Sex Toy Reviews

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 toyslube, massage products, and more!

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I’ve also reviewed sexual health goodies.

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Bottle Rockets Nova

July 1st, 2009

I almost overlooked the potential of Nova because it wasn’t what I expected. Perhaps that is a lesson I need to take with me in every aspect of life? Needless to say, giving this tiny vibrator a second chance revealed its potential in a way I never saw coming. I definitely had to rethink my approach when writing the review after it made me squirt.

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Rabbit Rider

June 28th, 2009

This is an archived review of a discontinued toy.

The Rabbit Rider is a toy I’ve had my eye on for a while because it tackles an issue many women have with rabbit-style vibes: placement of the clitoral stimulator. It’s not exactly the only toy which does this but most other toys use a sort of springy cord rather than placing the rabbit bullet on a ring around the shaft as if he were riding it. The Rabbit Rider is aptly named. Unfortunately, this great idea has yet to become a wonderful implementation.

The Rabbit Rider is actually a versatile kit but isn’t really a typical rabbit vibe. It includes a vibrating bullet and a standard plastic vibe, both which have pink Cyberskin sleeves. The sleeve for the bullet includes a bunny’s head and ears, as well at the band which goes around the shaft, and the other sleeve is very typical, with a realistic texture and contoured head. Both sleeves are easy to remove and replace on each part and could potentially be used with other bullets or standard vibes, should you so choose. You can also use the rabbit clitoral stimulator alone, or the vibrator alone. Take off the sleeves and it’s almost like you have 2 new toys.

I’ve even seen suggestions of using the bunny as a cock ring and, while this is possible, it’s probably not especially pleasurable. The band is larger than any cock ring I’ve seen and super stretchy; I even wore it around my wrist for a short period of time. I just don’t think this piece makes a functional cock ring.

Like most basic vibes, the one included is made of hard plastic, powered by 2AAs and has a dial base. The vibrations are surprisingly powerful and not whiny at all but this toy is much louder than I find to be acceptable unless we’re talking about my Miracle Massager or something similar. Granted, the sound is muffled once inserted; still, I felt self conscious at the noise of this one. The dial base wasn’t smooth to use – it was kinda of jerky and reluctant. I usually had to use one hand to hold the base and the other to turn the dial. Like any dial toy, twisting too far in the direction of “Off” can pop open the battery case.

The mini bullet which serves at a clit stimulator is like no bullet I’ve tried before. There is a power/mode button on the bottom of the bullet as well as a High – Low dial on the side of the bullet. The bullet has 5 modes; the first three are pulsation (medium, slow and fast respectively) and the last 2 are steady vibration with the very last being the stronger. All of this is powered by 4 small watch batteries and there are 2 sets (8 total) included. Note that 4 batteries are in the bullet initially and it won’t work until you move a small piece of plastic from the bullet. The ability to adjust the strength of the vibration on a bullet impressed me and even if this isn’t the strongest bullet I’ve tried, it’s incredibly varied. Furthermore, the pulsation was more than satisfactory. Unfortunately, you have to cycle through all 5 modes to turn it off and if you have the dial set to Low, you may think it’s off and drain the batteries. Out of everything in this kit, the bullet is the one thing I will likely continue to use.

Cyberskin was also another first for me. I’m not a big fan of realistic sex toys so I’ve never tried a Cyberskin toy. Immediately, I was amazed at just how soft this material is. I totally understand why they would make fake vaginas out of this stuff. However, vaginas and penises are different animals and I wasn’t sold that it would be a good material for a woman’s toy. I was also wary at the quality of this material. It’s extremely porous nature, fussy upkeep, lint attraction and musty smell are enough to deter me from Cyberskin toys in the future. From the washing the Rabbit Rider in the bathroom to the bedroom, it had collected a mass amount of lint and cat fur. I don’t even want to think about storage and since I have nothing to powder it with I’ll probably just see how long until the sleeves deteriorate.

