We tried Honeylove's bralettes and shapewear and love these comfortable and functional intimates

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

"Beauty is pain" — that's what my mother used to say to me during the torturous process of brushing through my tangled curls. As I grew into a woman, it seemed to me that shapewear was just another example of how women are expected to tolerate discomfort for the sake of looking good. But it's simply not worth it to me anymore — and I don't think I'm the only one who feels that way. So, when I discovered Honeylove — a shapewear brand that promises its pieces are just as comfortable as they are effective — I knew I had to give it a try. 

One thing I appreciate about Honeylove is that they have a piece to accommodate every outfit, occasion, and body type, from smoothing tanks and bodysuits to sculpting shorts and panties. But without a doubt, the products I've been most excited to test out are the bras. As someone who's large-busted but hates the rigidity of underwire, I was eager to see if their wireless bras could offer support without sacrificing comfort.

With that in mind, I tried three of the brand's best-selling items for my Honeylove review: the CrossOver Bra, V-neck Bra, and Silhouette Bra. I also tested another one of their best-sellers: the SuperPower Short. Here are my honest thoughts on each.

Plus, see our more of our intimates coverage like our guides to the best bras and the best underwear for women.

Honeylove CrossOver Bra review

Before trying the Honeylove CrossOver Bra, I had pretty much given up on trying to find a wireless bra that actually held me up. What makes this one work so well is that it's fully adjustable from the straps to the band, which allows me to achieve a customized fit. These are key features for me, because most bra straps tend to be far too long on my shoulders, and as a result, fail to provide adequate lift. 

Another advantage to this bra is that it features four rows of hook-and-eye closures so there's plenty of room to loosen or tighten the band as needed. As someone who's a 32DD, it can be tough to find bras that offer enough coverage but also aren't too loose in the band — and my only concern here is that I'm already wearing it on the tightest hook. That said, it shouldn't be an issue as long as this bra doesn't stretch out too much over time.

These are just a few reasons why, on my quest for the best bralettes for large busts, this one topped the list.

Honeylove V-neck Bra review

I'll admit that I was super skeptical about the Honeylove V-neck bra — mainly because there's no adjustability — but I was pleasantly surprised when I slipped it on. The soft and stretchy microfiber feels like a second skin, and there's just enough firm compression to make me feel secure and supported. I love that it's hardware-free with bonded seams, making it invisible under clothing, and the bonding at the cradle helps to lend a little extra lift.

The Honeylove V-neck Bra is a great pick if you're concerned about side or back bulge — thanks to the ample coverage around the back and thick, compressive fabric it instantly smooths out any lumps and bumps. 

One thing worth pointing out is that this bra does seem to stretch out a little as you wear it — which is a slight issue since you can't adjust the band or straps. Luckily, though, I did notice that it reverted right back to its original size after washing. This bra also seems to provide less separation than the crossover bra. I certainly wasn't dealing with that dreaded uniboob situation, but I did feel like my bust was pushed inward a bit.

Honeylove Silhouette Bra review

There are two reasons why I don't usually buy bras that have skinny straps. One, I always assumed they wouldn't be supportive enough for my fuller bust. Two, I feel like they tend to dig into my shoulders more than wider straps do. So, imagine my shock when this bra — which has extra slender straps — turned out to be my favorite in the Honeylove collection.

More recently, I learned that the majority of the bra's support actually comes from the band, not the straps. And the main reason why these straps often dig into my shoulders is that I tighten them too much to compensate for the bra's lack of support in the band. Fortunately, the Honeylove Silhouette Bra fits like a glove, and thanks to all the supportive features, I didn't have to tighten the straps so much that they left indentations in my skin.

The only drawback to this bra is that it has three hook settings on the band as opposed to four (which the Crossover Bra has). Luckily, the bra fit me snugly on the middle hook, meaning I still have room to tighten (or loosen) it as needed.

Honeylove SuperPower Short Review

It's pretty easy to see why this shapewear piece has garnered thousands of five-star reviews. The SuperPower Short offer waist to thigh smoothing, and despite having a high level of compression, they really don't feel restrictive.

It definitely takes a little shimmying to get the Super PowerShort on, but that's to be expected with shapewear pieces like this. I was able to sit down and move around pretty freely in them, and never felt like I couldn't eat or breathe comfortably. Thanks to the anti-slip silicone strips at the top of the waistband and structured boning down the sides and upper back, I was relieved to find that SuperPower Shorts don't shift around or roll down. Plus, the BoostBands that encircle the upper back of the legs offer a nice, subtle booty-lifting effect.

The Super PowerShort feature a seamless design, and for the most part, they remained undetectable under the variety of dresses, skirts, and jumpsuits I slipped on over them. The only time I saw the waistband show through a little was with a particularly skin-tight dress that's made with ultra-thin fabric.

The bottom line

All in all, I'm pretty impressed with the products I tried from Honeylove. Some of the pieces tend to stretch out somewhat with wear, but I also think that's to be expected with anything that has spandex in the construction. Fortunately, after washing, they seem to shrink back down again.

The seamless bras don't show underneath my clothes, and they're so soft and stretchy that I often forget I'm wearing them. Not only that, but they're remarkably supportive considering that they don't have underwire. My favorites are definitely the Silhouette Bra and the CrossOver Bra, both of which are fully adjustable and oh-so-flattering. The V-Neck Bra is nice for lounging around the house, but I personally feel like the other bras offer a little more in the way of separation.

I can also say with certainty that I'll be using the SuperPower Short under a range of outfits, from fit and flare dresses to pencil skirts. While shapewear is never a necessity, and sometimes I'm more than happy to go without it, I definitely feel a little more confident when I'm wearing this under tighter-fitting garments.

Ultimately, what makes Honeylove's pieces stand out is how comfortable they are. As it turns out, beauty isn't pain. Beauty is feeling just as good as you look.

FAQ

Should I size up or size down in Honeylove?

For bras, Honeylove recommends sizing up if you're in between cup sizes. If you're in between band sizes, it's best to size up if you want a looser and more comfortable fit or size down if you want a more supportive fit.

For bodysuits, it's best to size down if you're in between sizes since the material is stretchy. They also recommend sizing down if you are petite or if you have a small waist compared to your bust size. The only reason to size up would be if you have notably wider hips.