We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Fashion Clothing Underwear, Lingerie, and Shapewear The 8 Best Boob Tapes to Lift and Go Bra-Less, Tested & Reviewed For every backless dress you’ve been wanting to wear. By Bianca Kratky Bianca Kratky Bianca Kratky is a fashion & beauty commerce writer at InStyle. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on May 9, 2024 @ 09:48AM In This Article Expand In This Article Our Top Picks ReviewsHow to Apply Boob Tape What to Keep in Mind Your Questions, Answered Why Shop With Us Photo: InStyle / Alli Waataja Finding a perfectly comfortable bra is hard enough, but finding the right coverage under a skimpy top or dress is downright challenging. Nipple covers and backless bras can take you so far, but when you need a little more lift and shaping, boob tape is the way to go. Boob tape is a fabric strip with adhesive to lift and shape the breasts into a fixed position. “Boob tape allows people to wear certain styles they may not feel comfortable wearing without a bra,” says Charlotte Allen, director and co-owner of Perky Pear. “It not only can create the look and cleavage they want in their outfits while being completely braless, but it also gives people confidence in their clothes and helps them feel good.” But, if you’ve never used boob tape before, admittedly, it can seem a little intimidating. To save you the trial and error process, we tested 14 of the most popular and well-rated boob tapes. Each item received a thorough review from two women with varying chest sizes before we dismissed the unsuccessful ones and kept the top products that left us feeling comfortable and confident. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Nue Breast Tape at Freepeople.com ($25) Jump to Review Best Budget: Booby Tape The Original Breast Tape at Boobytape.com (See Price) Jump to Review Most Comfortable: B-Six Nippies Breast Tape at B-six.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Shade Range: Good Lines Boob Tape Rolls at Goodlines.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best for Large Breasts: Kmboobies Boob Tape at Amazon (See Price) Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Skin: Lively The Solution Tape at Shopbop.com ($25) Jump to Review Best Longwear: Perky Pear Original Lift & Shape Tape at Perkypear.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Kit: VBT Breast Tape at Amazon ($15) Jump to Review Best Overall Nue Breast Tape PHOTO: Nue $25 at freepeople.com View on Thebrandnue.com $25 at Revolve Why We Love It: There are a few key components that set apart a good boob tape from a great one. The first is the level of comfort—this option was very thin yet stretchy which allowed it to move effortlessly with our tester’s body. It was so nonabrasive that, once on, it was easy to forget it was even there. The second is how supportive it is as a bra alternative. Despite how thin the tape was, it provided great support and remained right where it was placed, lifting and covering as needed. Lastly, the tape needs to be adhesive. The tester had to be a bit careful when placing this because one: it’s very flimsy and two: once it’s on it stays on—a great feature if you can place it correctly. However, a mistake in the placement meant needing to completely remove it and the nonreusable tape would be done for. We weren’t the only ones who loved it, though. Founder and CEO of LFD, Serena Kerrigan, says that she’s “worn Nue’s magical tape everywhere from red carpets, weddings, bachelorette parties, dates, and everything in between.” Who It’s For: Given its strong grip and waterproof nature, this option is great for long days out and about. However, experience with measuring, cutting, and sticking the tape on would serve you well. InStyle InStyle InStyle Natalie, tester with D–DD+ cup size: “I felt like I was able to conceal the tape successfully and didn't have to use too much to feel like it would securely support me.” Best Budget Booby Tape The Original Breast Tape PHOTO: Walmart View on Boobytape.com Why We Love It: This was probably one of the stretchiest options we tried, which has both its pros and cons. The high-stretch factor allowed our tester to cut smaller pieces and manipulate the chest shape depending on what the top required. It also meant she could get away with using less product, and the roll would last longer. On the other hand, she wouldn’t have minded a little more sturdiness and support. The sticky portion of this tape wasn’t aggressive. It made the removal process a breeze, the skin felt fine, and no residue would be left over. Underneath her clothes, it was completely invisible—even under super tight bodysuits! Who It’s For: We recommend this option for small breasts (under a C cup). Due to the high-stretch factor, the tape didn’t feel too supportive and heavier set breasts. InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle Shannon Bauer, tester with A–C cup size: “It was comfortable to wear and I liked the support. I didn't really notice the tape that much because it was fairly soft, like a thin, lightweight fabric Band-Aid. I didn't get overly sweaty under it either.” Most Comfortable B-Six Nippies Breast Tape PHOTO: B-six View on B-six.com Why We Love It: Although we recommend not to wear boob tape for more than 10 hours, throughout the 12 hours that our tester wore this tape, she hardly noticed it was on. It was breathable and didn’t cause her to get clammy or feel suffocated like she did with other adhesives in the past. Compared to the other tapes we mentioned, this was slightly thicker, which meant it stayed put, supported, and didn’t need a lot to get the job done. That did mean that she had to be very precise with her placement as there wasn’t a whole lot of flexibility. The tape even weathered well through a sweaty St. Patrick's Day parade, bracing through moisture and movement like it was no big feat. It never caused any irritation and it was pretty easy and painless to remove as well. Who It’s For: This tape is fantastic for smaller chests (think anything under a C-cup). Women with larger nipples will also