You’ve probably seen the blue bottle. It’s that specific, punchy shade of teal that stands out even in a crowded Sephora aisle. For a long time, though, that bottle was a ghost. Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 39—better known to the OGs as Coco Cabana—has a history that’s honestly more dramatic than most reality TV plots. It’s been launched, hated, reformulated, discontinued, and then brought back from the dead by popular demand.
People are obsessed. But there’s a lot of confusion about what it actually is. Is it a "true" coconut? Does it smell like popcorn? Why did it disappear? If you’re trying to figure out if it's worth the hype (or the hunt), let’s get into the messy, delicious truth of this fragrance.
Why Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 39 Is Not Your Basic Suntan Oil
Most coconut perfumes follow a very predictable path. They smell like sunscreen, pineapple, and a vacation you can't afford. They’re "solar" and bright.
Cheirosa 39 isn't that.
It is a tropical gourmand. That means it's edible-leaning. Think less "beach towel" and more "coconut macaroon." The scent was originally inspired by 1939 (hence the name) and the legendary Brazilian performer Carmen Miranda. It’s meant to be bold and mouthwatering.
The notes are actually pretty complex:
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- Top: Whipped coconut cream
- Heart: Warm vanilla and tropical orchid
- Base: Toasted praline and creamy sandalwood
When you first spritz it, you get hit with a very "thick" sweetness. It’s not a light, watery coconut. It’s heavy on the cream. As it sits on your skin, the praline starts to show up, giving it a toasted, almost nutty depth that separates it from the cheaper, synthetic coconut sprays you’d find at a drugstore.
The "Buttered Popcorn" Controversy
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. When this scent first launched as Coco Cabana Cream, the internet basically had a collective meltdown. A very vocal group of people insisted it smelled like buttered popcorn or even toasted corn chips.
It was a vibe, but maybe not the one everyone wanted.
Sol de Janeiro actually listened. They reformulated the scent shortly after launch to dial back the "toasty" notes and amp up the creamy, floral side. Most people who smell the current Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 39 perfume don't get the popcorn vibe anymore, but that "mythical" reputation still lingers on Reddit and TikTok. If you love a scent like Cheirosa 71 (the macadamia one), you’ll probably love 39. If you want something fresh and zesty, this will be way too heavy for you.
The Disappearing Act: Discontinued or Just Playing Hard to Get?
In 2023, the brand broke hearts everywhere by officially discontinuing Cheirosa 39. They wanted to make room for new launches like Cheirosa 59 and 68.
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Then the chaos started.
Petitions were signed. People were selling half-empty bottles on eBay for $300. It became the "forbidden fruit" of the fragrance world. Because of that massive outcry, the brand brought it back as a limited edition release in June 2025.
As of early 2026, the availability is still a bit of a moving target. It’s often sold out on the official site, but you can occasionally find it at Ulta or through international retailers. It hasn't quite regained its status as a "permanent" core collection item like the iconic 62 (the yellow one), so if you see it, you basically have to grab it.
How it Compares to Other SDJ Scents
- Cheirosa 62: The classic pistachio/caramel. 39 is much more "white" and creamy compared to the golden, nutty 62.
- Cheirosa 87 (Rio Radiance): This is the one people confuse it with. 87 is a "solar" coconut (sunscreen vibes). 39 is a "gourmand" coconut (dessert vibes).
- Cheirosa 71: If 71 is a white chocolate cookie, 39 is a coconut cream pie. They are cousins, not twins.
Performance: Does It Actually Last?
Let's be real—most body mists have the lifespan of a TikTok trend. They’re gone in twenty minutes.
Surprisingly, Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 39 perfume is one of the stronger performers in the lineup. Because it has heavier base notes like sandalwood and praline, it "sticks" to clothes and hair much better than the floral mists.
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One trick? Layering.
Since the original Coco Cabana cream is hard to find now, people are pairing the 39 mist with unscented body oils or even the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. The sandalwood in the base of 39 plays really well with the almond notes in 62. It creates this "beachy goddess" aura that lasts way longer than just a few sprays on bare skin.
What to Do If You Can't Find It
If you’re hunting for that specific creamy coconut fix and the blue bottle is nowhere to be found, you aren't totally out of luck.
Several "dupe" houses have stepped in to fill the gap. Brands like Wicked Good and various Etsy sellers offer "Coco Cabana" type oils that mimic the praline and coconut cream profile. Some people even swear by layering Bath & Body Works Coconut with a touch of a vanilla-heavy perfume to get close.
But honestly? Nothing quite captures that specific "Carmen Miranda 1939" energy like the original. It’s a polarizing, loud, unapologetically sweet fragrance. It’s not for the minimalist. It’s for the person who wants to smell like a literal snack at the beach.
Next Steps for Your Fragrance Hunt:
- Check Availability: Head to the Sol de Janeiro "Last Chance" or "Limited Edition" section on their official site first; that's where 39 usually hides.
- The Ulta Hack: Check the travel-size bins at Ulta stores. Sometimes the 3oz bottles of 39 linger there long after the full-size ones vanish online.
- Test Before You Buy: If you find a bottle on a resale site, remember the "popcorn" history. If it’s an older bottle from the very first 2019 batch, it might have that saltier, toastier profile. Look for the "Cheirosa 39" branding rather than the original "Coco Cabana" label to ensure you're getting the smoother, reformulated version.