I ordered this color multiple times but did not keep this particular bra.

Rose Smoke colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 23, 2020 Flag this

I ordered this color multiple times but did not keep this particular bra.

Night colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 23, 2020 Flag this

I ordered this color multiple times but did not keep this particular bra.

Rose Smoke colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 23, 2020 Flag this

The B. Tempt'd Ciao Bella has been one of my favorite bras over the last 6 months. It's relatively easy to find, very inexpensive, comes in lots of pretty colors, and has a snug 30 band that actually works for me. As I have progressed along my bra journey, I have been going up in cup size in this style. To date, I've tried 30D (never fit, too small), 30DD (fit well up until now), and 30DDD, my newest acquisition and current best fit.

The important thing I've realized about the Ciao Bella Balconette is that even though it is cut and sew, it functions very ... similarly to a molded cup bra. Not the shallow t-shirt bras you find on the racks at Target and major department stores, but a style that is relatively projected through the middle and closed at the top. While the foam cups do have some stretch, you are still essentially limited by the shape of the cup. This is not a flat, shallow cup that will just smush down extra tissue and minimize you--trying to squeeze yourself into a smaller cup size in this case will give you a lumpy and distorted shape.

I've heard this bra described as "shallow" in reviews, but I disagree. To me, a shallow bra is one where there is not a lot of difference between the fullest part of the cup and the area nearest the wire and the top of the cup, i.e. the shape is less convex than standard. I find this cup shape to be fairly standard but leaning towards FOB-friendly. It is not ideal for FOT or tall rooted shapes since the top edge is relatively closed. You still need to have enough projection to fill out the middle of the cup, so shallow shapes will end up with the orange-in-a-glass effect. The cup size runs about half a cup small.

The 30D has always been too small, but I have been wearing the 30DD for a while (and collecting more!). In 30DD, I consistently wear this style with the straps fully shortened, and I have complained that the straps don't get any shorter. After receiving my newest 30DD, I realized that this is because the cups are actually too small for me right now by at least half a size. The cups do stretch a bit over time to mold to your shape better, as the 30DD I have been wearing for the last 4 months still fits pretty well. However, in general the 30DD cups are too short for me, causing the seams to sometimes sit weirdly and look pointy on me. The fullest part of the cup also tends to sit too low on my body despite the straps being fully shortened.

Switching to the 30DDD made a huge difference in the shape of the cup. By sizing up to the correct cup size, the appearance of the seams has been eliminated, and the vertical distribution of fullness is now correctly proportioned to my body. I love the shape that this gives me as it's so much more flattering than in the smaller sizes.

The one caveat is that as the cups get deeper and taller, the outer edge of the cup also gets taller, and since my breast tissue goes up into the armpit, the cup now follows. I am petite and have no room between where my breasts end and where the armpit starts, so unfortunately this results in chafing up in that area that's very uncomfortable. In order to remedy the fit, I've released the straps from their fully-shortened position to give myself 1" of extra length compared to how I wear the 30DD. The 30DDD has a triple ribbon strap and wider strap elastic compared to the 30DD and smaller sizes, but I haven't noticed too much functional difference. I think ideally shortening the cup height by 1 cm would make this fit me better.

Like I've experienced with some other bras that correctly fit my larger side (Parfait Charlotte 28E), the 30DDD fits my larger side perfectly but gaps a bit on my smaller side, with this being pretty apparent when moving. I feel that right now I am right between 30DD and 30DDD in terms of the ideal cup size that would fit both sides, but it's good to have a few bras that run a bit larger for hormonal fluctuations.

As I wrote in my reviews for 30DD, the cut and sew foam is sometimes not sewn very neatly at the center seam, so it's best to try it on in person before purchasing, or order from a returnable source. Even if the measurements are the same, the seam shaping can make the bra look pointy rather than smooth depending on how well it is sewn. Other than this, I think this is an excellent, affordable bra that can suit a lot of people, but you may need to try a couple of sizes to find your best fit as there are pretty big differences in fit depending on which size you try.

Magenta Purple is a red-grape purple (Tyrian purple) that is very similar to the color Wild Aster.
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Magenta Purple colorway

Updated on Jul 23, 2020 Flag this

The B. Tempt'd Ciao Bella has been one of my favorite bras over the last 6 months. It's relatively easy to find, very inexpensive, comes in lots of pretty colors, and has a snug 30 band that actually works for me. As I have progressed along my bra journey, I have been going up in cup size in this style. To date, I've tried 30D (never fit, too small), 30DD (fit well up until now), and 30DDD, my newest acquisition and current best fit.

The important thing I've realized about the Ciao Bella Balconette is that even though it is cut and sew, it functions very ... similarly to a molded cup bra. Not the shallow t-shirt bras you find on the racks at Target and major department stores, but a style that is relatively projected through the middle and closed at the top. While the foam cups do have some stretch, you are still essentially limited by the shape of the cup. This is not a flat, shallow cup that will just smush down extra tissue and minimize you--trying to squeeze yourself into a smaller cup size in this case will give you a lumpy and distorted shape.

