Below you’ll find all of the sex toy reviews I’ve written at Of Sex and Love. Find my opinions on vibrators, dildos, media (sex education books, porn, DVDs and erotica), bondage and BDSM gear, lingerie, anal toys, lube, massage products, and more!
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I’ve also reviewed sexual health goodies.
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Lelo Alia
$199.99
from Fascinations
Insignia is the newest line by Lelo, the luxury sex toy company that has pumped out more new items this past year than I have fingers. I have been lucky enough to try several of those items, including the egg-shaped Alia. I was drawn to the Alia because it’s similar to a regular egg vibrator but I have difficulty holding those and I hoped that the hole in the center of the vibrator would ease the stress on my fingers.
Alia is like an egg with slightly flattened sides and a smaller egg-shape cut out of the middle. It is slightly larger than your typical egg vibrator ax approximately 2.5” long and 1.5” wide. While the outsides of this vibrator are coated in a firm silicone, the inside is lined with plastic painted to look metallic. It has a slight golden sheen and, if you found it difficult to tell whether it was gold or silver in images, it’s pretty much as difficult to tell in person. Unlike some other Lelo’s toys, the silicone is not as firm as I expected. There’s just a tiny bit of give, similar to the Estomed of the Layaspot. The velvety finish also adds to the feeling of softness.
Lelo has been experimenting with packaging this year, it seems. Alia comes in a box that contains a foam shape to hold the vibrator and the included brooch while the other side has a liftable cardboard flap that houses the storage/travel pouch and booklets. I have found that the booklets like to slide to the other side, under the foam, and you need to insert your fingers into the foam holes to move the paper back into place in order to access it.
So, the brooch is a small metal pin that is in the shape of what I understand to be the logo for the Insignia line. Imagine an infinity symbol with an extra loop. I’m not really a fan of pins but it’s elegant looking and could spice up an outfit or you could put it on a canvas bag.
Lelo has strayed from their trademark controls with the Insignia toys and the controls actually match the brooch. The logo is engraved into the silicone while the buttons are embossed onto it. There is a + button on one side to turn on and up the vibrator while a – button exists on the other side to do the opposite. The button in the middle looks a bit like this () and allows the user to switch between modes. Those modes include various pulsation and escalation settings. There are around 8 but it’s hard to tell because that middle button needs a lot of pressure in order for the vibrator to respond. Sadly, Lelo has returned to the buzzier type vibrations with Alia. Siri is significantly deeper in terms of vibration. However, Alia is still much more powerful than Lily.
In use, I didn’t find the shape to help at all. In fact, it may have even made this egg-shaped toy more difficult to use. Depending on your finger size, you can fit 2 or 3 through the hole. Nevertheless, I just couldn’t find a comfortable and useful position that made use of the hole and offered the pressure I like. If you simply like to hold vibrators against you, then this may not be an issue.
Lelo has continued to provide the ability to lock your vibrators when not in use by simultaneously pressing – and +. I still say this isn’t as useful and being able to lock it during use but it’s handy for travel. Charging automatically unlocks an Insignia toy, which is important to remember. The manual states that it requires two hours to fully charge; although, mine was already charged. The LED light on the toy will remain white when the battery is full but will pulse as it dies. Users can expect up to four hours of usage from Alia but I have yet to reach that point. I also believe it uses the same adapter as Ina, Mona and Siri. AWESOME!
Now, I have to mention something odd. This toy is supposed to be completely waterproof. My understanding is that the silicone is supposed to stretch to accommodate the adapter when charging but “shrink” to cover the hole when not charging. My hole is completely open all.the.time. (Man, that sounds kinda naughty, doesn’t it?) I would absolutely NOT trust this in water if I didn’t know it was supposed to be fully waterproof. However, I gave it a thorough and fully submerged washing and it came out just fine. I wonder if the silicone port covers that Lelo previously used are a thing of the past.
Another change that Lelo has implemented with this product is that of the storage bag. It is now double layered satin—black on the outside and white on the inside. I don’t think it looks as nice as plain black but it offers slightly more cushion.
