vibrators

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Wand vibrators 101

I recently saw a Twitter conversation that shook me.  A blogger had posted a picture of their Hitachi Magic Wand vibrator and a commenter had written “How does that even work?  How are you meant to get that inside of you?”  It broke my heart that this poor reader hadn’t been educated in the way of wand vibrators, and I thought it was high time I did a little 101 class for anyone else who isn’t sure what wands are or how you’re supposed to use them.

What are wand vibrators?

Wand vibrators are a type of external vibrator. They typically feature a large head that vibrates and a long handle.  Wands are generally a quite powerful type of vibrator, many plug into the wall but there are rechargeable versions on the market.

What are they for?

Wands are used for external stimulation of the genitals.  You’re not supposed to insert a wand inside your body, they’re used to run over the outside parts of your genitals to wake them up and stimulate them.  Wands can be used during sex or for solo play.  A wand vibrator provides a more broad stimulation than say, a bullet vibrator.  Many people with clitorises find this type of vibration more pleasurable and find that they have stronger orgasms when they use a broader source of vibration.  And there’s a very good reason for this.  To find out why, we’re going to take a look at some clitoral anatomy.

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See, the clitoris is actually much larger than what most of us realise.  That little nub that perches atop the vulva is actually just the tip of a much larger collection of nerves.  The clitoris also has two long “legs”, which run down underneath the labia and inner thighs, wrapping around the entrance to the vagina.  This whole area is packed with nerve endings and is sensitive to pleasurable touch. The glans clitoris, that little pea-shaped button that most of us think of as the clit is the most sensitive part.

Wand vibrators provide a much broader surface of vibration, which stimulates the internal clitoris creating a fuller sensation.  Engaging this entire erogenous zone with a powerful vibrator can bring on bigger, more satisfying orgasms.  Some people with vulvas also find that pinpoint stimulation directly on the clitoris is too intense, and prefer the more broad-brush approach that a wand offers.

Who might enjoy using a wand?

Wands are perfect for anyone who wants to have a powerful orgasm, but finds direct clitoral stimulation too intense.  They also come with a range of attachments, so you can have the power of a wand with a variety of different sensations and shapes.

Even though I’ve talked mostly about the clitoris, wands aren’t only for people with vulvas.  Their simple shape make them very adaptable to be used on a range of body parts.  You could experiment using the wand on nipples, testicles, the perineum, labia and inner thighs.  In a pinch, they even work to ease sore muscles (as that was the original purpose of the iconic Hitachi Magic Wand).

Wands are also fantastic for BDsM play.  The long handle means that you can easily lash them to someone’s inner thigh or torso, pressing them up against the genitals for forced orgasm or tease and denial scenes.

I also recommend wands for people who have hand or wrist issues, or anyone who has trouble reaching comfortably to use a traditional bullet or smaller clitoral vibrator. The handle gives you plenty of extra reach so you can more easily access your genitals during solo play.  Many designs have curved handles that angle the toy towards your body, making it more ergonomic and easier to hold in place.

Which wands do you recommend?

There are several wand vibrators that I sing the praises of.  My all time favourite is the Medicil Magic wand (the same as the Hitachi). It’s mains powered, which is a little bit of a pain if you aren’t near an outlet but there is a rechargeable version. It’s very powerful and feels amazing.

I also enjoy the Tantus Rumble.  It’s not quite as powerful as some other wands, but it is feather light and easy to use.  Tantus also has a number of attachment heads for it to allow you to experience different sensations.

There are a couple of wands that I’ve not personally tried, but I’ve heard are great.  The Doxy Diecast is high on my wishlist for it’s rumbly power.  The Embrace Body Wand has an elegant shape and the handle also vibrates, meaning it doubles as an external vibrator.   I’ve also heard great things about the Lelo Smart Wand.

 

In summary, wand vibrators are perfect for powerful, broad surface stimulation for bigger orgasms.  They also solve some issues with grip and accessibility for folks who have hand or wrist complaints.  Wands are a very versatile, powerful toy that can be used in so many creative ways with exciting results.

