"Making a bra out of two handkerchiefs is, of course, what Mary Phelps Jacobs did, later taking out a patent on a slightly more complex form of the garment, in 1914."
The first bra in history
"Making a bra out of two handkerchiefs is, of course, what Mary Phelps Jacobs did, later taking out a patent on a slightly more complex form of the garment, in 1914."
How To Put On A Bra Correctly: Swooping And Scooping
You've been putting on a bra for years, most probably wrong. And it's because of that you can't tell if your bra cups really fit you or not. Do you know that putting on a bra correctly can make a huge difference to the shape of your breasts and the size of the bra you should wear ? And it even eliminates armpit rolls!
Why it's important to put on your bra properly
Too often women don't realise that they are wearing too small cups because one-third of the breasts has escaped outside the cups.When they try on bigger cups, these cups seem too big until the escaped parts of the breasts are gathered back in. This is shown on these photos by zawsze_zielona to prove to unbelievers how important it is to put on a bra properly.
- Here she put on the bra carelessly. It's wrinkled all over, and looks too big.
- Here she arranged her breasts in the bra, but didn't tighten the straps. The bra still looks too big.
- Here the bra is put on according to the rules. Perfect !
How to put on a bra:
This method is called "swooping and scooping" by the bra-fitting community.
- First, put on the band around your ribcage. How you do this is not important, most people fasten the hooks in the front and then rotate them to the back, while some are agile enough to fasten them at the back straight away.
- Bend forward. Put the straps over your shoulders. Ease your hanging breasts into the cups.
- With your palm, gather all the the breast and the tissue f
rom under your arms into the cup. You might even need to gather from your back ! Most of us have tissue which has migrated away from the breasts to those areas, when the breasts were squashed by the wrong size bras.
If after this step your breasts are spilling out of the cup, you are wearing the wrong size.
- Tighten the bra straps.
This video demonstrates scooping and swooping:
This is what a difference it can make. The top row show badly fitted bras, the bottom row shows correctly-fitting bras.
Bra myths busted
There are lots of myths and legends in circulations about bras. Let's take a look at them:
note: I just read an interview with brastop.com's spokeswoman. An expert on bra fitting herself, she went on a mission "incognito" to some normal stores and asked for a bra fitting. She was shocked by the unprofessionalism and lack of knowledge of the saleswomen, one of whom adviced her to wear a 34(75)B when she actually wears 32(70D) or 30(65)DD !
Also check out Brastop.com it has a big selection of gorgeous bras up to HH cups, and afordable prices.
- Myth: If I get a professional bra-fitting, I'll get a bra that fits me.
note: I just read an interview with brastop.com's spokeswoman. An expert on bra fitting herself, she went on a mission "incognito" to some normal stores and asked for a bra fitting. She was shocked by the unprofessionalism and lack of knowledge of the saleswomen, one of whom adviced her to wear a 34(75)B when she actually wears 32(70D) or 30(65)DD !
- Myth: Bra cups have fixed sizes -- A cup is small, B is bigger, and so on.
- Myth: The band should be comfortably loose
- Myth: Cups come in A,B,C and D. Band sizes range from 70 till 85.
- Myth: Beautiful and sexy bras can never be comfortable
- Myth: The most common size is 75B
- Myth: Bras for big breasts must be huge like tents, in order to provide proper support.
Also check out Brastop.com it has a big selection of gorgeous bras up to HH cups, and afordable prices.
- Myth: The bra straps support the breasts
- Myth: Big breasts can not wear strapless bras
- Myth: red imprints on the skin from the band mean that it is too tight.
- Myth: If you have small breasts, you need to wear push-up bras to look good.
Myth: if there is fat or flab around the bra strap, under the armpits or at the back, it means that the bra band is too tight.
Buying Bras Online: a short guide
Online stores did hear of them, and they do store huge selections of sizes in many beuatiful models. However buying online makes a lot of people uneasy. Here is why it aint so hard !
Q: I'm scared of buying bras through the internet !
A: Actually, buying bras online can be easier and more comfortable than buying it in real stores.
