You may want to purposely leave your toy out one night so it is readily accessible and/or ask them if you can show them how to use it on you. Too many women don’t do this and then their partners end up never learning how to pleasure them with their own toys.” Any other advice for sex toy beginners? Dr. Kat: “Go solo. Play with your toy alone before introducing it into couples play, this way you learn what feels good and can show your partner. Try one toy that does several things. Instead of committing to one type of toy, try a toy that vibrates and is insertable, or one that can be used in a harness and for anal stimulation. You might find that you really like to use your new G-spot vibrator for stimulating your nipples. Start small. When buying a toy for insertion, it’s better to err on the small side. If it’s too big you probably won’t play with it, but a toy that’s a little too small can still bring hours of enjoyment.
If at first you don’t succeed, try again. If one sex toy doesn’t thrill you, use that experience to decide what you do want the next time around: different size, stronger vibration, softer material, or a remote control vibrator. Testing several different toys is the best way to find what works.” Did you know that deep sea scientists know more about the Mariana Trench than they do about sex toys? At least, such are the conclusions we’re forced to draw when we see the Vajankle, the Shrek butt plug, and all those tentacle dildos on Etsy. While we may not be able to speak for the NOAA, we do fancy ourselves explorers of certain [hoists sail] bodily depths and horny holes. At Rec Room, we spend the better part of our days wading through the 3,000 results on Amazon alone for the terms “sex toy,” and helping you, our beloved readers, understand the difference between a direct-contact and “sonic”-stimulation clitoral toy; a bullet versus a lipstick vibrator; and all of your other salacious, sex-toy-related queries. ADVERTISEMENT To penis pump, or penis sleeve? That is the question—among many—when it comes down to understanding not only how sex toys work, but which ones will work for you. The answer is always found in a blend of practical information, self-exploration, and a helping hand (or foot). Maybe you’ve never used a sex toy, or you’re just wondering why Lovehoney has a section called “Love Eggs and Jiggle Balls.” Perhaps you’d like to spice up your spank-sesh drawer with something a little kinkier than your average bullet vibrator, or maybe you’d like to finally understand why the hell they call it a “rabbit” vibrator. Whatever you’d like to know about the many types of sex toys out there, consider this short list your own horny accomplice to navigating them all, from anal beads to zapping paddles and so much more. We’ll start out with some of the most iconic sex toys on the market, and inch our way down to some of the more obscure finds. Strap in, strap on, and let’s ride.
Dildo Ah, the dildo. This is perhaps one of the most iconic sex toys, because you’ve probably seen a realistic “jelly” silicone dildo such as this one at some point in your life. One of the more traditional toys, dildos are basic penetrative toys that can come in many shapes and styles, but are almost always somewhat phallic or elongated; sometimes they’ll be made of silicone, but they can also be made out of metal and glass, such as Gem, the best-selling double-duty dildo by Unbound Babes. As with most dildos, Gem can be used for vaginal and anal penetration. Just be sure to clean your toy before and after use in any hole—and to keep your sex toys prepped and clean in general. UNBOUND BABES Gem Dual-Ended Glass Dildo $34 at Amazon Buy Now $35 at Unbound Babes Bullet Vibrator Bullet vibrators are a popular first sex toy, because they’re affordable vibrators that are about the size of their namesake, making them a discreet sex toy travel companion. Bullet vibes can be used during foreplay on the nipples and around (but NEVER in) the anus—don’t wanna take an embarrassing trip to the ER when you lose one up there—and they give direct stimulation to the clitoris or anywhere else on the body that gives you or your partner(s) pleasure. Many bullet vibrators run on batteries, so keep an eye out for those such as the Zee by Dame, which is fully rechargeable. DAME Zee Bullet Vibrator $30 at Amazon Buy Now $30 at Dame
Buy Now Wand Vibrator One of the best first-time sex toys for people who want direct clitoral contact is a wand vibrator, which traditionally consists of a long handle with a vibrating, bulbous tip. The most iconic wand vibrator is hands down the Magic Wand (formerly known as the Hitachi Magic Wand), because it gained widespread popularity in the 1970s by being marketed as nothing more than a general body massager, despite it’s clear talent for moonlighting as a sex toy, making it an embarrassment-free purchase. It helped pave the way for so many of the sex toys we love today (the Magic Wand walked so that Dame’s “Com” wand could run). If you’d like a sex toy that can also legit work as a massager for your back or other parts of your body, this is the one for you—but folks with more sensi clits might want to steer towards clitoral suction toys. MAGIC WAND Rechargeable Magic Wand $124 at Amazon Buy Now $1395 at Babeland Buy Now ADVERTISEMENT Clitoral Suction Vibrator A clitoral suction vibrator is a sex toy that uses gentle sonic technology to mimic the sensation of receiving really good head, the most popular of which is the cult-fave Satisfyer Pro The toy is a best-seller on Amazon with a 5-star rating from over 50,000 reviews, because it does what a top-notch suction vibe should by providing a fluttering, consistent air suction pressure to your clitoris to stimulate it—without ever touching it directly. Pretty cool, right?