I've heard this bra described as "shallow" in reviews, but I disagree. To me, a shallow bra is one where there is not a lot of difference between the fullest part of the cup and the area nearest the wire and the top of the cup, i.e. the shape is less convex than standard. I find this cup shape to be fairly standard but leaning towards FOB-friendly. It is not ideal for FOT or tall rooted shapes since the top edge is relatively closed. You still need to have enough projection to fill out the middle of the cup, so shallow shapes will end up with the orange-in-a-glass effect. The cup size runs about half a cup small.

The 30D has always been too small, but I have been wearing the 30DD for a while (and collecting more!). In 30DD, I consistently wear this style with the straps fully shortened, and I have complained that the straps don't get any shorter. After receiving my newest 30DD, I realized that this is because the cups are actually too small for me right now by at least half a size. The cups do stretch a bit over time to mold to your shape better, as the 30DD I have been wearing for the last 4 months still fits pretty well. However, in general the 30DD cups are too short for me, causing the seams to sometimes sit weirdly and look pointy on me. The fullest part of the cup also tends to sit too low on my body despite the straps being fully shortened.

Switching to the 30DDD made a huge difference in the shape of the cup. By sizing up to the correct cup size, the appearance of the seams has been eliminated, and the vertical distribution of fullness is now correctly proportioned to my body. I love the shape that this gives me as it's so much more flattering than in the smaller sizes.

The one caveat is that as the cups get deeper and taller, the outer edge of the cup also gets taller, and since my breast tissue goes up into the armpit, the cup now follows. I am petite and have no room between where my breasts end and where the armpit starts, so unfortunately this results in chafing up in that area that's very uncomfortable. In order to remedy the fit, I've released the straps from their fully-shortened position to give myself 1" of extra length compared to how I wear the 30DD. The 30DDD has a triple ribbon strap and wider strap elastic compared to the 30DD and smaller sizes, but I haven't noticed too much functional difference. I think ideally shortening the cup height by 1 cm would make this fit me better.

Like I've experienced with some other bras that correctly fit my larger side (Parfait Charlotte 28E), the 30DDD fits my larger side perfectly but gaps a bit on my smaller side, with this being pretty apparent when moving. I feel that right now I am right between 30DD and 30DDD in terms of the ideal cup size that would fit both sides, but it's good to have a few bras that run a bit larger for hormonal fluctuations.

As I wrote in my reviews for 30DD, the cut and sew foam is sometimes not sewn very neatly at the center seam, so it's best to try it on in person before purchasing, or order from a returnable source. Even if the measurements are the same, the seam shaping can make the bra look pointy rather than smooth depending on how well it is sewn. Other than this, I think this is an excellent, affordable bra that can suit a lot of people, but you may need to try a couple of sizes to find your best fit as there are pretty big differences in fit depending on which size you try.

Night is the B. Tempt'd by Wacoal version of standard black.
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768 more words

Night colorway

Updated on Jul 23, 2020 Flag this

The B. Tempt'd Ciao Bella has been one of my favorite bras over the last 6 months. It's relatively easy to find, very inexpensive, comes in lots of pretty colors, and has a snug 30 band that actually works for me. As I have progressed along my bra journey, I have been going up in cup size in this style. To date, I've tried 30D (never fit, too small), 30DD (fit well up until now), and 30DDD, my newest acquisition and current best fit.

The important thing I've realized about the Ciao Bella Balconette is that even though it is cut and sew, it functions very ... similarly to a molded cup bra. Not the shallow t-shirt bras you find on the racks at Target and major department stores, but a style that is relatively projected through the middle and closed at the top. While the foam cups do have some stretch, you are still essentially limited by the shape of the cup. This is not a flat, shallow cup that will just smush down extra tissue and minimize you--trying to squeeze yourself into a smaller cup size in this case will give you a lumpy and distorted shape.

I've heard this bra described as "shallow" in reviews, but I disagree. To me, a shallow bra is one where there is not a lot of difference between the fullest part of the cup and the area nearest the wire and the top of the cup, i.e. the shape is less convex than standard. I find this cup shape to be fairly standard but leaning towards FOB-friendly. It is not ideal for FOT or tall rooted shapes since the top edge is relatively closed. You still need to have enough projection to fill out the middle of the cup, so shallow shapes will end up with the orange-in-a-glass effect. The cup size runs about half a cup small.

