The Buxom Beauty
  • Home
  • About US
  • Blog
  • Boutique Directory
  • Media

buxom beauty bra blog

Bra Care 101

9/13/2019

0 Comments

 
So you just paid $$$ for your bra, and you're FINALLY happy to find something that fits.  That's great news, and we always love hearing those "transformation" stories.  The one thing that women often forget, is actually the most important: you must take care of your bra.  It doesn't matter how much it cost, if you don't care for your bra, it won't last.

In this post, we will talk about basics of proper bra care, a step-by-step guide on how to hand wash a bra, and information on how to choose a good lingerie soap.

Signs of improper care:
  • underwire pops out or breaks
  • lace breaks down or begins to tear
  • fabric doesn't feel soft anymore
  • color starts to turn brownish from sweat and soil
  • the elastic stretches out too fast and you're always making adjustments (even if you just bought it a month ago)

At most bra boutiques, your bra lady will go over care instructions with you (and if they don't, ask!)  There is a reason they emphasize bra care - boutiques want happy customers!  Not to mention, returns are VERY expensive for small businesses, so it benefits the store to teach you about proper bra care.  At many bra stores, signs of improper care may void any return policy or warranty.  

Basics of proper bra care
  • Hand washing is better than machine washing. We always recommend hand washing over machine washing, but if you must wash in the machine, be sure to use a lingerie bag.  The reason we recommend hand washing is that you have more control over how it is handled.  Washing machines can be rough on fabric, even with gentle cycle.  They won't last as long if you machine wash, and the fabric starts to wear a lot faster.
  • NEVER PUT YOUR BRA IN THE DRYER.  Dryers are the leading cause of bra deaths.  While hand washing is recommended, hang drying is an absolute must.  Even on the lowest, gentlest cycle, dryers damage bras.  This is the major cause of underwire damage (breaking or bending), fabric damage (pilling, tears), and overall wear.  Dryers put undue heat and stress on the wire and elastic, causing it to break down and lose its support.  I have seen bras that were completely useless after even one trip through the dryer.  Any bra fitter can tell from a mile away if you have put your bra in the dryer even once, and it's possible that it could void any ability to return it.
  • Wash bras every 3-4 wears, or anytime after you've had a "sweaty" day.  How often you wash really depends on how much you sweat and soil the bra.  Under normal circumstances, you can get away with washing it every few wears, but be sure to wash immediately if you've been active or sweating that day.  
  • If your bra is all of a sudden getting itchy, it's because you need to wash it.  I used to hear this one a lot at my shop.  The bra is great when you take it home, but two weeks later it starts feeling itchy.  Ask yourself - when was the last time you washed it?  In general, the itchiness is caused by old sweat.  The sweat dries and then you put on the bra and sweat again.  It dries again, and so on.  Eventually that old sweat will build up and react with your skin, and it will feel reeeeeeealy uncomfortable.  The best way to combat this is to wash them regularly and be sure to give the band and underarm areas an extra scrub to remove any sweat/dirt.

When bra fitters try to sell you lingerie wash, it isn't a scam...
While they may make a few extra bucks selling you lingerie soap, bra shops make far more money on your purchase of bras.  If you don't properly care for your bra, it won't last you as long - that is the honest truth.  If you would rather put them in the washer and dryer, bust the underwire and ruin the fabric, I'm sure your local bra lady would happily sell you a bra in every 4-6 weeks.  However, most store owners care more about your bras lasting because that instills your trust in them.  Buy the damn bra soap!  You'll save yourself the discomfort and time shopping for new bras.

Things we DON'T recommend for washing your bra:
There are several different types of laundry soap to choose from, but "normal" detergent is too harsh for delicate fabric, and it will break down much faster...
  • Woolite: while it says that it's made for delicates, this detergent is meant for heavier fabrics (not lace, silky fabrics, etc.).  Save it for your clothing, but not for the things you wear under your clothes.  
  • Regular laundry detergent or pods: Again, these are great for the clothing you wear on the outside, but undergarments need something more mild.  You'll thank me later!
Top product recommendation: SOAK WASH
This might be super annoying, but I only have one thing to recommend.  That's because I have tried SO MANY other products and they just don't get the dirt out as well as this one does (especially for the price!)  Retails for around $16-17 per bottle (lasts me about 3-4 months per bottle, but I wash a LOT of stuff with it).
Picture
SOAK is by far the best lingerie wash on the market today, and here's why:
  • It is a no-rinse formula, which means that you can throw your stuff in the sink, swish it around, and take them straight to the drying rack.  BONUS: you save a ton of water!
  • The formula is plant-based, so it's safe to use for anything from laundry to cleaning baby toys
  • It can get out TOUGH stains, so you can use this as a pre-treatment.  I use it all the time to wash my yoga pants, because the dryer destroys them.
  • Soak uses recycled plastic and does not test on animals. This was initially my main reason for using this brand - I love companies that are socially and environmentally responsible.
  • It comes in a ton of great scents, including "Scentless," which is their unscented variety.  My personal favorite scents are Lacey and Pineapple.​

If you don't opt for Soak, you can choose any lingerie wash.  When choosing a soap, here are some ingredients to avoid: bleach, sodium lauryl sulfate, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, phenols, brighteners, petroleum distillates, and 1,4-dioxane.

