Creating cleavage: The ‘missing piece’ of feeling sexy while dressing

When we think about the bustline, most of us think “cleavage,” rather than shape. After all, cleavage helps create that oh so feminine and sexy fantasy of dressing en femme! A hint of cleavage transforms a boring dress to something stunning!

Cleavage is pretty eye catching, and no matter how you identify (cis woman, trans woman, non-binary, cross dresser, or drag queen), there’s always a favorite way to show cleavage. We’re here to review our favorite methods:

• Body tapes & cleavage tapes
• Cleavage bras
• Silicone bras
• Ill-fitting bras & push-up pads
• Makeup
• Breastplates

Body tapes and cleavage tapes

Body tapes are our favorite way to create cleavage here at The Breast Form Store. Why? Because anyone can do it, and anyone can look great! It doesn’t matter how much pec muscle or breast tissue you have to get amazing cleavage.

BENEFITS	DRAWBACKS
Easy to hide under clothing Waterproof & sweatproof tape is perfect for swimming, showering, or all day (or all night) wear Medical grade strength means you’re sure to have a secure hold Trimmable tape means that there’s no waste Looks super real, especially when combined with makeup, since it’s actual flesh!	It’s a single use product — although there are many uses in a single roll, you cannot reuse the tape once it’s used Some cleavage tapes on the market are often a medical bandage style, which makes it difficult for hiding under clothing (our Body Shape Tape is transparent) Can take a couple of tries to get it just right It requires a shaved chest to look really good

Here’s what Body Shape Tape looks like in use (thank you to our client Bria for letting us share her photos!)

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SUMMARY
Discretion	★★☆☆☆	Have to shave your chest for the best look
Effectiveness	★★★★☆	Still need breast forms for breast shape
Easy to use	★★★ ½ ☆	Takes a couple of tries to get it perfect
Cost	★★★★★	Works out to less than $2 per application
Value	★★★★ ½	Disposable but a great deal
Average score	★★★ ½ ☆ 3.8	2nd place out of 6

Cleavage bras

Cleavage bras are designed as an alternative to body tapes and silicone bras, but can create their own challenges, as it’s like wearing a second bra. They work in the same way that body tape does, by taking your pec muscle or breast tissue and moving it in to place. The problem is that there are very few manufacturers that are reliable enough to create these bras!

BENEFITS

DRAWBACKS

Reusable design means you only have to buy it once Easy to remove — it’s as simple as taking off a bra Foam inserts sewn in to the bra won’t insulate heat on your body, keeping you cooler Looks super real, especially when combined with makeup, since it’s actual flesh!

It requires wearing a second bra — there’s extra bra straps! Relies on being too small for your body, leaving tell-tale marks on your rib cage The fabric of the bra means that you won’t be able to wear attachable breast forms If it’s a front closure bra style (which many are), you risk damaging your breast forms Can require retightening or re-adjusting throughout the day (which can be easy to do!) It requires a shaved chest to look really good

SUMMARY
Discretion	★☆☆☆☆	Have to shave your chest for the best look, has bra straps
Effectiveness	★★★☆☆	Still need breast forms for breast shape
Easy to use	★★½☆☆	May require adjustments throughout the day
Cost	★★★★½	Most are $40-$75
Value	★★★½☆	Affordable price, reusable, but can damage your breast forms
Average score	★★★☆☆2.9	4th place out of 6

Silicone bras

Silicone bras like the NuBra are your strapless, backless alternative to a cleavage bra! They are fairly easy to use and require a couple of tries to keep things even, but create amazing cleavage! Just like body tape and cleavage bras, they move pec muscle or breast tissue in to place to create cleavage. Each cup goes on independently, and then a clip hooks together to bring the two breasts together, creating cleavage. These bras don’t last forever, but they are the easiest to use!

BENEFITS

DRAWBACKS

Reusable design means you get multiple uses out of a single bra Easy to remove — just peels off the body Sticks on to the skin and can be adjusted easily for the perfect look Can be worn with strapless or backless looks, making it better than the cleavage bra Looks super real, especially when combined with makeup, since it’s actual flesh!

Not super affordable; same price as buying a good quality bra Adhesive doesn’t last forever; even with proper cleaning and use of Skin Tac Wipes If you try to move too much tissue, it can release from the body Best when worn with a bra on top (not braless) to help hold the silicone bra in place Can require retightening or re-adjusting throughout the day (which can be easy to do!) Generally only good for 10-15 uses with proper care It requires a shaved chest to look really good

SUMMARY
Discretion	★★☆☆☆	Have to shave your chest for the best look
Effectiveness	★★★★☆	Still need breast forms for breast shape
Easy to use	★★★½☆	May require adjustments throughout the day
Cost	★★½☆☆	Most are $50+, making it $5 or more per use
Value	★★★½☆	Reusable, but doesn’t last forever
Average score	★★★☆☆3.3	3rd place out of 6

Ill-fitting bras & push-up pads

A go-to for the beginning cross dresser, bras that are too small can lead to the appearance of cleavage. Just like when you squeeze in to pants that are too tight, a bra that is too small for your rib cage squishes everything up and down, which can lead to some cleavage. Push-up bras often do this even more so! It’s not a comfortable option, nor is it a pretty one, but it can be effective, especially for starting out!

