HedoVibes #47

Posted by

0

My first HedoVibes submission!

theme-reviews21Photo courtesy of PopMyCherryReview

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

DILDOS

VIBRATORS

ANAL TOYS

RINGS & STROKERS

BONDAGE, IMPACT, & FETISH GEAR

LUBES & CONDOMS

LINGERIE & SHOES

EROTIC BOOKS

MISCELLANEOUS

hedo150

 

We-Vibe Thrill charge

We-Vibe Thrill [review]

Posted by

0

I’ve been anxious to get my hands on a toy that offers dual stimulation for quite some time now. However, I’ve read enough reviews to know that dual stimulation toys only seem to satisfy a select few. I simply was not willing to risk a ton of money on a (body-safe) toy that may not align with my anatomy — or lower my standards for a cheap, but unsafe alternative. So when PinkCherry put the $130 We-Vibe Thrill on sale for only $30, I jumped at the opportunity!

First Impressions & Description

We-Vibe Thrill BoxThe We-Vibe Thrill comes in a sturdy cardboard storage box with rather nice, subdued product art and information. (If you require a certain level of discretion, removing the thin slip-case leaves you with a plain ruby box with only the product name visible.) Inside is a layer of foam that securely holds the toy itself. Underneath this layer of foam is where you’ll find the user manual, a travel/storage pouch, and the magnetic charging port with an included USB cord. (If you don’t want to rely on your computer for charging, I highly recommend purchasing a simple USB wall-adapter.)

We-Vibe Thrill packageI was pleasantly surprised that my charger was different from many of the older black ones that I had seen (including the one pictured on PinkCherry’s product page). Gone are the days of struggling for a strong magnetic attachment. Now, the We-Vibe Thrill simply stands on top of a magnetic base for it’s 90 minute charging time. (Each of which will give you approximately 2 hours of play.)

We-Vibe Thrill charge

The Thrill itself is mostly made of high-quality (non-porous & body-safe) silicone in a deep magenta or “ruby” color, with a small area of silvery hard plastic on the clitoral portion. It is completely waterproof, making it very simple to clean with soap and water.

There are 8 vibration modes to choose from: 4 constant vibrations of increasing intensities, 3 pulse settings (one that alternates between strong pulses and lighter but faster ones, another that just has constant & consistent quick pulses, and one that varies in a Cha Cha ChaChaCha pattern), plus one “wave” vibration mode. At its strongest (Ultra mode), the Thrill reaches 4800 RPM, making it quite strong for such a small toy — but also surprisingly quiet.

There is only one control button to simultaneously control both motors, which is located in between the magnetic charging connectors. This button will cycle through the various vibration modes and then turn off when pressed repeatedly. You can also turn off the unit by holding the button for 2 seconds. (If turned off in this way, the Thrill will resume your last vibration mode when turned back on.)

DSC02333Review

Comfort: One of my initial concerns was one of comfort. I didn’t know how flexible the silicone would be and was curious if insertion would be awkward or difficult — or if the C shape would feel tight during use. Turns out, while the Thrill is indeed firm, the middle is also very bendy. Not only was insertion easy, but I also found that it is super comfortable in both reclining and sitting positions.

Vibrations: It’s no secret around here that I enjoy rather strong vibrations. The Thrill actually surprised me with its intensity. The silicone seems surprisingly good at transferring vibrations. In fact, I actually wish that they would have made the handle out of hard plastic and kept the clitoral stimulator silicone, as the plastic seems to muffle the vibrations too much in its current location — while my hand has gone a bit tingly a couple of times. As for the pulses? I’m normally not a fan, but I’m actually digging experimenting with some of the unique variations that the Thrill has to offer.

Anatomy: The all-important question when dealing with dual stimulation toys. Did the We-Vibe Thrill “work” for me and my genitalia? …Kind of. While it’s not completely impossible for me to get both vibrating motors in exactly the right spot, it is difficult to keep them there. This leads to a lot of extended teasing and ultimate frustration on my part as I continuously lose the perfect positioning. I’ve also noticed that if I do manage to get close to climaxing with the Thrill, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep the small, lubey G-spot end from being pushed out of my body.

Which reminds me… If you require a lot of pressure for proper G-spot stimulation, the little bump on the We-Vibe Thrill probably isn’t going to cut it. And while I have seen at least one review that suggested intercourse with this toy was possible (like the original We-Vibe), I would definitely not advise that for everyone. The mere attempt at providing pressure to the G-spot end with fingers was too uncomfortable for me to try again any time soon.

Would I recommend the We-Vibe Thrill? 

