Decadent Indulgence

April 30th, 2009

Decadent Indulgence
N/A from

This is an archived review of a discontinued toy

Years ago, before we were concerned with environmentally friendly or safe materials in our sex toys, we focused on function alone. The toys which were best loved, like the Decadent Indulgence, came with a high price because they performed so admirably and, even though it may now be considered inferior by some, there were hordes of women who were singing their praise for this rabbit vibrator. Despite the fact that I have tried more than my share of rabbit vibrators, and I usually find a fault, I knew it was my responsibility as a reviewer to try out one of the Decadent Indulgence vibrators. I went with the original because it’s the original for a reason, right?

Back in my early days of sex toy exploration, people raved about the Decadent Indulgence. I never once read a bad review. Women wanted to marry it, despite the fact that it cost over $200. Today, this rabbit vibe costs only a fraction of the price at just under $100. Some wonder if a toy that is made of only TPR is really worth the price, but I have to tell you, it’s not the material that will blow you away! Powered by 4 AA batteries, the original Decadent Indulgence is pretty much a powerhouse of vibration and rotation.

Let me back up a bit. This pink rabbit vibrator by California Exotic, as mentioned, is made of TPR over a rotation shaft and beads, as well as a bullet in the hummingbird-shaped clitoral attachment. The box claims TPR is “hygenically superior” but not only is it spelled wrong, it’s just wrong. Pure silicone or even a silicone composite would be better if hygiene is your concern. Also, considering the stiffness of this material, it wouldn’t make much difference if it were upgraded to silicone. In fact, that is my one major complaint about the Decadent Indulgence. The wings and beak on the hummingbird are cute and vibrate loosely when the clitoral stimulator is on, but they’re rather thin, pointy and sharp. It’s not something that bothers my hands, but I found using the clitoral stimulator to actually be painful unless I was firmly pushing the bullet against my clit so that those appendages were more stationary instead of vibrating freely against me. Because my use of dual stimulators tends to focus on clitoral pleasure, this is a big issue for me. I really wish there were no protrusions at all, just a TPR-covered bullet.

There are two controls for the functions, one for the vibrating hummingbird and one for the shaft/bead rotation. I always prefer separate controls for shaft rotation and beads, so I would like to see that here. The buttons are not the hard-to-press digital kind; they are easy to find and press which I like. In fact, they might be too easy. I hadn’t realized there were 8 levels for each function because the “ultra sensitive control pads” tend to increase 2 or 3 levels at a time. There is also a button in the center that switches modes from basic vibration and rotation to a slower pulsation and back-and-forth rotation and then a much faster mode. The mode applies to both functions so the rotation and beads occur at the same speed as the pulsation, resulting in a more profound effect than if they operated at separate modes. Overall, the combinations are endless.

I found the vibration to be adequate, but the increases were more of speed than size, as is typical with bullets of that size. What I really liked were the pulsation modes. They were incredibly strong, almost too strong at some points, and not at all like the high-frequency pulsation of other vibes, which left me wanting. Even as I lay thinking about how the beak was painful, the pulsation led me orgasm. It was really the first orgasm I had without even trying, and that was vibration-induced alone, so it was something of a milestone, even if it wasn’t the best I’ve ever had. If that doesn’t say something about the value of this toy, I’m not sure what can.

For once, I quite enjoyed the rotation of the shaft. The 3 tracks of 3 beads each move in the same direction and at the same speed as the shaft and were noticeable, but the overall effect felt like there was only one internal function. The rotation was also rather powerful and stood up to clenching but it was hard to tell if both the shaft and beads stood up to my muscles or if it was just the shaft or beads. Either way, I have had few rabbits that stand up at all to clenching, so it was nice.

One of the things I especially like about rabbit vibes is how they hug my pubic bone, and the Decadent Indulgence did a decent job. The TPR, while pliable was stiffer than some jelly I have experienced, and helped with this. I wouldn’t complain if it was a more snug fit. The bullet seemed to be a little further away from the shaft than in some rabbits I have used, resulting in a clit stimulator which is a bit too flexible. I found that in order to place the bullet as high as I like on my vulva, the beak was simply in the way, poking at my mons, and the shaft did reach a little further than I prefer, but this was less of an issue than the beak.

A few other thoughts on this toy. The TPR will attract a little lint and has a slight rubbery smell, but it’s really not offensive. The battery pack is closed with a slide-on cover which doesn’t seem super secure. This toy should not be submerged and you should only use water-based lube. However, TPR should be safe with both water or silicone-based lubricants, so I am not sure why this would be the case.

