Many Brazilian creams have a secret ingredient: guaraná, a native Amazonian plant whose fruit contains one of the most potent forms of caffeine on the planet. Brazilian Bum Bum Cream is also powered by a Brazilian blend of extraordinarily nourishing cupuaçu butter, antioxidant powerhouse açaí, and super-conditioning coconut oil for irresistible, touch-me skin. The fast-absorbing texture contains just enough mica to add a perfect Brazilian glow, as the formula helps your body look and feel its smoothest and tightest. Pistachio caramel leaves skin delicately fragranced.
Brazilian Bum Bum cream can be used on the buttocks, stomach, thighs, legs, arms or any areas that need tightening. It is a lusciously thick cream that doesn't feel greasy and absorbs in to the skin quickly. You will immediately be hit by the overwhelming scent. It is VERY strong. I got past it because I wanted to see what the effects of this cream were. If you are sensitive to scents this one is pretty darn intense. It's not offensive, just a very very strong island/floral type scent. I couldn't even get rid of it by washing my hands after applying it!
When I turned 30 I got the lovely gift of cellulite. They say the legs are the first to go and they aren't kidding! I was pretty miffed because my legs were the only part of my body I actually liked and even at my highest weight I never had any cellulite. So my legs turning in to my Mother's made me fork over $45 for a miracle cream. Whatcha gonna do.
The texture is thick and emollient, intensely moisturizing with out any greasy feel. There is a mild warming sensation after you apply it, which is kind of cool and makes you feel like it's working. After a couple weeks I started to notice my legs were actually looking smoother when I used this. It is most noticeable right after applied while the caffeine is doing its work. It has a light shimmer that gives your skin a healthy glowy look. I combined using the cream with Dry Skin Brushing. If you are not familiar with that definitely look it up, it helps with circulation in the body and move out some of that water/inflammation/toxins that can also contribute to cellulite/aging skin.
Overall this is a decent body moisturizer and I felt like my legs looked smoother. The effects only seem to last while you are using it. It is too early to tell if it has any long-term effect on reducing cellulite and firming skin. For me the overpowering scent was a deal breaker, it is just way too strong to handle.
Since bum bum was a bit of a bummer here are the body toning moisturizers that I do like. My favorite cellulite reducing and toning moisturizers are from Body Merry and they're only $17.99. The Cellulite Defense gel-cream is light, and with retinol and caffeine it works immediately to tighten up the skin. You can feel it cooling and tingling a bit. I notice firmer skin when I use this every day. There is definitely a difference. It also smells oddly like coke a' cola even though it says green tea & lime. The Stretch Marks and Scar Cream is also a favorite for lessening the appearance of stretch marks and evening skin tone out overall. The shea butter and vitamins make it so rich and penetrating. With a scent described as a warm whiff of cocoa, it smells like dessert. I am kind of a stickler about scents in my products :)
The Andre Lorent Crazy Beautiful Cellulute Cream ($19.99) is also another winner in the fight against Mom legs. Containing retinol, caffeine, shea butter, and sunflower seed oil to tighten the skin in 3 minutes. This cream is odorless and sinks in to the skin very fast. Finally, to fake toned legs try Jergen's Body BB Glow or Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs. Both act almost like a primer/foundation for the body. Blurring imperfections and giving the skin a touch of color that instantly makes your legs look great.
For times when I want to get my problem areas looking better like before a vacation or an event I might try to tolerate Brazilian Bum Bum Cream again...but at $45 a jar and more scented than a bath & body works maybe I'll just do more pilates!
Find Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream ($45) at SEPHORA