ootdfashion
The other day, I stumbled upon what I can only describe as a “beauty time capsule,” and the smell that came from it almost knocked me over. I was searching for some bikini hair removal cream (an annual ritual, given that it’s wedding anniversary time) and came across a large plastic box tucked away in the back of the cupboard.
You’re probably wondering how anyone could stumble upon something in a cupboard. Well, let me tell you, I have the longest, spookiest airing cupboard in all of England. I suspect it was part of a bathroom at some point, but someone decided to put up a wall and turned it into a narrow, windowless space to hide the unsightly water tank. It’s so narrow, it feels like the walls are closing in, and with its tall ceiling, it just seems even weirder. Being claustrophobic, this long tunnel of stacked linens is not my favorite place to venture.
Anyway, I was making my way down the seemingly endless cupboard to find my small toiletries bag—filled with things I’d rather no one else saw—and bumped my shin on the edge of a big plastic box. Suddenly, I remembered it contained all my beauty essentials and must-haves packed away before we moved houses. This was the first move, to Bath, not the big move to Somerset, so we’re talking almost a year ago. A YEAR! How I’ve managed without these essentials is beyond me.
When I opened the box, it was like opening a nostalgic beauty time capsule. There were all the things from my en suite and bathroom sink at the old house—little glass bottles of face oil wrapped in muslin cloths, Fornasetti candles cushioned with dry flannels, and packs of cotton wool. It was quite a trip down memory lane, especially recalling how tiny Baby Ted was when we moved. Still, my thoughts were interrupted by the potent aroma of a pot of Brazilian Bum Bum cream.
Have you heard of this Bum Bum body cream? It’s quite popular and was a sellout beauty sensation last year. From Brazil, it has a cult following—it contains guarana, a powerful source of caffeine, and claims to boost circulation and smooth the skin.
Does it really work? Who knows. I can’t get past the scent. Only Thierry Mugler’s Angel body cream rivals it—so fragrant that a single application lingers until Christmas. If you love the smell, you’ll be happy with it, and fortunately, I think I do.
I say “I think” because there’s just a hint of something off in the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream fragrance. Mostly, it’s pure summer—a rich caramel scent reminiscent of sun-warmed skin—but there’s a slight note of bad aftershave, like the kind with a novelty bottle stopper shaped like a plastic golf ball.
On one hand, I can’t get enough of it—it’s as if a goddess from Copacabana has cozied up to a lifeguard—but on the other hand, my sense of smell, which isn’t the most refined, finds it somewhat jarring. It’s like someone sprayed Brut on a mermaid.
Overall, though, I love this Brazilian Bum Bum cream. I shouldn’t, given you can likely find equally rich and nourishing body creams for less (it’s a hefty £44 a tub), but everything about it screams a sexy holiday vibe. The packaging is as summery as it gets. If anything could put you in the mood for a trip to somewhere sunny with plenty of Margaritas, this cream would do it.
As for the bum-firming aspect, I have no idea if it works. The cream is luxuriously rich yet somehow non-greasy, but I haven’t noticed any significant results, especially given my sporadic use. Common sense tells me that firming requires cutting down on treats. No cream in a jar is going to tone your body—it’s all about improving how your skin looks and feels.
From someone who longed to believe that massage could melt away their overindulgences with a bit of Clarins Body Lift (which, by the way, is an excellent body cream), I find Murad’s body firming serum and creams superb for tightening and smoothing the skin. Unfortunately, they seem to be sold out everywhere—I hope they’re not being discontinued.
I figure that energetically rubbing in the Bum Bum cream might burn 15 to 20 calories, roughly a tenth of a Mint Magnum. A vigorous rub twice a day, and by the week’s end, you’ll have compensated for your Saturday night indulgence. Life’s too short to be that dull.
For a scent that’s more elegant with lighter packaging, try L’Occitane’s Almond Milk Concentrate. If you want a fragrance that lasts forever, Thierry Mugler’s Angel Body Cream is your choice—a warm, chocolatey, but incredibly feminine scent.
