. Basically, it’s like a superfood for your lips, locking in moisture and helping restore elasticity.

Açaí Oil – We all know açaí as the superfruit that makes our smoothie bowls look Instagram-worthy, but it’s also brilliant for skincare. Packed with antioxidants to keep your lips healthy and protected.

Coconut Oil – The holy grail of moisturising ingredients that melts beautifully into skin and provides deep conditioning.

The formula is free from parabens, phthalates, PEGs, synthetic colours, and animal by-products, which gets a big thumbs up from me. As someone who’s constantly researching what goes into the products my family uses, these cleaner formulations are definitely appreciated.

The Scent: Pure Brazilian Bliss

Oh. My. God. The smell! If you’ve tried any Sol de Janeiro product, you’ll know they absolutely nail their fragrances, and this lip butter is no exception. It’s that gorgeous Brazilian caramel scent (they call it “Doce de Leite”) that’s sweet, warm, and completely addictive. Honestly, I sometimes find myself applying this just to get a hit of that amazing smell.

It’s the same fragrance family as their other products, so if you’re already a Sol de Janeiro devotee like me, this will complement your Bom Dia Bright Cream beautifully for that full Brazilian experience.

Application: Here’s Where Things Get Tricky

Now, this is where I have to be honest with you lovely lot – the application is a bit of a faff. That chunky bullet I mentioned earlier? It makes precision application quite challenging. The end of the balm has this slightly dipped shape that doesn’t help matters either. I find myself getting product around my lip line more often than I’d like, which isn’t ideal when I’m wearing my foundation.

It’s definitely one of those lip balms that requires a mirror and a bit of concentration, rather than something you can swipe on quickly while rushing to pick up my kids from football practice (like my favourite Maybelline mascara!). If you’re someone who likes to apply lip balm on the go, this might frustrate you.

Performance: Does It Actually Work?

The good news? Yes, it absolutely works! This lip butter provides serious hydration that lasts for hours. My lips feel genuinely softer and smoother after using it, and it creates this lovely dewy sheen that enhances your natural lip colour without being glossy or sticky.

I’ve been testing it since winter 2024, through a particularly harsh British winter (you know how brutal the combination of central heating and cold wind can be on our lips!), and it’s definitely held up well throughout all seasons. Even my husband commented that my lips looked healthier, which is saying something because he usually doesn’t notice when I’ve changed my entire hair colour, let alone lip care!

The staying power is decent too – I find I need to reapply every 3-4 hours, which is pretty standard for a lip balm. It works beautifully under lipstick and doesn’t interfere with the colour or texture.

Is the Sol de Janeiro Lip Butter Worth It?

This is the million-pound question, isn’t it? At £15 for 6.2g, this is definitely at the luxury end of the lip balm spectrum. To put that in perspective, you could buy about three tubes of decent high-street lip balm for the same price.

For me, it falls into that category of “lovely but not essential.” It’s a gorgeous product with a stunning scent and excellent moisturising properties, but it’s not revolutionary. If you’re already obsessed with Sol de Janeiro products and want that full Brazilian beauty experience, then yes, it’s worth it. But if you’re looking for the most effective lip balm for your money, there are probably better options out there.

Is Cupuaçu Butter Good for Lips?

Absolutely! Cupuaçu butter is actually considered one of the most effective moisturising ingredients in skincare. It contains high levels of fatty acids and has superior water absorption compared to shea butter – up to 240% more! This makes it incredibly effective at hydrating and protecting delicate lip skin.

The polyphenols in cupuaçu also provide antioxidant protection, which is brilliant for preventing damage from environmental stressors. So yes, from an ingredients perspective, this lip butter is definitely doing good things for your lips!

What Does Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Smell Like?

