Which boob tape holds the gals up best? Our editor put 3 brands to the test

We Tested It

Boob tape, tit tape, sticky bras, nipple covers… whatever you may know them as the question remains: do these bra alternatives work?

Do they keep your assets lifted, secure and supported?

Ever intrigued, our editor put three of the market’s leading boob tapes for larger busts, to the test. 

From their fit and feel, to application (and removal) methods, she explores the best-selling products of Buub, NOOD and Perky Pear. 

And the results are juicy.

The boob tapes reviewed

How did we choose which boob tape brands to test?

The key factor in determining the brands we tested was whether they had products to accommodate larger cup sizes. 

From there, we completed a deep dive, scouring the web for the most highly-rated brands and rave reviews that indicated the products would provide the extra lift and support we were after.

The products also had to be appropriate for use on sensitive skin (we’re not interested in aggravating our assets), ideally latex-free and use medical-grade adhesive (otherwise what’s the point?). 

Three brands consistently surfaced as top contenders: Perky Pear, NOOD and Buub.

And it’s these three we put to the test.

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Brand 1: Perky Pear

Photo: Megan Smith

A female-led UK company created in 2016 to provide women with lift and support whether they’re an A or a G cup, Perky Pear has been favoured by celebrities and the press for years.

From its Mini Lifts sticky bras that are often considered the best boob tape for smaller breasts, to its Lift & Shape stickers our editor was interested in, this brand is known for providing heat-activated products that get stronger the longer they’re worn.

Perky Pear items are also lauded for being sweatproof, waterproof (you can supposedly swim in them?!) and hypoallergenic.

Curious? Us too. 

Let’s take a look at the products we tried.

Photo: Megan Smith

Perky Pear Original Lift & Shape Boob Tape

Specifications

• Available for A to G cup sizes

• 95% Cotton, 5% Spandex

• Two sets in each pack

• One-time use

• Three colour options

Pros & Cons

• Pre-cut and ready to go

• Stayed in place all day

• Heat activation means hold gets firmer over time

• Most affordable bra option in this round-up

• Provided more support than competitors

• Single sticker backing on each cup

• Difficult to place without crinkles

These bestselling boob tape stickers from Perky Pear come in a large teardrop shape and can be cut and fashioned in multiple ways, accommodating a plethora of top and dress styles.

Editors’ thoughts:

We tried two different sizes in the Lift & Shape Boob Tape bras and were glad to compare the coverage. Ultimately, we felt the larger size worked better for us, and were particularly impressed by how well these stickers remained in place throughout the day — presumably a result of their heat-activated adhesion. 

Whilst having a single backing on the stickers did make it difficult to separate and apply the tape smoothly, we were able to pull it tightly enough to provide the kind of lift and support we were hoping for.

Users are encouraged to cut and reshape the tape as needed and we gave this a go, too, cutting so it was thinner at the top to accommodate a camisole and also cutting it horizontally to accommodate a tube top style.

Overall, upon cutting the tape we found our ability to get the desired lift was significantly impacted. 

This makes sense since there was less tape to stick higher on our chest to provide the leverage — but we were a bit disappointed since ultimately we would’ve liked to wear the boob tape for a bridesmaid wedding dress with spaghetti straps.

Photo: Megan Smith

Perky Pear Cleavage Sculpting Boob Tape Strips

Specifications

• 95% Cotton, 5% Elastane

• Three pairs in each pack

• One-time use

• Three colour options

Pros & Cons

• Provides extra support

• Side-boob coverage

• Can be used alongside other tapes

• Difficult to apply without layering or crinkling

The design of these fabric strips follows the natural curvature of your breast, provides additional support and coverage and can help to boost cleavage. They can be used on both small and larger busts, but seem particularly relevant for those with bigger boobs.

Editor’s thoughts:

We were pleasantly surprised by how useful the cleavage tape was. Though not even originally on our radar when it came to Perky’s Pear’s core products, it turned out to be essential. 

As a gal with larger boobs, the ability to add a bit of extra security was key. 

The cleavage tape provided extra lift, extra support and extra all-round oomph.

The only drawback was it was tricky to line it up against the boob tape that was already in place, so did mean some tape layering occurred. This then caused crinkles in some areas which would take a more expert hand than our editor to eradicate. While not a deal breaker, the overlapping could be an issue for ladies wearing thin fabric as the crinkles will show through.

Photo: PrettyLittleThing

Perky Pear Reusable Silicone Nipple Covers

Specifications

• One set in each pack

• Made from silicone

Pros & Cons

• Can be worn under tape or by themselves

• Stays put beneath tape

• Reusable up to 20 times

• Whilst thin, still visible beneath clothing

Silicone nipple covers are great for their reusability and for helping to keep your modesty, whether used in conjunction with boob tape or not. 