find that the thick tape does a pretty good job of pressing down and concealing them. InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle Maddy, tester with A–C cup size: “It was super comfortable—I hardly even noticed it was on and actually really enjoyed wearing it under my looser tops and sweaters. Against my skin, it just felt like athletic tape but less sticky and less coarse.” Best Shade Range Good Lines Boob Tape Rolls PHOTO: Good Lines View on Goodlines.com Why We Love It: This is one of the few brands that offers such a wide range of skin shades. Where most tapes come in a maximum of three colors, this one has five shades, two widths, and two different adhesive levels. In other words, the customization opportunities are far wider here. We loved that the tape came with little cutting lines which made it easy to measure the amount necessary and as a result, waste less product. The stickiness (we went with ‘strong’, rather than ‘extreme’) stayed put through the eight hours it was on, but it did begin to feel a little irritating towards the latter half of the wear. Following the brand’s instructions, our tester removed it by soaking it in coconut oil for 15 minutes and then showering it off. There was still some residue left and she noticed some red marking as well. All in the name of good support, however, as it did keep her D+ cups up quite impressively, even through sweat. Who It’s For: Heavier set breasts will find great support from this tape. If the ‘strong’ adhesive level is not enough, then try the ‘extreme’ version. It requires some time and patience to fully remove, but it’s well worth the support and coverage it provides. InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle / Maggie Sperduti-Matesevac InStyle Ciara, tester with D–DD+ cup size: “This product held up comparably to other products and is stronger than most sticky bras or nipple covers I have used which is nice for longer wear. ” Best for Large Breasts Kmboobies Boob Tape PHOTO: Kmboobies View on Amazon View on Kmboobies.com Why We Love It: This boob tape is a little thicker and wider, compared to the other ones we’ve tried, which made it extremely effective on our larger chest. The sturdiness was excellent for support and coverage, even remaining in place all evening through sweat and movements. The adhesive properties were also quite impressive—it didn’t bunch up (not even around the edges) and remained flush against the skin at all times. Because it gripped so well, our tester could get away with only using a little. The best part, however, was that it was completely comfortable. It did not itch or irritate while on, and the removal process was rather seamless and painless. Once off, she couldn’t even spot any redness (although we do recommend using some oil to remove it) and there was no residue to be spotted. Who It’s For: Given the thickness of the tape, we found it to be very effective for larger and heavier breasts. The tape never weakened and lifted everything like a champ. InStyle InStyle InStyle Chantia, tester with D–DD+ cup size: “The boob tape was breathable and never felt as though I was suffocating. Neither did I feel clammy while wearing it!” Best for Sensitive Skin Lively The Solution Tape PHOTO: Shopbop $25 at shopbop.com View on Wearlively.com Why We Love It: Made of cotton and spandex, this skin-safe tape felt great even on our tester’s sensitive skin. No irritation or itchiness occurred where previously, other adhesive tapes caused such discomfort. It was very breathable, like a second skin, our tester recalls who wore it for almost 12 hours at a wedding (it's recommended not to wear boob tape for over 10 hours). Through constant dancing, she learned that they were incredibly supportive and water- and sweat-proof as well. At the end of the night, they were just as intact as they were when she first put them on—not even the corners began peeling. It was a delight to find such a strong adhesive product that looked completely flat and smooth under clothing. Because the material stretches a little, she was able to completely smooth out the tape. It also meant less length was needed to get the job done. Who It’s For: Anyone who has an event ahead of them that requires long hours in a tricky dress, dancing, or sweating will find this tape beneficial. Those who have experienced irritation with other tapes will also find some relief here. InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle Mollie, tester with A–C cup size: “It was seamless under my clothes and did not bunch up at all—I cannot stress enough how much jumping I was doing at this wedding and how sweaty I was, and they looked just like they did when I had put them on at noon.” Best Longwear Perky Pear Original Lift & Shape Tape PHOTO: Perky Pear View on Perkypear.com View on Perkypear.com Why We Love It: If you’re new to the boob tape game, the incredibly detailed instructions provided by Perky Pear will be a delight. Not only did it inform us on how to hold and apply the tape, but how to prep the skin (exfoliate and dry) as well. This option is slightly different from the rest because it’s already pre-cut into a pear shape. There is only one nonreusable set in the box, which is far less than the others, but it was both of our tester’s favorite tape they’ve ever tried. Why? Well, once on, it never moved, shifted, or caused any uncomfortable sensations (even during the removal process). Instead, the lightweight material felt moisture-wicking and breathable. It gave complete coverage and support from the bottom of the boob to the top, offering a delightful lift that’s typically unachievable with, say, a strapless bra. The total coverage and lift were flattering (yet invisible) under clothes, leaving the testers feeling confident throughout the entire day. Who It’s For: This option is great for all people, but especially those who have never used boob tape before, or have large chests. InStyle InStyle InStyle Chantia, tester with D–DD+ cup size: “I love the total coverage of this product the most. I felt like there was no chance of me having any slips even with a