Think about it: you can really try on the bra 20 times, prance around the bedroom in it, think about it, ask your boyfriend's opinion... do you get that freedom in the stores ? You can even order a couple of different sizes in the same model, and keep only the one that fits best.According to the law, if you are not satisfied, you can return the bra and get the full refund (cost of the bra + even postage costs in many countries). (In Britain, you just need to repeat the formula "the bra is not as it appears to be in the picture") Brastop.com even gives you a 10% discount when you send back a bra and buy another size in the same model. Think of it as paying caution money to try on a bunch of bras. You pay only if you are satisfied.
Secondly, you won't have to listen to stupid comments of ignorant saleswomen: "My dear, you don't wear 60DD for sure ! Why, your boobs are quite small ! Here, try this 75C" or "Whaaaat ? J cup ? Such monstruous sizes are not manufactured !" (these are real lines heard in bra stores.) Most women working at lingerie stores are stuck in the Bra Matrix and don't have a clue about proper bra fitting.
And finally, how many of us buy stuff just because we feel uncomfortable to say "no" to persuasive salespeople... and when you buy online, you have the time to think about your purchase, and you don't have to offer any explanations if you are not happy with it !
Finally, remember that you might have to "translate" your bra size, according to which country you are living in. It's very easy, just use the bra conversion table.
Q: OK, so where do I start ?
A: Read How to buy your first right-sized bra for great tips on choosing a bra for your first time in the right size.
Q: Which online stores should I buy from ?
A: Some online stores that offer quality bras, a full size range and reasonable prices. They do international shipping, and have all received good reviews from the ladies in the Lobby Biusciastych:
Is your country not on the list? try googling for online or stationary shops in your area that sell the following brands:
You might find info on stores in other countries and languages in these blogs:
busenfreundinnen.net
Przewodnik po stanikowych sklepach
Bra Mania
80B does not exist !
(in English)Then there is, of course, British Ebay. The bras there are much cheaper, but not all sellers let you return their wares. So I suggest doing your first buys in e-stores (or on Ebay shops that let you return or exchange items.) Once you know your size well, and have bought a couple of bras, you'll be much better at buying on Ebay.
Read my guide Buying bras for the broke: "unusual" sizes on Ebay
Q: Are bra sizes the same with all manufacturers ? How do i know which size to order?
A: Unfortunately no. Some companies may have slighly smaller or bigger cups, the band may be more or less stretchy, and the underwire may be narrower or broader. The best thing to do before ordering a bra is check out the review on Bratabase, as well as look for reviews on lingerie blogs.
Also, don't forget that some brands have their own sizing systems: for example marks and Spencers don't have a FF cup (after F comes G).Q: I'm not quite sure what size to get, as I seem to be in between sizes / have a strange bust.
A: Order a couple of sizes, and return all but the best fit.
Most online stores give 100% refund to unsatisfied customers (in Europe they even refund shipping costs, but do check for laws within your country). For example you might try 40C, 40D, 38D and 38DD. Usually it makes sense to make a bigger order and return most of the bras, rather than ordering just one or two and sending them back and forth.
Q: I'm not sure I want to spend that much on a bra, so far I've been buying bras at the bazar for a dollar or two.
A: First, bras are perhaps more important thing we wear. The bra you wear shapes your breasts in a good or bad weay. Secondly, you can find good and cheap bras.
So, I advise you to invest in a good bra, and scrimp on clothes and shoes if you have to. A bad bra will flatten or squash your breasts, and after some years of that you'll end up hating your bust or considering spending lots on surgery. And remember, a great shaped bust makes you look much better in anything you wear !
Once you've determined your bust size, tested a few bras and found a compatible brand, you can buy great and cheap bras on Ebay (here's my how-to guide). I've got some beautiful new Panache bras from there for less than 10€, and that's including postage.
Where do you buy your bras? Which online stores would you recommend?
Even Rihanna gets it wrong
It seems that even celebrity bra-fitter often have no idea about proper bra fitting.
Here you can see that Rihanna's bra band is riding up on her back. That means her band size is too large.
Here you can see that her cups should be wider. They are cutting into her breast instead of encircling it.