How to hand wash your bra
This may seem obvious, but we get a lot of questions about how to hand wash a bra.  Follow the quick steps below - it only takes 20 minutes from start to finish!
Picture
  1. Clean out your sink and fill with warm (not too hot!) water.  Add about 1 tsp of Soak (or other lingerie detergent) for each gallon of water.  No need to over-use...you won't see huge suds, but that doesn't mean you need to dump more into the sink.
  2. Gently swish the bras around.  Target soiled areas by scrubbing them gently together.
  3. Let your bras soak in the water for 15-20 minutes
  4. Do something relaxing while you wait :)
  5. After letting the bras soak, gently swish them around again to get rid of any residual dirt and drain the sink.  If you use Soak, you can lightly wring them out and hang them.  If you use another detergent, gently rinse all soap out of your bras and squeeze out any extra suds before wringing out excess water.  Be gentle with the underwire when you wring them out - don't bend it!
  6. Hang your bras to dry - you can use a clothesline, hanger, drying rack, or just hang them over your shower.  Avoid hanging a wet bra by the straps, because the excess water weight can cause them to stretch.

Helpful tips:
  • Wash your bras in a rotation (leaving at least one clean bra out while you wash the rest), you will still have a bra to wear while you are waiting for the others to dry!
  • If you wash them before bed, most lacy bras will be dry by morning.  Bras with foam or inserts may take an extra few hours.
  • Don't use more detergent than the bottle recommends.  Some people think that suds equals clean, but that isn't the case.  It isn't necessary to overdo it.
0 Comments

Day & Evening Recommendations for Large Cup Ladies (formal events, weddings, and nights out)

8/7/2019

3 Comments

 
Large cup bras are hard enough to find - add a wedding or formal event into the mix, and it can be nearly impossible to find the perfect fit for The Big Day.  We have been getting a lot of questions about this lately, so we are breaking it down into two categories: 
  • Recommendations for under your dress
  • Recommendations for the wedding night and/or boudoir photo shoots

While we will be referring to weddings in this blog post, our recommendations apply to any formal event, fun night out, or night at home with your special someone :) 
​
Our recommendations are based on fitting a variety of customers.  We are listing our favorites for band size 28-48, cup size D-J.  Keep reading for our best recommendations, and as always, please shop at your local bra boutique!!

BONUS: Everything we list is under $100!  Please note that different boutiques price based on location, sale items, etc.  Price also depends on the color, because some past season colors are discounted at a later time - you might get lucky and find something on sale!

Recommendations for under your dress

It's hard enough trying to find a dress, but then your seamstress tells you to get a better bra to wear underneath.  Where to start? 

First things first - let's start with a few tips:
  • Always buy your bra well in advance so you can try it on with the dress to troubleshoot any issues.  You don't want to be safety pinning things together at the last minute.
  • Have a reasonable budget - you spent a s***load of $$$ on your dress, I know.  Wouldn't it be a bummer if the dress didn't look good because you didn't invest in a good bra?  (YES, that would be awful).  Plan to spend at least $75 for a good foundation.
  • Some seamstresses will sew your bra into your wedding dress - this can work wonders for some women, but it all depends on the bra.  If you are having bra troubles, ask if they can do this for you.
  • Avoid a backless or low back dress if you can - it is nearly impossible to find a solution for breast support that doesn't involve a band.  That being said, you can try something like Booby Tape (this can hold up very heavy breasts - but probably not all day long).  I recommend a bra for comfort, and to lessen the possibility of a very awkward wardrobe malfunction
  • Shop at a local boutique!  At a local store, you can try before you buy, and you know that you are getting expert fitting advice.  Support your local bra lady, and end up with the perfect look for your special day.

Onto the bra recommendations.....

--- Luxe by Curvy Kate ---

Picture
This one comes in two strapless options - the longline basque comes out this month (August 2019).  The basque will be available in black and ivory.  For the strapless, this has been our recommendation for YEARS.  It is amazing, so I'm sure the basque will live up to the same standard.  We have been hard-pressed to find a better option - we have seen women do cartwheels in a 36H strapless bra, and Luxe stays put!  Straps are removable and convertible, so you can wear this one in multiple ways.