I am happy to say that the Cyberskin did feel much more realistic in my cunt than in my hand. It could probably pass for the real thing and the vibrations were strong enough to stimulate a sweet spot or two, at least sometimes. But together with the clit stimulator, the Rabbit Rider was a flop. Literally. The soft nature of the Cyberskin offered little control over the precise placement of the bullet. It just sort of fell to the side and seemed limp. I think that even folks who like gentle vibrations of rabbit ears would find it difficult to get much out of the stimulator but a person likes me, who needs the bullet to rest snugly against the clit, would be especially disappointed.

I tossed the bullet aside and tried to use the sleeved vibrator against my clit to get off with much effort on my part and little help on its. Of course, if I had wanted to get off that way in the first place, I wouldn’t have been using the Rabbit Rider. I applaud Adam and Eve’s take on an idea that seems to be mostly unexplored but there’s a long way to go before it’s perfect. For starters, I would swap the Cyberskin sleeves for a hygienic silicone vibe. Instead of a standard, straight shaft, I would use an ergonomically curved shaft with rotating beads and perhaps solve the issue of floppiness by using an open, hard plastic ring (think a thicker version of a fake jewelry ring which is not a full circle) or a band which opens on a hinge. I do like the functions of the bullet but I like them to be physically larger.

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ID Moments

June 25th, 2009

ID Moments

ID Moments
N/A from

ID no longer sells Moments lube, but you can buy ID Free, which seems similar.

I’m a big fan of ID Glide. It’s my go-to lube, and it’s versatile because it’s water-based, so when I got my last package from PinkCherry, I was surprised to see a little 2.7 oz bottle of lube by the same company. Moments seems to be ID’s take on a hypoallergenic water-based lube for folks with sensitive skin by removing ingredients like paraben and glycerin and, while I’ve never had many issues with sensitivities to lube, it seemed like a nice addition. Somewhat ironically, ID Moments is one of only two lubes that has caused irritation to my skin.

However, let me describe the specs of this product before going into use. ID Moments comes in ID’s typical round, flip-top bottle with the top and labels in a deep shade of pink. Because it’s water-based, it can be used for any activity or with any material and easily washes off with water (so wet activities might not be the best use). While it has no glycerine or parabens, it does have nearly a dozen other ingredients. The bottle was also sealed (beneath the top).

The very first thing I noticed – I mean how could you miss it? – was the atrocious scent of this lube. It does seem like I’m the only one whose nose was offended by this, though; some people even seemed to really like it. The smell originally reminded me of something which had fermented, in a bad way. In fact, I checked the expiration date (it was fine) because I was sure no company would intentionally make a product smell like this. Furthermore, I could find no mention of this product having a fragrance, so I checked ID’s website, and it says it is fragrance-free. Even if my preference for certain smells is unique, I would be very disappointed in this lube if I bought it believing it was fragrance-free. I am happy to note that the smell seems to have eased up, and now I interpret it more as a very, very sour, fruity smell – like the scent equivalent of a Warhead (which I hate, LOL).

I did a quick taste test and ID Moments has a slightly sour/fruity taste as well. I also wanted to check out the thickness. ID Moments is not the thinnest lube around but it’s not as thick as ID Glide which is a con for me; I like my lubes thicker because I don’t like to deal with the mess. On the other hand, ID Moments is rather silky and rubs into the skin without becoming sticky at all.

But I can’t say how it works internally because I was too busy wondering why my genitals were burning to notice. I have double and triple checked and can’t find any mention of this being a warming lube so the logical assumption here is that ID Moments and my girl parts just do not mix. It’s just kind of funny that the girl who has only been allergic to 2 things in her entire life would be irritated by hypoallergenic lube, right?

I wanted to be really thorough so I used the lube 3 times, each time with a different toy just in case it was toy material and not the lube causing the problem. It was the lube. Luckily, I never used a ton of lube (I don’t normally) and the sensation quickly went away as soon as I stopped my activities.

