BREAST enhancement surgery has seen a steady decline in popularity in the UK over the past five years.
But research has found 44 per cent of women would prefer larger busts.
So is it just the traditional boob job falling out of favour?
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons reports that women are now looking for alternative ways to get the perfect pair without resorting to surgery.
Martha Cliff speaks to three women about how they achieved their ideal cleavage – but can you guess their secrets?
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Boob tape
‘It really enhances the dress and gives me a decent cleavage without having to go anywhere near a needle’
CARER Wendy Abrams uses boob tape to enhance her 34B bust.
The 54-year-old lives in Greenwich, South East London, with partner Ben Echianu, 53, a finance worker, and son Henry, 11.
She says: "I have always been quite proud of my breasts. In my 20s, I was a Page 3 model and I certainly had no qualms about showing them off back then.
"I’ve been quite lucky in that I haven’t really noticed any significant changes in my breasts as I have got older.
"It’s the one part of my body I’m not embarrassed by and while I am not hugely keen on anything overtly busty, I am in no way opposed to a low-cut outfit.
"However, finding underwear that will give you a bit of lift and a decent cleavage – as well as support and remaining unseen – can be really tricky.
"I have previously relied on push-up bras, although strapless bras are not necessarily that useful when it comes to wearing a low-cut item.
"But boob tape is tailored to whatever you’re wearing. I was a bit sceptical about using it initially as I struggled with the instructions.
"However, I needn’t have doubted myself and it makes a huge difference.
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"Not only does it really enhance the dress, it gives me a very decent cleavage without having to go anywhere near a needle.
"I have nothing against those who do, but I wouldn’t want to go through that invasive surgery.
"Tape gives me a more sculpted look to my B-cup boobs."
Boob job
‘There’s a stigma around showing off a big cleavage. Plenty of people brand it tacky but that’s preposterous’
NAOMI Isted, 43, had a boob job in her 20s, going from a 32B to a 32D.
A second, in 2014, took her to a 32E.
The presenter and fashion influencer lives in Epping, Essex, with husband Haydn, 46, son Rocco, seven, and daughter Fleur, 12.
She says: "As a presenter, I have to be brimming with confidence when I step in front of the camera.
"But growing up, this was never the case. At school, I would come home in tears after spending the day listening to cruel taunts about my flat chest.
"I remember lying in bed convincing myself I wasn’t womanly enough and would never find a partner. That feeling lasted into adulthood.
"When I was in my 20s, I had my first breast augmentation, going from a B cup up to a D.
"I was over the moon, my confidence just went through the roof.
"To change something that people had teased me about made me feel like I was a whole new woman.
"I welcomed my daughter Fleur when I was 30 and, having breastfed, found my boobs had dropped. I had a second procedure with Dr James Frame in Chelmsford in 2014.
"It goes without saying that you should really research your surgeon. I wanted to regain the volume I’d had with my first enhancement, so this time I went up to a 32E/F.
"I’ve spent between £6,000 and £8,000 on my perfect cleavage and anyone who follows me on social media knows I love to show it off.
"There’s definitely a stigma around showing off a big cleavage. Plenty of people brand it tacky but I think that’s absolutely preposterous.
"I had a remark from a school mum directly to my face telling me she was surprised my nipples didn’t pop out! A woman should be able to express herself however she wants.
"I’ll always rock whatever outfits I like and low cut tends to be my go-to."
Boob filler
‘I feel better about myself and more comfortable in my own body . . . insecurities have been wiped out’
GP receptionist Chloe Griffiths had filler injected into her breasts in August last year, with the procedure taking her from a 32B to a 32C.
The 23-year-old, who lives in Dartford, Kent, says: "I always wanted bigger boobs but the idea of surgery put me off.
"I had given up on the idea of a bigger chest until one day, scrolling through TikTok, I came across a woman who’d had filler injected into her breasts to make them bigger.
"So I booked a consultation with Rachel Londors at the Derma Beauty Clinic in Loughton, Essex, one of the few UK clinics offering the procedure.
"It involves a thick molecule dermal filler, specifically designed for the breast, to be injected just above the nipple before being fanned out to create volume.
"The filler is injected with a blunt cannula, making it really safe. I was naturally quite nervous but thanks to a local anaesthetic, it was pain-free.
"I paid £1,700 for 100ml of filler to be injected into my bust. I was able to go out that evening to show off my impressive new 32C chest.
"I feel so much better about myself and much more comfortable in my own body. I am far more comfortable wearing a low-cut dress than I might have been previously.
"I will have to return for a top-up of filler after 18 months to maintain the size, which will set me back another £700.
"The filler dissolves naturally so should I ever want to go back to my old size, I can do so without invasive surgery.
"Any insecurities I had about my breasts have been wiped out and I love showing off my cleavage. Breast fillers were the perfect alternative to surgery.
"I’ve even had a few friends who have seen my cleavage and now they want one for themselves."
