How to Measure Yourself for a Colombian Faja: Waist, Hips, and Bust Guide
Getting the right shapewear fit starts with one thing: accurate measurements. A great Colombian faja should feel supportive and secure — not painful, restrictive, or impossible to breathe in. The fastest way to avoid rolling, pinching, or sizing frustration is to measure your waist, hips, and bust correctly — and then use those numbers to shop with confidence.
This guide walks you through every step: how to measure, the most common mistakes to avoid, what to do when you are between sizes, and how to know when the fit is actually right.
What You Will Need Before You Start
- A soft measuring tape (tailor's tape — not a rigid ruler)
- A mirror, or a friend to help keep the tape level
- A notebook or notes app to record your measurements
- Fitted underwear or thin clothing — avoid thick layers
Noga Curves tip: If you want the most realistic sizing, measure at the end of the day — your body can fluctuate slightly from morning to evening. If you are measuring for a specific event, measure in the same conditions you plan to wear the shapewear, including the bra you intend to use.
Step 1: Measure Your Waist (Natural Waist)
Your natural waist is the narrowest part of your torso — usually above your belly button and below your ribcage. This is the most important measurement for choosing the right Colombian faja.
How to Measure Your Waist Correctly
- Stand tall and relax your stomach — do not suck in
- Find the narrowest point of your midsection
- Wrap the tape around that point so it is level all the way around
- The tape should be snug but not tight — you should be able to slide one finger underneath
- Exhale normally and record the number
Common Waist Measuring Mistakes
- Measuring over thick clothing
- Holding your breath or sucking in your stomach
- Tilting the tape upward or downward at the back
Step 2: Measure Your Hips (Fullest Part)
For shapewear, hip measurement is taken around the fullest part of your hips and buttocks — not where your hip bones sit. This is especially important when sizing for shorts, bodysuits, or full-coverage styles.
How to Measure Your Hips Correctly
- Stand with your feet together
- Find the fullest part of your butt and hips — usually several inches below your waist
- Wrap the tape evenly around your body at that point
- Keep it level — check in the mirror to make sure it is not dipping lower in the back
- Record the number without pulling the tape too tight
Common Hip Measuring Mistakes
- Measuring too high, at the hip bones instead of the fullest point
- Standing with feet apart, which can change the measurement
- Pulling the tape too tight and getting a number that is too small
Step 3: Measure Your Bust (Fullest Part)
Bust measurement is relevant if you are shopping for bodysuits, shaping tops, or garments with a built-in bra area. For Noga Curves specifically, this measurement applies to the Silueta Esencial and FormaLiss.
How to Measure Your Bust Correctly
- Wear a well-fitting bra — avoid heavy padding if possible
- Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bust
- Keep the tape level across your back
- Record the number without pulling the tape too tight
Common Bust Measuring Mistakes
- Measuring too high, near the armpits
- Measuring too low, over the ribcage instead of the fullest point
- Using a heavily padded push-up bra that changes the true measurement
Optional: Extra Measurements That Help
Depending on the style you are shopping for, these additional measurements can be useful:
- Underbust: directly under the bust — especially helpful for the Cintura de Reina
- Torso length: shoulder to crotch — useful if you have a longer torso
- Thigh: for mid-thigh or shorts styles that could roll
If you are often between sizes or have a longer torso than average, these extra measurements make shopping significantly easier and more accurate.
How to Use Your Measurements to Pick the Right Size
Once you have your waist, hips, and bust measurements, the next step is using our size guide — not guessing based on your jeans size. Shapewear sizes vary across brands and styles, and clothing sizes are simply not a reliable reference.
Rule 1: Always Use Your Measurements First
Jean sizes and dress sizes are inconsistent across brands. Your tape measure is the only reliable truth when it comes to shapewear sizing.
Rule 2: Prioritize the Measurement That Matches the Garment's Purpose
- Waist-focused garment → prioritize waist measurement first
- Full-body shaper or shorts → prioritize hips and waist together
- Bodysuit or top → prioritize bust and waist together
Rule 3: Never Size Down "for More Compression"
This is the single most common shapewear mistake. Sizing down does not give you better results — it gives you a garment that rolls, pinches, creates bulges, and becomes unwearable within hours. The correct size provides smooth, even shaping without any of that. Compression should feel firm, not punishing.
What If You Are Between Two Sizes?
This happens frequently, and it is completely normal. Here is how to decide:
Choose the Smaller Size If:
- You prefer stronger compression and are experienced with shapewear
- Your measurements are barely over the smaller size threshold
- The garment is designed for high compression and you tolerate snug fits well
Choose the Larger Size If:
- You are new to shapewear and want to prioritize comfort first
- You plan to wear it all day — work, errands, events
- You are between sizes by more than a small margin
- You have experienced rolling, pinching, or difficulty breathing with shapewear before
Best practice: For everyday comfort, most women do better choosing the size that matches their actual measurements — not the smaller one.
How Tight Should a Colombian Faja Feel?
A properly fitted faja should feel:
- Snug and supportive throughout
- Smooth under clothing with no visible lines
- Secure at the waist and hips without digging in
- Comfortable enough to breathe and move normally
It should not feel:
- Painful or uncomfortably tight
- Numb, tingly, or restrictive to circulation
- Difficult to sit in comfortably
- Like it is digging into your skin or rolling aggressively
If you put it on and immediately feel like you are fighting it, the sizing is likely off — or the style may not be the best match for your body shape. Check our size guide or contact us and we will help you find the right fit.
Quick 2-Minute Fit Test
When your shapewear arrives, do this simple test before committing to the size:
- Put it on and stand for 1 minute
- Sit down for 1 minute
- Walk around for 30 seconds
Then check:
- Does it roll at the waist or thighs?
- Does it pinch anywhere?
- Can you breathe normally?
- Does it smooth without creating new lines or bulges?
If it fails any part of this test, try a different size or style. You can always contact us or review our exchange policy for help.
Special Case: Had a BBL?
If you have had a Brazilian Butt Lift, always choose one size up from your normal faja size. Your body needs extra room to accommodate post-surgical swelling while still maintaining proper compression for your recovery and results. For more guidance, read our complete guide on Stage 1 vs Stage 2 vs Stage 3 Faja After BBL.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Fit?
Now that you have your waist, hips, and bust measurements, you are ready to shop with confidence. A good fit is what makes shapewear look smooth, feel comfortable, and actually deliver the results you want.
Use our Colombian faja size guide to match your measurements to the right size, then browse our collection:
- FormaLiss — seamless medium compression, completely invisible under clothing
- Silueta Esencial — high-compression Powernet, ideal for everyday wear and post-op recovery
- Cintura de Reina — adjustable high compression with maximum waist definition
Still not sure which size or style is right for you? Contact us — we are happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Measuring for Shapewear
Should I measure in the morning or at night?
Either works, but late afternoon or evening tends to give the most realistic measurement since your body can fluctuate slightly throughout the day.
Do I measure over my clothes?
No — always measure over underwear or very thin, fitted clothing for the most accurate results.
Should I suck in my stomach when measuring my waist?
No. Measure while fully relaxed so you choose a size you can actually wear comfortably throughout the day.
My waist fits one size but my hips fit another — what do I do?
Choose based on the garment's purpose. For shorts and bodysuits, prioritize the hips and waist together. If you are between sizes, consider sizing up for all-day comfort.
How often should I re-measure?
Re-measure any time your body changes, when shopping a new style, or at least every few months if you are actively working on your measurements.
What if the shapewear does not fit when it arrives?
Do the 2-minute fit test described above. If the fit is off, contact us — we are here to help you find the right size or style.