In the end, I loved the functions of the Decadent Indulgence. The pulsation truly lived up to the name of this toy. However, I could really do without the painful clitoral stimulator. California Exotic does have a lot of toys with similar functions so I will definitely keep my eye out for something that has all the strengths of the Decadent Indulgence without the bite.

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Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

Ballsy Cock 7 inch Fuchsia

April 22nd, 2009

Ballsy Cock 7 inch Fuchsia
N/A from

This is an archived review of a discontinued product. However, Doc Johnson still uses this mold with their Crystal Jellies line.

If you want a larger dildo that is fantastically coloured but realistically shaped, then Ballsy Cock, in the Radiant Gems line by Doc Johnson, might just be for you. At least, it fits my requirements when looking for a larger toy that would be pliable but not too realistic. I really wanted to feel full, to be able to say, “Look at me take this.” I let it slide that it had a realistic shape and the ever-silly flat-on-one-side testicles because the metallic purple (and even the green, which is one of my least favourite colours) was pretty damned neat to gaze upon.

It’s not so nice to the nose, however. The Sil-A-Gel (which is made of PVC and I’ll touch upon later) is scented on top of having that awful shower curtain smell. It’s really quite atrocious. The generic berry scent does more harm than good and, in this case, I’d rather just smell the PVC, instead. Although the smell isn’t as overpowering as another toy I have used, it definitely isn’t a selling point like Doc Johnson would have you believe.

As I mentioned, the PVC-based Sil-A-Gel doesn’t smell very nice, but the way it feels is solid yet soft. For example, it can stand up on its own without falling over. Yet, I can grab it and squeeze it in my hand. While the material isn’t exactly skin-like, it has more give than most vibrators which is something I was looking for. Sil-A-Gel is latex free but, occasionally during use, the material would leave my extra-sensitive inner thighs in discomfort. Sil-A-Gel is supposedly antibacterial but I couldn’t tell you what exactly it means. Because this is slightly porous, sharing or anal use should only be done with a condom (Magnum, I guess!) but, for my purposes, I washed it up with soap and water. The Ballsy does pick up a bit of lint as well.

This sex toy is also textured with fairly pronounced veins and has a large head. Unlike some textured toys, I could feel the veins pretty well when it was inserted. In fact, it made thrusting a little uncomfortable so those who prefer frictionless fucks, beware. Furthermore, upon insertion I found that the softness of the material didn’t work well for thrusting. Perhaps it would work better without the texture or if it were a tad thinner or if it were a bit stiffer, but it felt like it was smooshing up inside me rather than thrusting in and out.

I’m still not convinced that the pseudo-testicles are exactly sexy but they do offer a bit of a hand hold. Considering the amount of lubrication – you can use water or silicone-based – needed for comfortable insertion, this is a plus. If you’re specifically looking to be able to feel them against you during play, then the Ballsy Cock probably isn’t for you. The vaginal canal is not endless, and I found that the 7 insertable inches were in excess, especially with a girth of 1.75″. Smaller toys allow a bit more maneuverability, and I admit that, mentally, I prefer a toy that I can wholly take because it’s such a turn-on. So, I was a little disappointed that this dildo was a bit too long. However, I would consider a toy similar in girth but with less length.

One thing that works for this toy is that it cannot possibly avoid G-spot stimulation with such an impressive girth. Because I have had so little luck with toys successfully stimulating my G-spot, I was really impressed that Ballsy offered that for me.

In the end, I could definitely take the Ballsy dildo, but the perfect toy for me would have some slight variations (higher quality material, slightly less texture, less length, a bit stiffer).

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Categories: Dildos, Reviews

SEXTOY.com Vibrating Rabbit

April 4th, 2009

SEXTOY.com Vibrating Rabbit
N/A from

This is an archived review of a discontinued product.

If you weren’t aware that Sextoy.com has a few items in its ‘signature’ line, then you’re probably not alone. I didn’t know. However, I expect that this sex toy superstore probably knows a thing or two about sex toys. A domain name like sextoy.com is pretty damned difficult and expensive to get, so the fact that they’ve had it – and for years – is impressive. But was I as impressed with their sex toys?

Of the two toys I received, I opted to try the Sextoy.com vibrating rabbit first. (The other, which I will review later, is a basic silver bullet). This rabbit is a little different from previous rabbits I have tried. For one, it doesn’t rotate. This is actually a good thing in my book; I’ve never been much of a fan of rotation. What this rabbit does instead is pretty cool. There are several rows of connected ball bearings that move up and down along the shaft, imitating thrusting/stroking. Aside from the typical vibrating rabbit clit stimulator, the tip of the shaft also vibrates. Each of these functions has a separate control.

