The 13 Best Nipple Covers That Are the Perfect Design for Your Body
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These help you feel comfortable and covered.
InStyle / David Hattan
Nipple covers—sometimes referred to as nipple concealers, nipple pasties, sticky bras, or nipple pads—are the secret weapon for people who want to go braless but still want to cover up their nipples. Thin or even semi-sheer fabrics, low-cut tops, and backless shirts all benefit from nipple covers. When a strapless bra or even a backless bra feels like too much fabric, nipple covers are the way to go. "They're also helpful for providing shape for breasts, and are ideal for when it's warm as many styles are water-resistant and sweatproof," explains Ra'el Cohen, co-founder of lingerie company ThirdLove.
While these tiny, often silicone-based covers might not provide as much support as a comfortable bra, nipple pasties still offer many benefits. And because there are several critically important factors to consider when searching for the perfect one for you, we consulted Cohen, Perkies founder Rosie Mangiarotti, style expert Naina Singla, senior buyer at Zappos Melissa Keippel, and designer and sewist Aaronica B. Cole to get a better insight into what to look for while shopping.
Best Overall: B-Six NIPPIES Adhesive Nipple Covers
Why We Love It: Cohen and Singla both cite this as their overall pick, highlighting longevity, diverse color options, and quality. While longevity can vary depending on your skin type and frequency of use, these should last 20–30 uses. The fact that there's a removal tray and peel sheet means there's a storage system to help you keep your covers lasting longer. The covers come in two sizes (small, designed to fit A–C cups, and large, for D+ size cups), and reviewers note that they stay in place beautifully, even on hot days, and don't slip after even a full day's worth of wear. Nippies are also available on Amazon with even more color options and over 28,000 five-star ratings. They also come in a lifting option, should you need an extra oomph to your nipple covers—see below.
Material: Medical-grade silicone | Colors: 5 | Diameter: 3 inches, 4 inches
Best Lifting: Nippies Lifting Nipple Covers
Why We Love It: Nippies' lifting option is particularly awesome—all the benefits of the original nipple cover, plus a pull tab on top that adds a little lift to the breast. Attach it by sticking the circular cover to the nipple, lifting the tab, and placing it firmly to your upper breast. Finish by patting the whole piece in place. As with the original, the Lift version is available on Amazon in more colors and can last up to 30 wears—all while lifting your breast up to one inch, according to the site.
Material: Medical-grade silicone | Colors: 2 | Diameter: 3 inches, 4 inches
Best Budget: Fashion Forms Reusable Silicone Gel Petals
Why We Love It: It's made from a thick material that effectively presses down the nipple. The sizing isn't as extensive nor does it come in multiple colors, but reviewers noted that the Large fits most breast sizes—even those in the B–C cup range. Some also noted that a little condensation develops between the skin and the pad, which isn't uncommon. The pads are on the thick side, however, which effectively keeps the nipple from poking through. Generally, Keippel likes Fashion Forms as a brand, particularly if you're in the market for a nipple cover for a "tricky" outfit that might have an unusual cut or abundance of sheer material. It comes with a travel case, too!
Material: Silicone | Colors: 1 | Diameter: 4 inches
Best Basic: Perkies Petals Nipple Covers
Why We Love It: With three color options, this is a nice choice for a variety of breasts. Mangiarotti notes that "variety in nude shades is crucial to cater to diverse skin tones as the closer the cover is to your specific skin tone, the better it will blend in." Some of her clients wear them under bras because they want extra nipple coverage. Because these are waterproof, Perkies can also go under swimsuits to obscure any nipple showing through (they also apparently work well in warm temperatures). Reviewers have found that the covers even work underneath delicate and thin materials like silk without showing through. The cute and convenient travel case makes traveling with these a breeze.
Material: Medical-grade silicone | Colors: 3 | Diameter: 7 centimeters, 8 centimeters
Best on Amazon: Epic Elements Boob Tape for Breast Lift
Why We Love It: Singla loves that this kit includes boob tape and nipple covers (you can choose a package that has disposable nipple pasties as well). "It's nice if you want some flexibility and if you have a large chest," she notes. While some reviewers commented that the adhesive properties were not as strong, the value for money remains unbeaten (it's $20 for a roll of tape and two sets of pasties and nipple covers). You can use the tape and nipple covers in combination—the tape for lift, and the covers to keep the nipple from showing. Another plus is the hypoallergenic material that doesn't cause chafing or rashes. This kit appears to have worked for people with larger breasts and nipple sizes, but reviewers did note that they had to use a lot of tape sometimes to achieve the desired result.