One thing to note about strapless for women with wider-spread breasts - sometimes this one can gape out at the sides if you are REALLY full and have more side tissue.  We still recommend giving this one a try!

Comes in black, biscotti (nude), and ivory (off-white) - see photos below


Recommended for: women of all shapes and sizes, especially those with less side tissue.  Warning on the basque - if you have a fuller tummy, it may be hard to clasp - go for the strapless bra if this is the case.
​
​Retail Price: $75 for strapless, and around $95 for the basque.

Picture
Picture

--- Smoothing by Elomi ---

Picture
We love this style because it works really well for women with a wider-set bust, or for those who have larger band size.  Smoothing comes in black and nude, and both are beautiful.  This one is a multi-way bra with removable straps, but our favorite part is that there are TWO strap positions available (one set closer in, and one set wider out) to accommodate different necklines. 

Comes in black and nude.

Recommended for: Band sizes 36+, especially women with wider-set breast tissue (this one is AWESOME for those Hawaii ladies who need a hula option) 
​
​Retail Price: $69 

Picture
Picture

--- Adelaide by Goddess ---

Picture
We love Adelaide because she is available in one of the widest ranges of sizing available for a bridal basque.  As an added bonus, this one is sexy enough to be worn on the wedding night :)  One thing to remember about basque styles is that they can be difficult for women with a larger tummy - you may need a little help getting this one on.  This particular style, while flattering, has fabric that is a little less soft than some of the other options listed.  BUT, we've heard it's comfortable enough to be worth it!  We love that this one has removable garter straps and shoulder straps, so you can customize it for your desired look.

Comes white and black.


Recommended for: Nearly all common band sizes, but especially those with 36+ who need tummy control.  
​
​Retail  Price: $79

Picture
Picture

Recommendations for the wedding night and/or boudoir photo shoots

This one is really tricky because all women have different ideas and preferences for what they consider "sexy."  This will be a quick glance with general ideas, but we won't be as thorough with these because there are so many of them!
Picture
Chi Chi Babydoll by Sculptresse:
  • Colors: Only available in black 
  • Sizing: 34-46 band, D-HH cup
  • Price: under $100 at most stores
  • Recommended for: women who wear the Chi Chi bra and love it; women with firmer breast tissue (not recommended for women with soft tissue)

Picture



​





​Sachi Babydoll by Elomi:
  • Colors: Only available in black 
  • Sizing: 36-44 band, cup size E-H
  • Price: $78
  • Recommended for: women who LOVE Elomi and want something that has a little strappy cuteness and some coverage on the bottom

Picture
Cara by Panache:
  • Colors: TONS of colors available, including charcoal/black (pictured), nude, and multiple fashion colors
  • Sizing: 30-40 band, D-J cup
  • Price: $67
  • Recommended for: women who want a little bit of lace and elegance, but like a softer fabric with a beautiful silky sheen and feel.  This is more of a balconnet style, and tends to sit a little more narrow, which is great for lift.

Picture
Andorra by Panache:
  • Colors: TONS of colors available, including black, pearl, and soft blush (pictured)
  • Sizing: 30-40 band, D-J cup
  • Price: $63
  • Recommended for: women who LOVE a little see-through lace on the top of the cup.  The lace is EXTREMELY soft.  This bra also fits women of ALL breast shapes, so it is recommended for women who have a harder time finding a good fit.  Lace stretches at the top of the cup!
Picture
Sachi Bra by Elomi (we listed the babydoll above, but love both options!):
  • Colors: Available in black, but fashion colors are available (pictured in red)
  • Sizing: 34-44 band, D-JJ cup
  • Price: $64
  • Recommended for: women who LOVE Elomi and want something that has a little strappy cuteness but no tummy coverage.  Fits most breast shapes.

Picture
Fancies Plunge by Freya:
  • Colors: Available in black, white, petal, and TONS of other fashion colors
  • Sizing: 28-38 band, D-G cup
  • Price: $64
  • Recommended for: women with smaller frames who like a little see-through lace in the cup.  This one has a cute keyhole in the center.  The best part is - IT ONLY HAS ONE HOOK (it still supports just fine, I promise).  

3 Comments

    Author

    Sarah Rice is a former bra store owner who still has a passion for bra fitting.  All recommendations are based on her personal experience with fitting customers.  

    Subscribe to our blog to get bra fitting tips, recommendations, and everything in between!


    Archives

    September 2019
    August 2019

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed


      ​Subscribe to our blog!

    SIGN UP

CONTACT US:
buxombeautyhnl@gmail.com

Picture

Follow us on social media!

  • Home
  • About US
  • Blog
  • Boutique Directory
  • Media