It’s a bright pink vibrator (perhaps too bright?) with a contoured head. Beneath the head are a couple of ridges. The base/control pack are silver plastic with those digital type buttons. The same plastic extends about halfway up the vibrator, beneath the soft, outer material so the shaft doesn’t have any give or bend. The rabbit features a pointy nose along with his ears. The ears actually look harder than they are. It seems like this is a pretty soft material.

The material is listed a “ultra gel” which doesn’t tell me much. The back of the box warns to keep this “latex toy away from sunlight and heat.” Good advice but why not use a little higher quality material like silicone? Or even TPR Silicone would be an upgrade. I don’t have a latex allergy but I did experience a little burning-ish discomfort after use which is not something I’ve run into before.

Located at the bottom is the battery pack, and I’ll start with the bad here. The cover for the battery pack pulls off. There are 2 heart-shaped buttons, 1 on each side of the toy, and squeezing them allows this toy to come off. Overall, I like this, and it’s definitely unique. However, I have to squeeze those buttons pretty hard and pull the cover off with my other hand. This whole thing makes me really wish I had 3 hands (or someone to help), and as I am neither an alien nor my husband around, it’s a bit frustrating. However, once the cover is off, the batteries (4AA) are easy to insert.

I tested all the functions separately and together prior to insertion, which I would recommend as multifunction vibes can be a little complicated sometimes. As you go through these modes, the lights on the control pack light up, it actually looks pretty cool and futurotic. First, another light adds on (1 light for each mode) and on the highest setting, it cycles through all the lights. For the 4 mode functions, there are blue and red lights, and for the 6 mode functions (the stroking motion), there are red, green, and blue lights.

The bullet for clit stimulation and the bullet in the head of the shaft have 4 modes each, 2 of which pulse and high and low steady vibration. For whatever reason, the pulsation modes are before the steady vibration, and this seems a little backward to me. I expect steady vibration first and then whatever “extra” modes to come after. The different modes for the stroking motion are all an increase in speed. You can definitely tell because the toy becomes whinier but not all of these modes are really differentiable from the others. I’d say that this function might be a little better off with fewer modes, perhaps 4, like the other functions, which are more greatly varied. On the note of sound, this toy is pretty loud, louder than I’d like, in fact. However, upon insertion or pressing against my body, it quieted down significantly.

One thing I would change is to make the buttons protrude a little further. They’re not quite flush with the rest of the control pack, making them a bit difficult to push. I have noticed that the middle buttons, which control the thrusting, are sometimes less responsive. In fact, in my video, you can see that I have to push the buttons several times before it kicks into motion.

But I know you all want to know, how does the stroking feel? After inserting this pretty pink animal into my pussy (I’ve used both System Jo H2O and ToyFluid lube, but this isn’t a super thick toy), I was pleasantly surprised. I could easily feel the stroking up and down and although not meant to be a G-spot toy, it did stimulate it. If the SEXTOY.com Vibrating Rabbit were a little thicker, I think it might even help me achieve G-spot orgasm.

Unfortunately, the stroking does not stand up to clenching at all. As soon as I really got into it and would clench down, it would stop. This is a shame because if it held up to my muscles, I know my orgasm would have been that much more phenomenal.

I found that the bullet in the tip of the shaft became lost with the other functions on. It was just too deep to stimulate anything specific. The other issue I had was that the shaft was very straight and rigid. I would have liked it to have a little more give and/or be a little shorter. I wound up rocking/sliding this toy in a way that stimulated my G-spot, but my cervix was banged up quite a bit. So I wanted to get the orgasm out of the way.

I had a similar issue with the clitoral stimulator. Alone, it felt good, and that was how I eventually got off while using just the shaft – functions off (it seems like I usually resort to this) – to stimulate internally. The vibrations definitely paled in comparison when the stroking function was on. I occasionally couldn’t tell it was vibrating at all. Because it’s such a demanding function, I think a stronger clitoral bullet is called for. The position also wasn’t as good a fit as some other toys I’ve used but it still did the job. The Ultra Gel material is quite soft so the bunny didn’t hug my pubic bone with as much pressure as I prefer.