The bottom line for me is that Alia really isn’t an improvement over traditional egg vibrators in terms of strength, size or comfort. I would much rather use my $35 BNaughty, which has survived multiple trips to the shower and rough cleanings.
OhMiBod Freestyle
$130
from OhMiBod
It may come as a surprise to some to read that, despite the fact that I own more vibrators, dildos, sex toys and massage candles than any person ought to own, I hadn’t tried an OhMyBod vibe until just recently. The company was wonderful when I contacted them about reviewing a product and it wasn’t long before I was holding my very own OhMiBod Freestyle vibrator.
It its big ol’ box! The Freestyle comes in one of the larger packages that I have seen for non-rabbit vibrators. It’s a modern box in white with an image of the vibrator and the name of the toy on the cover. The box opens to reveal yet another container, this one a plastic box with rounded corners that actually contains the vibrator. For some reason, I had a hell of a time opening the box for the first time but have since been able to open it with more ease.
The larger box also contains AC adapters for use in other countries, the charger, the wireless transmitter (with batteries) and a 12” AUX input connector—the type of connector that headphones use. Now, I am not stranger to technology or sex toys but I definitely had to consult the instructions to figure out how to set this all up. The included booklet may come in many languages but the connection instructions are really small and easy to miss, in my opinion.
Basic usage includes connecting the headphone jack on the transmitter into your MP3 player or music source. As I type this, it’s in my telephone. Then, to enjoy music, you can plug your actual headphones into the other end of the transmitter or connect the included AUX input cord to some speakers while the MP3 connector goes into your music source.
After turning the cap to the music setting, it will vibrate in tune with your music and, boy, is that something else. It really is. As everyone else has stated, your favourite song may not work so well with OhMyBod vibrators, even if a song you consider quite sexy. Some songs barely register at all and produce pretty much a constant vibration while other songs are more effective with use of the Freestyle vibrator. I find it nearly impossible to detect with songs will work best with the Freestyle, to be honest. It’s really a toss up and you’ll have to adjust the sensitivity on the transmitter (via a volume-type wheel) for every song that plays.
Of course, even if your song produces an interesting vibration, it may not be enough to get you off. This is probably why OhMiBod designed this vibrator with a basic vibration mode they call “manual.” To use it, simply turn the cap to the furthest setting and adjust the strength and mode with “-“ and “+” buttons. I think it’s a little easier to gauge the strength and type of vibrations this way, too. Freestyle has more shallow vibrations but they are strong. For example, stronger than We-Vibe or Lelo’s rechargeable vibrators. OhMiBod describes a total of seven settings for manual mode: low, medium, high, escalation, fast pulsation, super speed pulsation, and a short-short long pulsation. As far as I can tell, the pulsation modes are only available in one strength but it’s pretty strong.
So when you’ve found your perfect song of whether you’ve just turned on the manual modes, you’ll probably wind up inserting the Freestyle vibrator. This one in a straight, cylindrical vibrator with rounded ends. I was a bit surprised at how large it was. I think I was expecting something closer to the Alumina vibrator I reviewed but this one is much longer (8”) and girthier (1 1/8”). It’s still a smaller vibrator in terms of width but bigger than I expected.
Because it is so straight, it’s a general vibrator. I can stimulate my G-spot with straight vibrators because of its location but not all women can. Despite is rigidity, Freestyle feels softer to the touch because of the velvety treatment of the ABS plastic. This is something that I have difficulty feeling in use, however.
There are a couple unique points about the Freestyle. It is listed as splash proof which makes me think the best use is in the tub or shower, with your transmitter connected to some speakers. This method also aids in discretion and can help cover the noise from the vibrator itself. If privacy is a concern, I would warn you that the Freestyle , while not the loudest vibrator I’ve ever tried, isn’t as quiet as I’d like it. It reminds me of a small RC car and the sound actually competes with the sound of the music when I use headphones. On that note, some of my earbuds sound distorted when using the Freestyle’s transmitter—but not all of them.
The included manual states that you can expect the transmitter to work up to 25 feet away from the vibrator itself so you could technically use it—or let someone else use it—in another room, if you wish. I have successfully used it up to fifteen feet away but, like any wireless device, walls can be problematic so I doubt it’d work if you have your own bomb shelter but forgot the Freestyle’s transmitter outside. Or something. You know.
