Latest news with #LaurenGruber
Cosmopolitan
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Behold, a Very Honest Review of CAKES Nipple Covers 2025
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. 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. 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. 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. 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.' Not sure which one is going to be the best fit for your needs? Here's a little TL,DR: 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.
Cosmopolitan
5 days ago
- Health
- Cosmopolitan
This Abercrombie Curve Love Bikini *Actually* Fits My 32F Chest
If you have a bigger bust and smaller band size, you know how impossible it can be to find a well-fiting bathing suit that actually looks stylish. As a 32F, I often feel like my only options are to (A) squeeze into a trendy but ill-fitting bikini that only comes in standard sizes, or (B) settle for a more supportive (but matronly) option with bra sizing. That is, until I found Abercrombie's Curve Love swim line about a year ago. You may already be familiar with Abercrombie's Curve Love denim, which nixes waist gapping in your favorite jeans by adding extra room through the hip and thigh. So I was delighted when the brand came out with a similar problem-solving product for my fellow big boob, small ribcage girlies. Curve Love swim is designed specifically to accommodate larger cups with a proportionally smaller band size. It fits cup sizes D-F and band sizes 28 through 42. There are a few different Curve Love styles to choose from, but my personal favorite is the High Apex Underwire Bikini Top. It provides tons of support with built-in underwire and adjustable straps without looking too bra-like. It also has a smaller gore (the landing area between cups), so it separates your girls without pushing them tooooo far apart—meaning you'll still have some cleavage. And the best part? The cups are *actually* wide enough to cover your whole breast from the side, preventing any of that weird armpit bulge. Underrated feature: this bikini doesn't ride up in the back. Since the band actually fits my smaller ribcage, it evenly distributes the weight of my chest and stays put all day long—a major win in my book. Plus, the band is snug enough around my waist to support my chest from beneath, so it doesn't hurt my neck and shoulders. Now, I can actually enjoy my time at the beach without constantly adjusting my top and stressing about spillage. I already own this exact bikini in three colors (a girl's gotta have options!), and I'm not the only one who swears by it. "My dream bikini top," writes one happy shopper. "As someone with a large bust and smaller waist I always have a hard time finding swimsuits, this top is the solution! I love it so much that I wish all of my bras fit as good as this bikini top." "I put these on and immediately wanted to cry tears of happiness," added another reviewer. "I'm 23 and have NEVER been able to find a bikini top that actually fits wish I could time travel and bring these to my teenage self." A bikini that actually fits and flatters my 32F chest is honestly priceless, but this one is reasonably priced at $55. And while you could wait around for one of Abercrombie's sales, we suggest shopping as soon as possible—these popular styles tend to sell out fast. Lauren Gruber is an associate commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, where she writes for publications like Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, Prevention, Country Living, House Beautiful, and more. She has over four years of professional experience covering a variety of lifestyle topics from home to fashion, with an advanced background in beauty and fragrance. When she's not researching the most worthy Prime Day deals or hands-on testing all the latest perfume launches, Lauren is probably hanging out with her cat Serafina or flexing her AMC A-List membership at the movie theater. You can find her previous work at Entertainment Tonight, Shop TODAY, USA Today, Self Magazine, L'Officiel USA, V Magazine, and Modern Luxury Media.