The blue line marks the place where the underwire should be.
For comparision, this is how underwires should look -- they should end more under the armpit:
Rihanna's only saving grace is young and perky boobs, which hold their shape no matter what they are stuffed into. But by wearing this kind of bra, after some years she will have squashed her breast tissue with the too-small cups, and the fat tissue will migrate and make unsightly buns in the underarm area, armpits and even the back. The straps that ride up will not offer enough support.
So, when we are bombarded with images of ill-fitting bras, no wonder the average girl has no idea how a well-fitted bra should look like !
If Rihanna took a tighter band, and then went up a couple of sizes with the cups, she would get a bra with cups that were not deeper, but certainly wider.
Here you can see that Rihanna's bra band is riding up on her back. That means her band size is too large.
Here you can see that her cups should be wider. They are cutting into her breast instead of encircling it.
The blue line marks the place where the underwire should be.
For comparision, this is how underwires should look -- they should end more under the armpit:
Rihanna's only saving grace is young and perky boobs, which hold their shape no matter what they are stuffed into. But by wearing this kind of bra, after some years she will have squashed her breast tissue with the too-small cups, and the fat tissue will migrate and make unsightly buns in the underarm area, armpits and even the back. The straps that ride up will not offer enough support.
So, when we are bombarded with images of ill-fitting bras, no wonder the average girl has no idea how a well-fitted bra should look like !
If Rihanna took a tighter band, and then went up a couple of sizes with the cups, she would get a bra with cups that were not deeper, but certainly wider.
Does this bra fit ? How do I tell ?
So, you've realised you're stuck in the Bra Matrix. You've measured yourself, and now you have your real bra size ! But the size is not everything. Certain bra models may have bigger or smaller cups than standard, or just a weird shape that is not compatible with your bust. So, you need to check whether the fit is really right.
But how can you tell if a bra really fits you ? Here is what to look for:
How to put on a bra correctly:
Without scooping correctly, you might never realise that your cups are the wrong size.
Put on the band and fasten it. Bend forward, and put the breasts into the cups. Use your hand to gather all of the breast into the cup. Scoop in flesh from under armpits, and even your back, into the cups (that's not fat that's escaped breast tissue).Now stand up, and tighten bra straps.
Detailed instructions and why it is so important -- and how to put on a bra correctly.
Now, jump around, lift your arms over your head. The bra band should not move. If it does, it's too big, and you should get a smaller band size.
Look into the mirror and observe your bra:
Don't forget to put it on correctly first! (see above)
* If your breasts are spilling out of the cups, that does not look sexy, that is a sign that the cup is too small. Under a tight T-shirt, it gives the effect of quadruple boobs. The line of the breast should be smooth in the right size bra.
Still think breast spillage is sexy ? Only from the front view, dear !
* There should be no spillage in the armpit area. A good bra goes all around the breast. If you see extra flesh coming out of the cup under your armpit, try a bigger cup. It's also possible that your bra straps are too tight. (This photo is actually from a bra advertisement ! What a shock !)
* If your breasts hang too low in the bra, don't tighten the straps. The fault here is that the band size is too big: a loose band rides up at the back, and falls too low in the front. The breasts are not supported well. You should look for a tighter band size !
* Straps feel too tight, and leave red marks on your skin: that means the straps are carrying all the weight of your breasts, because the band is too loose. The straps are supposed to carry only 10% of the weight, the band should carry 90%. So, you need a tighter band.
* If the bra band seems too tight, usually it's the fault of the cup & underwires, not the band. Try this trick to find out: fasten the band with the cups on your back and the hooks in the front. Does the band feels comfortable now ? That means either the cup is too small, or you need wider underwires (some brands like Panache have wider underwires than, say, Freya).
*If the bra band is riding up at the back, it means that it is too loose. You need to get a smaller band size. And don't forget to go up a cup size.
* If the cup wrinkles at the top, we usually think that it is too big. But if the wrinkles are only at the tip (nipple area), the cup may be too small ! When the cup is too small, the underwire becomes narrower, and so the breast cannot fill it all the way in. This is also called "orange in a glass effect".
