— Pick the right tool

nubare vs Bristols 6 (Nippies): pick the right tool

— Pick the right tool

nubare vs Bristols 6 (Nippies): pick the right tool for the cut

Bristols 6 (Nippies) covers. nubare lifts and covers. They are two different tools for two different jobs — and a lot of women own both, because their wardrobe needs both. If your top allows a regular bra and you only need to hide your nipples, Nippies is the right call. If your dress doesn't allow any bra at all and you need lift plus coverage, nubare is the right call. This page is the use-case map.

At a glance

	nubare	Bristols 6 (Nippies)
Core product	Adhesive bra inserts (full lift + coverage)	Nipple covers / pasties (concealment)
Job-to-be-done	Replace the bra in cuts where a strap can't go	Hide nipples through sheer / braless / low-cut
Coverage area	Full breast (cup-shaped)	Nipple / areola only (small disc)
Lift	Yes — primary feature	Slight, on Skin Lift variant only
Sizing	A · B · C · D · E (per cup)	Size 1 (A-C), Size 2 (D+), Size 3 (DD+)
Skin tones	2 (Sand, Cocoa)	5 (Crème, Caramel, Coco, Hazelnut, Espresso)
Hold duration	6 hours validated	"All day" (not specified)
Subscribe & Save	10% off, skip anytime	Not offered
Fit guarantee	30 days, keep the inserts even if refunded	Not advertised
Distribution	DTC only (getnubare.com)	DTC + Nordstrom, Free People, Revolve, Bloomingdale's, Aerie, Shopbop, Amazon
Catalog	One product, perfected	22 SKUs (covers, tape, two adhesive bras)

When Bristols 6 is the right call

You're wearing something where a regular bra works — or where no bra works fine — and the only problem is the nipples will show through. This includes:

• A white tee in summer, indoors and out
• A silk button-down open one extra button
• A fitted thin-knit top under a blazer
• A sheer top layered as styled, not as wardrobe-malfunction
• A fitted swim top where you'd skip the regular swim padding
• A lounge / braless day where you want covered but not structured
• Yoga / barre / casual workout where you don't want a sports bra showing

For these cuts, an adhesive bra is overkill. You don't need lift; you need discretion. Nippies are thin, undetectable, and made for exactly this.

If your job is "make my nipples invisible," Bristols 6 wins this comparison. We'd rather you get the right tool than the wrong one from us.

When nubare is the right call

You're wearing something a regular bra can't be worn under — strapless, backless, or cut so deep that bra straps and band would show. The job isn't concealment; the job is replacing the bra entirely while still getting lift. This includes:

• A backless dress (silk slip, halter dress, low-back evening)
• A strapless dress or top (cocktail, bridesmaid, summer mini)
• A deep plunge or tuxedo lapel — neckline drops below your sternum
• A cut-out top (asymmetric, side-cut, keyhole-back)
• An off-shoulder or bardot style
• A bikini or open-back swim where you want lift, not just coverage
• An outfit you've avoided because nothing solves the bra problem

For these cuts, nipple covers won't do enough — your chest needs lift and shape, not just discretion. nubare's job is to deliver that lift and hold it for the night.

If your job is "the bra has to disappear AND my chest still needs to look right," nubare wins this comparison.

When you might want both

A lot of women own both — and use them on different days. Two examples:

1. The wedding weekend. Backless rehearsal dress (nubare). Sheer brunch top the next morning (Nippies). One product wouldn't have solved both.
2. The wardrobe-by-cut model. A drawer with three nubare pairs for the structured nights and a set of Nippies for the soft / sheer / braless days. The two tools share a drawer; they don't compete in it.

Decision guide

"Can I wear a regular bra under this outfit?"

• Yes — but my nipples will show through → Bristols 6 (Nippies Skin) is the clean answer.
• Yes — and I want a small cosmetic lift on top of concealment → Bristols 6 Skin Lift.
• No — the cut won't allow straps or a band → nubare. Lift + coverage in a cup-shaped insert.
• No — and I'm a deep plunge / asymmetric / cut-out → nubare. Cup geometry and adhesive placement designed for this.
• I'm wearing both — sheer top one night, backless dress the next → Both. They share a drawer.

"Am I a real D+ cup wanting lift?"

• Bristols 6's Skin Lift caps at Size 2 (D+). Their covers go to Size 3 for concealment only.
• nubare goes to E for full lift + coverage. If you're D or DD and want a full adhesive bra, this is our lane.

Use-case map

Occasion / cut	Best tool	Why
Sheer white tee, work	Nippies (flat)	Concealment only. Thinnest profile.
Silk slip dress, backless	nubare	Needs lift; no bra works under it.
Strapless cocktail dress	nubare	Strapless bras slip; cup-shaped insert holds.
Braless day, soft tee	Nippies (flat)	No structure needed; just discretion.
Deep plunge gown	nubare	Cup geometry follows the V; covers don't.
Bridesmaid mini, off-shoulder	nubare	Off-shoulder excludes straps; lift matters.
Yoga / barre / casual workout	Nippies	Concealment only; sports bra is overkill.
Open-back swim, structured cup	nubare	Lift + open back is exactly the use case.
Fitted thin knit, layered	Nippies (extra thick)	Cold-weather concealment without bulk.
Cut-out top with deep side	nubare	Cover sits where adhesive can grip; covers can't.
Wedding day (bride)	Often both	Lift for the gown, covers for the bridal robe / brunch.

Where Bristols 6 is genuinely better

We're not going to pretend otherwise.

• Pure concealment. A flat Nippies cover is thinner and more invisible than an adhesive bra under a fitted tee. Different mechanic.
• Skin-tone range. They offer 5; we offer 2 today. We're working on that.
• Wholesale availability. You can drive to Nordstrom or Free People tonight and walk out with a pair of Nippies. We're DTC only.
• Specialist depth in covers. Teardrop, semi-circle, extra-thick, sticky-on-two-sides — they have a cover variant for every neckline geometry.
• Twenty-plus years of category authority. They invented this category. We respect that.

Frequently asked

Is Bristols 6 the same as nubare?

No. Bristols 6 (Nippies) makes nipple covers — small silicone discs that conceal the nipple area. nubare makes adhesive bras — cup-shaped inserts that replace a regular bra under cuts that don't allow one. Different products, different jobs.

Do Nippies replace a bra?

Their flat covers don't — they only conceal. Their Skin Lift offers a small cosmetic lift around the nipple area. Their Flex Bra and Silicone Contour Bra are full adhesive bras and do replace a regular bra, but those are a small slice of their catalog.

What's the difference between an adhesive bra and a nipple cover?

An adhesive bra (like nubare) is cup-shaped, covers the entire breast, and provides lift and shape. A nipple cover (like Nippies) is a small silicone disc that covers only the nipple/areola for discretion under sheer or low-cut clothing. They solve different problems.

Are Nippies cheaper than nubare?

Per pair, yes — flat Nippies start around $19.79, Nippies Skin Lift around $24.75, nubare around $39. But the products do different jobs. For pure concealment, Nippies is the right cheaper tool. For full lift + coverage, you need an adhesive bra.

Can I use both?

Yes — many women do. Different outfits call for different tools. A wardrobe with backless dresses and sheer tops needs both.

Which is better for a wedding?

Often both. The bridal gown usually excludes a regular bra (nubare). The bridal robe, lingerie reveal, or rehearsal dress may be sheer or low-cut without excluding a bra (Nippies). Plan the weekend, not just the gown.