Cum Slut CollarSATISFYER Pro 2 Clitoral Stimulator $495 at Amazon Buy Now $595 at Satisfyer Buy Now Direct Contact Clitoral Vibrator Many sex toys can become a direct contact clitoral vibrator if you simply apply their vibrating components to the clitoris. However, there are also vibrators such as the Zumio that are designed to go the extra mile to bring you targeted, fast-paced clitoral stimulation through direct contact. We gave the alien-probe-like sex toy an honest review, and really enjoyed how deftly the antenna works to gently tap your clit until orgasm. ZUMIO High Frequency Direct Contact Clitoral Vibrator $108 at Amazon Buy Now $135 $108 at Zumio Buy Now Rabbit Vibrator Rabbit vibrators' foundational features always include a vibrating shaft or dildo and a smaller attachment that sits atop the clitoris. Sometimes, that attachment will be split in two, resembling bunny ears, to provide even more sensation—thus the name—and the overall effect is dual clitoral and internal stimulation. This style of vibrator first gained fame on that episode of Sex and the City in 1998, and has since evolved to take on many exciting forms, from futuristic luxury vibrators by brands such as LELO, to new takes on the classic form by the Fifty Shades of Grey sex toy line (which is suprisingly… amazing?).
FIFTY SHADES OF GREY Greedy Girl G-Spot Rabbit Vibrator $58 at Amazon Buy Now $999 at Lovehoney Buy Now ADVERTISEMENT Cock Rings Ah, the cock ring. How many times have we been gifted you in a bachelor/bachelorette gift party bag? Not unlike its cousin, the bullet vibrator, this sex toy is often one of the more affordable of the lot, and also one of the most discreet travel companions. The OG purpose of a cock ring is to lightly constrict blood flow around the penis, allowing for a firmer and longer lasting erection (all your questions on guillotine-ing a peen can be answered here). Some C-rings can have vibrational textured attachments for simultaneous clitoral stimulation for a partner during penetrative sex, as well as multiple loops for hugging balls—there are even penis rings made out of jelly, metal, and with as many flourishes as you can dream up.
LOVEHONEY Bed Ringer Rechargeable Double Cock Ring $499 at Lovehoney Buy Now Male Masturbators Here’s the truth, jabroni: When most sexual wellness websites refer to “male masturbators” and “penis sleeves,” they’re often talking about toys that resemble the most iconic of the lot, the Fleshlight, which is a masturbator tool (often encased in a canister) that contains a textured tube or artificial mouth/anus/vagina. Some masturbators will allow for you to go hands-free, others vibrate, and many designs range from realistic-looking “Pocket Pussies” to Tron-inspired sleeves such as the Fleshlight Torque Ice.
Gay FleshlightFLESHLIGHT Go Torque Ice Clear Male Masturbator $595 at Amazon Buy Now $595 at Fleshlight Buy Now Butt Plug New to butt stuff? Take things slow by exploring yourself or your partner’s backdoor with a well-lubed finger, or a set of anal training plugs (and more lube). The bottom line for butt plugs is that they can provide a sense of fullness and stimulation that a lot of people love, whether they vibrate or they’re made of temperature play-ready materials such as stainless steel. Just make sure you’re purchasing a toy with a flared plug, such as the Shimmy vibrating plug by Unbound Babes, because your sphincter has naturally powerful suction powers. Not only does this toy have a great handle, but we’re pretty sure Prince would have loved it.