Try a bigger cup, that the breast will fill completely, and don't forget the go down a band size (that way you'll get a cup with the same depths but wider underwires).
* If the underwire pokes into your breast in the armpit area (see photo), or if it the underwires do not lie flat on the ribcage in the front, the cup is too small. You need to go down with the band size, and up with the cup size. (that way you'll get a cup with the same depths but wider underwires).
Check out these great photos on Breakout Bras which show one lady demonstrating all these points. If you prefer videos, take a look at these:
Correctly fitting bra:
Badly fitting bra:
Important note:
Cups sizes are relative to the band size ! There is no such thing as a "D" cup: a 65D cup is much smaller than a 80D cup. But a 60D, 65B and 70A have cups that have a very similar depth. For detailed explanations and photos, see here.
Tricks We (And Some Fitters) Use To Pretend That A Bra Fits
Sometimes we love the style or colour of a bra so much, that we consciously or subconsciously trick ourselves into believing that it fits, even if it really doesn't. Fitters also do some of these things either because they were trained improperly (a Victoria's Secret salesgirl told me her fitting training lasted for like 5 minutes) or because they simply don't carry your size but need to make a sale anyway. Once you are aware what these tricks are, you can avoid buying bras that are less than perfect and don't fit right.
Here is how you or your fitter trick you into believing that a bra fits:
* You put the bra only on the "tips" of the breasts. That was at the first glance it is not clearly visible that the bra cups are too small. To avoid this, make sure that all of the breasts tissue is inside the bra (think of it as a hammock and not a lid). Also, bend down and scoop all of the tissue from the armpits into the cup.
* You think "my size is 75 c, this bra is 75 c, so it MUST fit right !". Cups and bands are often bigger or smaller than standard. The shape of the cups may be more or less compatible with the shape of your breasts. Lastly, you might have been wearing the wrong size in the past.
* You don't make sudden movements, subconsciously knowing that the bra would instantly ride up or slip down, and thus unmask the too big band size. When you try on a bra, rise your arms above your head. Then wave them around. The band should not budge, the breasts should not spill out of the top or bottom of the cup.
* You think "this cups are not too small, the bra is tiny and sexy and is supposed to barely cover the nipple". Um, I know that Victoria's Secret and other brands have been popularizing the "ooh, my breasts are so big they are spilling out of my cups" look, but believe me that is neither sexy nor good for the breasts. Down the road it leads to armpit rolls as well as loss of firmness and shape.
* You don't shorten the bra straps, because then the breast would instantly spill out of the cups. Do it, shorten the straps.
* You hunch over, so that spillage over the top of the cups is not visible. Stand straight, if anything spills, you are wearing the wrong size.
* You "forget" that you've been adjusting your bra 10 times in the past hour. A well-fitting bra does not need adjusting, period.
* You think that like pretty bras can never be comfortable, just like high heels. Not true! It's just a question of: a) finding your size and b) discovering that there are many brands that make bras in a big range of sizes that are pretty, comfortable and affordable.
Once you realise you've been doing any of these, stop ! Read about the Bra Matrix, and measure yourself correctly. Trust me, you'll never need to adjust your bra again.
How to measure your bra size correctly
There is 90% chance that you're stuck in the Bra Matrix. Do you want to get out, and finally get a bra that fits and is comfortable ? Read on !
Forget any measurements that you've got before, whether done by you or even by a "professional". Statistics say that around 80% of women get wrong sizes at a bra fitting ! This is because most manufactures have a very limited range of band and cup sizes, so of course they'll try their best to sell you whatever they have !
At this point you might get a shock. Here are the answers:
Shock no. 1: I've worn a 80C all these years, and now the table told me I need a 30FF ! F is a huuge cup, and my breasts are small !
It's explained in my previous post that the cup size is relative to the band size. There is no such thing as a "C cup" or "D cup"; You'll see that a 85 D is a huge cup, but a 60 D is actually quite small. A cup size is the difference between the under-bust and the bust measurement. That means that cup sizes change with the band sizes. It's explained here in a different way.