In the end, I think SexToy.com tried to do a lot with this toy. They went about things in a unique way, and I could really tell. However, not everything succeeded. While the stroking was super stimulating and got me all hot, it wasn’t enough to get me off alone. When used with the clitoral stimulator, I would clench my muscles as I got nearer to orgasm, which brought the stroking to a halt. The shaft vibrator really did nothing for me at all, and the rigid shaft was sometimes uncomfortable. I really wish I could have loved this toy because it seemed unique, but there are a few kinks to work out. Who knows, maybe we’ll see a Sextoy.com Vibrating Rabbit 3.0.

16 Comments

Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

Miracle Massager

February 21st, 2009

Miracle Massager
$55.59 from Store.OfSexAndLove.com

Psst, are you wondering if I still enjoy the Miracle Massager? Check out my updated thoughts in my “A Toy A Day” feature!

My methods of masturbation have always involved more pressure than vibration alone and I began to think that perhaps I didn’t even like vibration. Then I wondered if maybe the toys I was using simply weren’t strong enough and I began to seriously consider the wand style vibrators. Perhaps I simply needed something incredibly strong like the Hitachi, except I just couldn’t over how ugly most of those sex toys were and the resemblance to a microphone certainly was a turn off as well. So I opted for something I thought would be powerful enough, knowing I could always invest in Hitachi at a later point, but the Miracle Massager was better looking. And, with it’s black and red colour scheme and ergonomically curved handle, the Miracle Massage really is the best looking of this type of vibrator in my opinion.

I’m not sure if I can say the Miracle Massager is actually miraculous; nevertheless, it certainly is wonderful. The first day alone, I used it for at least 30 minutes. I used it until I simply couldn’t use it anymore, lest my vulva fall off. I ended up sweaty and tired and had numerous orgasms. You can probably tell I am a fan of the Miracle Massager. I’m glad I tried something different; I’ve been trying to expand from my normal toys and I’ve had a lot of different experiences. This is definitely one of the better ones.

So, how does this differ from insertable vibes? Well, it’s not insertable for one. It plugs in. It has a cylindrical, PVC head which is the only part which you use to stimulate yourself (the rest being handle) and the vibration is spread out over a larger surface. The head rests on a spring which allows movement, unlike some similar vibes. It’s ergonomically designed (the handle is curved). It’s much larger than most vibes. And it’s really freaking strong.

And are these differences notable? You betcha!

I’m a clit girl anyway so I wasn’t missing anything by not being able to insert the Miracle Massager. However, they are some insertable attachments. I would say this is the only real bone I have to pick: the Hitachi has a million quality attachments while the Miracle Massager has only a handful, most of which seem lame.

Relying on a cord plugged into the wall for power as opposed to batteries resulted in a lot stronger vibrations. The Miracle Massager has a high and low setting, the latter which seems to match the high setting on some of my battery powered toys and the former which is, well, much higher. So far, I’ve found the high setting to be the most pleasurable but I don’t like to use it on bare skin: I prefer the stimulation through a thin pair of yoga-type pants. The cord is something which does take a bit of adjustment. I have an outlet perfectly situated in the bedroom but I actually wound up pulling the plug out of the wall in my ‘throes of passion’ in the living room. I have since then made a mental note to use an extension cord. Overall, however, the cord has not been detrimental to my play time.

I actually don’t like pinpoint vibrations (again, the pressure) so I found the shape of the head to be amazing (PVC might not be the safest material, however. I also found that the red PVC seemed to pick up a black ‘stain’ – probably from the pants I wore while using this). I use this with the flat part of the head against my vulva and clitoris while the handle extends outward. I’m pretty sure it’s a unique way to use a toy like this but it allows me to apply a lot of pressure as well as use the..

Spring! This is definitely a highlight of the toy. The strong spring allows me to bend this toy as much as I need and also to apply a rocking sensation as I grind against the Miracle Massager. With many toys which have some bend/give, I wind up breaking them. I am happy to say this is not the issue. The spring is very thick and I have no fear of it breaking. Although the spring does not stick out, it’s not exactly covered so be wary of your hair which some have had pulled by the spring.

I had no issues with the design of the handle. It’s ridged and definitely easy to hold. Because you don’t need to lube it up, it doesn’t slip. The button slides from Off to Low or High and is easy to use. I’m not sure if it’s necessarily as ergonomic as the makers would likely have you believe but it is more appealing to the eye than straight handles.

Although the Magic Massager is larger than most toys, the box actually doesn’t suggest it. This toy comes in a rectangular cardboard box and sits inside a plastic tray. The box doesn’t waste a lot of space and I was actually surprised at how small it is. I was worried about the size and weight of this toy because my fingers and wrists can be lame but it has not been an issue.

And did I mention it’s strong? I don’t know if it can stand up to the Hitachi but it’s definitely the strongest toy I have used and works just fine for me.