We-Vibe Thrill

I want to like this toy. I think it can provide some pretty glorious sensations when it’s working as intended, but for me…unfortunately, that is a rarity. Will I keep playing with it, experimenting to see if anything improves? Yes, at least for a while longer. But I’ve accepted that it may always be a warm-up toy and nothing more. My advice: if you’re looking to purchase the We-Vibe Thrill, keep your expectations low. If it ends up easily stimulating both your G-spot and clitoris, you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Overall, the Thrill (just like a lot of other dual stimulators) is a risky purchase — one that I don’t think is worth the regular $130 price tag. But if you’re curious and can find it on sale, by all means go ahead and give it a try.

2star

(Most websites have now removed the We-Vibe Thrill from their inventory, as it seems to be officially discontinued.) 

We-Vibe Thrill smile

It’s kind of adorable though… the way it just keeps smiling at you.

Blow Jobs: Choose Your Own Adventure

Posted by

1

Rarely do I hear a woman say that she simply feels “so-so” about fellatio. It’s always a ‘love it’ or ‘hate it’ opinion. I can’t help but wonder if those who hate it have ever had a considerate partner who gives them their share of control over the situation. I worry that simply because one person is receiving physical pleasure during oral sex, it is often seen as a selfish, one-sided sex act.

Blow jobs don’t have to abide by pornographic standards. They do not have to be an exercise in male dominance and female degradation. (Although for some couples, this agreed upon power dynamic is really hot.) As with any sexual act, blow jobs should be an experience of shared enthusiasm & pleasure where the comfort levels and limitations of both partners are acknowledged and respected — and compromises are often possible if you communicate.

“I hate the way it tastes.”

This is probably the #1 complaint that I hear when discussing blow jobs. I’m going to assume that most of the time this is in reference to the taste of ejaculate. (I hate to think that men are commonly presenting their partners with sweaty ol’ genitalia. Wash up, boys!) It’s important to remember that allowing your partner to cum inside your mouth is not the only acceptable way to end oral sex. You have options. For example, it’s really easy to switch from oral sex to a saliva-lubricated hand job at the end — especially if you’ve been incorporating your hands the entire time. If you’re concerned about being able to gauge your partner’s arousal (and trust them to be honest with you), ask them to tell you when they are about to cum so that you can switch.

Another great option is … condoms! A lot of people forget that oral sex can be dangerous too. Not only will using a condom protect you from STIs, it also allows you to finish a blow job with your mouth without worrying about the taste. You definitely don’t want to choose just any condom for this, as the taste of many will not be an improvement. However, there are several brands that make flavored condoms for this very purpose. Or, if you have a flavored lube that you enjoy, you can try pairing it with an unlubricated condom.

If you are comfortable enough with the taste to do a little experimenting, you and your partner can always discuss dietary changes that are said to improve the taste of ejaculate (less meats & beer, more fruits & veggies). Or you can try aiming at parts of the  mouth without tastebuds (back of the throat, under the tongue, etc).

“It makes me gag.” 

Repeat after me: “The partner who is performing fellatio is in control.” They should have the power to decide how much penis is entering their mouth, how quickly or how forceful, and when to take a break or stop altogether. If you are the receptive partner, thrusting, pushing the other person’s head down, or “mouth fucking” are off limits unless your partner explicitly gives you the okay. If thrusting is a reflexive action when climaxing, wrapping a hand around the base of the penis will help limit the depth of insertion and prevent activating the gag reflex. This is also a helpful technique to use with well-endowed partners.

What about deep throating? We obviously do not live in a Deep Throat fantasy land where a woman’s clitoris is at the back of her throat. In fact, not only does the performing partner not experience physical pleasure, but gagging is almost guaranteed and bruising is possible if the insertive partner is too rough. Still, it’s a huge turn on for some individuals — men and women alike. If you are interested in trying the deep throat technique, start by finding a position that creates a straight path from your open mouth to your throat. (Lying on your back with your head hanging slightly over the edge of the bed is common. You can still control the action by pulling your partner into you.) Also, relax. You may never be able to master your gag reflex, but it will certainly be easier if you can remain calm.

“My jaw gets sore.” 

As someone who is pretty sure she has a mild case of TMJ (an often painful disorder of the jaw joint or surrounding muscles), believe me…I understand. In my experience, variety is key. Forget the idea that a blow job is only ‘sticking a penis in your mouth and moving up and down.’ If your jaw starts to get sore, take a break! Rely on your hands for a while, or move to an area where you can concentrate on licking more than sucking. For many men, the urethral opening or meatus, frenulum (where the foreskin attaches), and corona (the ridge around the glans) are all sweet spots for this type of stimulation. Ask your partner if they like their testicles being touched or licked during oral sex — same with their (clean) perineum or anus. Maybe, despite everything popular magazines would have you believe, they even enjoy some light nibbling! Don’t be afraid to mix it up. It’ll relieve your jaw of a lot of physical stress and keep you feeling enthusiastic about what you’re doing.

