For the busty among us, hearing the words ‘bra free’ might fill you with dread deep in your soul. But fear not, for the days of finding the dress of your dreams and having to leave it in the shopping cart because there's no way it will work sans bra are long gone. And nope, we're not talking about the not-so-secret Kardashian technique of using gaffer tape (ouch!). Thankfully for our nips, there's a far less painful solution that doesn't cause irritation or involve hiking up a strapless bra every two minutes, either.
Described as ‘the world's first and original breast lift tape,’ Booby Tape is designed to lift your breasts and give you cleavage when wearing a bra isn't an option – and all for just £17! But can five metres of tape *really* be trusted when you are DD+? Well, I decided to put the tape to the ultimate test... A 38J kind of test. Which also translates as an incredibly busty, heavy, and arguably saggy test.
Fearful that I would end up lop-sided and droopy, my expectation that the tape would really work for me was somewhat low. Booby Tape claims to work for all bust sizes, but I wanted to make sure it would really carry the weight of my breasts, so before taking the plunge (literally) to wear the tape out, I did a little test run.
How to apply boob tape
Booby Tape recommends doing a patch test by applying a small piece of tape to the breast area for 24 hours to ensure you have no sensitivity or reactions to the adhesive. If no redness or irritation occurs, you're good to go!
Before applying, make sure your skin is clean and dry, as any moisturisers, oils, or suncream will affect the adhesive on the tape. Cut off a strip of tape at an appropriate length, making sure to trim the corners off, leaving round ends. This will help the tape sit firmly against your skin and prevent the corners from catching on your clothes, affecting the stickiness and hold.
While it's not difficult to apply, it definitely requires a certain level of patience. First, I had to make sure my breasts were level and that I wasn't putting them into an uncomfortable position. Then, using the under-the-bust and over-the-shoulder method, I managed to get them securely in place.
For maximum lift, try lying down to apply your tape! Booby Tape has the stretch capability of up to 170% – similar to human skin, but you should try not to stretch the tape. This is how you can achieve the rounded breast lift look. Too much stretch on your tape and your breasts will just look flat.
How to remove boob tape
The boob tape removal is when things get a little more interesting. Rather than reading the instructions on safely removing the tape, I had a go at simply pulling the tape off. I do NOT recommend doing that. Not only can that cause serious irritation, but it can also cause blistering and scars.
For safe removal, I recommend using coconut oil or body lotion to break the adhesive down and then *slowly* peel the tape off. Support the skin behind the tape by firmly holding it back with one hand as your other hand peels the tape off. I can assure you, this is a much better removal process, and your tatas will thank you for following instructions. Alternatively, you can opt for the brand's very own remover fluid – though it does cost £25.
It's also recommended to wear nipple covers under your boob tape to protect your sensitive areas and make removing the tape a much more comfortable process.
And finally, the brand recommends wearing booby tape for a maximum of six hours, as the longer you wear it, the stickier it gets. We can't say how painful it would be trying to remove it then...
Booby Tape review:
After applying my two strips of tape, I was surprised by how well they held up. A novice to all things boob tape, I wasn't exactly sure what I needed to see to know if they'd make it past the trial run, but I can say that my first impressions were good. The tape was comfortable on my skin and it was also easy to adjust.
Nervous that I'd have some mishap while out, I applied a lot of the tape to keep me supported in my plunge-front mini dress. But, to my surprise, I made it through the *entire* night. Result!
As someone who has felt restricted by what they can wear, especially if it requires a braless moment, I love that taping opens up the number of outfit options. The options are nearly endless for how and when you can wear Booby Tape with multiple different ways you can apply the tape (for a strapless neckline, halterneck, one-shoulder, and so on) and that's a BIG win in my book.
More boob tape to shop now:
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Lauren Nicole Coppin Campbell is the Contributing Curve Editor of Cosmopolitan UK. The former curve model and digital content creator has worked in the fashion industry, specialising in plus-size fashion content, for six years. Known for her excellent eye for style, captivating imagery and witty sense of humour to match, Lauren Nicole continues to inspire women to live boldly through their clothes.
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