Besides, once gather into the cup the fat rolls that have migrated under your armpits & back, you might see that you actually fill that F cup very well !
Do look for your new bra size on Bratabase or the Bra Band Project -- you might find the 30FF is not as big as you think.
Shock no. 2: I know I will hate tight bra bands ! They will be so uncomfortable !
Take a look at your panties. They are narrower than your hips. Do they strangle you ?
Most of the time the "too tight bra" feeling is caused by too small cups, not by a too tight band.
To test whether the band is too tight or not, try on a tight bra with the cups on your back and the fastening in the front. If the band feels ok, you know it's not too tight. Try bringing the cups to the front and putting them on.
As long as the bra is not made of some cheap, chafing material, a snug bra band will be comfortable. Remember that in a well fitted bra the underwires will not poke you anymore, and the bra will not ride up at the back. Most new converts to the right bra size report that they hardly feel the bras on them !
In the beginning, you might try a bra extender if you need time to adjust to the tighter bands.
Shock no. 3: I've never even heard of such a strange size, let alone seen it !
Most typical companies don't care much about our breasts, but about making money. Manufacture band sizes 70 to 85, and cups from A to D, convince customers that they must fit into them unless they are abnormal in some way. That is the reason that 90% of us are wearing the wrong size. However, there do exist companies that sell up to 90 sizes in each model. You can easily buy them in online stores, and on Ebay. See guide on buying bras online (includes links to online stores) and How to buy your first right-sized bra.
Q: Help, my measurements seem to be coming between two sizes... so, which one do I buy ?
A: Sometimes that happens. Besides, our bra measurements change a little according to our menstrual cycle. In case of doubt, it is better to err on the side of too small for the band (you can always use a bra extender), and on the side of too big for the cups.
Q: I've got extra flesh around my armpits, and even on my back. How can I get rid of it ?
A: Squashed by ill-fitting bra cups, the fat tissue travel away from the breast to the area like under the armpit and even the back. Once you get a bra of the right size, while putting it on remember to use your palm to gather the escaped fat from the underarms or wherever back into the bra cup. After a couple of months, you'll most probably get rid of it.
Q: What is migration ?
A: This process of the fat moving back to the breast is known as migration. Someone suggested that it should be better called "coming back into the motherland after exile". lol !
Q: Is it true that my breast size will change after wearing the right bra size ?
A: Yes. Most girls reported that their cup size increased and their band size decreased within a few weeks to a couple of months after getting the right bra size. This is mainly due to migration (see above). So, don't buy too many bras in the beginning, your measurements might change soon !
Q: Ok, I've read it all, I know my correct size. What do I do now ?
A: Read How to buy your first right-sized bra. It will answer your questions about what, where and how to buy.
Please feel free to comment and ask questions ! For questions concerning bra size please do write your measurements, after measuring yourself according to the instructions above.
♥ Read the original guide to choosing the right size.
♥ Video: how to choose a bra that fits, from Bravissimo.
♥ Bravissimo's step by step bra fitting guide
How to correctly measure your bra size:
note: use this chart to convert sizes to those of your country.
Forget any measurements that you've got before, whether done by you or even by a "professional". Statistics say that around 80% of women get wrong sizes at a bra fitting ! This is because most manufactures have a very limited range of band and cup sizes, so of course they'll try their best to sell you whatever they have !
For those who prefer visuals:
Also: watch this video to see how to find a well-fitting bra in the shop !
Also: watch this video to see how to find a well-fitting bra in the shop !
Ta daa !
At this point you might get a shock. Here are the answers:
Shock no. 1: I've worn a 80C all these years, and now the table told me I need a 30FF ! F is a huuge cup, and my breasts are small !
It's explained in my previous post that the cup size is relative to the band size. There is no such thing as a "C cup" or "D cup"; You'll see that a 85 D is a huge cup, but a 60 D is actually quite small. A cup size is the difference between the under-bust and the bust measurement. That means that cup sizes change with the band sizes. It's explained here in a different way.
Besides, once gather into the cup the fat rolls that have migrated under your armpits & back, you might see that you actually fill that F cup very well !
