Coconu Oil-Based Lubricant Review

Posted by MandiLea02

Before I got my hands on Coconu, I avoided oil-based lubricants like that long-ago mistake of a boyfriend who texts you in the middle of the night, wanting to “Netflix and chill.”

Oil-based lubricants have some major downsides, making them incompatible with certain sexual activities & undesirable for many individuals. First of all, any product that is oil-based is not latex-safe. (The oil will damage/weaken latex & polyisoprene condoms. Nitrile or polyurethane barriers must be used instead.) Secondly, most oil-based lubricants that are currently on the market are also “synthetic” or petroleum-based and not vagina-safe. (Because they do not easily wash away or get absorbed by our cells, they tend to remain inside the body for longer periods of time, providing a lovely little habitat for bacteria).

Coconu offers one of the few available plant-based oil lubricants, and the only lubricant to be USDA-certified organic. Plant-based lubricants are special; unlike their synthetic counterparts, they actually are considered safe for vaginal penetration.* Coconu’s ingredients include: sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, cocoa seed butter, sweet almond oil, canola oil, kukui seed oil, sea buckthorn oil, and Tocopherol (Non-GMO). There is no alcohol, petroleum, gluten, fragrance, or dye. Coconu’s formula is also paraben & phthlate free.

Coconu’s packaging is very simple & tastefully designed. The oil-based lubricant comes in a copper-colored plastic tube with a flip-top and is packaged within a sky-blue cardboard box. At $22 for only 3 oz, it is on the pricey side — even for high-quality lubricants. (Coconu also makes a water-based version, but the price is exactly the same.)

*With so many natural ingredients, Coconu prides themselves on being hypoallergenic & body-safe. However, as with all lubricants, please discontinue use if you experience any irritation or negative side effects. To my knowledge, there is little or no actual research on using coconut or other plant oils as personal lubricants. Some individuals still argue that it can clog pores and/or disrupt the natural environment of the vagina. As with any other controversial topic, my advice is to educate yourself so that you can make an informed decision. Remember: all of our bodies are unique, and it is rare that any single lubricant would be perfect for every individual.

Having never used an oil-based lubricant before, I didn’t quite know what to expect. For some reason, I had imagined a slick & runny consistency similar to cooking oil. However, Coconu looks & feels more similar to a tube of Vaseline: an almost gel-like substance that is very thick and gooey. As the lube spreads out & warms up with skin-on-skin contact, it becomes a thin & slippery oil sheen… but it never makes my skin feel sticky. Instead, I actually feel softer & more moisturized after using it.

Coconu has a very gentle, natural smell that does remind me of cooking oils, but which I personally do not find very sexy. It also tastes horrible — or rather, it doesn’t taste much at all, but the consistency is such that I want to gag. Being an oil-based lubricant, it takes a little more effort to completely wash away. (Water obviously doesn’t cut it. It helps to physically wipe off any remaining lubricant and then wash with soap afterwards.) It also has the potential to stain fabric, so be aware of that possibility when you’re breaking in a new set of sheets.

I tried using Coconu Oil-Based Lubricant in many different situations and (not surprisingly) I found it better suited for some sexual activities than others.

PIV Intercourse

This lube really impressed my partner & me. Even though it’s thick and somewhat awkward going on, it feels very thin and natural once the action starts. It allows for easy insertion & comfortable thrusting, but without feeling overly wet or squishy. (In this way, it was very similar to our experience with Pink Silicone Lubricant.) It lasted longer than we did, so we never had to reapply. And surprisingly enough, it seemed to make clean-up easier too. My partner and I are fluid-bonded, so we don’t often use condoms during PIV intercourse. Coconu seemed to allow his cum to slide out of me all at once instead of slowly dripping down my legs as I scamper awkwardly to the bathroom.

Anal Play

Anal play isn’t something that I do much anymore, so my experience here was limited to the very small Perfect Plug from Tantus. With just a thin coating of Coconu, the plug slid in effortlessly. (Always a good sign.) But what really surprised me was that it stayed lubricated! One of the reasons I hate wearing butt plugs for an extended period is that taking them out can sometimes feel uncomfortable if the lube has had a chance to dry. Although I certainly didn’t push for any world records (probably only wore it for 30 minutes or so), the plug was just as perfectly lubricated coming out as it was going in. The fact that oil-based lubricants are long-lasting is a huge perk for anal play.

