How to Use Nipple Covers: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Nipple covers are one of those things that seem self-explanatory until you put them on wrong and spend the next eight hours adjusting your top. A few small details at the prep stage make the difference between covers that stay invisible all day and covers that shift, show edges, or feel uncomfortable by lunchtime.

This guide covers the full process: choosing the right type, preparing your skin, applying them correctly, wearing them with confidence, removing them without discomfort, and keeping them in good condition so they last. It works for both adhesive and adhesive-free silicone covers.

Step 1: Choose the Right Type for the Occasion

Not all nipple covers work the same way, and the right choice depends on what you are doing that day. There are two main categories: adhesive-free and adhesive.

Adhesive-free covers like Breasties Grippies use medical-grade silicone that grips warm skin through gentle suction and body heat rather than glue. They are the most comfortable option for everyday wear, cause no irritation over repeated use, and leave no residue when removed. They work well for most outfits and occasions.

Adhesive covers like Breasties Stickies have a gentle adhesive layer that bonds to skin. They are the better choice for high-movement situations: workouts, swimming, dancing, anything where you need covers that will not shift regardless of what you are doing. They stay in place through sweat and extended activity in a way that adhesive-free covers cannot always guarantee.

If you are new to nipple covers and unsure which to start with, The Bundle includes both so you have the right cover for every situation.

Step 2: Find Your Shade Before You Apply

A nipple cover that does not match your skin tone is not invisible, no matter how well it is applied. This is the step most people skip and the most common reason covers show through fabric.

Breasties offers five shades designed to correspond to real skin tone ranges rather than the two or three generic options most brands provide. If you are unsure which shade matches you, take the quiz below.

As a general guide: the cover should disappear against your skin in natural light. Hold it against the inside of your forearm, which tends to be a closer match to chest skin than the back of your hand. If you can clearly see the edge of the cover, try the next shade.

Step 3: Prepare Your Skin

Adhesive-free covers lift away without any resistance. Peel from one edge and they come off cleanly, with no residue and no skin pulling.

For adhesive covers, take it slowly. Peel from one edge, working gradually across rather than pulling the entire cover away at once. If you feel any resistance, press the cover back down briefly and try again from a different starting point. In the shower, warm water loosens the adhesive completely, making removal effortless. Do not pull adhesive covers off quickly in one motion.

Step 7: Clean and Store Them Properly

Both types wash the same way. Rinse under warm water, apply a small amount of mild soap or gentle facial cleanser, and rub lightly between your fingers to remove any skin oils, sweat, or residue. Rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry completely before storing. Do not use a towel to dry them as fibres transfer to the silicone and reduce grip.

Store flat in their original case with the protective film replaced if the design allows it, or face-up on a clean surface. Avoid stacking them or storing them where dust or lint can settle on the surface. For a full care guide, see How to Clean and Care for Reusable Nipple Covers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Most problems with nipple covers come down to a handful of recurring issues. Applying over moisturised skin is the most common cause of covers shifting during the day. Using the wrong shade is the most common cause of them being visible. Pulling adhesive covers off quickly is the most common cause of discomfort. Storing them without washing first is the most common cause of them losing grip after a few uses.

None of these are difficult to avoid once you know about them. The process takes under two minutes once you have done it a few times.

FAQ