So, while it’s a novel item that won’t become my go-to toy, Freestyle is decent and, even if it was just a rechargeable vibrator, it would get the job done. But I don’t love it.
The Freestyle makes a rattling type of sound during some use. It’s almost as if the casing isn’t quite as snug as it should be and music that makes it pulsate a lot highlights this. Additionally, it takes two hours to charge and while that is supposed to provide five hours of usage, I didn’t even get a full hour before mine died. Lastly, the “convenient” travel case is, quite simply, stupid. Everyone knows that when you’re traveling, you don’t want something bulky and that is exactly what the travel case is. OhMiBod could take a cue from Lelo and simply include a storage pouch for the adapter, vibrator and transmitter. For this same reason, some consumers will wind up throwing away the case simply because of limited storage space. It’s a nice idea (the foam cut outs fit the pieces perfectly and there’s even holes for removing the vibe and transmitter so it doesn’t get stuck) but not the best idea.
My gripes about the Freestyle by OhMiBod really are minimal, however. If you’re the type of person who really enjoys playing with things because of their “neat” factor and have the $130 to spare, you should pick it up. If novelty doesn’t do it for you, however, I’d skip this toy.
Jimmyjane Little Afterglow Sampler Set
One would think that I would have learned my lesson after trying-and-not-really-loving Jimmyjane’s Little Ember candle set but I opted to try the Afterglow Sampler Set anyway. Immediately, I was more impressed with the Afterglow set. Although the holidays have just passed us by, the entire set comes in a long, flat box that includes a ribbon. The box itself has several slits through which you can thread the ribbon to decorate the box as you see fit, making it perfect for gifting. My ribbon was only through one slit and tended to slip off. I also found that the slippery ribbon is difficult to tie tightly. The ribbon itself is a wide, satin type in bright pink and stands out against the box. The top features a grey “ink spot” against a white background and the Jimmyjane logo displays in the bottom corner.
Inside the box is a full sheet of paperboard that severs as a label for each candle scent included. In addition to this, the back side features an “experience guide” and the manufacturer gives suggestions for using multiple scents in one scene or setting. The guide also includes a coupon code for $25 off any $100 purchase on the JimmyJane website.
The candles themselves each sit snugly in a cut out in a box in two rows of three. It’s very geometric and symmetrical. I like the organization. The candle holders are rectangular, white ceramic and although these candles are not full sized, the holders stand about an inch tall, I expect them to last through several uses. However, the experience will vary depending on how much oil one uses for massage or if the user simply chooses to burn the candles for ambiance.
Each candle has a corner that is contoured to create a small spout for pouring the candle—an improvement over older JimmyJane candle products. It can be difficult to remove the holders from the cut-outs in the box because it is so snug, especially if there is wax residue on the exterior. The candles are individually sealed with a clear sticker that I had to peel back to open the candle for smelling and, then again, use. You can reseal these stickers but I found them a little difficult to remove and this resulted in several of them ripping, rendering the sticker unusable.
After opening the box, I gave each candle a good sniff and decided that not all the scents are my thing. Grapefruit is ridiculously sour and plant-like and I cannot imagine how anyone would ever like it. The bourbon scent is not quite as offensive; however, the heavy mix of sweet and spicy is rather masculine and overpowering. I was pleasantly surprised to note that I enjoyed Cucumber Water more in this set than the lone candle I previously reviewed for Babeland. It really smells differently to me and is a very crisp, floral scent. Pink lotus is my second favourite; it is a classic floral scent that is a bit perfumey. However, I adore Dark Vanilla above all the other scents. It’s a layered, sophisticated mix of vanilla and spices that is reminiscent of cookie dough. I have yet burned the Truffle + Gardenia in this set but it’s another floral scent. This one is slightly less natural as it reminds me of soap.