Do look for your new bra size on Bratabase or the Bra Band Project -- you might find the 30FF is not as big as you think.
Shock no. 2: I know I will hate tight bra bands ! They will be so uncomfortable !
Take a look at your panties. They are narrower than your hips. Do they strangle you ?
Most of the time the "too tight bra" feeling is caused by too small cups, not by a too tight band.
To test whether the band is too tight or not, try on a tight bra with the cups on your back and the fastening in the front. If the band feels ok, you know it's not too tight. Try bringing the cups to the front and putting them on.
As long as the bra is not made of some cheap, chafing material, a snug bra band will be comfortable. Remember that in a well fitted bra the underwires will not poke you anymore, and the bra will not ride up at the back. Most new converts to the right bra size report that they hardly feel the bras on them !
In the beginning, you might try a bra extender if you need time to adjust to the tighter bands.
Shock no. 3: I've never even heard of such a strange size, let alone seen it !
Most typical companies don't care much about our breasts, but about making money. Manufacture band sizes 70 to 85, and cups from A to D, convince customers that they must fit into them unless they are abnormal in some way. That is the reason that 90% of us are wearing the wrong size. However, there do exist companies that sell up to 90 sizes in each model. You can easily buy them in online stores, and on Ebay. See guide on buying bras online (includes links to online stores) and How to buy your first right-sized bra.
FAQ
Q: Help, my measurements seem to be coming between two sizes... so, which one do I buy ?
A: Sometimes that happens. Besides, our bra measurements change a little according to our menstrual cycle. In case of doubt, it is better to err on the side of too small for the band (you can always use a bra extender), and on the side of too big for the cups.
Q: I've got extra flesh around my armpits, and even on my back. How can I get rid of it ?
A: Squashed by ill-fitting bra cups, the fat tissue travel away from the breast to the area like under the armpit and even the back. Once you get a bra of the right size, while putting it on remember to use your palm to gather the escaped fat from the underarms or wherever back into the bra cup. After a couple of months, you'll most probably get rid of it.
Q: What is migration ?
A: This process of the fat moving back to the breast is known as migration. Someone suggested that it should be better called "coming back into the motherland after exile". lol !
Q: Is it true that my breast size will change after wearing the right bra size ?
A: Yes. Most girls reported that their cup size increased and their band size decreased within a few weeks to a couple of months after getting the right bra size. This is mainly due to migration (see above). So, don't buy too many bras in the beginning, your measurements might change soon !
Q: Ok, I've read it all, I know my correct size. What do I do now ?
A: Read How to buy your first right-sized bra. It will answer your questions about what, where and how to buy.
Please feel free to comment and ask questions ! For questions concerning bra size please do write your measurements, after measuring yourself according to the instructions above.
Want more info ?
♥ Read the original guide to choosing the right size.
♥ Video: how to choose a bra that fits, from Bravissimo.
♥ Bravissimo's step by step bra fitting guide
Compresses for perky breasts
The last post on taking care of your decollate led me to actual care of the bust.
Here are some tips:
Contrast (Hot & Cold) Compresses
Contrast compresses will help to struggle with flabby breast skin.
Of course, you can do it the simple way, using streams of warm (never hot) and cold water in the shower. Remember that each streams should be at least 30 secs, and always end with cold. Another way to do this is sit in a bath full of warm water, and alternatively massage your breasts with ice cubes, and then dip your breasts under the warm water.
You will need two basins (one for hot and one for cold) and a bath towel / linen tissue (better make that two : one for hot, one for cold).
After contrast procedure wipe your breast skin with a lotion you should prepare beforehand (see lower for lotion recipes)
A simple compress:
- water : hot and cold
- 1 tea spoon of kitchen salt
- 1 tea spoon of lemon juice
Dissolve kitchen salt in hot water, and lemon juice in cold water.
Moisten a towel in hot water, squeeze it out and put to breast for 30 seconds. Then remove and moisten towel in cold water, squeeze out and put to breast again for 1 minute. Repeat this procedure 5-6 times, last compress should be cold.
