If you love a unique/backless/plunging neckline but don't love being totally nips-out or feeling unsupported in thin or semi-sheer fabric, sticky bras are a necessary evil. Yes, they're useful, even though the wrong ones are painful to take off, not friendly for sensitive skin, and can even make your outfit look worse than if you just went braless. That means we've basically forever been in search of the perfect sticky bra.

With so many options out there—and such varied results depending on boob size—12 Cosmo staffers sacrificed their nips at the adhesive altar of the highest-rated stickies on Amazon and other major retailers so you don’t have to. Scroll on to find out what they thought.

Oh, and since we're on the topic, if all your other bra-finding struggles just hit you like a truck because we're talking about it and you're like, "Where can I find reliable strapless bras? Wireless bras? Padded bras? Bras for big boobs?" We've got you covered!

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A glimpse into our review process and parameters:

Cosmo employees self-identified their chest sizes (small = A and B cups; medium = B, C, and smaller D cups; large = larger D cups and higher). Then they each tried on around four sticky bras, wearing them for a full night’s or day’s worth of activities unless they were too complicated to figure out, caused skin irritation, or fell off. If styles were re-wearable, they’d do a day-two retest on the power of the adhesive.


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The Ultimate Nipple Covers

You’ve probably tried nipple covers before, but these are backed by more than 41,000 stellar reviews on Amazon and have a smooth, silicone feel. They come in multiple different matte skin tones in a finish that doesn’t reflect light (unlike the fabric petals you often see out there), so you don’t have to worry about the flash from that group dinner pic accidentally highlighting your choice of underthing.

Because they’re basically pasties that also come in a lifting option that you can pretty much wear them with any type of complicated outfit, from totally sheer styles to strapless, low-cut, and backless ones. See what our reviewers had to say below!

  • Sizes: 1 (A-C cups), 2 (D+ cups), and 3 (DD+ cups)
  • Colors: Caramel, Coco, Crème, Espresso, and more.
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Invisible Breast-Lifting Silicone Pasties

These pasties cover nips and lift the breasts—and they do it really well, according to Cosmo staffers. They reported that these teardrop-esque adhesives really helped give them a nice shape in plunging styles, like blazers worn without tops underneath.

They’re relatively see-through, but calling them ~invisible~ is a stretch for anyone with a darker skin tone, for whom these would absolutely show up as lighter than the rest of the chest. Last thing: These also only come in one size fits all, so if you have a larger chest, these may not work as well.

  • Sizes: One Size
  • Colors: Invisible
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Wing-Shaped Push-Up Strapless Self-Adhesive Plunge Bra

Um, 4,700 customers on Amazon have reviewed this bra, and 55 percent of them gave it 4 or 5 stars. With ratings like that, it was easy to get excited about this wing-shaped adhesive bra that goes on semi-vertical and then clasps together to create cleavage.

With no crazy tabs sticking up toward the collarbone, this bra can easily be worn with most necklines, including sweethearts, strapless, backless, and some plunges (not too deep, though, or you’ll see the closure in the center).

  • Sizes: A-C
  • Colors: Beige, Black
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Seamless Circular NuBra With Center Clasp

Similar in shape and vibe to the winged contraption above, this minimal sticky bra has a rounded shape and center closure that is supposed to create that cleave. Cosmo staffers enjoyed that this one didn’t have any gimmicks, like laces or tabs, to it—it was easy to slap on and stayed right where they put it all day long.

It works well for strapless, slight plunge, and backless designs, but I wouldn’t go full J.Lo’s green dress with this on. One reviewer noted she may have needed a larger than usual size, so keep that in mind.

  • Sizes: A-E
  • Colors: Tan, Black
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Push-Up Strapless Sticky Plunge Bra

This bra is sticky all over, including inside the cups and all along the sides. It’s padded, so it gives your chest some real oomph, and it has a dramatic plunge, so it works with more low-cut styles than other cleavage-boosting options do.

The side tabs mean it’s not great for anything low-backed or backless, but any other complicated neckline situation should work well! Just so you know: This worked well for medium- and small-chested reviewers, but D cups and above were like, “Nah.”

  • Sizes: A-D
  • Colors: Beige
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Push-Up Combo Wing Bra With Underwire

Okay—this bra is similar in theory to the option above, but the front of the bra has no adhesiveness because the stick is all in the clear side tabs. You can also swap out these tabs for clear straps if you’d rather!

Because the tabs on the side can reach pretty far back to counterbalance the non-sticky action in the front, this bra isn’t great for backless styles but does work well for strapless pieces, spaghetti straps, and slightly low-cut necklines.

  • Sizes: 2-6
  • Colors: Black, Nude
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Adhesive Silicone Petal Breast Lifts

Why are so many sticky bras petal-shaped? Nothing natural about flower-outlined nipples, but I digress. This design has been reviewed by more than 1,300 Amazon users and has a solid 4-star rating. They have a definite pink color to them, so don’t expect that to blend in with the rest of the skin on your mammaries.

These work well with anything that isn’t sheer or strapless, due to that blush shade and tab situation. So stick with backless pieces and low-cut necklines for this one unless you want to cut off the tabs.

  • Sizes: 2.6-6 inches
  • Colors: Brown and Pink
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Bunny-Shaped Push-Up Pasties

Aren’t these sweet? Guessing these little rabbit-shaped guys have blessed your Instagram feed with their adorable design and their promise of gravity-defying “ear” tabs. In case you’re like, "Huh, but why?" Like the option above, they're meant to lift: Stick the circle portion on your nipple and use the ears to lift your boob a little, then stick them flat, closer to your collarbone.

Because their lift process requires sticking so close to the clavicle, they’re not great for strapless pieces. Instead, use them with deep-V designs or something backless with plenty of coverage in the front. You also could theoretically cut off the upper tabs and just wear them as nipple covers.

  • Sizes: One size
  • Colors: Caramel, Cocoa, and Cream
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Fantasy Strapless, Backless Drawstring Push-Up

You’ve absolutely seen a version of this bra as an ad on social media. You know the one, where the girl has it on, then smoothly zips the lacing together to boost her cleavage, puts on her top, and goes out the door? Anyway, this particular design comes with silicone cups has a drawstring lace-up center detail.

It works with most strapless and backless designs but isn’t great for anything super plunge-y. Quick bottom line: It isn’t as efficient and nice as it seems on the ’gram. The silicone in it is heavy and can weigh your boobs down.

  • Sizes: A-D
  • Colors: Nude
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Honorable Mention Sticky Bras

The bras below didn’t make the final cut of our expansive photo shoot, but reviewers online absolutely swear by them. Take a peek to see if they might be a fit for you too!

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Rachel Torgerson
Fashion Features and Lifestyle Director

Rachel Torgerson is the fashion features and lifestyle director at Cosmopolitan, overseeing fashion and lifestyle coverage online, in print, and on our various social media platforms. She has over a decade of experience in the fashion and media industries. Before landing at Cosmopolitan as a digital fashion editor in 2016, she worked at Us Weekly, The Knot, and Fitness Magazine, among others. When she's not discussing runway trends, you can definitely catch her trying out (and, in many cases, failing) a new crochet cardigan pattern or in a spirited debate about the difference between the Bridgerton books vs the Netflix series. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok: @RachelTorgs 

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Hannah Oh
Shopping Editor

Hannah is the Shopping Editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from chic home decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and pictures of her office outfits that nobody asked for.