UNBOUND BABES Shimmy Vibrating Plug $61 at Unbound Babes Buy Now ADVERTISEMENT Couples' Sex Toys The better question might be, “What isn’t a couples' sex toy?” Common sense tells us that if you use a toy with a partner, well, then that makes it a couples' toy. That being said, many couples' toys are designed for wearing during sex or for helping partners control the timing of their orgasms, and there are many remote and app-controlled toys by brands including Lovense and We-Vibe that are specifically designed to be enjoyed by couples for a little kinky edging and dom-sub play, such as this Lush 3, which is designed to provide direct G-spot stimulation. LOVENSE Lush 3 App Controlled Rechargeable Love Egg Vibrator $129 at Amazon
Buy Now $1399 at Lovehoney Buy Now Prostate Massager As with their cousin, butt plugs, many prostate massagers will vibrate, but their overall purpose is to bring a little back-door pleasure by stimulating the male prostate gland. “Internal prostate stimulation takes a softer touch,” explains Anna Pulley in the VICE guide to prostate play, “and involves more precise movements and smaller implements, such as fingers or small toys, rather than dildos or penises.” The Hugo is a popular remote-controlled prostate vibe by the luxury sex toy company LELO, and it’s equipped with one motor for the prostate and one in the base for the perineum (read: taint) for providing ~loads~ of pleasure. LELO Hugo Male Prostate Massager $2199 at Amazon Buy Now $219 $1625 at LELO Buy Now Penis Pump Penis pumps ROCK. These toys remind us of those high-powered suction tubes at the bank, and they can temporarily enlarge the penis as well as help folks with erectile dysfunction (ED) to maintain an erection by creating a suction effect around the penis, typically in a plastic tube, courtesy of a battery or hand-powered pump and a band that fits, and increases blood flow to the penis. Edge makes a highly rated, hand-fueled pump in a clear, latex- and phthalate-free tube so that you can see all your… business.
Estim TortureEDGE Tracey Cox Ultimate Performance Stamina Penis Pump $499 at Lovehoney Buy Now ADVERTISEMENT Strap-On Dildos Strap-on dildos are dildos designed to be worn, often with a harness, during sex. “Pegging can totally happen between folks of any and all genders,” explains Archie Bongiovanni in their pegging how-to guide for VICE. “After all, it’s essentially just anal sex with a strap on.” These days, there are even companies such as Fun Factory making harness-free dildos for going down to Peg City, USA, and one-and-done harness and dildo bundles such as this Unisex Strap-On by Lovehoney, so you can smash that order button and know you’re getting everything you need to start pegging.
LOVEHONEY Advanced Unisex Strap-On Harness Kit with 7 Inch G-Spot Dildo $399 at Lovehoney Buy Now Thrusters These sex toys are often dildos or rabbit vibes that are specifically designed to mimic the thrusting power of a penis, and tend to be on the more expensive side (that kind of engineering costs money!) because they provide even more sensation to the penetrative experience. You know how that animatronic Abe Lincoln was the peak of technology at Disneyland for so many years? That’s thrusters, only for sex toy nerds. This highly rated Fun Factory toy would be a great first-time thruster, because it has a straightforward phallic design and seven speeds that are easy to control with its three buttons.
FUN FACTORY Stronic Real Rechargeable Realistic Thrusting Vibrator $1699 at Lovehoney Buy Now Anal Beads Definitely one of the more advanced sex toys, anal beads are made up of multiple balls or ribbed, spherical attachments that are designed to be gradually inserted into your anus in order to please and stimulate its many nerves. These toys are usually flexible, and as with any anal toy, will have some kind of handle or stopper at the base. These Sensual Glass Iridescent Anal Beads from Lovehoney are a great starting point—plus, they’re gorgeous.