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Product review: Unik Rabbit

The Unik rabbit caught my eye at Sexpo last year.  It rekindled an interest in rabbit vibrators that has lain dormant for a long time.  For years, the only sex toy I owned was a vibrating rabbit.  This was because I had the idea in my head that a woman should A Vibrator, and that should be her only toy.  So I wanted one that provided internal and external stimulation.  When that rabbit bit the dust, I began a search for a new vibrator which birthed the realisation that “Hey, there are So Many sex toys out there and I can have multiple toys if I want”.  And so I moved away from rabbits for a while, only sampling a couple in the last few years.

But then the Unik rabbit hopped onto the scene.  When I saw it, I knew I wanted it.  It ticked so many Good Sex Toy boxes: It was medical grade silicone!  It was rechargeable!  And waterproof!  And had a really awesome range of motion.  See, most rabbits just vibrate, but the internal portion of the Unik rabbit rotates.  I couldn’t wait to take it for a spin.

Once it was charged and ready to go, I took a moment to play with the buttons.  I absolutely love the controls on this rabbit.  I dislike rabbit vibrators that have one set of controls for both motors.  When there’s two motors, I like to be able to control them both independently, because I usually want stronger sensation internally than what I want externally.  With single-button controls, I have to choose between overwhelming my clitoris or underwhelming my G-spot.  But this toy has one button for the clitoral arm and another for the rotation.  So you can mix and match vibration and rotation speeds to perfectly suit your needs.

The reason I tend not to choose rabbit vibes very often is that they’re not a “one size fits all” deal.  When you’re making a toy that’s intended to stimulate two erogenous zones simultaneously, there’s a huge margin of error.  The distance between the clitoris and the vaginal opening varies greatly across the population of vulva owners. So it’s very difficult to make a vibrator that will hit the clitoris and the g-spot on every person that tries it.  I’ve been lucky in the past to find a couple of rabbit vibes that fit my body perfectly (The Lelo Ina Wave is the best example).  But the Unik rabbit does not.  If I insert it far enough so that the rabbit ears make contact with my clit, the rotating arm is situated way behind my g-spot.  If I move it so that the tip can massage my g-spot, the rabbit is several inches away from my clit.  Even though this toy is supposed to stimulate both spots at the same time, I usually wind up having to choose one or the other each time I use this toy.

When the rabbit arm does reach my clitoris, the experience is mixed.  The vibration quality is quite rumbly and very powerful.  The vibrator has three speeds and then several patterns.  The thing I don’t like is those rabbit ears.  Those buggers are pointy and have a tendency to poke painfully at my clit.  They are quite flexible, so they can be bent out of the way.  I tried pointing them downwards, lying one on either side of my clitoris but they tend to wriggle out of position and pinch me.  The only thing that worked well was bending them upwards and resting the rabbit ‘nose’ against my clitoris.

I did very much like the shaft’s motion for g-spot massage. The tip of the shaft curves very gently upwards, so it reaches your g-spot without being too aggressive.  The end of the shaft is the perfect firmness for a good massage with enough squish to feel comfortable.  The swirling motion feels amazing on my g-spot, which prefers pressure to thrusting.

This toy boasts two powerful motors, one in the shaft and one in the rabbit arm.  I was extremely excited by this because I wanted to be able to really rumble my junk inside and out. However, I ran into a little problem.  I’d start playing with both motors on low, then I’d slowly inch up the speed on the shaft until it was going at full speed.  Then as I was close to orgasm, I’d bump up the vibration speed……and the whole toy would switch itself off.  I tried this over and over and each time I got to top speeds on both motors, they’d both shit themselves and cut out.  It was like the rabbit was saying to me “Bitch, you can’t handle that much power!”.  It was so frustrating because it would usually happen right before I came, and I can’t abide any toy that makes me lose an orgasm. Don’t tease me with the potential of two powerful motors if I can’t use them both at once.

The final thing that pushed me from being excited about this toy to wanting to hurl it across the room is the noise.  This is one of the loudest vibrators I’ve ever heard.  The vibrating portion is pretty quiet, so if you’re just using that motor you should be fine. But the rotating shaft makes this incessant mechanical whine that is still audible through several layers of bedding.  It’s so loud that I can’t use this toy while I’m watching porn because I can’t hear the my movie over the grinding of the motor.  It’s completely unsexy and very distracting.  If you have housemates or live with your parents, this is not the toy for you because as soon as you turn it on it broadcasts to the whole household “Hey dudes!  I’M MASTURBATING!!”