Material: Silicone | Colors: 1 | Diameter: Not listed
Best for Large Busts: Fashion Forms Silicone Skin Bra
Why We Love It: Keippel likes this option for larger chests, as there are sizes available up to a D cup. According to the site, these will last up to 25 wears. And, although the exact dimensions are not listed, they're large enough to cover some of the breasts, not just the nipples. According to reviewers, the material is on the thin side, which makes it easy to smooth out wrinkles that may have appeared when applying the product. There's no lift, but it works well under bandeau and strappy tops while keeping the breast securely in place. We just wish it came in more shades.
Material: Silicone | Colors: 1 | Diameter: Not listed
Best for Small Busts: NuBra Pasties
Why We Love It: On the opposite end of the spectrum, these teeny petal nipple covers work well for small breasts. Singla often recommends them to her clients because the adhesive is designed in a way that sticks gently on the skin and doesn't cause pain upon removal. It might seem a little obvious, but your nipples will also have to be smaller for this option to work well for you. If you're not sure what size you are or if this option will work for you, size up for maximum potential coverage. This is a minimal option, so don't expect it to do much beyond covering the nipple.
Material: Silicone | Colors: 3 | Diameter: 2.5 inches
Best Non-Adhesive: CAKES OG Nipple Covers
Why We Love It: Cakes nipple covers are notable for their extended sizing—so anyone who has had difficulty with nipple covers in the past may find exactly what they're looking for here. The three available sizes are itty bitty (AA–A), OG (B–DD), and (+) (DDD+). They also come in three colors and don't use any irritating adhesives. Instead, they use your body's natural heat to adhere. The super-tapered edge allows for a seamless look beneath tops as well. It's worth noting that these are advertised as nipple covers you can wear to exercise, but some reviewers found that they started showing through with intense exercise.
Material: Medical-grade silicone | Colors: 3 | Diameter: 8, 10, and 13 centimeters
Best Tapered: Gatherall Nipple Covers
Why We Love It: According to Cohen, Gatherall rivals Nippies in terms of quality and longevity. This top-rated option has four colors available, and the material is ultra-ultra-thin. The impressively robust tapering means no lines are showing from underneath shirts. While the center of the cover is thickly padded, the rim is ultra-thin for a flushed appearance. They're also opaque, washable, waterproof, and sweatproof. According to one reviewer, they sometimes forget that they're even wearing them.
Material: Silicone | Colors: 4 | Diameter: 3.15 inches
Best Petal: NOOD No-Show Nipple Covers
Why We Love It: Singla likes these for a flattering petal option that won't show through clothes. This is smaller than some of the petals on this list, but the shape means that there's better hold. NOOD is most well-known for its boob tape, but its nipple covers, available in four shades, are also highly rated. It's thick at the center and thin at the edges, and dermatologist-tested to be effective for people with sensitive skin. Occasionally reviewers say the cover is visible through a very thin top, but otherwise rave about how light, adherent, and unobtrusive it is. It also may not work for larger nipple sizes, so size check before you peel off the plastic coating.
Material: Medical-grade silicone | Colors: 4 | Diameter: 3 inches
Best Disposable: The Natural Disposable Satin Petals 5-Pack
Why We Love It: If you just need a nipple cover that you can use once and throw away, this is a solid option. They're also more affordable than a silicone option if pricing is of concern to you. The fabric-esque nature makes them more flexible and discreet, and you don't have to be too careful with each use as they can be tossed out at the end of the night. It's worth noting, though, that they only come in one beige color, so this may not work for everyone. There are five pairs per package, so you can get a few "wears" out of this option.
Material: Woven polyester with silicone adhesive | Colors: 2 | Diameter: 3 inches
Best Variety Pack: AMFLOWER Nipple Covers
Why We Love It: With five pairs of nipple covers (two pairs of petals, three pairs of circles), Singla likes this option for the value. Note that they run small and wouldn't be a good fit for larger breast sizes (the site says A–D cup, but measure how they would appear on your body before ordering). We don't love that they're only offered in one color, but if you happen to match this shade then the set makes for a good deal. They are reusable and washable, so make sure to store them well for future usage. One reviewer commented that not only do they do a great job at covering nipples, but piercings as well!
