As someone who spends a lot of time thinking about clothes, I inevitably spend lots of time figuring out the right undergarments to go underneath, too. Grappling with uncomfortable strapless bras and sticky bras that lose their stick after two wears (or worse, start to slide off while you’re wearing them at a White Elephant party where you’re meeting all of your boyfriend's friends...) was just a fact of life...
Or so I thought, until I saw a TikTok of a woman demonstrating a non-sticky, adhesive-free nipple covers that magically stuck to her arm. It turns out that the rest of Cosmo’s Team Shop had also been seeing the same things on their FYP, so we got our hands on said magical nipple covers, aka the grippy CAKES from CAKES Body, to do a full review.
So, what's the deal with the grippy CAKES? Do they actually work?
Yes! The grippies are 100% silicone, and they utilize body heat to create that magical, adhesive-free stick. If they're cold when you apply them, try warming them up for a bit before reapplying. The warmer they are, the better they are at gripping onto your skin! They come in two shapes (circle or triangle), three colors (Honey, Caramel, or Cocoa) as well as 3 sizes (AA-A, B-DD, and DDD+). You can wash them and reuse them over and over, too.
All of this sounded a little too good to be true to me, but I packed mine for a week long trip that involved swimming in the ocean in Mexico and dancing the night away in a cocktail dress in an Alabama country club. And it turns out that the grippies held up incredibly well—I found myself reaching for them over and over. The CAKES were equally perfect for one-piece swimsuits that showed a little too much nip for my personal comfort, workout rompers that didn’t come with any lining (I am once again asking designers WHY would you do that???), and wedding guest dresses that I’d prefer to go braless for.
shop the grippy CAKES here
grippy CAKES circles™ in Honey
grippy CAKES circles™ in Caramel
grippy CAKES circles™ in Cocoa
Senior Visual Editor Emily Adar is a longtime fan of CAKES, too: “I don’t know what this magic technology is, but the grippies are perfection. I forget that I’m wearing them but yet I look so much better in a fitted tank, tshirt, or dress.”
And Associate Commerce Editor Lauren Gruber put them to the test by wearing them for 10+ hours while walking 12,000 steps on an “unreasonably hot spring day” and was thoroughly impressed by the end of it. "Going braless as someone with a bigger chest can be challenging, to say the least, but these made me feel more confident. They stayed all day long beneath a thin camisole, and felt (and looked) like I was wearing nothing at all. Plus, I love how the triangle shape stays hidden beneath plunge necklines and halter tops.”
Pro application tip from Associate Editor Annabel Iwegbue: "Do notttt moisturize before putting these on. This is actually an official tip in the instruction packet that I ignored and regretted later. Having slick skin make the sticking process incredibly frustrating and slightly demoralizing. The dryer your boobs the better.”
The only downside is that although I found the grippies to be very secure under form-fitting clothing, they were never meant to grip your skin perfectly under super loose, baggy clothing. That’s when you have to bring out the big guns (adhesive), and thankfully, CAKES just dropped a nip-friendly version of their iconic grippies that are still just as smooth and reusable, but with medical-grade adhesive backing.
Enter the brand new sticky CAKES!
I was doubtful about liking these, because sometimes I find stick-on bra products to be really itchy after a few hours, but I truly forgot that I was wearing the sticky CAKES under my dress all day. They create a truly smooth, seamless appearance (unlike some other sticky covers that give you a visible circular outline under your shirt) and there’s even a special Nip Nook™️, an adhesive-free circle in the center of the stickies to avoid any pain during removal.
shop the sticky CAKES here
sticky CAKES circles™ in Honey
sticky CAKES circles™ in Caramel
sticky CAKES circles™ in Cocoa
Video Editor Sarah Ng, a self-proclaimed bra hater, tested these out and said that they passed with flying colors. "I had the perfect shirt in mind to be the ultimate test for the sticky CAKES—a fully backless rayon halter top that simply was not giving with a bra. The CAKES gave me a nice shape, survived an entire day in the sun (sweat and all!), and I truly forgot I was even wearing them. I had to do a few impromptu checks throughout the day because I couldn’t believe how comfortable and undetectable they were.”
The only downside that Sarah noted was that after washing them and rewearing them, she noted some very slight rippling around the edges of the covers that was hard to flatten, although it wasn’t an issue when she actually put them on.
Senior Commerce Manager Mackenzie Dunn tried hers on underneath a slinky, clingy bridesmaid dress after being recommended CAKES by another bridesmaid, and found them they’re both sleek and offer amazing coverage, making them undetectable even under the trickiest dresses.
And Sex & Relationships Editor Veronica Lopez explained to me that while she doesn’t often reach for sticky boobs because they don’t offer enough support, she decided to wear her CAKES under a dress with adjustable straps and “was SHOCKED at how supported” she felt. "The adjustable straps dress + CAKES combo was such a pleasant surprise. I don't remember the last time I went braless and felt this good.”
Oh, and there's a sticky CAKES bra, too
Meet the brand's newest launch: a sticky bra! Their signature Cleavage Bra combines all of the quality of the regular CAKES stick-ons with a little lift, too. I tested it out under a low-back dress and was pleasantly surprised at how they didn't budge all day.
All you have to do is unhook the two cups from each other, stick both on each side, and then pull them together to re-clasp them. It creates cleavage that a stick-on bra usually doesn't, which comes in clutch when you want a little more oomph than nipple covers typically provide!
Not sure which one is going to be the best fit for your needs? Here's a little TL,DR:
Go for the grippy CAKES if you...
- Typically reach for nipple covers for form-fitting outfits
- Want to use them under swimsuits, bralettes, or tight dresses
- Like a medium amount of grip
- Prefer a low-maintenance option
Go for the sticky CAKES if you...
- Want to feel extra secure and like a stronger grip
- Want the option to wear your CAKES under loose tops
- Don’t mind washing and drying them more carefully to keep the adhesive intact
At the end of the day, I’m sure that your drugstore nipple covers you bought at CVS last year still work (sort of), but CAKES are the Lamborghinis, the Sheertexes, the Don Julios of stick-on covers. They're so comfortable that most of our testers mentioned forgetting they were wearing them, and they're one of the most innovative options out there on the market right now for a decently-affordable price. So if you're ready to up your braless outfits game, CAKES will help you take things to the next level.
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.