Closing words for the receptive partner… 

Recognize that your partner may still be turned off by the idea of giving oral sex. Make sure that you are really hearing what they have to say on the matter. Are they willing to find a compromise under certain circumstances — or is that action completely off the table? For a pleasurable experience, everyone involved has to want the sexual activity in question. Do not try and pressure, force, or coerce a partner into anything they are uncomfortable with. Think about it: How sexy is it, really, if the person you’re with is miserable?

8 Titillating Facts About Sex Toys

Posted by

0

Due to a couple of amazing sales at Tantus & Pink Cherry, I’ve recently gone on a bit of a sex toy binge. It only seems fitting that this week’s post shares my current obsession. (Needless to say, I also wanted some quick & easy subject matter as my focus has been on “testing” these new arrivals and not so much on researching/writing.)

Enjoy! 

Dildos have been around forever. Seriously.

It doesn’t really seem too absurd that for as long as humans have been walking the earth, they have been finding ways to satisfy their libido. In 2010, a 30,000 year old stone dildo (or what some believe to be a dildo) was found in Germany. In ancient Greece, “olisbos” commonly made from leather or wood and lubricated with olive oil adorn many erotic vase paintings.

Vibrators were invented to more effortlessly cure “hysteria.” 

A disease that was only diagnosable in women, “hysteria” was believed to be the result of insufficient amounts of sex. (Despite the fact that many people throughout history believed that women had no sexual desire.) During the 19th century, doctors were manually masturbating their female patients in order to reduce hysteria’s rather vague symptoms. Vibrators were a good way to give the good doctors’ hands a break.

The vibrator was the 5th consumer appliance to be electrified.

What were the other four, you ask? The sewing machine, fan, teakettle, and toaster. Before that, many of the first vibrators were powered by steam or a simple hand-crank. For photos and more information about antique vibrators, visit Good Vibration’s Antique Vibrator Museum website. (You really start to get the sense that the people behind Wahl Massagers have simply decided “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”)

The use of vibrators in 1920’s porn made many retailers pull back. 

Prior to their appearance in porn, vibrator ads could be seen in the Sears catalog as well as magazines aimed at a female audience. Similar to how Lelo products are referred to as “personal massagers” in Brookstone stores today, their true use was always veiled. However, as they increasingly became explicitly sexual, many retail stores decided that they were too risqué.

Although it is not strictly enforced, Alabama’s Anti-Obscenity Enforcement Act still makes it illegal to sell sex toys.  

You may be thinking that this is simply an outdated law that everyone forgot about, but is still somehow on the books. Unfortunately, it was put into effect in 1998 and upheld in 2009. You know what’s even more crazy? If this is your first offense, you could still be punished with a $10,000 fine and a year in prison. This hasn’t stopped people yet. Sellers market their items as “educational” or “novelty” to get around the law.

The use of sex toys is more common than you might think. 

I’ve seen estimates on how much money Americans spend on sex toys that range anywhere from $500 million to $15 billion annually, but either way — that’s quite a large industry. (According to sex toy company, Adam & Eve, 8/10 of the leading states are largely Republican. Interesting…) In 2009, researchers at Indiana University [IU] studied the use of vibrators in particular. They found that 52.5% of women and 44.8% of men report having used a vibrator either alone or with a partner.1,2 

Using a vibrator may be tied to other sexual health benefits. 

The same pair of IU studies also found that those who report using a vibrator also report higher scores on tests of sexual function. Women were more likely to report that they had a gynecological exam within the last year, and men were more likely to report testicular self-exams when compared to their non-vibrator-using cohorts. It makes sense that if you’re more comfortable with your genitals, you’ll probably take better care of them.

Sex toys are not regulated by the US government.

Sex toy manufacturers are currently not obligated to follow any standards or even disclose what materials they use. Because they are allowed to hide in secrecy, many of the chemicals found in cheap sex toys are ones that have been banned from children’s toys due to possible toxicity. They also degrade at an alarming and disgusting rate, as can be seen at Bad Vibes.

  1. Reece et al. Prevalence and Characteristics of Vibrator Use by Men in the United States. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2009; 6 (7): 1867 DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01290.x
  2. Herbenick et al. Prevalence and Characteristics of Vibrator Use by Women in the United States: Results from a Nationally Representative Study. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2009; 6 (7): 1857 DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01318.