Penile Masturbation

I’m rarely satisfied with lubricant options for hand jobs. Many lubes get tacky so quickly; I end up using a lot and yet still rushing through my partner’s pleasure. Coconu was perfect. It was warm & velvety soft, slippery without being messy. It allowed me to slow down and give my partner a long, teasing play session without ever needing to add more lubricant. Honestly, I think that this will be the primary way that our tube gets emptied.

Vaginal Masturbation

Although I loved using Coconu vaginally with my partner, I really did not enjoy using it with sex toys. I felt like it took a very large amount to coat my silicone dildo — and thrusting still wasn’t as comfortable as it should have been. I even purposefully chose a medium-sized, smoothly finished toy (the Vamp Lola), so that it would become super slippery. No dice. This lube just doesn’t seem to cut down on drag very much at all.

It’s important to note that oil-based lubricants should not be used with porous sex toys. (And I highly suggest that you shouldn’t be reintroducing them to your body either.) For more information on sex toy safety, click here.

Massage

Coconu states on their website that the oil-based lubricant can also be used as a massage oil, but I was skeptical. I mean…it’s lube. Not exactly the most appealing consistency for a long, relaxing massage.

Reluctantly, I asked my partner to try it anyway — and I was incredibly surprised. It actually feels very nice on the skin. The oil allowed my partner’s hands to glide smoothly over my back without drying out, and it didn’t make either of us feel sticky. In fact, after gently wiping away the oil residue, neither of us felt the need to jump into the shower to wash it off. Although I don’t enjoy it as much as my favorite massage candles, it would do perfectly well in a pinch. (And it’s very convenient if you want to jump right into other sexual activities.)

Coconu Oil-Based Lubricant certainly isn’t an “across the board” lube for me, but it has still proven to be a pleasurable addition to my toy box. It’s a good silicone substitution for my fluid-bonded partner & I when we’re looking for that au naturale feeling during PIV intercourse. It has not caused any negative reactions within my body. And its strengths really shine during penile masturbation & anal play; the staying power is amazing!

There are a lot of considerations when deciding whether or not to use an oil-based lubricant. Consider what type of safer sex barriers you intend to use, what toys might come into play, how upset you’ll be if your sheets/clothes accidentally get stained, and where you stand in the “safety of plant-based oils” debate. But if you’ve decided that oil-based lubricants will fit nicely within your sex life (and you can afford the price point), I highly recommend Coconu’s organic oil-based lubricant.

Pros: feels natural, long-lasting (especially good for anal play & hand jobs), provides a long-lasting silicone lube alternative for use with silicone sex toys, doubles as a massage oil, USDA-certified organic, hypoallergenic, one of few plant-based oil lubricants on the market (vagina-safe)

Cons: not latex safe, may stain fabric, should not be used with porous sex toys, more difficult to remove from skin than water-based lubricant, bad taste, quite expensive (especially for how much I seem to use)

Special thanks to my lovely affiliate, Peepshow Toys, for sending me this item in exchange for an honest, unbiased review! If you would like to purchase Coconu Oil-Based Lubricant, please consider doing so here. And don’t forget to use discount code “Mandi” at checkout to save 10%!

Lovehoney Main Squeeze: Heavy Double Kegel Balls Review

Posted by MandiLea02

Those closest to me like to joke that whenever I decide to try something new, I go “balls to the wall.” In this instance, I can’t think of a more fitting phrase — or one that would amuse me nearly as much.

On somewhat of a whim, I decided to request one of the heaviest kegel exercisers that Lovehoney has to offer: the Main Squeeze Heavy Double Kegel Balls. Although kegel exercises aren’t exactly new for me, my experience is still somewhat limited. I have a wonderfully adorable app called Kegel Kat (which I hardly ever remember to use) and I own the Lelo Luna Beads (which have only ever tried to escape from my vagina once). Despite that one very awkward closed-leg walk across the gym, I still consider my pelvic floor to be pretty strong. And hey… Your vagina only lives once, right? Why not challenge it?

For anyone who is unfamiliar with Kegel balls, their intended purpose is to be placed and held within the vagina in order to exercise the muscles of the pelvic floor (those that support the bladder & uterus). Exercising these muscles can have certain health benefits, such as treating or preventing urinary incontinence & pelvic prolapse — as well as potentially creating stronger orgasms. Kegel balls are great because they allow your body to passively engage in Kegel exercises while also providing additional weight.

The Heavy Double Kegel Balls by Lovehoney weigh in at 90g and measure approximately 5.5″ long (3″ of balls/2.5″ of retrieval string) with a diameter of 1.25″ on each ball and 0.5″ in the middle. (For comparison, even the heaviest combination of Lelo Luna Beads max out at 74g!) But don’t worry. If you’d like to start with a lighter size, Lovehoney still has you covered. Main Squeeze Kegel Balls also come in 2 other weighted varieties: a single 30g ball & a 60g double-ball.