This set is definitely heavy on the floral and I think it would be more balanced if one or two of the floral candles were replaced with different scents but that may just be me. I figure that liking four out of six candles is a pretty good deal
For those who are unfamiliar with massage candles, the wax is much softer than your typical candle. You can pretty much press a finger into the wax and remove a layer to rub right on the skin. Of course, burning the candle creates a pool of oil that is more efficient for this purpose and can be poured onto the skin from the candle holder. Because the wax is soft, it does not require as much time to melt as a traditional candle. Just five minutes yields a usable pool of oil.
The massage oil moisturizes the skin but it also feels pretty heavy on the hands. You will probably want to wash them after giving or receiving a massage with the Jimmyjane Afterglow candles because it doesn’t fully sink in. This is actually beneficial because you can give a longer massage with this oil than, say, regular lotion. I find it pretty typical that scent changes when it mixes with the chemistry of the human body. The same is true with these massage candles and I also find that the smell is simply stronger when burning the candle than during use. However, the strong is fairly subtle and not overpowering.
JimmyJane’s Afterglow Sampler set is great for introducing yourself to massage and JimmyJane products in general. Plus, the thoughtful packaging is excellent if you want to give it as a gift or even use it as a piece of décor in your home.
While Babeland no longer sells the sampler set or most of the full-size candles, you can still buy Afterglow candles on Amazon, including one in my favorite scent.
This is an archived review. Babeland no longer sells the Octopussy dildo. Furthermore, I have had a Pipedream dildo break because it is a lower quality glass.
I strongly recommend reading Lilly’s guide to glass sex toy safety before making any glass dildo purchases!
When it comes to my sex toys, I do not especially like the weird but there was something about the Octopussy Dildo that called to me when Babeland offered it up for review. This glass dildo is stylized so that it looks like an octopus tentacle or, potentially, an appendage of an alien. The pink glass is shaped like the end of a tentacle with a number of bumps that aid in the fantastic design but do not appear like actual tentacle suckers up close. The bumps run in two lines along the length of the dildo, from the tip to the end of the handle, which curves back toward the shaft to create an open loop for easy maneuvering.
If you’re interested in this piece because of its looks, rest assured that it is more attractive in person. All the retail images I have seen appear pale pink but this one is a glistening, vibrant pink. Although glass, the colour makes it translucent and not quite transparent.
Like any other glass piece, the rigidity makes it feel larger than it is but the Octopussy Dildo is not especially large. In fact, it only offers 4.5″ of insertable length out of the 6.5″ or so of the entire piece. In addition to this, the dildo has a diameter of nearly an inch. However, the Octopussy Dildo does not have a round shaft but one that is oblong–wider than it is tall. This dildo has a slight curve that may cup the pubic bone but that is not drastic enough to reach all G-spots if the user does not angle the toy to do so.
I found it easy to feel that there was texture on the Octopussy but I could not necessarily determine what that texture was. Because my G-pot is fairly shallow, the Octopussy was able to stimulate it with minimal movement. Nevertheless, I am not sure that the texture is one that I found especially pleasurable.
I do like the handle, though. Because you don’t have to worry about mechanical parts, you may wish to take this dildo into the shower with you. Water and even lube can make slick glass even more slippery but the loop offers the ability to keep a handle on the toy despite these factors. Because it is so rigid, I would avoid quick movements that could pinch your fingers. Additionally, the loop is only large enough for one finger–maybe two, if yours are small.
Glass is easy to care for: the slickness makes it easy to wash with soap and water or you can boil it for 3 minutes to sterilize (making it safe for sharing). Furthermore, you can dunk it in a bowl or warm or cold water for temperature play, if you are so inclined. If the Octopussy has been unused for a while, it is likely to be cold when you first take it out but it will warm to body temperature with use.
Although I have no major complaints about the dildo itself, I am sad that Pipedream did not include any storage options with it. There isn’t even a cheap pouch. You will want to purchase a toy pouch, make your own or store it in some protective fabric to prevent chipping, breaking or annoying clanging when it comes into contact with other toys.
If you’re into tentacles or odd toys, you may want to pick up the Octopussy Dildo but I’m not sure it’s worth the price tag in comparison to other glass toys and considering the manufacturer.