I was so disappointed with this toy.  It has many features that I adore, from the silky silicone shaft to the awesome dual control panel. But the actual experience of using this vibrator was awkward, frustrating and lacklustre.  If it were merely a matter of the toy not really fitting my personal anatomy, I’d still be willing to recommend it with the caveat that it might work for someone with a different vagina.  But the unbearable volume of the motor and the fact that it can’t handle being bumped up to the highest setting have turned me completely off this vibrator.  It had so much potential, but fell far short of what I’d hoped it would deliver.

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Product review: Lush by Lovense

A few months ago I was doing an epic eye-roll at a camgirl show.  The model I was watching was wearing a Lovense Lush and having a massive orgasm.  I was intensely sceptical. “C’mon, there’s no freakin’ way that a tiny insertable vibrator is making her cum that hard….or at all”.  In the past the only insertable egg vibes I’d encountered were buzzy, weak and lacklustre, so you can imagine why I was doubtful that this toy was capable of producing such a leg-shaking reaction.

Fast forward to last month when Aphrodite’s Pleasure sent me a Lush of my very own to review.  I had extremely low expectations for this toy and truly believed that this review was going to be a slam-dunk.  I made a list of tests to put the Lush through it’s paces and set to work trying it out….

And time and again, this toy proved me wrong.  I went into this review fully expecting to hate this toy, but the Lovense Lush wooed me, seduced me and turned those expectations on their head.  If you’re also a sceptic, get ready to be converted.

To start with, let’s take a look at the basics.  The Lush by Lovense is a wearable vibrator with remote control via a smartphone app.  It’s made with 100% body safe silicone and feels buttery soft to the touch.  The Lush only comes in one colour: hot pink.  This is fine for me because I adore anything pink but some folks might not be jazzed that there are no other colour options.  The Lush is rechargeable and a full charge will give you between 1.5 and 2 hours of use.  This is a pretty decent amount of playtime for such a tiny toy.

To use the Lush, you insert it into your vagina, with the tail outside your body.  The entire toy vibrates, including the little tail.  The vibration quality is top-notch.  I was utterly surprised that such a small package could deliver such deep, rumbling vibrations.  The Lush is cleverly shaped to target your g-spot when inserted.  The bulge at the top of the vibrator nestles against the front wall of your vagina to deliver strong sensation to your g-spot.  As if that wasn’t awesome enough, the tail sits between your legs and rumbles against your clit, although with less intensity than the insertable portion of the toy.  This dual sensation was a pleasant surprise, as I wasn’t expecting any external stimulation from this toy.  I can very rarely orgasm without clitoral stimulation, so the addition of the vibrating tail was a very welcome feature for me.  When inserted, the Lush is really comfortable and stays in place perfectly.

You can use the Lush manually or by remote control by pairing it with the app.  To use it manually, you press and hold the button to turn it on, and then click the button to turn up the vibration and cycle through the vibration patterns.  This is kind of awkward if the toy is inside you, as you have to fumble around in your vagina if you want to adjust the intensity.  Although manual use is a possibility, it’s pretty clear from the design that the Lush is intended to be used as a remote control toy.

The Lovense app is free to download and is compatible with Android and Apple products (you can even use your Apple watch to control it).  It’s super simple to use with really intuitive controls and a bright interface.  I was really impressed with the app and all the different features it offers.  Firstly, you can use the app as a basic remote control for your toy.  You can increase or decrease the intensity with the slide of a finger and create your own patterns.  I put the Lush through a bunch of different tests to check the range of the remote control.  It continued to work perfectly through several layers of clothing, under the covers of my bed and from several feet away.  I had expected that it might struggle to remain connected if I put on clothes or climbed under the covers but the Lush didn’t skip a beat.

Speaking of beats, the app also has a really cool music setting.  You can choose a song from your phone or your Spotify account and the toy will buzz to the music.  I took this feature for it’s maiden voyage to one of my favourite songs- Thriller by Michael Jackson and was excited yet puzzled by the result.  The feature was a lot of fun, but for the life of me I can’t figure out what the vibrations are synched to.  It doesn’t follow the beat, or the tempo, or the melody of the song that’s playing.  The pattern of vibration seems somewhat random, and yet it still feels like it’s working with the music somehow.  I experimented with many different songs and found the results interesting and fun (for the record, my favourite song to pair it with is Jungle Love by Morris Day and The Time).  I like using the music setting for foreplay, because it gives you a fun, random-ish pattern of vibration that is unpredictable.  However, I can’t get off using this setting because I need continuous and predictable vibrations or orgasm.  But it’s really fun to play with to tease yourself.

