How to wear a stick-on bra

A stick-on bra isn't a normal bra, babe. There are no straps and no back, just two cups and a clip. Put it on the right way and it lifts, shapes and stays put all day. It takes a couple of practice runs, then you'll have it on in under a minute.

Prefer to watch? The video further down shows every step.

1. Prep your skin

Moisture is the adhesive's worst enemy. On the day you wear it, keep anything greasy away from where the cups sit: body lotion, oil, perfume, self-tan, sunscreen, glitter and make-up.

The best time to put it on is straight after a shower, once you're properly dry. In a rush? Wipe the area with a damp cloth and towel it dry. Put your lotions and sprays on after the cups are on.

2. Unclip the cups

Put the cups on one at a time, never both at once with the clip done up. That's a struggle, and you end up with a flat, pancake shape. Unclip them and stand in front of a mirror. Flip one cup inside out and hold it by the edge.

3. Place each cup for lift

Your instinct says to put the cup on level, like a normal bra. Ignore it. A level cup gives you pancake boobs: flat, with no lift.

Instead, place the cup vertically, with the clip pointing down to the floor. Stick the bottom on first, lifting your boob as you go, then smooth it up over the top. Run your fingers round the edge so it's stuck down all the way round. Then do the other side.

Not quite right? Peel it off and try again. The adhesive copes with a few goes, so there's no need to wash it in between.

4. Choose your shape

• More cleavage: place the cups further apart, out towards the sides. When you clip them together, they pull your boobs in. The further apart, the more cleavage.
• More lift: angle both cups up and in before you clip. The more you angle, the more lift you get.
• A natural shape: place the cups closer together and a touch more level. Only a touch, or you're back to pancake boobs.

5. Clip them together

Hold the left clip in your left hand. Hold the right clip at a right angle to it, like an upside-down L, with its end at the top of the left clip. Slide it down the groove in the left clip, keeping that right angle, until it's all the way in. Then swing it level to snap the clasp shut. Press both cups firmly to finish.

Wearing a U-plunge style like Knock Out or Black Onyx? There's no centre clip, so you're done after step 4.

6. Take it off and wash it

Peel each cup off gently, from the top down. It's nothing like ripping off a plaster, and it doesn't leave anything behind on your skin.

Wash the cups after every wear. Hold them under lukewarm running water with a little mild soap and clean them gently with your palm, in small circles. Never use your nails or a brush, because scratches damage the adhesive for good. Shake off the water and let them air dry, sticky side up. Once they're dry, cover the cups or keep them in a bra storage case so dust can't settle on them.

Look after it like this and it lasts 30+ wears. There's more in our washing and storing guide.