Honeylove Review
Jan 08 2026
I own fourteen pieces of shapewear. Three from SPANX, two from SKIMS, one from Commando that I bought on impulse at Nordstrom, and the rest from brands I found through Instagram ads at 2 AM. Most of them live in the back of my underwear drawer now. Rolling waistbands, thigh seams that cut into skin, compression so aggressive I could feel my pulse in my kneecaps.
When Honeylove kept appearing in my feed with claims about boning that does not roll, compression that actually breathes, and an open gusset that works in practice and not just in marketing copy, I figured it was time to put real money down and test it properly. Not a one-afternoon try-on. A full 30-day wear test across work days, weekend errands, a wedding, two flights, and one particularly ambitious date night in a bodycon dress I had no business wearing.
This is what happened.
The Quick Verdict (If You Are in a Rush)
Honeylove is the first shapewear brand I have tested where the marketing claims mostly hold up. The SoftFlex boning genuinely prevents rolling. The targeted compression smooths without the suffocating feeling of all-over squeeze. The open gusset is functional and not just a design afterthought. At $79 to $129, it costs more than drugstore shapewear but less than a single SKIMS bodysuit. If you wear shapewear more than twice a month, it pays for itself in comfort alone. My top pick: the SuperPower Short for anything below the waist, the LiftWear Cami for upper body smoothing.
Who Makes Honeylove and Why Should You Care
Honeylove was founded in 2018 by Betsie Larkin, a professional vocalist who got tired of traditional shapewear failing her on stage. Performing under hot lights in structured dresses meant she needed shapewear that stayed put through two-hour sets without rolling, bunching, or making bathroom breaks a fifteen-minute ordeal.
The company is based in Los Angeles and operates as a DTC (direct-to-consumer) brand, though their products are now also available at Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, and Amazon. They have over 400,000 Instagram followers, and their products carry an average 4.5-star rating across major retail platforms.
What separates Honeylove from generic shapewear is their five-level support system. Not every piece is maximum compression. They range from Level 1 (light smoothing, think everyday underwear replacement) to Level 5 (serious sculpting for events and structured outfits). This matters because most brands sell you one level of compression and call it a day. Honeylove lets you match the support to the situation.
What I Actually Tested (and for How Long)
I purchased four pieces with my own money. No free samples, no PR packages. Here is what I bought and what I wore each piece for:
SuperPower Short ($89) — Level 5: Maximum Support
This is their flagship. High-waist design with a 6.75-inch inseam, flexible side boning, targeted compression panels across the abdomen and thighs, and an open gusset with overlapping cotton-lined panels. I wore this for 14 of the 30 days, including the wedding, both flights, and every workday where I had client-facing meetings.
First impression: getting into it requires some shimmy work. You step in one leg at a time, fold the waistband slightly, and pull up from the rolled portion. It is not a throw-on-and-go situation. Once it is on, though, the boning clicks into place along the sides and the waistband locks. In 14 days of wear, it rolled down exactly zero times. That is not an exaggeration. Zero. My SPANX Power Short rolls if I sit down aggressively. The Honeylove stayed put through a four-hour flight in a middle seat.
Compression is firm but breathable. The doubleknit panels hit the lower belly and upper thighs hard, which is where I personally carry weight. The sides and back have lighter compression, which means you can actually expand your ribcage when you breathe. Revolutionary concept, apparently.
The open gusset works. Two overlapping panels that you can separate when needed without removing the entire garment. I have owned shapewear where the gusset opening was so small or so stiff that it was functionally useless. This one is practical.
LiftWear Cami ($99) — Level 3: Medium Support
A combination bra and smoothing camisole. Built-in shelf support, targeted compression through the midsection, and a seamless finish that disappears under sheer or thin tops. I wore this eight days during the test, mostly on workdays under silk blouses and fitted tees.
The support here is not shapewear-level compression. It is more like wearing a structured tank top that happens to smooth your midsection and lift your chest slightly. For days when you want a polished look without feeling like you are wearing a corset, it hits the right note. I layered it under a white linen shirt and no one could tell I was wearing anything beyond a normal cami.
