SOL DE JANEIRO
CARIOCA CRUSH
2024
PERFUMER
Jerome Epinette
juicy pear
tropical lychee
pink violet
warm praline
white cedarwood
soft musk
‘Streets lined with fruit stands. The sound of laughter lingers. Warm rays glisten on skin. Carioca Crush Perfume Mist is inspired by the charismatic energy of strutting down the bustling Avenida Mem de Sá. Juicy and captivating, this vibrant fragrance opens with a flirty pop of crisp pear mingling with a floral heart of pink violet. Grounded in the warmth of white cedarwood. Be your own summer crush.’ – Sol de Janeiro
This was my first time trying the often-talked bout Sol de Janeiro, as it has finally become more accessible in my region.
Carioca Crush is kind of what I was expecting, given that it’s an an affordable mist; pleasant, but fleeting and overall, it fails to leave much a lasting impression. This is especially true when reading all the notes and the fact that we have an accomplished perfumer at the helm in Jerome Epinette; the end-result feels very bare-boned.
I mostly smell sugary water here, with a faint fruity tint. It instantly reminds me of pure ambroxan (or Escentric Molecules Molecule 02). This sweet, warm, second-skin type of scent is enjoyable and while I can smell it, I enjoy it. I likely go nose blind to it very quickly, or it fades extremely fast, but after an hour, I have trouble detecting this fragrance. I even wore it a second time, because the first time, it vanished before I could write down any thoughts on it.
There’s a slightest fruity touch, reminding me of listed pear. It’s a similar watery, subtle fruitiness that I find in Louis Vuitton Pacific Chill and Zara Candy Festival. Regrettably, the Zara Candy Festival is discontinued; that packs more of a (similar) punch at an even lower cost. The main difference is that the Sol de Janeiro stays a tad sweeter. Fruity, but drenched in sugary water. No woods, no praline, no distinct florals, there’s nothing standing out here. Which does make for a smooth soft wearing experience.
Again, given that this runs you about €24/90ml, it hardly merits any criticism; just don’t go in expecting something complex or punching far above its weight; it’s solid for what you pay for in my opinion.
