Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel
The one thing I am buying from the Sephora sale this week
Well, well, well. The Sephora sale is upon us. I am certain some of you are wondering, “What is the Sephora sale?”
The Sephora sale is a twice-yearly sale where all purchases are eligible for a certain percentage off; the exact percentage depends on how much you already spend at Sephora. Generally, Rouge members get 20% off, VIB members get 15% off, and Beauty Insiders get 10% off. In the beauty community, the Sephora sale usually arrives with a great deal of commotion because shit’s expensive at Sephora!
I am an occasional Sephora shopper. I actually love the store and the feeling of being in Sephora; it feels like a land of possibility. Do I want a new cream blush? How about an eye shadow brush? Maybe I should try a new moisturizer. On a very special day, I might be in Sephora to buy a new eye shadow palette—I’ve had my eye on the Anastasia Beverly Hills Nouveau Eyeshadow Palette, but I’m still a maybe on that one.
In my current iteration as a mom and writer, I find that what I crave the most each day is comfort. The world is kind of a terrifying place right now; our country is teetering on the brink of full-blown fascism. (If you are an eligible American voter, have you voted yet? Early voting in Texas runs through Friday, November 4th, and the general election is on November 8th. I will be voting for Democrats up and down the ticket!)
It feels frivolous to be writing about fascism and body wash in the same post, but such is life in 2022. We still have obligations to feed our cats and take care of our kids even during times of political turmoil. So let’s go: a body wash recommendation (and then go vote).
Like many fans of Sol de Janeiro products, what I love about this body wash is the smell. It’s a deeply comforting mix of caramel, coconut, butter, maybe some buttered popcorn? It is truly lovely. The body wash itself feels great on the skin; it’s a low-lather formula that feels luxurious without feeling heavy or sticky. It rinses away to leave soft, sweet-smelling skin. I don’t have dry skin, so I can’t really comment on its moisturizing properties. After I take a bath and use it, I feel cared for. It’s cliche, but when you spend a lot of time caring for others, the feeling of being cared for is enough to make you weep.
About the name: I don’t know, y’all. Brazilian 4Play? Really? There’s a long and colorful history of certain brands using cheeky names on their products, the most famous of which is probably Nars Orgasm, a powder blush described as “peachy pink with golden shimmer.” I now think of these naming choices as the “I have sex” option, an idea that I’m pretty sure I stole from Reddit.
What can I say about sexuality and beauty products that hasn’t already been said before? Who is Brazilian 4Play body wash for? Who is Orgasm blush for? I’m of the mindset that these products are for anyone who might enjoy them—male, female, trans, nonbinary, and anyone who doesn’t like a label for their gender. Beauty and self-care are for everyone! Learning to love yourself: this is the work of a lifetime. Beautiful things and enhancing our appearance can be part of this work. Feeling sexy is a vibe. It’s not a vibe I want to inhabit all the time, but it has its place. If buying a product with a cheeky name helps you find the vibe you want, then I think that’s awesome. Personally, I think Nars has probably ridden that train to the end of the line; naming a blush after oral sex is…a choice. I can’t help but feel that some names are just trying too hard to be edgy or sexy. However, both Orgasm and Deep Throat are beautiful blushes, so don’t let a silly naming choice stop you. I love a beautiful pink blush.
Happy Halloween, y’all! Here’s a preview of my witchy costume for tonight. This witch was on her daily walk yesterday.
Product Details: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel
Sold at Sephora or on the Sol de Janeiro website
Price: $26 for 13 ounces
Notes: It smells amazing and does a perfectly fine job as a body wash. I really enjoy having this as an option in the bath.