One downside: the straps are not adjustable. If you are between sizes or have a longer torso, the fit through the shoulders might feel snug. I am 5 foot 7 and a size medium sat fine, but my friend who is 5 foot 10 found the large pulled a bit through the torso.
V-Neck Bra ($79) — Level 2: Light Support
A wireless pull-on bra with a deep V-neckline. No hooks, no clasps, no underwire. You step into it or pull it over your head. The back panel is wide and smooth, which eliminates back bulge under fitted tops.
I wore this on six days, mostly weekends and work-from-home days. It is not a sports bra and it is not a push-up. The lift is natural, the smoothing is subtle, and the comfort is genuinely all-day. I forgot I was wearing it on multiple occasions, which is the highest compliment I can give a bra. Available in eight colors. I bought Sand and ordered a second in Black after the first week.
SuperPower Thong ($84) — Level 5: Maximum Support
Same compression technology as the Short but with a thong back for no-panty-line situations. I wore this twice, both times under fitted dresses. The compression through the abdomen is identical to the Short. The thong portion is wider than most thong shapewear, which makes it more comfortable than expected. Still not my favorite form factor for all-day wear, but for events where visible panty lines are a dealbreaker, it does the job without rolling or shifting.
What Honeylove Gets Right (the Stuff That Actually Matters)
The Boning Does Not Roll
This is the headline feature and it delivers. The SoftFlex boning sits inside the side seams and creates a structural frame that holds the waistband in place. I tested this specifically by sitting, bending, crossing my legs, and doing the aggressive-sit-down-in-a-restaurant-booth move that destroys most shapewear. No rolling. The boning flexes with your body instead of fighting it.
Targeted Compression Actually Feels Different
Most shapewear compresses everything equally. Honeylove uses what they call smart compression panels, which means the abdomen and thighs get firm compression while the sides, back, and ribcage area get lighter support. The practical result: you get the smoothing where you want it without the difficulty breathing that comes with all-over squeeze. After wearing the SuperPower Short for a full 12-hour workday, I did not have the red marks and skin indentations that my SPANX typically leave.
The Fabric Feels Premium
The doubleknit material has a matte finish that does not look or feel like shapewear. It does not have that shiny, obviously-compression-garment sheen that SPANX is known for. Under clothing, the texture is invisible. I hand-washed all four pieces throughout the 30 days and none of them showed pilling, stretching, or fabric degradation.
Sizing Runs Reasonably True
I am a consistent size 8 to 10 in most brands. I ordered Medium in everything and it fit correctly in every piece. The brand recommends sizing up if you want lighter compression or if you fall between sizes. They offer XS through 3X in most styles, which covers US sizes 0 through 22. Not the most inclusive range in shapewear, but better than some competitors.
What Honeylove Gets Wrong (or at Least Could Do Better)
The Price Is High for a First Purchase
At $79 to $129 per piece, Honeylove sits in the premium tier. A SuperPower Short costs $89 versus $34 for a basic high-waist shaping short from Amazon. The quality difference justifies it if you wear shapewear regularly, but the upfront cost is a barrier. Their bundle deals help (you save roughly 15-20% buying two or more pieces), and they run periodic sales of up to 30% off. I would recommend waiting for a sale if you are on a budget.
Getting Into It Takes Practice
The SuperPower Short and Thong are not quick to put on. The boning and high compression mean you need to step in carefully, fold the waistband, and pull up gradually. The first time took me about two minutes. By day 10, I had it down to 30 seconds. But if you are someone who grabs shapewear five minutes before leaving the house, factor in the learning curve.
Limited Color Options in Some Styles
The V-Neck Bra comes in eight colors. The SuperPower Short comes in four. For a brand at this price point, I would expect more color variety, especially in the shapewear line. Sand, Black, and Toffee cover the basics, but if you need a specific nude shade for your skin tone, the options are limited compared to SKIMS, which offers nine shades in most styles.
Size Range Stops at 3X
US size 22 is the upper limit in most Honeylove products. SKIMS goes to 4X (US size 28), and some brands extend even further. If you wear above a 22, Honeylove does not currently serve you, and that is a gap they need to address.
