I think it's looking great! As a fellow small-bust-costumer, though, I know what you mean about the lift (i.e. I've never actually managed to make a pair of regency stays that do the lift-and-separate look, so annoying).
I did some experimenting with undergarments for a mervilleuse-type of late 1790s dress (that, ahem, never actually got finished, ahem), and I found the same thing as you - that some compression in the lower part of the bust gives more of that slightly-lifted-but-not-full-on-squished look I was aiming for. I ended up putting in the world's tiniest bust gusset to try and keep that rounded but supported look, and it was cut just the slightest bit above the breast root, but enough to contain...maybe a fifth of the breast tissue?
Not the world's easiest thing to explain in words (shockingly it wasn't a thing I wanted to post pictures on the internet of haha), but short version is, I think you're on the right track! :D
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I did some experimenting with undergarments for a mervilleuse-type of late 1790s dress (that, ahem, never actually got finished, ahem), and I found the same thing as you - that some compression in the lower part of the bust gives more of that slightly-lifted-but-not-full-on-squished look I was aiming for. I ended up putting in the world's tiniest bust gusset to try and keep that rounded but supported look, and it was cut just the slightest bit above the breast root, but enough to contain...maybe a fifth of the breast tissue?
Not the world's easiest thing to explain in words (shockingly it wasn't a thing I wanted to post pictures on the internet of haha), but short version is, I think you're on the right track! :D