THIGH & WRIST CUFFS SET
$46.09
from Of Sex and Love Store
I have long wanted a set of thigh cuffs for a unique reason. I want to train myself not to clench my thighs shut during orgasm. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a lot of opportunity to do so,what with moving and all. Fortunately, Sportsheets Thigh and Wrist Cuffs Set will do the trick just fine.
I was expecting something similar to the cuffs that come with the Under the Bed Restraints but these are a bit higher quality in my opinion. The cuffs are made of some sort of Neoprene and feature a song lining on the inside. The outside has a slightly rubbery feel to it and the material has give and stretch to aid in comfort during use.
A backpack-like strap runs the length of the cuffs and there is a single O ring (like a keychain) sewn into the strap for attaching to other cuffs, restraints, etc. The stitching is reinforced around the loops where the ring is attached and feels secure. The strap extends past the edge of the wrist cuffs, where a piece of velcro is sewn to the back of the strap. The velcro is not sewn on as neatly as it could be but I’m nitpicking.
The straps are each variable in length with the wrist straps ranging from six to 15 inches in diameter while the length of the thigh straps is between 14 inches and 25 inches. You can potentially use the wrist cuffs on a person with smaller wrists by overlapping them but the design of the thigh cuffs does not allow this. The thigh cuffs are also wider than those for the wrists by about 1/4″. This isn’t problematic for the thigh cuffs but I do find the wrist cuffs to be just wide enough to slightly hinder movement.
The thigh cuffs also differ in that you can adjust the width of the cuffs. Again, it uses the hard plastic adjuster similar to what you would find on a backpack. A single tug on the strap tightens while you have to lift up the plastic tab to loosen the cuffs, making it impossible for the cuffed to break free. This offers an extra ten or so inches; however, it won’t look as neat as a thinner thigh, where the edges of the cuffs can touch or overlap. The end of the strap is hemmed so that it cannot completely slip through the plastic adjuster, making them a full loop unlike the wrist cuffs, which can come open fully. Thus, you will need to slip the thigh cuffs on over a foot.
Each thigh cuff has a snap type hook attached to the O-ring. Because it is keychain style, you can remove the hook and replace one of your own but I hate removing keys so I probably wouldn’t. The wrist cuffs didn’t get as nice of treatment: only one cuff has a clasp to attach to the other. If you want to attach the cuffs to anything else but the matching cuff, you would have to buy another clasp and slide it onto the ring.
Now, for my personal thoughts. The velcro enclosures of the wrist cuffs are less than ideal and become less effective if your wrists are larger because there is less velcro overlap to secure the cuffs. With a bit of effort, I could pop open the cuffs when they were more widely secured. However, this was not the case when I had the cuff as tight as comfortable so that more velcro secured it. I much prefer the adjuster on the thigh cuffs. It’s easy to take off, if need be, and just as easy to tighten.
The foamy Neoprene is thicker than the other Sportsheets cuffs I have and offers a bit more padding if you’re the struggling type.
The included clasps are super functional but I know that sometimes snap hooks loosen over time so the keychain style rings are great if you ever need to replace them. The hardware setup does offer limited range of motion, of course. The bound person will have between 2-3 inches of movement when both wrists are in the cuffs and attached to one another. The thigh cuffs offer around 5″ of movement. If you want to bind someone’s thighs to their wrists or separately bind the thighs and wrists, respectively, you can. Anything fancier will require the addition of hardware such as a chain.
One thing that really bothers me is that lack of a fourth clasp. You could hog tie someone, if they’re limber enough, without a chain but the 3-clasp set up makes it asymmetrical and will unevenly stress the body. The body wouldn’t stress if you bind each wrist to the corresponding thigh but the hardware will be of differing lengths for each side and that totally bugs the perfectionist in me. Again, it’s easy to fix but I don’t see why Sportsheets couldn’t just throw in an extra clasp with this set.
Minus that and my general dislike to velcro, the Thigh and Wrist Cuffs Set is one that I see being extremely useful for my future bondage.
Babydoll and Coat Set
My first opportunity to review for Lingerie.com (Twitter: @lingeriedotcom) landed me a lace babydoll with matching “coat.” Of course, I picked black. I bet you didn’t see that coming? However, they also offer it in a purple if that’s more your thing.
