Inttimo Kitty Shave Kreme

June 19th, 2009

Inttimo Kitty Shave Kreme

Inttimo Kitty Shave Kreme

Sadly, you can no longer buy this product.

There is something so uniquely feminine about smooth, hairless skin. It’s also rather unnatural. Let’s face it, there’s an entire booming industry revolving around hair removal, whether done at home or professionally and, judging from the prices we pay, it must be pretty lucrative. So even though it might not be as efficient or long lasting, I’ll save a buck or two and shave at home which is exactly why I need a product like Inttimo Kitty Shave Kreme, especially when shaving the more sensitive bits.

Inttimo Kitty Shave Kreme comes in a hefty 8.8 Oz bottle with cap. I love the cap because travel and storage are infinitely less messy and, because it’s not aerosol, every drop of shave cream is usable. It’s definitely a bigger bottle than most shave creams but it costs quite a bit more per ounce too, too. The Inttimo Kitty Shave Kreme I have comes in Forbidden Fruit scent. It’s a little fruity but smells a bit like chemicals too. The scent isn’t very strong so if you’re not a fan, it probably won’t phase you unless you’re making a point to smell this shave cream.

I just shaved my legs on my first run through to gel a feel for this product. Although a very light pink in the pump bottle (which was safety sealed when it arrived), it goes on clear. This creamy gel is thicker than some I’ve tried so it doesn’t wash off as quickly. During use, I couldn’t smell the scent at all; it didn’t permeate the scent of my body wash and I don’t think anyone who uses any scented bath products will notice the smell. Wet could afford to make this shave cream smell a little better and stronger.

Maybe I’m the odd one out in this, but my bikini line and thighs, not bikini area, are the most sensitive I shave, hands down. Irritation, razor bumps and infections are issues I know all too well when shaving above the knee, probably because my nicely rounded thighs spend a lot of time rubbing against one another or my pants. Originally, I shaved this area with the same shaving gel I bought for my legs but it really wasn’t doing the trick. Eventually, I bought some Coochy Cream as it was highly recommended and it did a decent job – I was definitely less irritated – but wasn’t perfect. I’ve also had some success with Bikini Zone shave gel, which is what I had on hand for comparison.

To test out Inttimo Kitty Shave Kreme, I decided to shave one thigh with Bikini Zone and the other with Inttimo Kitty Shave Kreme for a side by side – or thigh by thigh – comparison. A couple pumps of shave cream on my skin and I was off. Although less slick than the Bikini Zone, Inttimo Kitty Shave Kreme held its own and held up during shaving and rinsing. I actually preferred the thicker formula because it didn’t wash away right away and I like to apply shave cream only at the beginning and I’m less likely to add more even if it rinses away.

In the end, the closeness of the shave I got was about the same. My skin felt a little softer on the thigh where I’d used Inttimo Kitty Shave Kreme but it wasn’t really noticeable. I didn’t experience any razor bumps or irritation on either thigh which is remarkable because I’m pretty sure that’s the first time ever. It’s almost as though the products were competing to win me over.

Really, they both did equally well. One difference I noticed is that my shower floor felt more slippery when I used Inttimo Kitty Shave Kreme but I don’t have a shower mat, anyway. I did prefer the thickness and staying power of the Kitty Kreme, though. I’m still not sure I’d want to spend so much on one bottle, even if it is a nice product.

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Categories: Reviews, Sexual Health and Beauty

Ophoria K-balls #10

May 29th, 2009

Ophoria K-balls
$20 from Amazon

These Kegel exercisers remain in my top three nearly a decade later. Read on to find out more.

I feel it would be appropriate were this review accompanied by Tom Cruise singing “goodness, gracious, great balls of fire”. All silliness aside, Ophoria’s Smooth K-Balls are pretty great even if they’re not flaming (and that actually might be for the best). And now I can say I have balls.

Ophoria packaged the K-balls in a sleek pink and white box with some feminine details. It’s very modern and looks like a department store package so I could imagine it being sold retail in Younkers or something (is that reference too geographic? You could replace that with Macy’s). There’s a plastic window in front so you can see the pair of pink vaginal exercisers in all their glory. The balls themselves are not quite the same shade of pink as on the box; I think the box is a little prettier and the balls almost seem dull sometimes but it doesn’t detract from their use even if it sort of offends my sense of aesthetics.

