Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance (Cheirosa 87) Perfume Mist Review: The Ultimate Summer Scent

Key Takeaways

About: Rio Radiance is the same scent as the cult favourite limited-edition Tan Lines—and now it’s here to stay. This solar floral body mist is essentially sunshine in a bottle, perfect for anyone wanting that effortless Brazilian beach vibe without the airfare!

Perfect for: Beach lovers, coconut scent addicts, anyone missing summer vibes, fans of Tom Ford Soleil Blanc looking for a budget-friendly alternative

Skip if: You hate sunscreen scents, prefer subtle fragrances, or can’t stand sweet coconut notes

Price: £24 for 90ml, £38 for 240ml – honestly brilliant value compared to designer alternatives

Right, let’s talk about this gorgeous bottle of Brazilian magic, shall we? As a busy mum of three who still LOVES all things beauty and fashion, I’m always on the hunt for fragrances that make me feel like I’ve escaped to somewhere tropical – even when I’m just nipping to Sainsbury’s or dealing with yet another school run drama!

I first discovered Sol de Janeiro’s Rio Radiance (officially called Cheirosa 87 now) during one of my rare kid-free Sephora browsing sessions, and honestly, it was love at first spritz. It’s amazingly NOT a Sol scent that was introduced to me by my daughter, haha! Let me tell you everything you need to know about this gem.

What Does Rio Radiance Sol de Janeiro Smell Like?

Rio Radiance opens with a burst of leite de coco (coconut milk), while a canopy of solar tuberose and creamy vanilla lingers over warm sand. It’s like someone bottled up that exact moment when you’re lounging on a sun-warmed beach chair, coconut drink in hand, with the most gorgeous white flowers blooming nearby.

This is surprisingly long lasting for a body mist. I can smell the tuberous that dries down to a lovely coconut vanilla warm smell. The scent journey is absolutely divine – you get that initial hit of creamy coconut that’s not too artificial (thank goodness), followed by these stunning solar florals that don’t feel overwhelming.

The scent profile breaks down like this:

• Top notes: Leite de Coco, Warm Sand
• Heart: Solar Tuberose, Ylang Ylang
• Base: Creamy Vanilla, Amber Essence

What I love most is that it genuinely smells expensive and sophisticated – not like those cheap coconut body sprays from when we were teenagers. This fragrance will make you smell like a youngster on a Dubai hen do – which may or may not be appealing!

My Honest Experience Wearing Rio Radiance

I’ve been wearing this for while now, and despite being the wrong side of 40, it’s one I genuinely reach for regularly during the warmer months. It’s become my signature “I’m pretending I have my life together” scent. Whether I’m meeting other school mums for coffee in or actually managing a date night with my husband in central London, this fragrance just makes me feel more confident and put-together.

Longevity: A few spritz and you’re good for 6+ hours – which is honestly brilliant for a body mist. I typically spray it in the morning, and I can still catch whiffs of it on my clothes by dinner time.

Projection: The projection is nice, it radiates out about an arm’s length. Perfect for getting compliments without overwhelming everyone in the lift at John Lewis!

Best application spots: I love spritzing this on my pulse points, but honestly, Sol de Janeiro encourages you to go mad with it, so do whatever you prefer. Apply in the creases of your knees and elbows for a longer-lasting, stronger scent – and don’t forget your hair! It smells gorgeous on freshly washed hair.

What Skin Type is Rio Radiance Best For?

Here’s the thing – this isn’t really about skin type as much as it’s about scent preference! As a body mist, it works beautifully on all skin types. I have combination skin that’s probably now on the dryer side (thanks, hormones, age and three pregnancies), and it sits lovely without feeling sticky or heavy.

Perfect for you if:

• You love warm, beachy scents
• Coconut and vanilla notes make you happy
• You want something that screams “I’m fun and approachable”
• You’re missing summer holidays (aren’t we all?)
• You appreciate good value for money

Maybe skip if:

• You prefer fresh, clean scents
• Floral notes give you headaches
• You find coconut scents too sweet
• You only like very subtle fragrances

Is Rio Radiance the Same as Tan Lines?

YES! We heard you’ve been longing for last summer’s Tan Lines. Rio Radiance is the same scent—and now it’s here to stay. This was such a clever move by Sol de Janeiro – they brought back their limited edition cult favourite and made it permanent.

I actually managed to grab the original Tan Lines when it was released, and I can confirm they smell identical to my nose. I do own both the OG Rio Radiance, as well as this newer 87 version, and at least to my nose I think they smell exactly the same. So if you were gutted about missing Tan Lines, you can stop searching eBay for overpriced bottles!

Does Rio Radiance Smell Like Tom Ford Soleil Blanc?