I know that mine might be the only experience that goes badly, but I’d rather err on the side of caution and just not recommend this lube to anyone. With that said, PinkCherry also carries Wet Naturals Beautifully Bare (read my review), a lube that is also paraben and glycerin-free, which I have used to much success.

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Hard to Please?

June 21st, 2009

I am hard to please. I can admit it. I don’t want to have to adjust to my sex toys; they should adjust to me. This is one of the reasons I’ll probably never own the Sasi even though it seems really cool. I just couldn’t use it in my way. It’s also why I wouldn’t have picked out Evolved’s waterproof Seduction myself. While it’s a nice toy, it’s just not the best toy for me. You can read more at my review on EdenFantasys.

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Inttimo Kitty Shave Kreme

June 19th, 2009

Inttimo Kitty Shave Kreme

Inttimo Kitty Shave Kreme

This is an archived review of a discontinued 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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Keep it Clean Toy Wash

June 10th, 2009

This review is of a discontinued product. But don’t worry because you really only need soap and water to clean your sex toys.

There are many brands of toy cleaners. There are sprays and wipes and now there is even a foaming toy wash by Wet Inc. Of course, foaming soaps are the best kind, aren’t they? I mean, they’re just so much cooler than than regular soap so foaming toy cleaner must be cooler, too, right? Well, let’s see.

For starters, my 7.5 FL Oz bottle of Keep it Clean Toy Wash came with a cap which was sealed with a sticker or two. I don’t know if I’ve ever had any sex toy or object which was safety sealed like that and it’s a nice feature just to know my toy cleaner hasn’t been tampered with. The cap is nice, too. A lot of pump bottles don’t have them and spillage occurs when you accidentally hit the pump or if the bottle falls over. It also makes this bottle more travel friendly.

From the look of it, the toy wash doesn’t scream “adult”. I don’t think the bottle mentions sex at all. The front is decorated with the Wet splash logo, “Keep it Clean” in block letters and “Anti-bacterial foaming toy wash” over a puff of foam which looks like shaving cream to me. It wouldn’t look out of place in your bathroom.

And the bathroom is where this bottle needs to stay because it’s not a replacement for soap and water toy washing, it’s just a substitute for the soap. The instructions on the back of the bottle say to remove batteries, pump cleaner onto a cloth and use that to wipe your toy before rinsing (being careful not to get the battery compartment wet). Essentially, use this as soap. And it’s easy. A surprising amount of cleaner foams out with one pump; I’ve never had to pump twice. I pump the cleaner onto the toy and just use my hand instead of a cloth because that seems unnecessary. I haven’t had any hand irritation which is good. The bottle does claim it’s nonirritating to the skin (as well as not tested on animals and alcohol free).

For folks who need a more discreet or convenient method of cleaning their sex toys, I would recommend a toy cleaner which doesn’t need to be rinsed off or wipes, instead. If you have roommates or a communal bathroom, Keep It Clean toy wash doesn’t really help – unless you’re worried about your soap not having anti-bacterial properties, in which case, this toy cleaner contains Tricoslan. Triclosan is a common ingredient in other toy cleaners as well as antibacterial soaps but if you’re concerned about ingredients, the list on this bottle is longer than some I’ve seen (11 in all) and I don’t know what half of them are. Luckily, I’m not concerned.

The ingredients do give this a rather chemical smell. It reminds me of something – maybe some hair product I’ve used? It’s not all that unpleasant but I do smell it when I use the cleaner or even pop off the top. It’s definitely not odorless and that may be a con for some.

In the end, Wet’s foray into sex toy cleaners is a bit confusing and isn’t really any different from other similar products on the market. I’m not sure why they went with a formula which needs to be rinsed or even wipes – which would make it more appealing than competing toy cleaners. While I like the foaming and think my hand soap will last a lot longer in the bathroom, Keep it Clean Toy Wash is no revelation.

