Let me start by saying I've tried my fair share of shapewear, and the SHAPELLX shorts are... an experience. The first time I wrestled into these, I swear I burned more calories than a 30-minute spin class. But once they're on? Magic.

The tummy control is no joke – it's like someone hit the 'smooth' filter on my midsection. I wore them under a bodycon dress to a wedding, and for the first time in years, I didn't feel self-conscious about my stomach when sitting down. The steel bones actually work to keep everything in place without digging in uncomfortably.

Now, the butt lift situation is... questionable. While some reviewers saw dramatic results, for me it was more of a gentle nudge upward than a full-on lift. If you're looking for dramatic curves, you might want to layer these with other shaping pieces.

The biggest headache? Bathroom breaks. There's no gusset opening, so you'll become intimately familiar with the 'public restroom dance' – peeling these down and then doing the awkward hop-wiggle to get them back up. Pro tip: Wear a skirt if you know you'll need multiple bathroom trips.

Size-wise, they run TIGHT. I'm usually a medium across brands but sized up to large based on reviews, and still had that momentary panic of 'will this fit over my thighs?' They do stretch out slightly after a few wears though.

Would I buy again? Yes – but only for special occasions where I need serious smoothing power. For everyday wear, I'll stick to less intense options that don't require an acrobatic routine to use the restroom.