Oh, this is the question everyone’s asking on TikTok! According to TikTok, Sol De Janeiro’s Rio Radiance bodymist is the ultimate swap for Soleil Blanc – and honestly, I can see why people make this comparison.

The similarities:

• Both have that gorgeous solar tuberose note
• Creamy coconut vibes
• Beachy, expensive-smelling dry down
• Warm vanilla base

The differences:

• Rio Radiance is much sweeter and more approachable
• Soleil Blanc has more sophisticated, powdery elements
• Rio Radiance feels more playful and fun
• People are saying that this is a dupe for Soleil Blanc, or they’re layering them together, but I say this is BETTER. Yes, it’s a body mist and longevity might be bad, but Soleil Blanc doesn’t last on me either, so in this case, at least you’re getting what you’re paying for

At £24 versus £185 for Tom Ford, Rio Radiance is an absolute no-brainer if you want those luxe beach vibes on a realistic budget. I’ve worn them both, and whilst Soleil Blanc is undeniably gorgeous, Rio Radiance gives me 80% of that vibe for about 15% of the price.

How I Use Rio Radiance

This fragrance is so versatile! Here’s how I incorporate it into my summer beauty routine:

School run chic: A light spritz makes even my trackies and trainers combo feel more intentional

Work mode: Perfect for Zoom calls when I want to feel confident (even if I’m wearing pyjama bottoms off-camera)

Date nights: Layered with the matching body cream for extra oomph

Summer evenings: Gorgeous for garden parties or pub gardens

Layering Tips That Actually Work

Want to make your Rio Radiance even more gorgeous? Here are my tried-and-tested layering combinations:

1. The Full Brazilian Experience: Use with the Rio Radiance SPF 50 Body Lotion first, then mist over the top
2. Evening Glamour: Layer with a tiny bit of vanilla perfume oil on your wrists
3. Fresh Twist: Mix with a citrus body lotion for daytime freshness
4. Hair Perfume: Spray all over your body (and hair) any time and all day long – don’t be shy!

Value for Money

Let’s talk brass tacks – is it worth your hard-earned cash? Absolutely! Priced at £24 and £38, respectively, there truly is a Sol de Janeiro perfume mist for everyone and every occasion.

When you consider that a similar-sized designer fragrance could easily cost £60-£80, Rio Radiance is brilliant value. I’ve been using my 90ml bottle for months and I’m only halfway through it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does Rio Radiance last on the skin? The longevity is decent, it lasts about 5-7 hours before it might need a touch up – impressive for a body mist!

Q: Can I wear this in winter? Absolutely! I love it so much that i wear it even during winter, it’s got such an addicting bright beach smell. It’s like a little ray of sunshine on gloomy London days.

Q: Is it suitable for sensitive skin? It’s generally fine for most people, but as with any fragrance, patch test first if you have very sensitive skin.

Q: Where can I buy it in the UK? Sephora, Space NK, Cult Beauty, and online at Sol de Janeiro’s website. I’ve seen it in some Boots stores too!

Q: Does it smell cheap? Not at all! I feel like Sol de Janeiro body mists are as good as perfumes! They last for an okay amount of time, and this one smells like a high-end luxury floral perfume!

Other Sol de Janeiro Scents to Try

If you love Rio Radiance, you might also enjoy:

• Cheirosa 62 (Brazilian Bum Bum Cream scent) – the OG favourite
• Cheirosa 68 – the Baccarat Rouge 540 dupe everyone raves about
• Cheirosa 59 – like toasted marshmallows in the best way
• Cheirosa 71 – Sweet as anything

You can now read some of my other Sol de Janeiro product reviews!

My Verdict

Rio Radiance is hands down one of my favourite summer fragrance discoveries. It smells like Summer party! It’s that perfect combination of affordable luxury and genuine quality that makes you feel amazing without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re a busy mum like me trying to feel a bit more glamorous, or you’re just someone who appreciates gorgeous scents that transport you somewhere sunny, Rio Radiance is absolutely worth adding to your collection.

It’s got permanent residence on my dressing table, and I suspect it’ll have the same status in your fragrance wardrobe too. Trust me on this one – your future self will thank you for clicking “add to basket”!

Final Rating: (5/5)

Have you tried Rio Radiance? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more fragrance reviews and lifestyle content from a real South East London mum, don’t forget to keeping reading the Spirited Puddle Jumper for more honest reviews and family life updates!

And if you’re interested in more Sol de Janeiro reviews, check out my posts on the Bum Bum Cream and Brazilian dupes.

You can read more of my beauty product reviews, including other Sol de Janeiro Products such as my Cheirosa 40 perfume mist review!

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