A couple side notes – cleaning is really minimum because it’s not insertable and the head is smooth – just wipe down the head with toy cleaner, wipes or soap and water (on a washcloth probably). Storage is easy because I don’t have to worry about it not touching other toys and it seems to be pretty sturdy. I could easily shove it under the bed and not have to worry about it picking up lint. It doesn’t fit in my Devine Storage Box so that’s a shame but it’s not my biggest concern. Using for 30 minutes or more at a time, I have not experienced any uncomfortable (over)heating.

Overall, I have no real complaints about this toy. It provided me with everything I expected and the spring definitely put it into the “and more” category. It’s powerful, as attractive as these toys can be, and more affordable than some toys which do a whole lot of nothing. If you’re interested in something with souped up vibrations, definitely check out the Miracle Massager!

20 Comments

Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

Before and After Toy Wipes

February 4th, 2009

Before and After Wipes

This brand of toy cleaner no longer exists. You can use Afterglow Wipes (afterglow wipes) or Lovehoney’s Wipes (check out my review) to clean your toys and intimate areas, however.

Up until recently, I wasn’t using anything special to clean my toys, just soap and water. Actually, I didn’t really like having to run to the bathroom for clean up so I would often toss my used toys back in the box haphazardly and I wasn’t very vigilant about cleaning before use. As I type this, I actually find myself shaking my head. This definitely was not the safest or healthiest practice to be in and although I was improving, I wanted something even easier so that I would have no excuse not to take care of my toys ans Before and After Toy Wipes really fit the bill.

My search for a toy cleaner started at the bottled solutions but it seemed like they were still a hassle because you need some sort of lint-free cloth. So I opted to go with wipes and these are in fact made by the same company as Before and After cleaner which I also know is really popular. For me, I think wipes are much preferable.

My travel size packet contained 10 single-use wipes which are generously sized at 8″ x 6″.  These are much bigger than, say, moist towelettes and when you consider the area which some toys have, this is important. They’re also much thicker and more like fabric. The wipes are also lightly scented and I find the sweetness to be a little out of place. I think I’d rather use an unscented wipe and I did find that certain materials, like silicone, inherited the scent after use. One thing I like is that the packet is resealable. Lift up the flap to remove a wipe and press it back down. I have used almost all of the wipes and the flap still sticks perfectly so the wipes stay moist.

This is not rocket science. If you’re ready to use a toy, wipe it down. Let it dry and have fun (which is exactly what the packet says). Or, if you’re all done, wipe down, let dry and store for next time. These wipes take care of any lube, body fluids, lint, hair or dust which may be attracted to your toys (especially silicone vibrators and dildos). I was concerned about whether or not it was safe to use these without rinsing, especially because these wipes leave an extremely visible filmy residue. So, I have rinse with water sometimes which is okay because it’s still less work than cleaning but it’s hard for me to not rinse something when I can see the residue. With that said, I have used my toys without rinsing and I have experienced no adverse reactions.

The ingredients is small if not full of long words and includes:

Water

  • Cocoamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
  • Benzyl Alcohol
  • Disodium EDTA
  • Fragrance

I assume the alcohol is what is doing the cleaning in this product but that doesn’t mean the toys are sterilized; if you can go one step further and periodically boil or bleach your toys, I would.  After using these wipes, I have noticed no ill effects on any of my sex toys. I’ve used these wipes on plastic, glass, elastomed, and silicone and they have worked well. I would use one wipe to give a quick wipe down before use and after, but these wipes are meant to be single-use.

The wipes especially worked well when it comes to cleaning up after anal play. They made short work of the messy situations that sometimes arise with sex. I know Before and After cleaner is often recommended for the removal of smells, and with some elbow grease, the wipes did a good job of this but did not completely eliminate some smells. I wanted to toss these in the toilet afterward (and I did, actually)  and I’m not sure how safe that was. A wipe that is completely safe to flush (and said so) would be awesome.

I also don’t know if these are safe to use on me, which I didn’t, but many wipes can be used on both skin and toys.

Although I don’t have any real complaints with Before and After Toy Cleaner wipes, and they are definitely better than my previous cleaning routine, there are a few improvements that could be made to really buy my loyalty. If Classic Erotica were to ensure that these wipes could be flushed, eliminate the scent and film and clarify whether they’re safe to be used on the body, this would be an unbeatable product. As is, I would probably invest in these wipes again because they are just so easy and efficient to use.

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Categories: Non-Sex Toys, Reviews

Image © MisterUnlucky; used with permission.