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Stranger

June 8th, 2009

Stranger

Stranger
N/A from

This is an archived review of a discontinued product.

I was really excited to receive not one but two Fun Factory vibes in one week. The first one blew my mind with its size, power, and flexibility, and the second amazed me with its softness. I mean, when I first withdrew the Stranger from Fun Factory’s signature packaging, I was amazed. I had played with a few silicone toys, all quite stiff and firm, sometimes painfully so. I didn’t even know they made silicone that soft and it was a welcome surprise. Of course, the thinner tip of this vibe is the softest, and it becomes firmer as it becomes thicker, but there’s a fair amount of give the whole way through.

Of course, that’s not the only benefit of using silicone. Fun Factory presents us with another non-porous toy that can be sterilized by wiping down with an alcohol solution. For my purposes, I simply clean with soap and water or toy cleaner, but I like to covet my toys. Who says you have to share?

Like other Fun Factory toys, the Stranger exudes quality. It has a reassuring heft but isn’t bulky in any way. The soft violet silicone has more friction than other materials but is smoother than some silicone I’ve felt. The silicone is molded with ribs on one side, reminiscent of a snake or the tail of some mythical dragon. There is a slight forward lean of the tip of this toy, but I need a more drastic curve to reach my G-spot. There are 2 etched lines on the back of the toy, in roughly a “V” shape but do not meet at a vertex; otherwise, the back of the toy is smooth except for a small Fun Factory logo right above the base.

The base, made of hard plastic in several shades of grey, houses 2 AA batteries which give this vibrator a substantial amount of power but not as much as the Boss. The battery cover pops off by pinching 2 slightly indented points on either side of the toy. Squeezing hard enough causes the cover to pop right off by itself with a click. It took a little practice for me to find the easiest way to do this as I have small hands. The best placement for my fingers is closer to the base than the tip of the toy. The cap goes back on with another click and feels very secure.

My Stranger comes equipped with the old style of Fun Factory controls – a dial decorated with flower-star hybrid. It’s a very unique style of dial, however. Turning either way turns on the lowest setting of vibrations and continued turning increases the vibration. Although not the quietest toy I have, the Stranger isn’t the loudest, either. It’s an appropriate hum. At the highest setting, there is a small “click”. From this setting, turn either way to turn the vibration down or off. There is another slight click when the vibrations are off. It seems to be important to turn the dial slowly, otherwise it skips over most of the vibration settings. I went a little too fast when I was first testing it. I think this makes the toy ideal for those who like to work their way up to the highest setting.

But I’m not really that type of person. I like to go for it right away so I turned it up high, applied some water-based lube and went to work. Well, sort of. I’m just not super sensitive to textures so the ribbing on the Stranger, while pleasing to the eye, made little different to my pussy. The size was also a little lacking and I think this is probably the smaller insertable vibe I have. The Stranger has a circumference of 4 1/2″ and a length of 6 3/4″, 5 3/4″ which is insertable. I like something a little more, at least girth-wise. And, because the Stranger doesn’t have any clitoral nubs or anything, there wasn’t much else it could do. I also found the silicone to be too soft for the pressure I need during clitoral stimulation.

So, I pulled out the Boss and let him finish the job, a little disappointed in the Stranger. While I think it’s a quality toy, far better than some I have used, it’s just not the right size for me. I may break it out from time to time but it won’t get as much use as some of my other Fun Factory toys. This might be for the better, too. It’s a bit more difficult to clean the Stranger because of its crevices and it also collects lint and hair like crazy. God thing it’s splash proof because I think frequent use would require quite heavy washing. It’s also safe for the shower, too, but not for full immersion.

All in all, the Stranger just isn’t my cup of tea. The lack of size overshadowed the high quality of this toy and its decent vibrations. For someone who likes their sex toys a little smaller, however, the Stranger would be perfect.

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