While the Lush is a lot of fun to play with on your own, it really shines as a couples vibrator.  The app has a long-distance setting that is nothing short of fantastic.  Basically, your partner downloads the app, and you give them permission to control your toy remotely.  Your long-distance lover can then control the vibrations of your toy from anywhere in the world.  There’s even a chat function, so that you can talk dirty and send sexy pictures while you play.  I live three hours from my partner, and we had so much fun with this function.  It was amazing to let him take control and actually be able to remotely hold my orgasm in the palm of his hand. The first time we tried it, it was a little strange because of the lack of feedback.  He wasn’t sure if it was working until I texted him to tell him I was enjoying myself.  But pair this toy with skype or facetime, and you’ve got yourself a seriously fun long-distance sex date. I also like the fact that you can block users from controlling your toy, so if your romance turns sour you don’t have to worry about your ex hijacking your vibrator.

One reason that a lot of people are drawn to wearable vibrators is because they open the door to public play. Just imagine that you’re wearing a vibrator and nobody knows except your partner, who is holding the remote control.  And at any moment they could press the button and send you into a quivering mess while you desperately try to contain yourself.  Unfortunately, most wearable vibrators that I’ve encountered shit all over this fantasy.  They’re either so uncomfortable that you can’t stand to wear them for an extended period, or they are super loud so everyone within ten metres can hear your panties buzzing.  Either that or they’re weak and aren’t really good for much more than a lack-lustre fizz.  The Lush is the first toy I’ve used that is actually practical for public play.  Firstly, it’s really comfortable to wear, and sits discreetly under your clothing.  Secondly, even at it’s highest setting, it’s practically silent once you’ve inserted it.  I could not believe how quiet this toy was, and I’ve worn it in public without anybody raising an eyebrow.  Finally, the vibrations are strong enough to feel amazing, so you can actually play with real pleasure rather than tiny pings and buzzes.  The remote has a fairly good range, up to 10m when standing or 3m when sitting, so if you’re at the movies or out  to dinner then you’re well within range for play.  The one slightly awkward thing is that you need to turn the toy on before play.  So if you’re walking around with it on, the batteries are going to be draining and your playtime might be cut short.  But realistically, this is a pretty minor downfall.  For public play, the Lush ticks almost every box.

One other use I’ve found for the Lush is as an external clitoral vibrator.  It’s small enough to target your clit during intercourse or for solo play.  The rumbly vibrations feel incredible on my clit and labia. The fact that it has a travel lock make this the ideal pack-and-go toy.

I am so impressed with the Lush by Lovense.  It’s an incredibly versatile toy that can be used solo or with a partner, it can be used for BDsM power play scenes, public play, long distance play or steamy masturbation sessions.  Not only does it open the door for creative play, but it does exactly what it’s supposed to. It delivers amazingly strong vibrations and pairs perfectly with the app, without losing connection or interrupting your playtime.  I have to eat humble pie and apologise to the cam model that I accused of faking her orgasm while using this toy….because I now know that it’s entirely possible to have a leg-quaking climax with a remote controlled bullet vibe.  Or at least, it is with the Lovense Lush.

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Product review: Jopen Lust L1

I purchased the Jopen L1 during a fit of curiosity.  I’d seen pictures of several Jopen vibrators online and was intrigued by their unique shapes and sleek designs.  When I saw the L1 on sale at Twisted Toys I snapped one up immediately, eager to take it for a spin.

The first thing that caught my eye was the shape of the L1.  I am a huge fan of sex toys with non-traditional shapes.  While phallic dildos and bullet vibes do the job, I love finding a toy with a shape that makes me go “hmmmmm”.  Why is that?  Well, because non-traditional shapes force you to be creative with your play.  When it’s not obvious how a toy is supposed to be used on your body, it encourages curious exploration and experimentation, which leads to excitement and loads of fun.  If your sex sessions are beginning to look a little samey-samey, then I definitely recommend trying a toy like this that breaks the mould and forces you to try new ways to play.