All of the Main Squeeze Kegel Balls are made with a nonporous & body-safe silicone coating (complete with a silicone retrieval loop at the end) and contain free-roaming weights inside. The structure is very firm, with no flex or bend between the balls. The purple silicone has a velvety matte finish that doesn’t attract loads of dust, lint, or hair — or create much drag. However, because of the solid, bulbous form and the fact that most individuals use Kegel balls when they are not aroused, a good water-based lubricant can be extremely helpful for easy, comfortable insertion.

The product packaging is plain & simple: just a small cardboard box with pictures of the toy and information about its purpose. Inside, the Kegel balls themselves are sealed within a clear plastic bag. Also included is a small sheet of instructions [viewable here], perfect for those who have never used Kegel exercisers before. (As Peep pointed out in her wonderful review of the 60g version, the packaging & instructions are impressively gender neutral and sex positive. No vagina shaming here!) Of course, Lovehoney values customer privacy and all of this was placed within a plain brown cardboard box to be discreetly delivered to my doorstep.

It’s important to note that because these toys have no flared base, they are absolutely NOT anal safe. If you want jiggle balls for your bum, please take a look at Fun Factory’s B Balls instead.

I’ll admit; I find it nearly impossible to tell if Kegel exercises are “working.” Because I haven’t had much trouble keeping other Kegel balls inside of my body, I’ve been somewhat bored and confused by using them. It’s a continuous guessing game, trying to gauge the strength of my own vagina. Should I try something smaller? Heavier? Should I do jumping jacks? Am I even doing this right at all?!

At first, Lovehoney’s Main Squeeze Heavy Double Kegel Balls were the same way. I applied a bit of lube (but not so much that it would cause them to slip out prematurely), slowly pushed them inside of my vagina, and went about my normal day-to-day activities. I felt the constant pressure of having something solid & unyielding inside of my body, but that was all. I couldn’t feel the weights rolling around inside of the casing. I didn’t feel my body actively working to keep the balls in place. And my muscles never did feel “tired” — even after wearing them for nearly 4 hours.

So, I turned it up a notch: I tried dancing. Finally, I found a way to challenge my body. My poor vagina was suddenly having one hell of a time keeping these 90g weights in place. The bottom ball would constantly work its way down, resting at my vaginal opening, playing an annoyingly awkward game of peekaboo until I would reach down and gently push them back up into a more secure position. (Thank goodness I decided to try this in the privacy of my own home.)

My only complaint is that I never do feel the weights rolling around, no matter how much I move. As someone who finds the very noticeable “thwacking” sensation of the Lelo Luna Beads to be somewhat pleasurable, I do miss it. But if that extra sensation is annoying or too intense for you, then you’ll be happy to know that the Lovehoney Main Squeeze Kegel Balls are much, much more subtle.

“What about the results,” you ask? Well to be honest, I haven’t noticed any — at least not verifiably. I’m already in pretty good pelvic health. And although I sometimes feel like I can squeeze my partner’s penis even harder during PIV intercourse, I’m also well aware that this could simply be a placebo effect. The only real, noticeable change is that I tend to produce more natural lubrication when wearing Kegel balls of any sort.

If you’re looking for an easy & effective way to do Kegel exercises, the Lovehoney Main Squeeze line is a great choice. They’re body-safe, very affordable (30g – $19.99 | 60g – $22.99 | 90g – $24.99), and offer a variety of options — for beginners and experts alike. The 90g Heavy Double Kegel Balls are the only exercisers that have managed to challenge my vagina, actually providing me with a goal that I can work towards. And although I don’t receive any pleasure out of the rolling weights (like I do with the Lelo Luna Beads), I also recognize that “pleasure” is not what these items are intended for. They do precisely what they are meant to do: exercise the pelvic floor muscles.

I will say, however, that even though 3″ doesn’t sound like a lot…it is approximately the average size of an unaroused (and thus untented) vagina. For some, this could mean that these Kegel balls are too long to fit comfortably inside of the body. (Personally, they seem close to the upper limit for me, but are still wearable. I simply have to remain careful about pushing them in too far, so as to avoid any brief & mild pain.)

If you’re concerned about the length — or about choosing the right weight — Lovehoney does offer free 365-day returns. This way, if the Main Squeeze Kegel Balls don’t work for you, you can either get your money back or try a different size and it’s no big deal.