If you’ve never experienced a Sol de Janeiro fragrance, you’re in for a treat! The Brazilian Kiss lip butter features their signature “Doce de Leite” scent, which translates to “milk candy” or caramel. It’s a warm, sweet fragrance with notes of:

• Rich caramel
• Vanilla
• Sweet cream
• Subtle nutty undertones

The Fragrantica community describes it as gourmand and comforting – basically like a warm hug in scent form. It’s the kind of fragrance that makes people ask “what are you wearing?” in the best possible way.

Just a heads up though – while it smells absolutely divine, the taste isn’t quite as magical. There’s a slightly chemical aftertaste that you’ll notice if you tend to lick your lips (guilty as charged!). It’s not unpleasant, just not as delicious as the scent would suggest.

How Long Does the Sol de Janeiro Lip Butter Last?

In terms of wear time, I find this lip butter lasts about 3-4 hours before needing a top-up, which is pretty standard for this type of product. However, the moisturising effects seem to linger longer – my lips still feel softer even after the product has worn off.

As for how long the tube lasts, at 6.2g, you’re looking at several months of regular use. I’ve been using mine daily for about two months and I’ve barely made a dent in it. The chunky packaging means there’s actually quite a generous amount of product in there.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupuaçu Lip Butter – The Honest Mum Verdict

Look, I’m not going to lie to you – this isn’t the life-changing lip product I was hoping for after my Bum Bum Cream obsession. It’s a lovely, well-formulated lip butter with an absolutely gorgeous scent, but at £15, I was expecting to be completely blown away.

What I love:

• That incredible Brazilian caramel scent
• Genuinely effective moisturising properties
• Long-lasting formula
• Premium feel and packaging
• Clean ingredient list

What I’m not so keen on:

• The bulky packaging makes application fiddly
• Pretty expensive for what you get
• The taste doesn’t match the amazing scent
• Not practical for on-the-go touch-ups

How It Compares to Other Lip Balms

I’ve tried A LOT of lip balms over the years (occupational hazard of being a beauty blogger!), and while this one is certainly good, it’s not in my top three. For reference, my holy grail lip balms are still the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask for intensive overnight treatment and good old Carmex for everyday use.

The Sol de Janeiro lip butter sits somewhere in the middle – it’s definitely more luxurious than your average high-street option, but it doesn’t outperform some of the other premium options at this price point. It’s a nice treat to use alongside your usual skincare (I love my cheap and cheerful Nivea Soft Cream moisturiser!).

Where to Buy Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Lip Butter

You can pick this up from several UK retailers:

• Sephora UK (£15)
• Space NK (£15)
• Boots (£15)
• Amazon UK (sometimes on offer)

I’d recommend checking for any gift sets or promotions, especially during beauty events at Sephora or Space NK, as you can often get better value that way.

Should You Buy It?

If you’re already a Sol de Janeiro fan and love the idea of having that gorgeous Brazilian scent in your lip care routine, then yes, give it a go. It’s a well-made product that does exactly what it promises.

However, if you’re looking for the most effective lip treatment for your money, or if you prefer more practical packaging for everyday use, you might want to look elsewhere.

Personally? I’ll probably finish this tube (because that scent is just too good to waste!), but I’m not sure I’d repurchase. There are other products I’d prioritise in my Sol de Janeiro shopping basket – like another tub of that amazing Bum Bum Cream!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use this lip butter under lipstick? Yes! It works beautifully as a base for lipstick and doesn’t interfere with colour or application.

Q: Is it suitable for sensitive skin? The clean formula should be fine for most people, but as always, patch test first if you have very sensitive skin.

Q: Does it provide sun protection? No, this doesn’t contain SPF, so you’d need to use a separate lip SPF if you’re spending time in the sun.

Q: Can teenagers use this product? Absolutely! The gentle, natural ingredients make it suitable for teens, though the price point might be a consideration.

Q: How does it compare to the other Sol de Janeiro lip products? This is their main lip product in the UK market, though they do occasionally release limited edition variations.

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Have you tried the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupuaçu Lip Butter? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more Sol de Janeiro reviews, don’t miss my thoughts on their other hero products, and also make up reviews such as my ELF Bronzing Drops review.