Ophoria didn’t include a lot of information with their K-balls and they could expand on that. The box lets us know they’re 1000% silicone, non-porous, can be cleaned with soap and water and boasts of the strong stimulation and ergonomic design. The included instructions also serve as a product catalog. There are some generic instructions about not using any toys which appear broken, not submerging them or using them while menstruating. There are some good tips about how sex toys can transmit STDs and making sure to clean all crevices but not using brushes or abrasive solutions. There’s nothing in the way of how to get the best use out of this specific product.

So it might be a good thing that I’ve experienced kegel balls a time or two. In fact, you may remember my review of the Luna Beads and, to be honest, I wasn’t blown away. They weren’t very stimulating and I thought the whole concept of 2 weighted balls was hokey. Luckily, the K-balls are much more stimulating. In fact, I’d say I can even feel more movement from the inner balls – or “shakers” as the package calls them – in hand. I think the shakers might be a bit smaller but since the exterior is opaque, I don’t know for sure. The balls themselves are the same size at the Luna Beads, with a diameter of 1 3/8″ but the K-balls are slightly longer.

Speaking of the exterior, the pink K-balls have white-ish circle and triangle shapes. These shapes seem to be raised slightly but are only for looks as my vagina certainly can’t feel them. The hard silicone isn’t exactly smooth and has that typical, silicone texture which may make for more friction than smooth plastic but insertion was pretty easy with a little water-based lube. I find the second ball is always a little more difficult because I have to rely on the connecting material, which is flexible, to push up the higher ball. Once inserted, the balls don’t remain straight either; they sort of bunch up next to each other but it’s not uncomfortable (the lower ball will pop out, however, if they’re not situated correctly).

In fact, it’s the pleasurable stimulation I get from the K-balls which earns them a much higher rating than the Luna Beads. After initial insertion, the K-balls seem to rest directly against my G-spot and stimulate arousal. Since few toys have successfully and consistently stimulated my G-spot, this is quite the feat! I’m not sure if it’s the “vibration” of the inner balls, which I can feel (and even hear sometimes) or the exterior of the balls rubbing against my sensitive spots but the first minutes after insertion are always pleasurable.

I can definitely feel the “vibration”, too. I have a habit of doing this silly sort of ass-shaking move to make the K-balls vibrate (which I’m sure my husband would enjoy). This actually made me think that it might be a good idea to pop these in before going dancing! These ease of popping these in before any activity or even if you have nothing planned is appealing. And, even if the K-balls don’t strengthen my muscles, they feel good and being able to feel the vibration reminds me to do my Kegels here and there. I tend to pop them in before taking walks and do a couple squeezes while waiting to cross the street or in line at the store. But if you want to be more proactive about your muscle strengthening, you can always clench around one or both balls, while tugging on the string with a finger.

I can’t say for sure if my muscles are any stronger. I think that’s easier to tell with a partner – which I don’t have right now. I can say that I have used these balls, in a few short weeks, more than I’ve used the Luna Beads in the months I’ve had them. Both sets of vaginal balls made me more aware of my vagina but the K-balls also makes me feel good which is that much more incentive to use them.

After you’re done, you can easily remove the K-balls with the silicone-coated string with connects to the “lower” ball. Actually, the lower ball is slightly pointed at the bottom so it’s not a complete “ball”. Unlike the Luna Beads, the K-balls don’t tend to get all suction-stuck in my pussy and the coated string doesn’t cut into my finger. Unfortunately, that is a tiny crack in the coating of the string on my balls. I noticed it after using because the crack is so tiny so it’s possible that I somehow caused it or that it came this way and I just didn’t notice. Fortunately, it hasn’t grown any and I’m still comfortable using the K-balls.

After use, K-balls are easy to wash with soap and water. Silicone is dishwasher safe but I’m not entirely sure about the K-balls. The box says they’re splash proof but I don’t see why they couldn’t be fully submerged as they lack mechanical parts. The K-balls are also easy to dry and don’t seem to pick up lint. I do wish they came with a storage pouch – I stole the one that came with my Luna Beads to keep them all nice and cozy and protected from other toys.