The shape of this toy is also fairly non-intimidating and gender neutral.  It has loads of interesting features that can be used on a range of different body parts.  Those little antennae are perfect for stimulating nipples or for resting on either side of a clitoris.  Use the bottom bulge to stroke breasts, labia or inner thighs.  The curve works amazingly to cradle a set of balls, and you can then angle either the tickling antenna or the rounded end to massage the perineum.  The L1 is such a versatile toy which can be used in so many ways and I adore that about it.  I’m still finding new ways to play, even after months of experimenting with this toy.

Another reason I enjoy this toy so much is that it works just as well for partnered sex as it does with solo play.  The small size makes it ideal for working my clit when I’m having penetrative sex with my partner.  It’s well-established that the majority of women need some kind of clitoral stimulation to orgasm, and very few people with vaginas can come from penetration alone.  A toy like the L1 is a godsend if you struggle to climax from penetrative sex.

When I first took the Jopen L1 out of the box to charge it, I was a little bit bamboozled.  The toy is completely smooth, with no obvious charging port.  It took a careful examination to notice the pin-prick hole which you poke the charger through.  The L1 comes with a USB charging cable, and it takes about two hours to charge fully.  The battery life of this toy is admirable, and I can get about an hour of playtime on the highest setting at about five on the lowest setting.

The utterly smooth design of the L1 is fantastic.  There are no cracks or ridges to trap lube and fluids and it’s completely waterproof.  In addition to this, the toy is made from velvety-soft silicone which feels amazing and is non-porous.  The body of the toy is nice and firm but the antennae are really flexible and won’t poke your privates.

The L1 is controlled by a single button located on the centre of the toy.  It kind of looks like a little nub sticking out of the belly of the  vibrator.  I can’t overstate how thrilled I am with the controls on this toy.  Firstly, I love that it only has a steady vibration and no patterns.  It’s rare that I use the patterns on my vibrating toys, and I much prefer simple, sustained vibration.  This toy gives me exactly what I want in that regard, with no extra settings to get in the way of my sexy fun.

The actual controls on this toy are unique.  To switch the L1 on, you press the button once.  Then, to turn the vibration strength up, you press and hold the button.  If you click the button once, the toy turns off.  This is very different to most single-button vibrators, which require you to click the button multiple times, cycling through every speed and pattern before you can turn it off.  I love that this toy can be turned off in a hurry with just one click.  Admittedly, it took me a while to get used to holding the button down to increase the speed, and there were several moments of frustration when I accidentally switched the motor off instead.  But once I got the hang of it, I came to love this simple no-frills control interface.

In addition to the brilliant control mechanism, the L1 boasts impressive vibration power.  The vibrations from this toy are strong, rumbly and relatively quiet.  Even the lowest setting is beautifully deep and throbbing. An added bonus with this toy is that the entire thing vibrates. This, coupled with the smooth surface means that you can use every inch of the L1 for play.  For me, this only adds to my excitement, because it means that there are so many different shapes and sensations to experiment with.

I’m a sex-blogger in a long-distance relationship, which means that I usually travel with my sex toys. The Jopen L1 might be the best travel vibrator in my collection.  Firstly, it’s small and lightweight, so it doesn’t take up much space in your bag.  It doesn’t look obviously phallic, so if you get your bag checked at the airport, you aren’t going to be red-faced when the security guard spies it.  Finally, it has a travel lock, which is a must for rechargeable toys to ensure that they don’t start buzzing in your bag. Not only is this potentially embarrassing, but it means that you won’t wind up arriving at your destination with a toy that has jiggled it’s batteries flat during your journey.

The Jopen L1 comes in three colours: pink, purple and green.  I chose the lime green because a) it was totally different from anything else in my toybox and b) It kind of reminded me of a little alien.

My final thumbs-up for this vibrator is the price tag.  The Jopen Lust L1 costs around $100, depending on where you buy it from.  This is astonishingly good value for such a high-quality, rechargeable vibrator.

I can’t recommend the Jopen Lust L1 enthusiastically enough.  It’s versatile, body-safe and excellent value. It works for partnered play and solo sessions and is suitable for every body.  It’s inexpensive and encourages creative sexual play.  I think it just might be my favourite vibrator of all time.