risky top on.” Best Kit VBT Breast Tape PHOTO: Amazon $15 at Amazon View on Vbtlift.com Why We Love It: Who doesn’t love a more-for-less deal? In this kit we got the boob tape we were looking for, plus some satin nipple covers and silicone nipple covers. A handy dandy user manual lets us know exactly how to use each item. After gently covering the sensitive nipple, our tester proceeded with the boob tape which, despite its initial easy adjustability (it didn’t stick like superglue at first touch), remained impressively intact once properly placed on. It’s a great tape for beginners, for this reason, as it allows you to modify a little to get it down right. With the perfect position in place, it gripped tightly and never shifted off during our entire wear time. It moved with us as though it was a part of our skin. It’s not as thick or as strong as some of the other tapes we tried, which meant we needed more product to get our bottom-heavy breasts to feel like they were properly covered. Who It’s For: Anyone looking for a good deal, smaller breasts, and people with sensitive nipples will find all they need in this kit. InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle / Mia Ingui InStyle / Michelle Garza Abby, tester with D–DD+ cup size: “Other boob tapes I've used in the past stick to the fingers and end up getting tangled when trying to place them on the body, but I didn't experience that with this tape.” How to Apply Boob Tape The application depends on the style of the tape (typically, the brand will have a how-to section on its website to advise). According to Bianca and Bridgett Roccisano, co-founders of Booby Tape, the general rule of thumb is to apply to clean skin that is free of moisturizers and oils. “You’ll want to place your breast in the desired position, then apply your tape to hold your breast in place,” they say, meaning that you should stretch the body part, rather than the tape itself. Grab your boob tape (or cut a piece if on a roll)Peel off a corner of the backingHold your breast in the desired positionUse the other hand to put the tape at the base of your breastPeel the backing off as you smooth the tape upYou may need to repeat with additional pieces to offer structure and support Don’t apply too much tension on the tape when pulling up, as it threatens the longevity of the adhesive and “it reduces the risk of irritation caused by excess skin traction,” says Roccisano. Kerrigan has her own way as well, opting to cut four strips into the same size, placing them underneath the nipple, then pulling them up so that the end of the tape is behind the shoulders. What to Keep in Mind Material: When shopping for boob tape, it’s important to pay attention to fabrics and materials so that your skin doesn’t become irritated. According to Allen, adding trustworthy tapes to your cart that are “lightweight, breathable, and super soft materials like cotton” will lessen the likeliness of redness or irritation. Some feature a tiny bit of spandex for extra stretch or hemp for an eco-conscious, extra-sensitive tape. As always, be sure to patch test before applying to ensure no sensitivities or allergies. You can do this by applying a small piece of tape to the breast area and leave on for 24 hours. Skin Tone: Inclusive skin-toned fabrics will blend into the body, ensuring a seamless and no-show effect. Unless a tape—or any undergarment—is close to your skin tone, it will be detectable under light-colored or sheer fabrics. Most of the options on this list come in a multitude of shade ranges, so you’re sure to find the right one for you.Reusability: Before you go searching far and wide, reusable boob tape does not really exist (and if it does, consider it unsanitary). Unlike nipple pasties which oftentimes are reusable, boob tape uses up its adhesive properties while in use, and once removed, becomes unusable. To make up for this fact, most rolls offer multiple meters of tape for more usage. Your Questions, Answered How do you remove boob tape? “Boob Tape will come off easily if you take it off gently and carefully,” the Roccisano sisters tell InStyle. While it might be tempting to rip it off like a Band-Aid, paring the tape off slowly, while supporting the skin behind the tape, is your best bet for a painless peel. “That means, while one hand is peeling the tape off, the other hand is firmly holding back the skin behind the tape.” To help with removal, use a skin-specific adhesive remover, or soak in baby oil/coconut oil for about 15 minutes. Plenty of brands have products that will dissolve the adhesive and help the removal. Some of our testers found it easier to remove the tape whilst in the shower as well. What's the difference between nipple covers and boob tape? Boob tape is often in strips, but could be circles or teardrop shaped, and is used to create structure and support under dresses or other outfits without a bra. The tape can be strategically placed to lift heavy or sagging breasts or to create more cleavage. A nipple cover on the other hand just prevents the nipple from poking through your shirt and isn’t meant to provide any support. Some people will even apply a nipple cover first, then tape over it to get the benefit of both products. How long can you wear boob tape? Boob tape can be worn for up to 10 hours, according to ThirdLove's website. The adhesive uses your body heat to become stickier, and thus anything longer than 10 hours can cause the tape to get too sticky, hard to remove, and possibly irritating. For the most comfort, we recommend sticking (pun intended) to a six-hour time limit. Why Shop With Us Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer covering fashion and beauty products at InStyle. After carefully reviewing the insights brought forth by our team of testers, she crafted this list. Experts Serena Kerrigan, TV personality and creator of LFD, Bianca and Bridgett Roccisano, co-founders of Booby Tape, Charlotte Allen, director of marketing for Perky Pear, and Dr. Douglas Grace, founder of GraceMed, were also interviewed for additional context and tips on how to use boob tape safely.