Contact UsLOVEHONEY Sensual Glass Iridescent Anal Beads $399 at Lovehoney Buy Now ADVERTISEMENT Palm Vibrators Otherwise known as erogenous zone vibrators, these sex toys consist of a vibrator—usually one that’s rounded or shaped liked a Bintje potato—that can fit in your palm and be applied for direct, rumbly pressure to the clitoris or anywhere else on the body that gives you pleasure. They’re also one of the least-gendered vibes in sex toy design, given that they aren’t phallic, and one of our favorites is this aubergine dream by Dame. Not only is it fully rechargeable and made of super soft silicone, but it’s extremely quiet. DAME Pom External Vibrator $95 at Amazon Buy Now $95 at Dame Buy Now Finger Vibrators As with palm vibrators, finger vibes can be one of the most accessible sex toys for those who may not be able to firmly grip a sex toy, and they’re just as discreet to travel with as a bullet vibrator or a cock ring. They're also popular as couples' toys, since they can be used for focused clitoral stimulation during penetration (or whenever). Just slip this Fin vibe by Dame over your finger, and use it to please you or your partner. But please, don’t stick it up the back door. Remember: No flared base = no entry.
DAME Fin Finger Vibrator $765 at Amazon Buy Now $85 at Dame Buy Now Lipstick Vibrator Traditionally, a lipstick vibrator will indeed look like a tube of lipstick, which is cool in a secret agent sort of way. But the best feature of this kind of sex toy, other than the joy of its novelty, is that the flattened tip allows for a little more direct, vibrating surface area to be applied to the clitoris. As always, Dame has a futuristic and far more minimal take on the toy with their svelte design, and we especially dig that the flat portion of the Kip has even more surface area than your average lipstick vibe. DAME Kip Lipstick Vibrator $75 at Dame Buy Now ADVERTISEMENT Kegel & Ben Wa Balls Remember that scene in Fifty Shades of Grey where Dakota Johnson’s character wears silver kegel or “Ben Wa”' balls to a black tie event? Well, those little weighted balls—NOT to be confused with jade eggs, which we shan’t touch—are simply silicone or metal balls designed to be inserted into the vagina to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, or to give a sense of fullness and stimulation.
LOVEHONEY Main Squeeze Heavy Double Kegel Balls $199 at Lovehoney Buy Now Restraints Now that we’ve slung every last dildo over our shoulder like a Kipling fanny pack, we’re ready to get into some tantalizing BDSM (bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadism/masochism) toys and savoir faire. One of the most common accessories of the kink, amongst beginners and experts alike, are restraints. Typically, beginners may enjoy starting off with Velcro hand-cuffs or cloth ties before moving onto more advanced handcuffs such as the Orion, which not only acts as a pair of belt-adjusted handcuffs, but is also capable of being slung over the door for some extra kinky times. UNBOUND BABES Orion Over the Door Restraint Set $39 at Unbound Babes Buy Now Nipple Clamps We were given nipples for a number of reasons, but our favorite might just be horny clamping. Nipple clamps, such as these bad boys from Bondage Boutique, walk the line between sex toy jewelery and BDSM accessory, because they’re designed to lightly pinch your nips (and sometimes, your clit) and are often secured to a stylish collar or chain that would make you the belle of the ball at any Berlin Diskothek.
Best Anal FleshlightBONDAGE BOUTIQUE Adjustable Nipple Clamps with Double Chain $199 at Lovehoney Buy Now ADVERTISEMENT Gags Gags can take on many forms in BDSM play, but most commonly as a cloth gag around the mouth, or as a gag with a bar or a ball gag. Typically, the sphere or bar will be made of a body-safe silicone, as other materials might damage those pearly whites of yours. This gag is great for beginners, as it has a few extra holes in the ball for extra breathability. ZHEXU Beginner's Ball Gag $52 at Amazon Buy Now Paddles & Riding Crops Who doesn’t like a little spanking, now and again? Whether your dom is using a 16-inch bamboo paddle, riding crop, or a spanker that looks like it was made out of Furbies, these are great sex toys for a little kinky foreplay, or even a game of shuttlecock. This silver paddle has a 7-star rating on Lovehoney because it’s great for seasoned spankers and beginners alike; one side is made out of a padded satin and the other is a firmer faux leather.