Editor’s thoughts:

All boob tape brands recommend using their products in conjunction with nipple covers — and we can see why. The tape is so sticky that it could cause irritation and unpleasant pulling on your most sensitive areas if proper protection isn’t applied. So, apply we did!

The silicone is soft and smooth against the skin and we appreciate the covers’ reusable nature. 

That said, we don’t love silicone covers in general. They tend to be visible beneath clothing as they sit a little raised. Perky Pear’s set did result in this aesthetic which, while a pet peeve of our editor’s, may not be an issue for other wearers. 

Brand 2: Buub

Photo: Megan Smith

A brand created to provide bust-boosting solutions that allow even gals with larger breasts to embrace backless and strapless outfits, Buub is home to the widest range of colour and size options we’ve come across.

And it doesn’t just offer boob tape and hold products. If you’re wondering what the best double-sided tape to use on fabric is, Buub may just have the solution for you in the form of its effective Styling Strips that secure your garment to your skin with lasting force.

But when it comes to its sticky bra and body tape products, we got ready to bare all…

Photo: Megan Smith

Buub Stick On Bras

Specifications

• Four sets in each pack

• 95% cotton, 5% elastane

• Designed for up to G cup sizes

• One-time use per application

Pros & Cons

• Pre-cut and ready to go

• Backing sticker in two parts for easier application

• Stayed in place all day

• Only one colour option

• Felt less supportive than would’ve hoped 

• Difficult to place without crinkles

Created with convenience in mind, the Buub Stick On Bras were designed to feel lightweight, breathable and barely there once in place, whilst providing the utmost support and instilling confidence in women of all shapes and sizes.

Editor’s thoughts:

The Buub design offered a two-part backing sticker which was a major bonus in our editor’s eyes as it makes the application process much easier and more controlled.

The actual support and lift provided by the Stick On bra alone didn’t feel as strong as that of Perky Pear, so our editor used some of the brand’s body tape (mentioned below) to boost this and add a little extra side-boob coverage.

Photo: Selfridges

Buub Maxi D+ Cup Adhesive Body Tape

Specifications

• 5m of tape per roll

• 5cm in width

• 95% cotton, 5% elastane

• One-time use per application

• Four colour options

Pros & Cons

• Designed to hold larger busts

• Can be cut to size and shape

• Easy to use a lot at once

Made from medical-grade adhesive and cotton fabric, this is a strong boob tape, crafted to provide lift, support and hold for up to eight hours. 

Editor’s thoughts:

Honestly, body tape wasn’t originally what our editor was interested in testing. With a focus on the adhesive bras, rolls of tape were very much secondary — however, this product proved its worth.

Armed with a roll of body tape, in some ways, users have more flexibility in styling options, and the tape can also be used to add extra lift and support to what the sticky bras often offer. Our editor actually turned to this roll of mega hold tape to provide additional support when using other brands’ bras. 

She now considers this boob tape the best for bigger busts and suggests purchasing a roll alongside whichever solution you opt to try.

Photo: Buub

Buub Nipple Covers

Specifications

• Five sets per pack

• Made from satin and water-based acrylic glue

• One-time use 

• Three colour options

Pros & Cons

• Super thin — no bulging

• Cute floral shape

• Nipple may still protrude slightly

• Single-use, unlike silicone options

Designed to maintain your modesty and protect the sensitive skin of nipples when using body tape and adhesive bras, the Buub Nipple Covers are made from thin, soft, satin fabric and medical-grade acrylic glue.

Editor’s thoughts:

Completely different in style and experience to the silicone nipple covers of Perky Pear and NOOD (details below), the Buub style was super thin and sticker-like.

This meant that when our editor tested them, they sat flush against her skin and their edges were the least visible beneath clothing. 

That said, if they were to wrinkle during application, this has the potential to be seen through clothing. And, if your nipples stand to attention, then these stickers may not be thick enough to prevent this from being seen through clothing, either (but hey, ‘free the nip’, we say).

Brand 3: NOOD

Photo: Megan Smith

Another female-led enterprise, NOOD products are made in Korea with a high quality and sustainability focus. It’s a brand that isn’t just hoping to change the game for women by providing supportive sticky bras — it wants to do so in an eco-friendly way to boot. 

And we’re here for it.

Recognised by multiple publications as a top contender for the best boob tape on the market, we were ready to see how the products held up, so to speak.

Photo: Megan Smith

NOOD Game Changer Lift & Shape Bra

Specifications

• Available in four sizes to lift up to F cups

• Four sets in each pack

• Made from hemp

• Four colour options

Pros & Cons

• Pre-cut and ready to go

• Ripple edges allow for discretion

• Backing sticker in two parts for easier application 

• Stayed in place all day

• Felt less supportive than would’ve hoped

• Difficult to place without crinkles

Designed to accommodate and support boobs of most sizes, NOOD’s Lift & Shape Bra is made from soft and breathable Hemp fabric that works to offer a seamless boob lifting tape solution.