Material: Silicone | Colors: 1 | Diameter: 2.5 inches
Best Nipple Enhancers: Perkies Nips Nipple Enhancers
Why We Love It: I realize that this might sound counterintuitive (aren't we trying to cover the nipple?), but if you want to enhance the look of your nipple, these are a great pick and, as Mangiarotti points out, they "not only enhance the nipple but also cater to women within the breast cancer community who have undergone mastectomy procedures." These come in three colors and, like the regular Perkies, are designed to be comfortable for a variety of breast sizes. They also come with a travel case, wash well, and are hypoallergenic. If you want to take it up another notch, there is a "pierced" style available too.
Material: Medical-grade silicone | Colors: 3 | Diameter: 2.76 inches
What to Keep in Mind
Material: Most reusable models are made of silicone and have some form of adhesive on the back. If you have sensitive skin, make sure the silicone is medical grade, or opt for a disposable cloth option. If you have a more prominent nipple, choose a thicker material.
Shape: While many nipple covers are circular, some have a shape that's more tailored to the shape of the breast. Some are smaller petals, which give a slightly better grip around the nipple and work for those with inverted or slanted nipples (or someone who just wants to cover the nipple and nothing else). For larger breasts, explains Cole, go with larger nipple covers that are not shaped like flowers. With any solution, including boob tape, "make sure it's water-proof—especially if you're a sweaty person—and they reference pain-free removal."
Color: Mercifully, there are now more nude colors to choose from. Because some form of fabric will end up covering the nipple cover, it doesn’t have to be an exact match to your skin tone. It's enough if it can blend in.
Adhesive: Cohen notes that nipple covers with adhesives that aren't high quality might cause irritation and wear out more quickly. "Some covers have an adhesive, while others use suction, which is a great alternative for those with sensitive skin," says Keippel. According to Singla, you'll want one that’s strong enough to stay put but not so strong that it hurts to remove.
Diameter: Do you just want to cover your nipple, or do you want it to extend past the nipple and cover a larger part of your breast? Keippel adds that extra-large covers look more seamless under clothing (regardless of individual nipple size).
Reusability: If you'll be using them a lot, go with a reusable nipple cover. But Singla adds that a disposable option can be "great for travel or special occasions." It's really just about how you'll use it.
Longevity: Many reusable options can be functional up to eight hours and 30 re-wears, but check what the brand says. "I’ve not had a problem with wearing them for a couple of hours without peeling or lifting," says Cole. Keep them lasting longer by cleaning them after every use and storing them in the original container. "Preserving their stickiness is key," says Mangiarotti.
Your Questions, Answered
Are nipple covers better than boob tape?
One is not greater than the other—they simply serve different functions. Nipple covers obscure the definition of the nipple by covering it, and boob tape lifts and shapes the breast in a specific way. Boob tape can also obscure the nipple when you put tape directly over it, but the adhesive can be painful on such a sensitive area. Or, as Cole puts it, "You should use nipple covers with them so you don't feel like death is coming for you when you take the tape off." Boob tape can be especially useful for people with C-cup breast size and larger. "For challenging tops, you can craft a bra using boob tape," notes Cohen.
Mangiarotti explains that comparing the two products is like "comparing apples to oranges—or maybe apples to grapefruits!" Singla notes, "Sometimes you might need both nipple covers and boob tape, especially when you want to cover the nipples and achieve a little lift of the breasts." Should you want nipple tape, Singla recommends pre-cut ones.
How do I clean reusable nipple covers?
It depends on the brand, but usually, you can hand wash them with mild soap and water and let them air dry. Store them in the original packaging (some brands have a little case). Don't throw out the plastic cover that your nipple cover comes with. When you're done wearing your piece, place the plastic film back on the cover to preserve it more fully.
When should I wear nipple covers?
Aside from the obvious (a top where you can't wear a bra), you can wear a nipple cover for modesty under a bra, sports bra, and swimwear. Mangiarotti adds that nipple covers are a particularly excellent choice "for backless, strapless, or spaghetti-strapped outfits." You can also wear one as a nipple enhancement. Keippel notes that spring and summer are popular seasons for nipple cover purchases, but they're a staple year-round considering the need for coverage for formalwear.
Why Shop With Us
Katherine J. Igoe is a writer covering fashion trends and products. For this story, she compiled insights from dozens of online reviews to round up our top picks. She also spoke with the below experts.
Naina Singla, a fashion stylist, style expert, and on-air commentator
Melissa Keippel, a senior buyer at Zappos
Ra'el Cohen, the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of ThirdLove
Rosie Mangiarotti, founder & CEO of Perkies
Aaronica B. Cole, founder of the blog The Needle and the Belle and host of fashion design podcast AudaSEWtea
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