FIFTY SHADES OF GREY Twitchy Palm Spanking Paddle $281 at Amazon Buy Now $399 $50 at Lovehoney Buy Now E-Stim Toys Erotic electrostimulation (E-stim) is a kink in which a person enjoys receiving or giving a bit of light electric stimulation through electrically endowed paddles, wands, and patches. It’s important to practice this kink correctly, but once its parameters are understood, it can make for some fun horny Frankenstein roleplay. ELECTROSHOCK E-Stim Paddle $796 at PinkCherry Buy Now Pinwheels …Not the kind you find blowing in your aunt’s garden. These spiky pinwheels or “Wartenberg” wheels are very common in people with a sexual medical fetish, or anyone with an especially sensory kinky side to them. As with every sex toy—and especially those falling under the traditional BDSM umbrella—be sure to use them correctly by applying only the slightest pressure to yourself or your partner, and never inserting them into your body.
UNBOUND BABES Spike Sensation Play Pinwheel $18 at Unbound Babes Buy Now Sex Furniture Our honorable mention goes to sex furniture, otherwise known as anything you can grind or bang on, because so many folks first sexual toy/accomplice was a pillow—and look how far the humping and grinding sex toys have come since then! Brands such as Liberator make firm pillow wedges designed to be placed under your back or below your stomach for deeper penetration and more comfortable sex. As a certified sex educator, I get a lot of questions about sex toys. Like, a lot, a lot. For now, let’s distill my inbox’s most prominent sex toy–related inquiry: “There are so many different kinds of sex toys. How do I know which one I want? And what are the differences? Are there any? What am I doing? Help me!”
The thing is, when it comes to sex toys (and sex education in general, if I’m being honest), there just isn’t a lot of good, trustworthy information out there. Why? There are a lot of reasons, mostly to do with shame. There are countless problems with sexual shame and our society’s fraught relationship with it, but sex toys can be especially confusing. If you want a vibrator and you buy a dildo, you’re going to be disappointed. If you buy a vibrator that isn’t made for anal play and use it for anal penetration? You could wind up in the emergency room. What’s more, the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate sex-toy materials in the U.S. This means that companies can make sex toys out of whatever the hell they want with very little consequence. Read: Companies can make sex toys that go in your body out of materials that aren’t safe for your body—such as jelly or low-grade rubber. Don’t worry: We have all the information you need so you can go forth on your sex-toy journey prepared and armed with information. Because you deserve to know what’s making you orgasm. Vulva Toys: Dildos vs. Vibrators What’s the confusion? The shape. The classic dildo and rabbit vibrators (of Sex and the City fame and still the most popular sex toy for vulva owners) both have a long, phallic shape. They look relatively similar and are both made for penetration, so they are often mixed up. Let’s break them down:
$99 AT AMAZON PHOTOGRAPH: MYSTERYVIBE App Powered MysteryVibe Crescendo Flexible Vibrator + App Sex toys are getting more technologically sophisticated every year. Crescendo from MysteryVibe is a smart vibrator with an app you can use to both control the toy and create and customize your own vibration patterns using its six (!) internal motors and 16 (!!) intensity settings. It’s also flexible; you can bend it in any direction to create a shape that works for your body or someone else’s. Not to mention, it’s waterproof. Great for vulvas and phalluses $183 AT MYSTERYVIBE Most Popular GEAR The 12 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride ADRIENNE SO
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Flexible Fun Unbound Bender The Bender is unique because it’s so flexible. You can shape it to fit your body for ideal external stimulation. It’s waterproof, and while the vibrations aren’t as powerful as a wand-style vibrator, they’re buzzy enough to make an impact. It’s also super quiet, even at its highest setting. Best for vulvas and phalluses $72 AT URBAN OUTFITTERS $71 AT UNBOUND PHOTOGRAPH: LELO Slow Build Lelo Sila Upon first use, the Sila irked me. The gentle vibrations and soft suction were teasing, and not in a good way—or so I thought. I soldiered on, living the tough life of a product reviewer, and eventually I was blown away. The toy has eight quiet settings, and even the highest is markedly less intense than what you may be used to. That’s intentional. Sila offers a slow buildup with a big payoff. The wide mouth focuses more on surrounding erogenous zones than similar sex toys, leading to a deeper and longer-lasting orgasm. Use it with lube (or in the bath) for solo sex or during foreplay with a partner. The wait will be worthwhile.