Editor’s thoughts:

Akin to the other brands in terms of feel and sticky factor, our editor experienced similar difficulties with applying the adhesive bras so that they sat completely smooth against her skin. 

As with Buub’s design, NOOD’s adhesive bras are also:

• Shaped for each breast and labelled left and right to ensure accurate application.

• The sticker backing is split into two, which made it easier to apply it to the lower half of the breast and get this right, before smoothing out the top section — a real bonus in our editor’s eyes. 

A standout feature from both Perky Pear and Buub is that the NOOD bra edges are squiggly which overall seemed to provide a more discreet and seamless aesthetic.

In terms of overall support, our editor didn’t find this boob tape gave as much lift and hold as she was hoping. To achieve the desired fit and aesthetic, she ended up using some Buub body tape (more on this below) to bolster the support. 

Photo: Selfridges

NOOD No-Show Nipple Covers

Specifications

• One set in each pack

• Made from SkinFinish matte silicone

• Reusable

• Four colour options

Pros & Cons

• Larger circumference than competitors

• Curved, flower-style design

• Less visible beneath clothing

• Expensive for one set

Designed to be sweatproof and to stay in place all day, NOOD’s reusable No-Show Nipple Covers taper at the edges to provide seamless coverage. 

Editor’s thoughts:

Compared to Perky Pear’s silicone nipple covers, NOOD’s are larger in diameter and this meant they were less visible overall beneath clothing (and boob tape). They fit well — and securely — against the breast and were comfy to wear all day.

Our editor also enjoyed the flower-like design of these covers — it added a pretty, feminine touch to a product that is otherwise generally quite practical in appearance.

Top tip: If you’re interested in trying both the NOOD Nipple Covers and Lift & Shape Bra, go for this Starter Pack which includes both (and saves you money in the process)!

The boob tape application and removal process

If you’re curious (and anxious) about how to tape your boobs, as well as the process for removing boob tape – you’re definitely not alone. 

Photo: Amazon

Two constants that consistently surfaced throughout our research (and trial runs), we were pleased to see that every brand provides useful tips, tricks and guides for applying and removing its products.

Be sure to search for demo videos online before you try the process yourself. This will help ensure you don’t waste any of the stickers, as well as give guidance and ideas for what style may best work for your intended outfit.

A few key points to abide by, generally though:

Are boob tapes fairly priced?

For what they are and the flexibility in styles they provide — yes, we think boob tapes are worth the cost.

Buying a strapless bra for larger busts is often over £40 per bra, and their lack of versatility could see you needing to invest in another to accommodate a different outfit.

While there was some variation in the cost of the boob tapes we tested, ranging from £19 to £44 for the sticky bras, with the body tapes and nipple covers being additional, each pack comes with multiple sets and options that overall could make them more cost-effective.

A summary of our results

As a general comment, we have to say we have loved opening the packages and products from each brand. Not only are the parcels cute and girly, they’re thoughtful — and funny.

With messages ranging from ‘Let’s get perky’ to ‘Need a lift?’ and ‘We’ve got you covered’, unboxing the items was enjoyable and somewhat empowering. Just shows the power of good branding — we felt supported and we hadn’t even used anything yet.

Photo: Megan Smith

After working through the items, we can say that, in general, all the boob tapes and bras we tested, felt the same: like large bandaids. This isn’t really surprising since, in many ways, that’s exactly what they are.

We struggled with every brand to get a smooth, flat finish when applying the sticky bras and valued the use of additional body tapes and strips to add extra lift. 

Below is a breakdown of our thoughts and which brand came out on top in each respect.

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Best support: Perky Pear Lift & Shape Boob Tape, used with its Cleavage Strips

Best design: NOOD Lift & Shape Bra and No-Show Nipple Covers

Best general tape: Buub Maxi D+ Cup Adhesive Body Tape

Would we recommend boob tape overall?

While our editor had mixed results in conducting her test of boob tapes and adhesive bras, overall she would recommend them — even for gals who would usually steer clear due to large tatas.

If the outfit you’ll be wearing the tape with is made from a thick enough material or boasts a busy pattern, even if you can’t get a completely smooth finish, you can combine tape products and hoist your gals as much as you need.

It does give lift and support, so long as you’re not too restrained by spaghetti straps. 

It’s sweatproof and waterproof.

It stays in place.

It’s cheaper than investing in multiple strapless (and unsupportive) bra options. 

Give it a go for yourself — boob tape could be the bust-boosting solution you’ve been searching for.