The 30D has always been too small, but I have been wearing the 30DD for a while (and collecting more!). In 30DD, I consistently wear this style with the straps fully shortened, and I have complained that the straps don't get any shorter. After receiving my newest 30DD, I realized that this is because the cups are actually too small for me right now by at least half a size. The cups do stretch a bit over time to mold to your shape better, as the 30DD I have been wearing for the last 4 months still fits pretty well. However, in general the 30DD cups are too short for me, causing the seams to sometimes sit weirdly and look pointy on me. The fullest part of the cup also tends to sit too low on my body despite the straps being fully shortened.

Switching to the 30DDD made a huge difference in the shape of the cup. By sizing up to the correct cup size, the appearance of the seams has been eliminated, and the vertical distribution of fullness is now correctly proportioned to my body. I love the shape that this gives me as it's so much more flattering than in the smaller sizes.

The one caveat is that as the cups get deeper and taller, the outer edge of the cup also gets taller, and since my breast tissue goes up into the armpit, the cup now follows. I am petite and have no room between where my breasts end and where the armpit starts, so unfortunately this results in chafing up in that area that's very uncomfortable. In order to remedy the fit, I've released the straps from their fully-shortened position to give myself 1" of extra length compared to how I wear the 30DD. The 30DDD has a triple ribbon strap and wider strap elastic compared to the 30DD and smaller sizes, but I haven't noticed too much functional difference. I think ideally shortening the cup height by 1 cm would make this fit me better.

Like I've experienced with some other bras that correctly fit my larger side (Parfait Charlotte 28E), the 30DDD fits my larger side perfectly but gaps a bit on my smaller side, with this being pretty apparent when moving. I feel that right now I am right between 30DD and 30DDD in terms of the ideal cup size that would fit both sides, but it's good to have a few bras that run a bit larger for hormonal fluctuations.

As I wrote in my reviews for 30DD, the cut and sew foam is sometimes not sewn very neatly at the center seam, so it's best to try it on in person before purchasing, or order from a returnable source. Even if the measurements are the same, the seam shaping can make the bra look pointy rather than smooth depending on how well it is sewn. Other than this, I think this is an excellent, affordable bra that can suit a lot of people, but you may need to try a couple of sizes to find your best fit as there are pretty big differences in fit depending on which size you try.

Pink Yarrow is a pretty bright hot pink with warm undertones.
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768 more words

Pink Yarrow colorway

Updated on Jul 23, 2020 Flag this

The B. Tempt'd Ciao Bella has been one of my favorite bras over the last 6 months. It's relatively easy to find, very inexpensive, comes in lots of pretty colors, and has a snug 30 band that actually works for me. As I have progressed along my bra journey, I have been going up in cup size in this style. To date, I've tried 30D (never fit, too small), 30DD (fit well up until now), and 30DDD, my newest acquisition and current best fit.

The important thing I've realized about the Ciao Bella Balconette is that even though it is cut and sew, it functions very ... similarly to a molded cup bra. Not the shallow t-shirt bras you find on the racks at Target and major department stores, but a style that is relatively projected through the middle and closed at the top. While the foam cups do have some stretch, you are still essentially limited by the shape of the cup. This is not a flat, shallow cup that will just smush down extra tissue and minimize you--trying to squeeze yourself into a smaller cup size in this case will give you a lumpy and distorted shape.

I've heard this bra described as "shallow" in reviews, but I disagree. To me, a shallow bra is one where there is not a lot of difference between the fullest part of the cup and the area nearest the wire and the top of the cup, i.e. the shape is less convex than standard. I find this cup shape to be fairly standard but leaning towards FOB-friendly. It is not ideal for FOT or tall rooted shapes since the top edge is relatively closed. You still need to have enough projection to fill out the middle of the cup, so shallow shapes will end up with the orange-in-a-glass effect. The cup size runs about half a cup small.

The 30D has always been too small, but I have been wearing the 30DD for a while (and collecting more!). In 30DD, I consistently wear this style with the straps fully shortened, and I have complained that the straps don't get any shorter. After receiving my newest 30DD, I realized that this is because the cups are actually too small for me right now by at least half a size. The cups do stretch a bit over time to mold to your shape better, as the 30DD I have been wearing for the last 4 months still fits pretty well. However, in general the 30DD cups are too short for me, causing the seams to sometimes sit weirdly and look pointy on me. The fullest part of the cup also tends to sit too low on my body despite the straps being fully shortened.

Switching to the 30DDD made a huge difference in the shape of the cup. By sizing up to the correct cup size, the appearance of the seams has been eliminated, and the vertical distribution of fullness is now correctly proportioned to my body. I love the shape that this gives me as it's so much more flattering than in the smaller sizes.

The one caveat is that as the cups get deeper and taller, the outer edge of the cup also gets taller, and since my breast tissue goes up into the armpit, the cup now follows. I am petite and have no room between where my breasts end and where the armpit starts, so unfortunately this results in chafing up in that area that's very uncomfortable. In order to remedy the fit, I've released the straps from their fully-shortened position to give myself 1" of extra length compared to how I wear the 30DD. The 30DDD has a triple ribbon strap and wider strap elastic compared to the 30DD and smaller sizes, but I haven't noticed too much functional difference. I think ideally shortening the cup height by 1 cm would make this fit me better.