How Honeylove Stacks Up Against SPANX and SKIMS
I have worn both extensively. Here is the honest comparison:
SPANX is still good for lightweight everyday smoothing. Their AirEssentials line is comfortable for all-day wear and their price point ($28 to $98) is more accessible. But SPANX rolls. Even the higher-end pieces with silicone grip bands shift after a few hours. Honeylove's boning solves this problem entirely. If rolling is your main shapewear complaint, Honeylove wins this comparison outright.
SKIMS has the best shade range and the most fashion-forward aesthetics. Kim Kardashian's brand is genuinely well-designed and the size range (XXS to 4X) is more inclusive. But SKIMS compression is generally lighter than Honeylove. If you want serious sculpting for an event, Honeylove delivers more noticeable results. SKIMS is better for everyday seamless basics.
For a detailed breakdown, see our full comparison guides: Honeylove vs SPANX and Honeylove vs SKIMS.
Who Should Buy Honeylove (and Who Should Skip It)
Buy it if: You wear shapewear to work events, weddings, or formal occasions more than twice a month. You are tired of rolling waistbands. You want firm compression that does not make breathing difficult. You are a US size 0 to 22. You are willing to invest $80 or more in shapewear that lasts.
Skip it if: You want light everyday smoothing (SKIMS is better for that). You wear above a US size 22. You want a wide range of nude shades. You need shapewear you can throw on in under 10 seconds.
Is Honeylove Worth the Money in 2026
At $89 for the SuperPower Short, you are paying roughly three times what a basic Amazon shapewear short costs. But I have thrown away four pairs of cheap shapewear in the past year because they stretched out, rolled constantly, or developed holes after a few washes. My Honeylove pieces look identical to when I bought them after 30 days of regular wear and hand washing.
If you wear shapewear fewer than five times a year, a $30 pair from Amazon will do the job. If you wear it weekly or more, Honeylove pays for itself in durability and comfort within three to four months. The cost-per-wear math favors Honeylove for regular users.
Shop Honeylove and Get Up to 30% Off Current Sale
Frequently Asked Questions About Honeylove
Does Honeylove shapewear actually stay up all day?
Yes. The SoftFlex boning in the side seams creates structural support that prevents the waistband from rolling or sliding. In my 30-day test, the SuperPower Short stayed in place through sitting, bending, flying, and dancing at a wedding. This is the single biggest advantage over competitors like SPANX.
What size should I order in Honeylove?
Order your normal US size for firm compression. Size up one if you prefer lighter support or if you fall between two sizes. Their size chart covers XS (US 0) through 3X (US 20-22). I ordered my standard Medium (US 8-10) and the fit was accurate across all four pieces I tested.
Can you use the bathroom in Honeylove shapewear?
Yes. The SuperPower Short and Thong feature an open gusset with overlapping cotton-lined panels. You can separate the panels without removing the garment. It is the most functional gusset design I have tested across multiple shapewear brands.
Does Honeylove offer a military or student discount?
Yes. Honeylove offers a 20% military discount and a 10% student discount, both verified through their checkout process. They also run a referral program where you and a friend each get $20 off.
How do you wash Honeylove shapewear?
Hand wash in cold water and air dry for best results. You can also machine wash on a delicate cycle with cold water and similar colors. Never put shapewear in the dryer. I hand-washed my pieces throughout the 30-day test and saw zero fabric degradation.
Is Honeylove available in stores?
Yes. Beyond their website you can find Honeylove at Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, and Amazon. Buying through their site typically gives you access to the best sales and bundle pricing.
Final Verdict: Honeylove Earned a Permanent Spot in My Drawer
Thirty days of testing, four products, one wedding, two flights, and more workdays than I can count. The SuperPower Short is now my go-to shapewear for any event where I need real compression. The LiftWear Cami replaced my old smoothing tank. The V-Neck Bra is my new weekend default.
Honeylove is not perfect. The price is high, the size range should extend beyond 3X, and the color options need expansion. But on the thing that matters most, keeping shapewear in place and making compression comfortable for actual human wear, they are the best I have tested.
Would I recommend it? If you wear shapewear regularly and you are within their size range, yes. Without hesitation.