Pros: nonporous & body-safe silicone, very affordable, variety of weights to choose from (90g was actually challenging for me!), shame-free packaging, 365-day return policy

Cons: couldn’t feel free-roaming weights moving around (could be a pro for some), stiffness & length could be an issue for some body types

I’d like to thank my affiliate, Lovehoney, for providing me with this item in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

If you’d like to purchase the Lovehoney Main Squeeze Kegel Balls, you can do so here: 30g, 60g, and 90g.

HedoVibes #125

Posted by MandiLea02

Photo courtesy of KinkyKittenKim

Welcome to HedoVibes, a collection of reviews and giveaways that were posted in the past week or so from around the web. This is a collection of adult product reviews & contests from real reviewers. If you want to be included in the next edition start with the guidelines, then use the submission form.

Want to read more reviews? Check out HedoVibes for a list of the latest reviews and stellar reviewers. You can also follow on twitter for the latest round ups. HedoVibes is also accepting photo submissions for each edition.

CONTESTS

LELO Lily 2 Giveaway (1/31)
Kinky Kitten’s 1st Blogiversary Giveaway (2/1)
2 oz Spunklube Trio (2/4)
Joannes 1st Year Anniversary Competition (2/11)
Your Choice Desire Collection (2/15)

DILDOS

VIBRATORS

ANAL TOYS

RINGS & STROKERS

Meo Donut Cock Ring -by Justin Decerous

LUBES & CONDOMS

Ride Body Worx Silicone Lube -by BeckAndHerKinks
Cock Candy Pina Colada -by KinkyKittenKim
EZ2Fuck -by KinkyKittenKim

MISCELLANEOUS

Penthouse Brand Spankin’ Toy Cleaner -by FriskyGirl

Blush Novelties Luxe Mio Review

Posted by MandiLea02

When looking through my collection of sex toys, the Luxe Mio dildo by Blush Novelties practically screams “one of these things is not like the others.”

It’s a short & squat little object, vaguely phallic and seemingly designed more for its girth than anything else. Rather than being curved for precise G-spot stimulation, the entire dildo tilts upward, ending with a pronounced ridge & wide, flattened head that will press or rub against the front wall of the vagina during use. Although the girth-focused design may be intimidating for some, the tip is nicely tapered to make initial insertion easier. And with a slight decrease in diameter near the base of the toy, the shape actually reminds me more of a vaginal plug than a dildo.

The Mio measures approximately 6″ on its longest side, leaving about 5.5″ of insertable length after accounting for the circular, suction cup base. (I’ve had mixed results with the suction cup, but the base itself does make the toy both anal safe & harness compatible.) With a 1.8″ diameter at its widest point, the Luxe Mio is the most girthy toy that I own — not counting the Traz Rhino Genesis, which only got used for my review.

So why did I, someone whose body is unskilled in the ways of girth, request that SheVibe send this item in exchange for an honest, unbiased review? For one, I have my eye set on a certain breath-takingly beautiful toy that sports a somewhat similar shape and a full 2″ diameter. (In other words: vagina training.) But also, the Luxe Mio is only $26.99! And as I stated in my review for the NS Novelties Colours Pleasure dildo, I am extremely passionate about finding affordable, nonporous & body safe sex toys that I can recommend to my readers — even if the manufacturer is also still creating items of a porous & generally questionable nature.

Blush Novelties advertises the Luxe Mio as being “pure silicone” and the flame-test does appear to confirm that. It is, however, the firmest & most unrelenting silicone dildo that I have ever felt. Seriously. This toy offers almost zero flexibility or squish. The surface is matte & velvety soft to the touch, rarely attracting dust, hair, or lint — but causing a bit of drag unless well-lubricated. There is a divot in the tip (where the urethra would be), which is a mild cleaning annoyance that serves no discernible purpose. There is also a visible seam that runs vertically down the middle of the toy, but I have never found either of these things to be noticeable during use.

Although it’s probably not a widespread issue, my Mio does have a couple of small dents on the shaft. It confuses me because I’m not sure if it’s surface damage, an imperfection within the original mold, or (and this is me being skeptically cautious) collapsed foam under a layer of silicone. At the moment, I’m refraining from cutting it open like I did my Cal Exotics butt plug. (Since the interior of the toy never comes into contact the body, the toy should still be body-safe. I would only take issue with the “pure silicone” claim.)

The Luxe Mio is available in only one color: a dark lavender. The packaging from Blush Novelties consists of a clear plastic box that offers basic toy information and is covered in pink & purple designs. (Not to worry: SheVibe will ship this item in a discreet cardboard box, of course.)