Sexual Orientation 101: More Than Binaries

Posted by

0

Some people are most comfortable with a black & white view of sexual orientation where your only option is monosexuality: either strictly heterosexual or strictly homosexual. These individuals do not acknowledge that bisexuality exists — either claiming that a “bisexual” is really just a gay/lesbian in denial or a straight person who is experimenting. Others support a third category for bisexuality, accepting a valid middle ground where a person truly can be attracted to both males & females.

While I recognize that categorizing things in nice, neat boxes makes us feel more at ease, I also believe that it can lead to an “us vs. them” mentality. Plus, it encourages us to overlook the subtle differences and intricate details of human sexuality. That’s why I support a broader view of sexual orientation that falls along a continuum. Sexual continuums are not a new idea, but they are sometimes met with resistance.

Kinsey Scale 

Published in Alfred Kinsey’s 1948 Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, the Kinsey Scale is a concept that is fairly widely known and pretty simple to grasp. Basically, the scale runs from 0 (exclusively heterosexual) to 6 (exclusively homosexual).

Kinsey Scale

Fig. 16.1 is reprinted from page 638 of Sexual Behavior in the Human Male by A. Kinsey, W. Pomeroy, & C. Martin (1948).

The fact that #1-5 all describe bisexuality should make it obvious that there is a lot of diversity even within a group of individuals sharing the same sexual label. Although the Kinsey Scale allows for more wiggle room in how a person subjectively defines their sexuality, it can also get a little murky if sexual attraction widely differs from actual sexual experience — or if these aspects change/become more fluid over time.

Klein Grid

Developed by Fritz Klein in 1978, the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid aimed to expand and enhance Kinsey’s idea of a sexual continuum. To get a more complete view of one’s sexuality, the Klein Grid looks at…

  • sexual as well as nonsexual aspects of interpersonal interaction
  • experience, attraction, fantasy, and self-identification (all separately)
  • and the individual’s past, present, and future ideal orientation.

If you would like to take an online quiz version of the Klein Grid, you can do so here. For some individuals, the result may be the same as with the Kinsey Scale — or it may differ. Personally, when I took the Klein quiz, I scored almost a full number higher than I usually self-indentify on the Kinsey Scale. My partner, on the other hand, scored half a number lower.

Beyond the Binary: Pansexuality & Polysexuality

One thing that neither Kinsey nor Klein considered was the existence, and attraction to, individuals that do not fit into our society’s sex and/or gender dichotomy. Even when discussing bisexuality, everything is always “male” or “female,” biological “men” or biological “women.” This means that intersex individuals and those whose gender is more fluid are ignored. But a person’s sex or gender is not always a determining factor in whether or not we are attracted to them.

Those who identify as pansexual remove the constraints of sex & gender binaries altogether, affirming that they can be attracted to anyone — including people of all possible sexes and genders. While some pansexual individuals may have preferences, they remain open to any attraction they experience, focusing more on the person as an individual.

Polysexuals are similar to pansexuals in that their love is not limited to strict societal binaries. However, unlike pansexuals, they may still have some groups of individuals who they are not attracted to based on sex or gender.

Asexuality

Individuals who identify as asexual do not experience sexual attraction to anyone, regardless of sex or gender. While Kinsey did discover a small percentage of people who he described as having “no socio-sexual contacts or reactions,” it was only mentioned in passing. Even now, there is a surprising lack of scientific research regarding asexuality — but a growing community has surfaced. (The Asexual Visibility & Education Network, or AVEN, is a fantastic resource.)

Asexuality can vary widely, depending on the individual. Some experience sexual arousal, but no desire to necessarily share that experience with another person. Some choose to engage in sexual activity without personally feeling sexual desire. Some individuals also inhabit a “gray area” between sexual and asexual which they have defined as being gray-sexual or “gray-a.” This may mean that they go through periods of being asexual, followed by periods of being sexual or it may mean that they experience very little sexual attraction, only under certain circumstances. (For example: Demisexual individuals only experience sexual attraction after an emotional bond has been formed.)

Because this is a more complex view of sexual orientation, it may help to envision a pyramid of how many individuals a person of each orientation may potentially be attracted to — based on the sex or gender of the other person.

Sexual Orientation Pyramid

 

Sexual Orientation vs. Romantic Orientation?

Although many definitions for “sexual orientation” include a romantic component, it is important to remember that sexual attraction and romantic attraction can be very separate. Many (but not all) asexuals experience romantic attraction and desire companionship without sex. And a person that is sexually attracted to one gender or sex may be romantically attracted to another. For example, an individual may be heterosexual in that they desire sexual activity with the opposite sex and biromantic, desiring a romantic connection with members of the same and opposite sex. For every sexual orientation term, there is a romantic orientation equivalent (ex: heterosexual/heteroromantic, bisexual/biromantic, asexual/aromatic, etc) and a person has one of each.