Great for vulvas $130 AT AMAZON $127 AT LELO Smile Makers Poet PHOTOGRAPH: SMILE MAKERS Invest in Versatility Smile Makers Poet Suction Toy Every body is different, and everyone’s preferences are different. Unlike most other suction toys, the Poet can customize one step farther. Usually, a suction toy’s opening is static. However, the Poet comes with three interchangeable mouths, so it’s easy to find the perfect fit. Changing the size of the opening can also affect the stimulation it provides. A bigger opening offers a more diffuse, slightly weaker air pulse, while the smaller mouths intensify the stimulation quite a bit. On top of that, the Poet features adjustable intensity levels and stimulation patterns. It’s also waterproof, which makes it a killer all-around bedside-table-companion. Great for vulvas and clitoral stimulation $129 AT SMILE MAKERS Most Popular
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sex toy PHOTOGRAPH: SATISFYER Best For Two Satisfyer Curvy 3+ Satisfyer’s Curvy lineup has been a personal favorite for a while, but the latest iteration, the Curvy 3+, is one of the best toys I’ve tested. It’s a dual-use vibrator and air-pulse stimulator. The air-pulse end provides steady, slow, but powerful suction, while the other end is where you’ll feel the vibrations most acutely. They’re pretty low-intensity even at the highest settings, which can be a good thing. It’s best to use this toy with a partner, with a person enjoying each end. Good for the clitoris, frenulum, and external play $40 AT AMAZON $65 AT SATISFYER Lelo Enigma PHOTOGRAPH: LELO
Double the Fun Lelo Enigma Vibrator & Air Pulse Toy Lelo’s Enigma is a weird toy. It looks like a ship from Star Trek, or a curvy sculpture you’d see in a museum gift shop. Like the Rabbit vibrator before it, the Enigma is designed to stimulate both the clitoris and the G-spot. But instead of relying solely on vibration, the Enigma’s clitoral stimulation arm contains a powerful air pulse mechanism for providing suction that imitates the sensation of receiving oral sex. The bigger, rounder end of the toy is where the vibration motor lives. Its body is flexible enough that you can use just one end or the other at a time, but if you use them together, it’s an intense experience. Even going slow, the Enigma fires you off into space at warp speed—in a good way. That said, the vibration end is a bit thick at its widest point, so if you’re not comfortable with large diameter toys, take it slow and easy. Use lots of lube. Best for G-spot and clitoral stimulation $200 AT AMAZON $160 AT LELO PHOTOGRAPH: DAME Flying Solo
Penile SoundingDame Arc G-Spot Vibrator All of the devices on this list can be used with one or more partners, but the Arc from Dame is designed for—and excels at—solo use. It’s a waterproof G-spot vibrator with five vibration patterns and five intensity levels, and it has a soft, semi-flexible silicone body with a squishy silicone tip. The Arc’s gentle curvature is angled so you can easily reach your most sensitive parts with just one hand, and all the buttons are right within reach. The curvature and broad, squishy tip also make it really easy to hit the G-spot. Those factors make it fun to use, no matter what genitals you have. Excellent G-spot stimulation, and broad tip works well on other erogenous zones $115 AT AMAZON $115 AT DAME Most Popular GEAR The 12 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride ADRIENNE SO
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Tenga Flex This affordable, unobtrusive sleeve has a discreet footprint—there are no obvious oversize fleshlight designs or silicone genitals to deal with. The spiral aesthetic is functional, too; the outer casing is flexible, allowing you to twist it to create an additional sensation. The soft, textured internal sleeve has varying intensity, suction, and noise levels, depending on the amount of lube used and how much you cover the air hole at the top. After solo sex, simply remove, invert, and clean the internal sleeve. The case cap doubles as a drying rack. Great for phallic stimulation $35 AT AMAZON $39 AT TENGA Image may contain Oars PHOTOGRAPH: UNBOUND For Backdoor Beginners Unbound Nudge Anal play can be intimidating. The Romp is ridiculously affordable and just the right size for beginners—it’s not too big but not too small. The curved base keeps the toy firmly in place without being uncomfortable. The medical-grade silicone exterior is easy to clean, too. Just be absolutely sure to pair it with water-based lube. (We have other recommendations below, but Unbound’s Jelly is another good option.) $25 AT URBAN OUTFITTERS $25 AT UNBOUND PHOTOGRAPH: LELO Motion-Sensing Fun
