Sol de Janeiro’s new jelly perfume balms are here – and we’ve put all three scents to the test
Solid perfumes are having a moment. My social feeds are full of swipe-on fragrance sticks promising handbag-friendly scent top-ups, and Google searches for solid perfumes are clearly on the rise. So naturally, scent category leader Sol de Janeiro has chosen to step into the solid world with its first-ever Jelly Perfume Balms, landing exclusively at Boots today.
They’ve launched in three of the brand’s most loved Cheirosa scents: 62 (the iconic pistachio, salted caramel and vanilla blend ), 68 ( Brazilian jasmine and pink dragon fruit with a fresh twist) and 40 (a deeper mix of black amber plum, jasmine blooms and vanilla woods ). If you already use the creams or mists, these are designed to slot straight into your layering routine.
The translucent format is clever. Each balm promises up to 1,000 swipes and up to 10 hours of scent in a compact, alcohol-free stick. Priced at £25 each, they’re considerably cheaper than other leading solid fragrances – take Glossier’s You Solid Perfume, £35, which arguably kickstarted the swipe-on, rather than spray-on, trend.
I’ve been testing them for a couple of weeks, and I’ll say this: they’re very good for on-the-go touch-ups. The stick format makes reapplying fragrance more discreet when you’re commuting or just generally on the go. They’re also brilliant for travel, especially if you’re trying to avoid packing liquids or want something gym-bag friendly. You swipe directly onto pulse points, and the payoff is better than I expected.
The scent comes through clearly and feels slightly softer and less sharp than the body sprays. In fact, I find the balms smell a touch creamier and less ‘chemical’ than the mists. Where things get slightly more complicated is longevity. While the brand says up to 10 hours, on my skin the scent doesn’t project or linger in the same way as a traditional spray.
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It sits closer to the body and fades more quickly, meaning I do find myself reapplying. That’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, especially if you see this as a top-up product rather than your main fragrance, but it’s worth knowing.
At £25, they’re also £1 more expensive than the brand’s 90ml body sprays, which makes the value feel slightly harder to justify. Still, as a chic, travel-friendly fragrance companion, they absolutely have their place– just don’t expect them to completely replace your perfume bottle.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Travel-friendly and handbag-sized
- No liquids — ideal for flights and gym bags
- Creamier, softer scent than the body sprays
- Easy, discreet reapplication
- Strong initial scent payoff
Cons
- Doesn’t project or last as long as traditional perfume
- Needs reapplying throughout the day
- Pricier than Sol de Janeiro’s 90ml body and hair mists
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