I don't know about Spanx Higher Power, but I didn't like the Spanx. Tried them when they first came out, and I was 20-25 lbs heavier. My problem was that they are designed for taller people, so they sucked me in at the wrong places, and had a tendency to roll because there was just too much excess fabric, lengthwise.
And like San, I got the uni-butt too.
I have tried nearly all the brands that have come out in recent years and are recommended on Oprah. Didn't like any of them.
Ultimately, I guess I just don't like the feeling of body shapers! I much prefer:
1) Buying clothing that fits and isn't too tight, causing love-handles;
2) Looking for jeans with a rise that hits me at the widest part of my gut, so it "locks and loads" everything in and nothing spills over; Low rise is another possible option, if you can wear it... I can't - I don't have enough hips to hold them up;
3) Wearing tops that aren't too tight in the trouble areas;
4) Patterned tops are good because they fool the eye;
5) Jackets layered over top are fab because they add structure and lock everything in too;
6) Lighter control that can be found with a camisole made of synthetic that has a little bit of stretch but not too much. Banana Republic makes camis like this. They give just enough smoothing without feeling too constrictive. On the plus side, if you are sitting and your shirt rides up, nobody gets a flash of body shaper - they just see a cami instead.
I know #1 can be very hard, if you are thicker in the middle, even just a *little* thicker! I actually look okay naked.... so I know it's not me, it's the clothing....
Most clothing is designed to have a 10-inch difference between waist and hip (0.7 ratio). No matter how skinny I get - even when I was body building and had very low body fat - my waist and hip ratio is 0.8. Since I can't stand low-rise jeans, this means I have to look long and hard for jeans that will accomodate this ratio. They are out there! I highly recommend Citizens of Humanity.