Like I've experienced with some other bras that correctly fit my larger side (Parfait Charlotte 28E), the 30DDD fits my larger side perfectly but gaps a bit on my smaller side, with this being pretty apparent when moving. I feel that right now I am right between 30DD and 30DDD in terms of the ideal cup size that would fit both sides, but it's good to have a few bras that run a bit larger for hormonal fluctuations.

As I wrote in my reviews for 30DD, the cut and sew foam is sometimes not sewn very neatly at the center seam, so it's best to try it on in person before purchasing, or order from a returnable source. Even if the measurements are the same, the seam shaping can make the bra look pointy rather than smooth depending on how well it is sewn. Other than this, I think this is an excellent, affordable bra that can suit a lot of people, but you may need to try a couple of sizes to find your best fit as there are pretty big differences in fit depending on which size you try.

Rose Smoke is a lovely soft dusty pink that functions as a nude on my light skintone.
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Rose Smoke colorway

Updated on Jul 23, 2020 Flag this

Fits buuuut... seems to minimize a lot. The center seam makes this weird pointed shape. Makes a flat and pointed east west shape.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Sep 09, 2019 Flag this

After sizing out of the 30D, and then sizing out & having some fitting issues with the 30DD, I decided to buy the 30DDD to see if I could get the same great fit I remembered having in my 30D. This was a masterclass in how bras change in sizes, because it feels like putting a vice on my chest. There's a ton of extra flesh coming out the top of the sides, which is really something because the wire is stabbing my underarm; it seems like there shouldn't be room. Here's the difference in the sizing, though: http://bra.pe/COKp/

pink colorway

Updated on Aug 10, 2019 Flag this

This bra is so comfortable and so adorable. The fabric feels so soft. I love it!

aqua/purple colorway colorway

Updated on Jan 17, 2018 Flag this

This one has a tighter band - between 28 and 30 I would say. The cups are pleasantly on the shorter side and more open on top than many, but the shape still isn't quite right for me. A bit more cup depth and I think it would be good.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jan 12, 2018 Flag this

Lovely bra but a bit too closed on top for me. Cuts in.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jan 05, 2018 Flag this

Great as a plunge bra - low gore. Unfortunately it cuts in to my upper tissue and is a bit small for me.

Night colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Oct 03, 2016 Flag this

Soft padded cups, not moulded. Good lift and support without stiffness, but not insane cleavage. Center seam to support projected boobs. Because there's no moulding, it does relax. After 2 years of wear, the cups are starting to 'stretch.'

Crystal Rose/Crimson colorway

Updated on Jun 01, 2016 Flag this

Soft padded cups, not moulded. Good lift and support without stiffness, but not insane cleavage. Center seam for projected boobs. This is my newest La Parisienne and it has not yet stretched or relaxed like my older ones.

Pink Dogwood/Night colorway

Updated on Jun 01, 2016 Flag this

This a nice lightly padded bra for good support without oomphy cleavage, for FoB, immediate projection, wide set. High gore. The center seam will show through thin shirts. I don't like this bra as much as the others I have, but there's nothing structurally wrong or uncomfortable with it. Three ribbon straps instead of one half inch strap.

Night colorway

Updated on Jun 01, 2016 Flag this

Soft padded foam cups, not moulded. Good lift and support without stiffness, but not insane cleavage. Because there's no moulding, it does relax. After 2 years of wear, the cups are starting to 'stretch.' The band has stretched out too, but not to the point where it is riding up.

One vertical seam in the cup.

Natural/Night colorway

Updated on May 31, 2016 Flag this

This is one of my best fitting and must comfortable bras yet. I am shallowish, wide rooted, full on bottom. At first, the underwires in the gore would poke and really hurt me but then I pushed them back in the wire channel towards the outer boob and the wire no longer bothers me. The tops of the cups are perfection; a smooth line and the shape of the bra matches the line of my boob. I wear this on the middle hook as I measure in at a 28E/F.

black colorway

Updated on Feb 25, 2016 Flag this

Band is very tight, almost uncomfortably so and I would normally wear a 28. Cups seem a bit small. Shape is not flattering, very flattening.

Updated on Feb 22, 2016 Flag this

Another successful B.tempt'd purchase as a 28DDD. Fits well, just can't fit the right cup fully because of an uneven chest. The gore is pretty low and short on this one, though, and I'm learning that I like gores that are higher for more support.

EDIT: After a full two days of wearing this bra, I noticed that the underwires would either bend underneath my armpit fat, or I would get poked by the underwires. This is not a good fit anymore, and will be returned.

nude colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 17, 2015 Flag this