The babydoll features shaped cups with underwire, adjustable straps and more lace than you can shake a stick at. The coat is robe-like but has no ties so it stays open. The bulk of it is a nylon, mesh material while it is trimmed with lace around the sleeves. The sleeves are generally pirate-like in feel. With the sheer mesh and lack of closure, the coat isn’t the most functional piece but the additional layers could contribute to a stripping scene.
I actually really enjoyed the fit of the babydoll. The underwire cups offer more support than reinforced stitching and were incredibly flattering to my C cups. While the adjustable straps allow you to wear the cups higher or lower, depending on your preferences and shape, I wouldn’t invest in this piece if your breasts are any larger than mine. It’s kind of odd, sizing wise, because I don’t consider a B or C cup to be plus sized lingerie. On the other hand, if you’re like me and sport some extra weight around the midsection and not so much in the chest, this is a good thing.
The free-flowing waist of the babydoll is flattering to all sorts of shapes and does not highlight trouble spots such as your tummy. The larger designs (floral-esque) on the lace are also awesome as camouflaging certain spots. Do note that the back of this is the same mesh as the coat, however. Additionally, this does not hook like a bra. Rather, there empire waist is elastic and could stretch over time.
As a shorter person, I found this fell to around my hips and it would be even shorter on most. On the model, the sleeves also look a bit long but they fit me perfectly. In fact, I would really warn you against buying this set if you’re much taller.
However, the lace is really scratchy. It’s not comfortable at all right out of the bag and even though I let mine soak in the sink with some baking soda (as prescribed by the Internet), it did not soften up. Unfortunately for folks like myself who have to pay to wash their laundry, I wasn’t about to waste my quarters on a single piece of apparel to see if this would improve. Plus, the delicate nature of this piece makes it more ideal for washing by hand or in a pillow case or what-have-you. The instructions actually say to hand wash only, without bleach, in cold water but, if you’re like me, you probably ignore instructions like those. d=
Of course, like almost all lingerie sets, the included thong is ridiculously basic and cheap. You could pair any sexy panties with this set and have it match fairly well. Because I opted for the plus size, the thong I got is unrealistically large for me to wear, even with my plush derriere. To complete the look, I would definitely swap out something I already owned.
When it comes to washing, I’d toss the thong in with my regular laundry but with such thin strings, expect it to stretch and eventually rip. Not like that’s not something that I haven’t had happen with other thongs.
Having owned more than one mesh piece, I have to warn that the tags on the coat and babydoll are generic white, not custom, and plain to see through the mesh. If that bothers you like it does me, you’ll want to cut off the tags carefully.
I sometimes have difficulty with lingerie with underwire so I was pleasantly surprised at the overall fit. Besides the straps, I didn’t find myself having to adjust anything for comfort or visual appeal. This babydoll set is just extremely easy to wear so if you’re new to lingerie, you might consider it or something similar.
Wildberry Incense Peace Of Mind
11.98
from Amazon
It has taken me far too long to write this review, perhaps because I simply did not enjoy the “Peace of Mind” variant of the Wildberry incense.In fact, I would say it does the exact opposite of give me peace of mind and, if I had the option, I’d probably have named this “ache of head.”
The description states this incense is a “fruity, floral blend with peach and vanilla” and, while that sounds quite pleasant, I only experienced an overly strong floral scent without any fruit or vanilla at all. I’m not really a fan of heavy floral scents and, when I burn this, the overpowering scent gives me a headache without fail. It’s not enjoyable in the least.
Because I know that Wildberry does produce at least one enjoyable incense variety, so it’s not simply a “cheap” line of products, simply one scent that isn’t as enjoyable as it seems. Of course, it’s impossible to smell things through my monitor so the odds are that I might not enjoy every scent.
Interestingly, I found the Peace of Mind Incense to burn a little messier and to smell more generic-woodlike. However, I did not note any significant difference in burn time from the other incense I’d tried.
If you actually want a scent similar to the one in the description, I think you may be disappointed with the Peace of Mind incense by Wildberry, unfortunately.