In the end, I was much more impressed by Ophoria’s K-balls than other vaginal balls I’ve tried. These high-quality exercisers are not only easy to use but are actually a fun and pleasurable way to raise body awareness and, hopefully, strengthen PC muscles. With a little more information provided and a storage pouch, I’d say the K-balls are an A+.

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Categories: Reviews, Sexual Health and Beauty

Luna Pleasure Bead System

December 21st, 2008

Luna Pleasure Bead System
$59 from SheVibe

Lelo now sells three versions of Luna Beads, including an updated pair with silicone cord, Mini Luna Beads, and Luna Beads Noir.

When I requested the Luna Pleasure Bead System to review from Babeland, I expected a high quality set vaginal exercise balls to facilitate Legels and possibly add pleasure.

In reality, I got a quality set of vaginal balls which may well help strengthen my PC muscles but this exerciser doesn’t seem to soar above comparable tools.

What I think is that the value of having 2 pairs of weighted balls is somewhat exaggerated and, while it sounds novel there isn’t much to back up the claims. I would have been a little more satisfied with 1 set of balls because this is a solid product. I wanted to badly to love my first Lelo product but, unfortunately, I only like it.

What worked for me are the baby blue and pink pairs of weighted balls which look quite elegant in their stretchyPhthalate-free silicone holder (and stay in place due to notched ridges in the beads themselves) and the subtle movement of the balls within to remind me periodically of the balls within myself. I also enjoyed the sleek, white cardboard box in which the product arrived. This contained a black storage box with a tray for both sets of balls which is nondescript enough to keep on your bathroom counter or nightstand without drawing notice to itself and, if someone is curious, the balls themselves do not look like sex toys. Alternatively, the white satin pouch provides even more discreet storage options and would work well if you are traveling with your Luna Beads.

What didn’t work so well for me was the bare retraction string which felt unhygienic without a coating and sometimes cut into my finger during removal. The subtle “vibrations” of the inner balls were not pleasurable in any way. The large size of the Luna Beads made it unnecessary to use my PC muscles to keep them from falling out and also difficult to insert initially (insertion proved easier over time). Removal also was difficult because there was a suction effect between the “crown” bead and my vagina, hence the string cutting into my finger (however the string has proved strong thus far).The instructions and pouch are both stored beneath the balls and I didn’t even realize they were there for nearly a week! While I like the storage box, the plastic cover on top of the balls is quite difficult to remove sometimes.

The biggest problem with the Luna Beads is that the idea of incremental resistance to increase PC muscle control is dubious at best. Starting with the lighter beads and moving to the heavier ones would make sense if one or both of the pairs were of different sizes. Because they are so large, it’s not any harder to keep the heavier balls inside and the heavier balls don’t really offer any more ‘resistance”. There is no way the Luna Beads are going to fall out of anyone during normal activities. In fact, because it’s easier to feel the “vibrations” of the heavier balls, it makes more sense to me to start with them and move on to the harder-to-feel vibrations of the lighter balls once your PC muscles are strong.

Furthermore, although the instructions simply say the vaginal balls will work best during activities like running or swimming, these are not a passive tool, in my opinion. The instructions include no actual suggestions for activities to do when the Luna Beads are inserted and I think this would be valuable material.

While using the Luna Beads, I masturbated, peed, walked, sat, lay and did other activities. I found them to be fairly comfortable but often forgot they were even in which seems a bit counterproductive. They do make an audible sound when you’re moving but once you add layers of clothes or background noises, others will not hear. While peeing, one ball did slip out but I was able to stop them from falling out completely. Orgasming with the Luna Beads inside did not feel all that different than without.

I feel that overall, Luna Beads are a quality product but the effect of having two pairs of weighted balls is little to none. I expected more from the two sets of balls, and do feel a bit disappointed in that respect. If this were simply one set of balls, I think I would be more satisfied. As a single set of vaginal balls, the heavier of the Luna Beads does seem to work well. After using them about 5 times, I do feel I have more control over my muscles and I will continue to use them periodically. However, I am not overly put off because I do not feel I need to use vaginal balls.

21 Comments

Categories: Reviews, Sexual Health and Beauty

Image © MisterUnlucky; used with permission.