How to keep your boobs perky with five tips from exercise to the right bra and breast cream
SHARON STONE’S amazing age-defying boobs have left us all gobsmacked.
Earlier this month, the US star, 61, posed topless for Vogue’s Sex issue.
Her perfectly perky boobs would make a girl of 20 proud. So how can you overcome your own pair’s Basic Instinct to head south? You can’t avoid nature’s intention, but there ARE ways to help boobs point skyward for longer.
Here five experts share their top tips with Bella Battle.
1 — Work it to perk it
JENNY FRANCIS, Fabulous Fitness Editor, says: “While we’d all love to get perky breasts in the gym, there isn’t a workout that will lift your boobs.
“But there are exercises you can add to your workout to help tone up areas of the chest and shoulder that can give the illusion of perkier boobs.
“Building strength in the pecs and shoulders will stop you stooping, while also keeping the muscles under and around your breasts toned. Do the following moves for 40 seconds, three times on each.”
Rows: With a weighted barbell, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees and lean forward from the waist. Keeping your back straight, grab the bar with your hands palms-down and straight arms.
Squeeze your shoulders together and bend your elbows to “row” the weight up until it touches your tummy, then slowly lower back down.
Chest Fly: Lie on your back, knees bent and feet on the floor, and hold dumbbells straight up over your chest.
Slowly open arms wide out to the side, elbows slightly bent, then bring the weights back together at the top.
Push-ups: Start in a plank position with arms straight and hands below shoulders.
Lower your body until your chest nearly touches the floor, then push back to the starting position.”
2 — Eat the right way
NUTRITIONIST Amanda Ursell says: “What you eat can help protect the collagen that keeps your bust firm through the years. Carrots, mangoes, apricots, sweet potatoes and peaches all get their vibrant colour from the supernutrient pigment beta-carotene.
“This, plus the pigments in tomatoes and sweetcorn, can give your body an internal SPF of three or four. It helps protect the skin as we age, making it more able to hold your boobs in place.
“Cutting right back on added sugars – for example cakes, biscuits, chocolate and fizzy drinks – along with refined carbs, such as white rice and pastries, might also bolster skin strength.
“Researchers believe that when your blood sugar rises after eating these foods, so too does damage to collagen. Through a nasty process called glycation, your skin, including that around the boobs, is left less flexible and more prone to wrinkling.
“Finally, you may be able to get away with yo-yo dieting when young but regular weight loss and gain on your boobs will both stretch and slacken your skin over time.”
3 — Get your bra fitted correctly
MARKS & Spencer bra-fit expert Julia Mercer says: “Every woman is different from a shape and size perspective. That is why being fitted for a bra is key.
“Body shape is as important as size to get that perfect fit. We also consider the stage of life you are at, as this determines what kind of bra is suitable.
“We recommend women get measured every six to 12 months.
"Your body shape can change so much during that time and so it is vital you are fitted by a fully trained bra-fit expert to ensure you are in the right size.
"This is very important for comfort and support. A great-fitting bra can also improve posture, make your clothes look better and boost confidence.
“There is only one muscle in the breast area, the pectoral muscle.
"The rest of the breast structure is delicate, fibrous tissue.
"You must support this area to prevent the skin stretching, which a well-fitted bra will do.
“I would always recommend wearing a bra because of its role in supporting the breast tissue.”
4 — Listen to the doc
SUN doctor Carol Cooper says: “Your breasts inevitably change with age because the tissues alter and gravity takes its toll.
“The biggest changes come with the menopause, when falling levels of oestrogen make the glandular part shrink, so the breast becomes less perky.
"Smoking can contribute to ligaments slackening, so give it up.
“Try to avoid huge fluctuations in weight, apart from pregnancy. Heavier boobs are more likely to sag.
“Nipple and breast skin are sensitive, so avoid exposure to UV light, which ages the skin and can bring the risk of skin cancer, of course.”
5 — Slap on cream
SOPHIE BRONSTEIN, Fabulous’ Beauty Editor, says: “Making sure you moisturise is key.
“ is known as ‘the bra in a jar’, as its plant extracts firm, tone and strengthen the skin around your bust.
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
“NIP+FAB Bust Fix (100ml, £5) promises to boost skin that has lost elasticity. This light serum is said to visibly plump and firm your boobs.
“Also try Mio Skincare’s Boob Tube+ (100ml, £29.50) or Rodial’s Super Fit Boob Job (120ml, £75).
"And you need to slather on the SPF (the higher the better) if you go out in the sun.”
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]