Push-up pads (whether foam or silicone) are also a great way to create this same illusion, often with a lower expense. They work by sitting at the bottom of your bra cup, pushing your own natural tissue up in the bra, rather than moving inwards from the armpits.

BENEFITS	DRAWBACKS
Something that most girls have in their wardrobe already Requires little work Combine with push-up enhancers or push-up pads for more cleavage	Not comfortable to wear and can leave marks on the body Won’t work well with most breast forms (or could lead to damage) Not as effective as other methods It requires a shaved chest to look really good

SUMMARY
Discretion	★★☆☆☆	Have to shave your chest for the best look
Effectiveness	★★★★☆	Doesn’t do a great job; still need breast forms for breast shape
Easy to use	★★★★☆	As easy as wearing a (too-small) bra
Cost	★★★★★	Check your closet!
Value	★☆☆☆☆	Doesn’t look that great, but great in a pinch
Average score	★★★☆☆2.8	5th place out of 6

Makeup

Creating or enhancing cleavage with makeup is a trick of celebrities, makeup artists, and drag queens everywhere! This effective method relies on creating the appearance of cleavage using foundation, blush, contour powders and/or highlighters. Whether you’re enhancing your natural assets, creating the illusion of cleavage from a distance, or looking to take your own cleavage to the next level, using makeup to contour your cleavage can take your look to the next level.

BENEFITS	DRAWBACKS
Enhances your natural cleavage Can create dramatic cleavage, especially from a distance Can be combined with any other cleavage technique to be more dramatic Doesn’t require uncomfortable bras or using tape to create cleavage	Takes practice to figure out how to create the look you like Can rub off on clothing if not properly set If used as an exclusive method, may not look as realistic at other angles It requires a shaved chest to look really good

Curious as to how this would look? Drag queen Scarlet Envy is known for creating stunning cleavage with just makeup, Detox uses a combination approach of using her own natural tissue and makeup, and other well known drag queens like Willam and Alaska use a combination of makeup and breast forms! (Both Willam and Alaska are fans of our Aphrodite breast forms!)

SUMMARY
Discretion	★½☆☆☆	Have to shave your chest for the best look, can get on clothes
Effectiveness	★★★½☆	Can enhance what you see with other methods
Easy to use	★★½☆☆	Requires practice
Cost	★★½☆☆	You may already have the tools in your makeup kit!
Value	★★★★★	A great way to take your look to the next level
Average score	★★★☆☆2.8	5th place out of 6; best for enhancing other methods

Breastplates

When you’re looking for an all-in-one solution to cleavage or are wanting to hide your chest hair, breastplates can be a great solution! Some breastplates are designed to adhere to the skin (and therefore are best on a shaved chest) where others go on like a shirt, bib, or even bra!

BENEFITS	DRAWBACKS
No need to wear breast forms too Seamless appearance from breast to neckline Some styles can cover a hairy chest Doesn’t require bras, tape or makeup to create cleavage	Tends to be more expensive than breast forms or other cleavage creators May require creative clothing choices to hide edges of the breastplate from being seen

Curious as to how this would look? Here’s some of our most popular breastplates:

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SUMMARY
Discretion	★★★★☆	No chest shaving required (for some styles)
Effectiveness	★★★★☆	Possible different wardrobe restrictions
Easy to use	★★★★☆	3 to 5 stars, depends on the individual breastplate
Cost	★★ half star ☆☆	The same cost, or more than, as a new pair of breast forms
Value	★★★★★	An all-in-one solution designed for cleavage
Average score	★★★★☆3.9	1st place out of 6

Quick reference guide to the best way to create cleavage

	Body tapes and cleavage tapes	Cleavage bras	Silicone bras	Ill-fitting bras & push-up pads	Makeup	Breastplates
Discretion	★★☆☆☆	★☆☆☆☆	★★☆☆☆	★★☆☆☆	★½☆☆☆	★★★★☆
Effectiveness	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★½☆	★★★★☆
Easy to use	★★★½☆	★★½☆☆	★★★½☆	★★★★☆	★★½☆☆	★★★★☆
Cost	★★★★★	★★★★½	★★½☆☆	★★★★★	★★½☆☆	★★½☆☆
Value	★★★★½	★★★½☆	★★★½☆	★☆☆☆☆	★★★★★	★★★★★
Average score	3.8	2.9	3.3	2.8	2.8	3.9
Example		Source: Detox on Facebook	Source: Alaska on Instagram		Source: Scarlet Envy on Twitter