Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave this storySave this story
My boobs have always needed a little support: They’re not super perky, and I don’t naturally have much cleavage. Over the years, I’ve relied on a good underwire bra or supportive bralette to work their boob-boosting magic. But, when it comes to backless dresses, strapless tops, or skinny straps, a bra doesn’t always make me feel my, well, sexiest. (Who wants straps peeking out or lines showing through a tube top?)
For years, I avoided those tricky clothing pieces altogether. Recently, though, I took a risk on a tight, spaghetti-strap top that I thought would hold the girls up on its own. In classic fashion, my size-34D chest ended up looking flat and droopy, rather than lifted. Fortunately, however, it was the perfect opportunity to try Cakes’ new boob tape.
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Cakes Body
Cakes Tape
Cakes Body
If I had to dream up my perfect boob tape, I’d want it to be easy to remove, reusable, and feel totally weightless, almost like a second skin. With that in mind, I tested the Cakes Tape with that very top to see if it could finally make my chest look Bend and Snap-able.
In This StoryLargeChevron
- My First Impressions
- How I Wear Them
- My Final Thoughts
My First Impressions
When I first opened the Cakes package (a bright pink tube), I noticed the silicone strips—three sizes in total (6, 9, and 12 inches)—were stuck onto plastic-backed sheets. These three sizes of tape are designed to be used on every breast shape and size—though, if you have a larger bust, you may prefer to layer strips for added support. To use a strip, you just peel it off the sheet and apply it. If you don’t like the way the tape is sitting, you can easily remove it and start over. When you’re done, stick the tape back on the sheet, roll everything up again, and slide the pieces back into the tube.
I’m used to classic rolls of boob tape, where you have to eyeball the size, cut pieces yourself, and then hope you’re placing and pulling them the right way. But with these, there’s no frustrating trial and error. Inside the package, there’s a pamphlet that walks you through different ways to apply the strips, depending on the type of support you need. Since I was wearing a spaghetti-strap top, I followed the diagram Cakes calls “The Baddie,” which is meant for strapless or off-the-shoulder looks. It shows how to add support underneath the breasts, so everything stays lifted without any tape peeking out.
There are also guides for lifting and separating your breasts, or for holding them together if you have fuller breasts. As someone who doesn’t use tape often, having those visuals (with no guesswork involved) was invaluable.
Front view before placing the Cakes Tape
Lily Wohlner
Front view after placing the Cakes Tape
Lily Wohlner
Peeling the strips off the sheet takes a little patience—if you rush the process, they can fold onto themselves or stick to your fingers. But once you smooth them out and place them on your skin (make sure your chest is clean and dry—no oils or lotions), they adhere nicely without tugging. I placed the longest strip along the underside of my chest, then used two of the medium strips along the outside of each breast to help lift them up. I held each strip in place for five to 10 seconds to make sure it adhered properly. In total, the application process took about five minutes, but with practice, I’m sure it’ll take less time.
Once they were on, the strips felt surprisingly light and didn’t pull on my skin at all. Another plus: The color I chose, Honey, blended well with my light-to-medium skin tone. If you have a medium or olive skin tone, the shade Caramel will likely be your best match, while deeper skin tones may prefer Cocoa. That said, the strips are pretty sheer, so each shade can work across a range of complexions.
A look at all of the tape sizes that come inside the box
Lily Wohlner
How I Wear Them
The diagrams show four ways to wear these, but once you get comfortable with the strips, the possibilities are seemingly endless. Once I figured out the right configuration for my spaghetti-strap top (I wore the long piece under my breasts and two medium pieces along the sides), I pulled my shirt on over top and was immediately impressed. The strips appeared almost seamless under the fabric from all angles, and my chest looked so much more lifted compared to when I wore the top without them. A new silhouette, with no bra required? I’m in.
As I headed out the door, I was worried that the strips might start to slide down—especially since they’re made from silicone, rather than traditional adhesive. But to my surprise, Cakes held everything in place all day and didn’t slip. I wore them for 12 hours, and by the time I got home, they looked the same as when I applied them.
Taking the strips off was just as easy. I peeled them off in about five seconds, completely pain-free, and each strip came off in one piece. Getting them separated and smoothed back onto the plastic sheet takes a couple of minutes of finagling, but it’s well worth the all-day-wear payoff. Each strip can be reused up to three times, and since I don’t reach for boob tape all that often, one set can easily last months. I have worn them twice since my first trial, once with a backless sweater and once with a tube top, and they impressed me just the same both times. So far, I don't see any signs of them needing to be tossed. With proper care (like sticking them back onto the sheet), I think you can totally stretch that lifespan a bit longer.
Side view before placing the Cakes Tape
Lily Wohlner
Side view after placing the Cakes Tape
Lily Wohlner
My Final Thoughts
I’ll definitely be using this boob tape throughout the summer, when my tube tops and strappy tops are in heavy rotation. I can also see them coming in handy during peak wedding season this fall when seemingly everyone I know is getting married. The fact that the strips are reusable and truly no-budge makes the $48 price tag feel well worth it. One caveat: I found it a little tricky to completely hide the strips under super low-cut tops, but practice makes perfect. If you’ve given up on traditional boob tape and would much rather try an option that goes on and comes off without irritating your skin, stays put all day, and doesn’t require cutting and reconfiguring strips, Cakes Tape ($48 for six strips) is definitely worth checking out.
Save to wishlist
Cakes Body
Cakes Tape
Cakes Body
More support for the girls:
- Cakes Stickies Give Your Girls the Seamless Support They Deserve
- These Nipple Covers Are So Good, You’ll Forget You’re Wearing Them
- The Price of Perky Boobs