Camomile decoction compress:
Exchangeable compresses of camomile decoction or extract will help to keep skin elasticity, reduce its sagging and stretching.
- 4 table spoons of dry Camomile flowers
- Water
Cold decoction: pour 2 table spoons of dry flowers with a glass of water and boil for 10 minutes, cool and filter.
Hot extract: pour 2 table spoons of camomile with a liter of boiling water, filter in 20 minutes.
Moisten tissue with warm camomile extract, squeeze out quickly and wrap your problem area up in it. Leave hot compress for 3 minutes. Then moisten the tissue in cold decoction, squeeze out and apply for 5 seconds again. Change compress 3 times, do this procedure once a week.
* After-Compress lotions *
Apply these after a compress / contrast compress:Rosemary lotion:
- 2 table spoons of rosemary
- 4 glasses of cold water
- 2 tea spoons of kitchen salt
- 2 tea spoons of pure alcohol
- 4 tea spoons of lemon juice
Lotion of fennel and lime flowers:
- 1 table spoon of pounded green of fennel
- 1 table spoon of lime flowers
- 1,5-2 glasses of boiling water
Apply on problem areas, where skin is flabby, with stretch-marks. Lotion should dry out on skin without using a towel.
How To Take Care Of Your Bust
The last post on taking care of your decollate led me to actual care of the bust.
Contrast (Hot and Cold) Compresses
Contrast compresses will help to struggle with flabby breast skin.
Of course, you can do it the simple way, using streams of warm (never hot) and cold water in the shower. Remember that each streams should be at least 30 secs, and always end with cold. Another way to do this is sit in a bath full of warm water, and alternatively massage your breasts with ice cubes, and then dip your breasts under the warm water.
You will need two basins (one for hot and one for cold) and a bath towel / linen tissue (better make that two : one for hot, one for cold).
After contrast procedure wipe your breast skin with a lotion you should prepare beforehand (see lower for lotion recipes)
A simple compress:
- water : hot and cold
- 1 tea spoon of kitchen salt
- 1 tea spoon of lemon juice
Dissolve kitchen salt in hot water, and lemon juice in cold water.
Moisten a towel in hot water, squeeze it out and put to breast for 30 seconds. Then remove and moisten towel in cold water, squeeze out and put to breast again for 1 minute. Repeat this procedure 5-6 times, last compress should be cold.
Exchangeable compresses of camomile decoction or extract will help to keep skin elasticity, reduce its sagging and stretching.
- 4 table spoons of dry Camomile flowers
- Water
Hot extract: pour 2 table spoons of camomile with a liter of boiling water, filter in 20 minutes.
Moisten tissue with warm camomile extract, squeeze out quickly and wrap your problem area up in it. Leave hot compress for 3 minutes. Then moisten the tissue in cold decoction, squeeze out and apply for 5 seconds again. Change compress 3 times, do this procedure once a week.
* After-Compress lotions *
Apply these after a compress / contrast compress:Rosemary lotion:
- 2 table spoons of rosemary
- 4 glasses of cold water
- 2 tea spoons of kitchen salt
- 2 tea spoons of pure alcohol
- 4 tea spoons of lemon juice
Lotion of fennel and lime flowers:
- 1 table spoon of pounded green of fennel
- 1 table spoon of lime flowers
- 1,5-2 glasses of boiling water
Apply on problem areas, where skin is flabby, with stretch-marks. Lotion should dry out on skin without using a towel.
Photo: Puddles by George Kaplan
The Bra Matrix
The Bra Matrix is the world of false bra measurements and uncomfortable bras.
It is the world where busts are divided into A, B, C and D, and underbust measurements into 70, 75, 80 and 85.
It is the world in which you live feeling that you have a strange bust, and that adjusting your bra umpteen times a day is normal.
It is the world where busts are divided into A, B, C and D, and underbust measurements into 70, 75, 80 and 85.
It is the world in which you live feeling that you have a strange bust, and that adjusting your bra umpteen times a day is normal.
I always thought that I had the right bra. I carefully read those little tables on websites, measured myself, and bought 75 c bras.