Estim ClitLelo Hugo Prostate Vibrator + Remote Control The Hugo, from Swedish sex tech company Lelo, is a remote-controlled prostate vibrator. If you don’t have a prostate, it still works great, packing two powerful motors with six vibration modes and 12 intensity levels. It’s waterproof, and it comes with a very interesting feature: motion sensitivity. When Hugo is in motion-sensing mode, simply tilting or moving the remote control can lower or increase the intensity of the vibration. That makes it a lot of fun to use with partners but also really great for solo use. If you’re new to anal toys, its moderate size is not intimidating. While the packaging and product materials use gendered language, the toy itself is excellent for all genders. Good for P-spot stimulation $164 AT AMAZON $181 AT LELO Most Popular
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PHOTOGRAPH: MAUDE Best Lube Maude Shine Organic Water-Based Lube Maude makes a lot of great products, but the one that stands above the rest for me is its Shine Organic Lube. It's a simple, unscented, water-based lube that stays slick and slippery without becoming sticky the way some water-based lubes can. It can also be easily rehydrated with a little saliva, so you can get a lot of mileage out of a really small amount. $25 AT SEPHORA $25 AT MAUDE PHOTOGRAPH: COCONU A Spa-Quality Lube Coconu Water-Based Lubricant Most water-based lubes these days are made using aloe vera gel. They provide a very effective viscous slipperiness, but they can leave your fingers feeling sticky afterward. If you're looking for a cleaner finish or are allergic to aloe, Coconu's coconut-water-based lube is a good alternative. It's every bit as slippery-slidey as aloe-based lubes, but it leaves your skin a bit less tacky after use, and a bit more moisturized. Plus, it comes in an adorable little bottle that makes it look like an expensive spa-grade hand lotion.
Product$27 AT AMAZON $25 AT COCONU Image may contain Cosmetics PHOTOGRAPH: ROSEBUD WOMAN Skin Care With a Secret Rosebud Woman Honor Lubricating Balm Rosebud Woman’s sexual wellness lineup is luxurious. It treats sexuality with reverence instead of scorn, feeling more like worship and less like a catcall. The language the company uses on its products is very gendered (not all women have vulvas, and not all people with vulvas are women), but the Honor everyday balm might be my (Louryn) favorite lube of all time. The consistency is magical. It’s thick, balmy, and melts down to an oil with your body heat, providing intimate lubrication while softening and moisturizing the skin. It makes sense: We rub lotions and creams all over the rest of our body to keep our skin healthy. Why wouldn’t we do the same for more intimate areas? You can use the balm for lubrication, as a moisturizer, and for postpartum massage. Honor Balm also doesn’t immediately melt, so you get a few seconds to target the application. Nobody likes dealing with slippery lube bottles in the heat of the moment. $90 AT ROSEBUD WOMAN Most Popular GEAR The 12 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride ADRIENNE SO
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Shopping Tips If you’re new to sex toys, shopping for your first one can be intimidating. There are a lot of not-so-great and flat-out-bad sex toys. Ask Yourself Questions How do you like to be touched? What kind of experience are you looking for? Are you interested in trying something new? Do you want something for internal or external use? One of our favorite resources is Wild Flower. It’s both a sex shop and a sex toy manufacturer. The site has a robust series of educational articles and a great Q&A section. You can even ask the company questions via Instagram. You should also check out Oh Joy Sex Toy, a fantastic webcomic by artist Erika Moen. It’s an excellent resource for toy reviews and all kinds of sexual education content. Take a Trip to a Store (or YouTube) Once you have some idea of what you want to try, you should try to find a local (gender-inclusive) sex shop and see if they have the toy you’re curious about. The feel, the texture, the weight, how the vibration feels—these are things that really benefit from some hands-on time. Of course, that’s not always an option, especially during a pandemic. YouTube has a lot of hands-on videos. It’s not as good as feeling the toy yourself, but it’s the closest you can get without leaving your home. Good luck! With the use of sex toys being less taboo than ever before, people of all ages and genders are discovering new ways to feel pleasure in the bedroom. But despite the surge in the sex toy market (with sexual wellness searches up by 123% across the globe last year), purchasing your first toy as a beginner can feel somewhat intimidating. Don't know your bullets from your g-spot stimulators? Don't panic. We asked Laura Wood, Sales Executive and Expert at So Divine to give us her top tips for sex toy newbies, as well as her top picks for beginners.