Obviously, I expected to be challenged by the Luxe Mio‘s girth… but vaginas are magical — and mine totally surprised me.

Of course, it helps if I start with my Tantus Vamp: only slightly smaller (1.75″ diameter), but still completely comfortable to insert. And I definitely need to smother everything in a thick, cushiony lubricant such as Good Clean Love’s Almost Naked. But if I take things slow and give my body a moment’s rest at even the slightest hint of pain (which usually happens as I triumph over the thick head), then the Luxe Mio by Blush Novelties is surprisingly enjoyable. In fact, I think that I like this toy more & more every time I use it.

At first, I tried to thrust with it — like I do with most of my dildos. I knew that the short length & large head would confine me to slower, smaller motions but I still wanted to see if it would rub against my G-spot. There was just one small problem… Before I could make any sort of honest assessment, the muscles of my vagina would tighten and completely prevent any further movement. Suddenly I am The Eternal Masturbation Girl with a dildo literally stuck inside of my vagina.

So I gave up on thrusting.

And that’s when it all came together: This toy is perfect for hands-free power-clenching.

Normally, it is of upmost importance that I hold onto whatever dildo I am using at the point of orgasm. If I don’t, my vagina muscles will forcibly push it out of my body, which can be both distracting & disappointing. But because the Mio has a girthy & more “plug-like” design, it stays firmly in place — no matter how hard my muscles contract around it.

I get an amazing sensation with the Mio that I honestly haven’t ever been able to experience in a pleasurable way before. I feel ever-so-slightly stretched but completely filled. It’s like my vagina is safe & secure, all wrapped up around the Mio’s bulking form.

Unfortunately, as I was finishing this review, Blush Novelties was the subject of quite the uproar on Twitter. Apparently, Blush has created (yet another) dildo that looks almost identical to Tantus designs. When Metis Black publicly expressed her distaste, Blush began accusing Tantus of being a copycat first & went on the attack — both to Metis AND any blogger who dared to believe/support Tantus instead of them.

***

Of course, Blush deleted all of these tweets before the night was over. They also sent me a direct message stating that the employee behind this fiasco has “been removed” from the company.

If you haven’t already seen the products that have been in question, Erika Lynae was VERY quick to create a helpful little visual chart. I’ll let my lovely readers form their own opinion.

I’m disappointed in the behavior of Blush Novelties. I truly enjoyed using the Luxe Mio dildo and was excited to be able to suggest an affordable silicone toy that offered a bit more than the “average” girth. But drama like this makes me pause. It makes me examine whether or not I want to personally & financially support a company that I consider to be unethical — and quite rude.

But regardless of my opinion, the fact remains that people can only buy what they can afford. I’d much rather my readers buy a body-safe silicone toy from a company that gives me the creeps instead of settling for a porous or toxic toy that could put their health at risk.

Pros: nonporous & body-safe silicone, very affordable, offers more than “average” girth, may provide G-spot stimulation for some, suction cup (your results may vary), safe for anal play & harness compatible

Cons: could be too girthy for some individuals, urethral divot collections bodily fluids, potential for small flaws in craftsmanship, manufacturer displays questionable behavior on multiple levels (creates porous toys, possibly copies other companies’ designs, verbally aggressive towards those in the sex toy industry & bloggers)

Special thanks to my lovely affiliate, SheVibe, for providing me with this product in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

If you decide to purchase the Luxe Mio — or if you decide to shop for other sex toys instead — please consider doing so through SheVibe. SheVibe is a fabulous company, created & run by individuals who are passionately dedicated to sex toy education, affordability, & body-safety. In no way do any negative opinions expressed within this review extend to them as a retailer.

HedoVibes #124

Posted by MandiLea02

Photo courtesy of Carnal Chameleon

CONTESTS

LELO Lily 2 Giveaway (1/31)
Kinky Kitten’s 1st Blogiversary Giveaway (2/1)
2 oz Spunklube Trio (2/4)

DILDOS

NS Novelties Colours Pleasures 5″ -by EROcentric
Fun Factory Bouncer -by DevianttKitten
1AToys Crazy CornCob -by KinkyKittenKim
MEO Alpha Male 3 Stimulator -by Carnal Queen
Tantus Uncut #2 -by FriskyGirl
Godemiche Adam-Bi -by Screw Tablo
G-Spot Lines Paris -by Positively Sex Toys

EROcentric

Aspiring & Advocating for Sex-Positivity