I thought that it was normal to adjust the bra a couple of times every day. I believed that my breasts were spaced too far apart, and that was the reason that the underwire never went all around the breast, but poked into it. I thought that comfortable bras don't exist anyway, well maybe only if I had the money to buy a really expensive one. And I was sad that pretty thin bra straps were bad because they didn't offer enough support.
Until the day I discovered I was stuck in the Bra Matrix.
I read and read, measured myself, and got a 65D bra. I was delighted ! For the first time I had a bra that was comfortable and made me look good. The band was tight, but contrary to expectations it was very comfortable. The underwire framed my entire breasts, so I realised my breasts weren´t too wide apart, it was the bras that had been wrong. >Pics of my breasts, before and after<
So, what´y the Bra Matrix ? I discovered it on this blog. Since you probably don't read Polish, I'll explain.
The biggest misconception is that there exists a fixed size for each cup. For example, that the only difference between 70A, 75A, and 80A is the size of the band that is attached to it.
This is not true. The cup size changes with the band size.
Take a look at these photos:
DD cups are big in the NZ band size 18 (EU 90) and quite small in NZ 8 (EU 65)
Both the cups here are DD... but as you can see they are not the same !
The D cup in 65 and the B cup in 70 are very similar in size ! However, the 65D underwire is slightly broader than the 70B.
More photos and explanations *here*
The other big myth is that to get your under-bust measurement, you have to measure yourself under the bust, add 5 cm, and go up to the nearest band size.
This is absolutely stupid for the following reasons:
* The measuring tape is not stretchable. The bra band is, and it stretches up to 20 cm. Try it at home !
* It is the band and not the shoulder straps that should support the bust. To give good support, the band must be snug, not loose.
* Would you wear panties that are bigger than your hip measurement ?
A test if you are wearing the correct band size:
Do a jumping jack: Jump, lift your arms over your head, and clap. If your band moved, it's too loose.Another test: if you can pull the bra band more than 3-4 cm away from you body, tie it tighter. Then bend forward and gather all your armpit and back fat into the cups (that was actually escaped breast tissue). Stand up, and you´ll see your cups spilling over.
Another way to check is to take a look at your back view in the mirror.
The correct band size should look like this:
The band size is too big if it looks like this:
Reading for beginners:
How to measure yourself and get your CORRECT size !!! Then read: How to buy your first right-sized bra. For later reading: complete list of my Bra Matrix Articles. You can also mail me with any bra question you have, but don´t forget to include your correct measurements !
♥ For examples of bra before and after shots, take a look >here<.
70B to 60E !!!
note the "quadruple breast" effect in the wrong size (70B)
note: I am using European measurements.
Use this chart to convert it to the sizes of your country
note the "quadruple breast" effect in the wrong size (70B)
Use this chart to convert it to the sizes of your country
Give your decollete some love
Have you noticed that many elder women have smooth and cared-for skins on their face, but neglected necks and décolleté, with spots and wrinkles ? Well, I have.
Along with caring for my face every day, you need to care for the skin on my neck and cleavage.
Skin on the decollete is as delicate as the under-eye area.
A lot of us treat this skin like the skin on the rest of our body: we scrub it hard, and rarely remember to moisturise it.
They often tell you to treat your cleavage like an extension of your face. Well, they´re a bit wrong there. Skin on the decollete is as delicate as the skin under the eyes area. It contains very few oil glands, and so it is prone to drying out quickly.
So, treat it with outmost gentleness.
How to care for the cleavage
You can use your regular face-cleansing and moisturising products, as long as they are meant for dry or normal skin. Since decollete skin has few oil glands, anti-acne products and other stuff for oily skins should not be used there.
At night you can treat your cleavage and neck with the double cleansing method. In the mornings, use a rich cream or moisturiser. It´s best applied after showering and lightly patting dry the area: applying moisturiser on moist skin seals in the moisture. Also, skin just after a shower or after cleansing can absorb the cream better.
Scrubs, if any, should be gentle. A better alternative is the press-and-roll almond cleanser, which exfoliates very very gently.
And lastly, don´t forget to give your decollete some sun-protection !
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)