Electro SoundingWhich type of toy is best for a beginner? If you’re new to the world of sex toys then choosing a toy can seem pretty daunting. Sex toys offer a whole variety of different sensations and there’s plenty to choose from depending on what you are looking for! See below for some of our top toys we would recommend for beginners. Bullet Vibrators Bullet vibrators are perfect for any sex toy newbie. They’re discreet, easy-to-use and make a gentle intro for newcomers. They can be used to stimulate all of your erogenous zones using the tapered tip. Our Afternoon Delight bullet is a great choice for beginner looking to purchase their first toy.
Dildos Penetrative toys such as a dildos are another great choice for beginners. You won’t have to worry about fiddling with any buttons and they are super-straight forward to use. When choosing your first dildo we would recommend check the length and girth first. Like all sex toys, it’s good to build up the size slowly. A dildo with a suction cup is also a good idea so can you enjoy a hands-free play. The So Divine Glorious dildo is a great contender for this! Cock rings Cock rings are another great go-to toy for beginners and are fun to use with your partner during sex. They can keep penis owners harder for longer by restricting blood flow ensuring a harder, longer-lasting erection. If you choose a vibrating cock ring such as our Thriller 2in1 ring you can both enjoy pleasure at the same time. Butt Plugs Butt Plugs are a great option for beginners and those who are wanting to explore some booty play. They can also be used by any gender! The So Divine Sweet Sensation plug is ideal for beginners. It’s small and petite, tapered for easy insertion and has a flared base. Flared bases are super important when looking to try a butt plug for the first time so you can ensure nothing gets lost!
Do I need to use lube with sex toys? Lube is a secret weapon that can be used by everyone and can be quite often forgotten about. It’s a bedroom essential! A little dab of lube can make stimulation much more comfortable during your solo sessions or with a partner. If you’ve not already tried using lube whilst masturbating then we highly recommend trying it. We would recommend using a water-based lubricant to start off with! Which sexual wellness products are essential for a beginner’s starter kit? An ideal starter kit for beginners would include a mix of clitoral and penetrative toys. A bullet vibrator, a classic dildo and a water-based lubricant would be a great choice. This allows you to explore a variety of sensations so you can learn what you like. Lubricants are also a game changer and can bring new sensations to play. Should I opt for a g-spot device or a clitoral stimulator? Choosing the right toy can depend on which sensations you enjoy or are looking to explore. G-spot vibrators are great for exploring your internal pleasure spot, whilst clitoral stimulators are ideal for clitoral stimulation. If your goal is to orgasm, then a clitoral stimulator may be a good choice as the majority of vulva owners need clitoral stimulation to reach climax.
What’s the difference between a suction vibrator and a wand vibrator? Clitoral suction stimulators are gamechangers in the world of sex toys and are ideal for those who want to try something different. These toys work by mimicking oral sex and offering a unique sensation to other classic clitoral toys. The irreplaceable suction stimulator is a super popular choice and if you read the reviews you can find out why! Wand vibrators (or massaging wands as they are also commonly called) are great as a multifunctional product. They can be used for clitoral stimulation but also as an all-over-body massage. You can used them to give a seductive massage during foreplay. Our portable ‘Smooth Operator’ massaging wand is great for beginners due to it’s compact size. What advice do you have for beginners who are nervous, unsure or embarrassed about using sex toys for the first time? Make sure you do not feel rushed if you are not ready! Take your time, do your research and make sure you are comfortable before buying. Nowadays, purchasing a sex toy is easier than ever and you can purchase online to avoid any embarrassment when shopping in stores. This also gives you enough time to research products so you can find what you really like. Take your time, do your research and make sure you are comfortable before buying